How did you get the idea for The Road Show?
The idea for The Road Show occurred to me about seven years ago on the steps to the stage in the Franklin TN stake center, about five minutes before it was our ward's turn to perform. I had been called to be the director on short notice (and yes, I was not exactly thrilled at the calling. And yes, Scott's response in the book might possibly have a basis in reality).
Growing up in the West, road shows were big productions for the youth, with maybe a quick cameo by the bishopric if they were really cool. Our ward in TN only had three youth, so most of the parts went to adults. This had allowed me to do a more serious road show, and I had tried to make it meaningful, both dramatically and spiritually. It was, however, very different than the one in the book.
While I was chatting with some of the cast members, a series of what "what if" questions flashed through my mind, and these "what ifs" connected to some other "what ifs" I had thought about earlier: "What if...the leading man was reluctantly participating?" What if the leading lady had postpartum depression?" "What if the director had a secret problem of some kind?" "What if....."
I don't know about how other creative folks work, but I live for these "what ifs." They are incredibly exciting moments and they start my mind--and my spirit--on fire as I begin to play with them.
I started answering the questions, and asking more questions, and the rough outline appeared in my brain.
A few months later, my mom decided to have a family talent show--but the rule was that this was to be a non-traditional talent show--no singing or playing the piano. While I was thinking about what to do, the prologue for the book, which I am very fond of, materialized in my mind. I started typing furiously and wrote a rough draft. Then, the final chapter came very, very clearly. It just appeared in my mind and heart--I could barely type fast enough. It was really, really cool.
Once I had the beginning and end, I just had to come up with the middle. That was the hard part, and it took me five years to do it, but that's another story.
Growing up in the West, road shows were big productions for the youth, with maybe a quick cameo by the bishopric if they were really cool. Our ward in TN only had three youth, so most of the parts went to adults. This had allowed me to do a more serious road show, and I had tried to make it meaningful, both dramatically and spiritually. It was, however, very different than the one in the book.
While I was chatting with some of the cast members, a series of what "what if" questions flashed through my mind, and these "what ifs" connected to some other "what ifs" I had thought about earlier: "What if...the leading man was reluctantly participating?" What if the leading lady had postpartum depression?" "What if the director had a secret problem of some kind?" "What if....."
I don't know about how other creative folks work, but I live for these "what ifs." They are incredibly exciting moments and they start my mind--and my spirit--on fire as I begin to play with them.
I started answering the questions, and asking more questions, and the rough outline appeared in my brain.
A few months later, my mom decided to have a family talent show--but the rule was that this was to be a non-traditional talent show--no singing or playing the piano. While I was thinking about what to do, the prologue for the book, which I am very fond of, materialized in my mind. I started typing furiously and wrote a rough draft. Then, the final chapter came very, very clearly. It just appeared in my mind and heart--I could barely type fast enough. It was really, really cool.
Once I had the beginning and end, I just had to come up with the middle. That was the hard part, and it took me five years to do it, but that's another story.