On a dawn walk a few days ago, with the wind whipping and gray clouds pressing down, a sudden gust turned the landscape into a snow globe. Dancing flakes swirled around me as I plodded on, marveling at the instantaneous transformation—both of my surroundings and my mood.
The snow didn’t last; it was over by the time I returned home five minutes later. There was nothing in evidence for late sleepers to witness but a few white patches on the roadside gravel. But the surprise of the moment remained with me throughout the day, as I thought back to the magical feeling it engendered. No other walkers/runners and only one car shared the road with me. It was as though Nature had bestowed on me a personal treat.
When I sat down later at my laptop, I realized that the element of surprise is a motivation in my writing. Despite having a pretty good idea where I intend a scene to go, characters and/or situations often morph in unexpected ways. Oftentimes those changes benefit the story, leading it down a different, more interesting path, but one that still makes sense. Other times, I have to scrap that change and guide the tale back to its original route, yet leave myself open to another twist.
I think this snippet of poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson puts it well:
… Mount to paradise / By the stairway of surprise
When I start reading a new book, I am always hopeful it will pull me in. The surprise happens when a book not only hooks me and won’t let go until I’ve finished it—but even lingers in my thoughts for several days afterward. That happened recently with Raising Hare, a captivating memoir by Chloe Dalton about her time carefully observing a baby hare (leveret) she found abandoned near her rural English home.
It also happened with Ghostroots, a marvelous collection of short stories by ‘Pemi Aguda. I am hard-pressed to say which is my favorite story in that volume of twelve tales. Each is unique, each a gem.
My WIP is in the revision stage, which for me is the fun part of creating something new. The initial draft is like an unspooling scroll. I can’t see very far ahead. But when the draft is done, taking a step back to see the work as a whole, and with a fresh eye, usually reveals surprising details—or the lack thereof. It’s when a chance comment by a character opens up a whole new thread to be knitted in, or a scene I thought could be cut instead becomes pivotal to the story.
If you’re in the revision process yourself, how do you approach it?
I’ll be at these upcoming book signings. Drop by and say hi if you’re in the area!
Bally Holiday Craft Fair, Barto, PA – Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Center Valley, PA – Nov. 23, noon to 3 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Center Valley, PA – Dec. 14, noon to 4 p.m.
You can read my latest short fiction on A Slice of Orange. And my latest short story can be found in the new anthology A Right Cozy Historical Crime.
Surprises in the kitchen aren’t usually ones I welcome—when the pasta dish I’ve made is tasteless or the cake is dry, or I discover too late that I neglected to bring home a key ingredient.
But discovering a good recipe is always a win. This jam tart, made with cherry preserves, is one of those “keepers.” It was simple to make, and a big hit for my book group.
Thanks for reading –
Dianna
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