Take the Last Banana by Debra H. Goldstein
When a person comes up to me and says he/she has the perfect idea for a book, if only he/she could find the time to write it, I run in the other direction. The same normally holds true when someone offers me an idea for my writing. Recently, I broke that rule. A friend said, “I have an idea for you. I don’t want a claim on it. You can use it or lose it.”
My curiosity was piqued. This person has a dry sense of humor and from the twinkle in his eye, I knew he felt his suggestion was going to be quite witty. I bit. Holding back a grin, he said, “Take the last banana.”
Apparently, in preparing to leave the beach, his wife realized there was one last banana to pack up. She admonished him to “Take the last banana” and the way she said it amused him. Out of context, it hit me the same way. I don’t know how I’m going to use it yet, but the phrase is simmering on a back burner. At some point, I will come across something in my research or a contest prompt that “Take the last banana” will fit into perfectly.
When I wrote the short story, Who Dat? Dat the Indian Chief! for Mardi Gras Murder, the idea of redemption had been floating around my mind for a long time, but it hadn’t fit anywhere. Researching to find a New Orleans flavored story twist, I read articles about the different Mardi Gras parades, Hurricane Katrina, and the various restaurants. A reference to the Mardi Gras Indian parade caught my attention. More research revealed the Mardi Gras Indians were African-America and the parades occurred, but weren’t scheduled. The idea fascinated me and as I worked to figure out when in time to set it and what would motivate a crime, the thoughts of redemption surfaced again. Suddenly, I knew how to associate all of these ideas.
Published in February 2014 as part of the short story anthology, Mardi Gras Murder edited by Sarah Glenn, Who Dat? Dat the Indian Chief! is the perfect example of how my thoughts and ideas can gel. I can’t wait to find a way to use “Take the last banana.” Any ideas?
You have a generous friend, and patience, and a good memory. By the time I found something to do with the phrase, I’d have forgotten it. 🙂
The oddity of a phrase is what stays with me long before the rest of the idea comes together for me. Kathy, I Love your blog!
No clue re the banana, but can’t wait to read what comes of it. I do know that often taking two disparate ideas and tossing them together yields interesting stuff!
So far, a blog and some possible other thoughts. I’ll keep you posted.
Nice post! I love how the oddball fact or overheard conversation works its way to the surface. I’m sure you’ll do something great with it–eventually! (To know more about the Mardi Gras Indians, Netflix some episodes of Treme–awesome HBO show about post-Katrina New Orleans that too many people missed. Done by the same crew that did The Wire, but in every spot where The Wire would have included something violent, Treme had music. Loved every minute and great cast!)
Thank you. It is almost ironic how the oddball phrase begins the basis for something. Since the story about the Mardi Gras Indians was published, people have been sending me updated articles, but you are the first to mention Treme as having addressed them. I definitely will check it out.