Today–just weird.

As a writer, I think one of my weaknesses is plot.  I’m good with words.  I’m good with characters.  I just don’t always have any ideas for what those characters should actually do.

So, I try to pay attention to real life news stories—in hopes that, like many other writers, some obscure tale will provide a spark of inspiration.

I have to admit, so far, it hasn’t happened.  Sigh.  But, one place I’ve looked that seems to have potential (although now, of course, you will all rush out and use any possible plots lurking here) is the News of the Weird column.

Now, beware.  Some of these items are…well…less than appetizing.  It all depends on what’s happening in the world that can be classified as weird that week.

The column was originally—and still is, probably—a newspaper feature edited by Chuck Shepard.  At some point, however, it began to appear online.  Mr. Shepard himself does not vouch for the authenticity of all the stories, so I imagine some of them are true and some of them aren’t.  All of them are weird, however, and many of them qualify for me linking to the column here on Silly Saturday.  (Criminals especially seem to have a high “silly” quotient.”)

An interesting feature of the website is an interactive map.  You can click on your state and get localized News of the Weird.

Have fun!