the Unexpected, the Unprecedented, the Frightening, and the Extraordinary

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13

Autumn came to our home as though an angel flipped a switch. Instantly, pumpkins were lurking around our bookshelves, leaves were burning bright red, and geese are flocking through the windows. Fall!

But, before I am run away with my feelings-

It's too early for a Pride and Prejudice reference!

I personally enjoy writing and reading stories that are character-driven. After I develop a few characters that are interesting, unique, and filled with flaws, I could plop them into any sort of story, regardless of genre, because I know them so well.

Always being on the lookout for ways to develop said-characters, as well as tell an effective story, I found Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling, and you should probably check it out as well:

https://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2013/03/07/pixars-22-rules-of-storytelling/

Rule No. Seven can be contradicted by Rose Tremain's advice: "In the planning stage of a book, don't plan the ending. It has to be earned by all that will go before it." For me, a Happy Medium of the two works well.

One of my favorites was Rule No. Nineteen: "Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating."

What could be more fun than throwing your beloved characters into a dangerous situation, an unforeseen happenstance, and then seeing how they cope with it?

Do I have any say in this throwing of the beloved characters?

Sometimes, however, it's not the characters that need to be thrown around a little, but the author.

That's more like it!

Recently, I've come across an idea about my book. It's completely crazy, but really, why not try it? Why not? WHY NOT?

Whenever you face a situation that you might be too tired or too scared to try, always demand of yourself: WHY NOT?

Sometimes, the result can be a mess, but an ultimately good mess. Books love the unexpected, the unprecedented, the frightening, the extraordinary. This often involves surprising yourself, as the writer, and taking risks you wouldn't consider possible.

So, that's what I'm doing. I'm throwing everything up into the air, because this entire writing journey has consisted of throwing ideas up into the air, and seeing how it lands. I've never been disappointed thus far by the crazy ideas that I have been blessed with.

When it comes to writing, that is.

Here are the two books that have been patiently waiting for my attention. Ironically, both are Potters.

As a final thought, I was pleased to receive news that one of my stories is going to be published in a professional public magazine.

Don't get too excited. It's a magazine for babies, and the story is exactly forty-five words long. It's a thrilling tale concerning the care and keeping of the ferocious pet rabbits, a heart-wrenching story concerning a certain pet rabbit's choice snacks, and grooming preferences.

Actually, come to think of it, I don't think there's anything heart-wrenching about it. Ah, well. The young minds of the genius-babies who are somehow reading and comprehending this story (title: "My Pet Rabbit," coming to bookstores near you!), are sure to take one small step to intellectual stimulation, and one giant leap for baby-reading kind!

Still, I was thrilled, and it's a promising start if I've ever smelled one! My family, being the sentimental type that they are, even christened some cupcakes as a figure of celebration on behalf of this rather exciting event.

I must say, I was quite moved.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go eat a celebratory cupcake.

Pink, obviuosly. All celebratory cupcakes should be pink.

As William Zinsser once said: "If writing seems hard, it's because it is hard. It's one of the hardest things people do." This is what makes it so worthwhile, and fantastic.

Read well, fellow writers!