Using the Unexpected as a Springboard for Our Stories

Image Credit: Dana/PhotopinCC

Where I live, it’s not unusual for farm animals to occasionally wander off from where they’re supposed to be.

Cows, goats, horses, and chickens have all made an appearance along the tree-lined lanes of our neck of the woods.

Once when our daughter was about three, she stood at the window and clapped her little hands. “Mommy, come see the big birds in our back yard!”

Of course, I thought she was referring to the crows. Or buzzards. Or maybe wild turkeys.  But no.

“What are those doing here?”

On the far corner of our back field strutted five of the oddest looking, long-necked birds I’d ever seen. They were huge. Much larger than I would’ve expected.

Emus.

Now, emus are fairly funny-looking, ostrich-like birds that are not your usual farm or wildlife fare. At least where I live. They’re also not the most attractive creatures, nor do folks usually raise them as pets. They’re known for their oil, eggs, and sometimes, meat. I think. (But let’s not think about that, shall we?)

(At that time, we had a neighbor not far from us who was trying his hand at raising the odd birds. Somehow, they’d escaped through an area of broken fence and made their way onto our property.)

That memory still sparks a laugh when our family thinks about it.

It wasn’t like we could call animal control and say, “Help!  We have emus in our backyard! Can you come get them, please?”

In certain instances, or in life for that matter, it’s a good idea to expect the unexpected.

We shouldn’t dwell on when the next shoe will drop, but rather, use that mindset as a springboard to action. Of course, behind every story is the what if factor.

That’s what drives the momentum. It’s what keeps readers turning pages.

As you know, there are unexpected life events that aren’t funny or wonderful or storytelling material. We can still use those moments of seasoning, however, in the creative process as we write.

Here’s what I do:

•  Jot down the unexpected. I keep a running log of specific instances that I want to remember.  I never know when I might use it as fodder for a blog post or plot line.

• Create file folders. In those I keep newspaper articles or magazine clippings of unexpected or surprising local/world events as they occur. They’re good reference materials.

• Carry my camera/phone. There’s nothing like being ready when it comes to capturing the unlikely.

• Tell someone else. While the event is still fresh in my mind, I’ll also relay it to a family member or friend. You know the saying. Two heads are better than one. If you forget a minor detail, perhaps, they’ll remember.

• Realize that unexpected events aren’t perceived the same way by others. They might remember the details, but have their own perspective on what just occurred. Adds another dimension to character depth as we create.

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What writers should consider when the unexpected happens.

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Your turn. What do you do when the unexpected comes calling?

How do you weave those experiences into your stories as you write?

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Happy Friday!

Blessings Always,