How I Write a Short Story, Part III

So Barb H. had a wonderful idea, "Perhaps St Patrick's day has always been unlucky for Clancy because that is when her father died or her husband left her or she lost a child. I am getting all these crazy ideas and am probably off base. I will be anxious to hear what you say!"

Barb thinks like I do! 

So now I have these elements...a time frame (St. Patrick's Day), interesting factoids (people actually DO make their own luck to some extent), a conflict (Clancy hates St. Patrick's Day), and a mystery (why? because it's the day her husband left her). 

I need some activities (Kiki's crafts--I'll have to come up with these), and a resolution (I'll think of something).

I also need to look back over Kiki's world and think about possible ways to tie this story into Kiki's life. One idea comes immediately to mind. In Handmade, Holiday, Homicide, we learn that Laurel has a lucky rabbit's foot--but it's fake fur. We know that Anya loves animals. She would be appalled to hear that Laurel has a rabbit's foot, especially if she didn't know it was fake! So somehow, I'd like to weave that into my story.

We're almost at the end of the planning stage...except that I'd been thinking about Clancy, a lot, and I had surprise in store for her and her life. Keep reading to see what that is!