In the space of a city block you can pass by a wannabe Captain Jack Sparrow, fat Elvis and a six-foot-tall Yoda swinging his lightsabers around. You'll be serenaded by the Worlds Greatest Wino singing, "Jingle bells, jingle bells, help me get drunk," every day of the year.
Guys on bikes with surfboards under their arms cruise by muscle men pumping iron and people hawking cds they burned on their computers the night before.
Every novel needs to have something unexpected, something that takes our breath away and surprises us, makes us want to turn the page.
We just have to be willing to wander away from the crowd and make visible that unexpected something...
16 comments:
Beautiful picture. I like that little unexpected factor (especially in writing).
Oh, love this post!
Yes. You have to be brave enough to go off the beaten path and be bold! Great reminder.
I love this - it really is about taking the road less traveled, in life and in your writing.
Great pictures! I love books that have twists and unexpected scenes. Thanks for the reminder.
Have a great weekend, Sherrie!
Haha, what a fabulous analogy!
I love the quiet places in novels that just take you inside and make you think. Everything doesn't have to be action, tensions, climax. Great post Sherrie, thanks.
Carolyn: I'm always impressed by books that can surprise me with a little something unexpected.
Corey: I'm so glad :)
Laura: I love finding things off the beaten path when I travel. Now I just have to apply that in my writing!
Christine: Yes, and it's amazing how much you learn about yourself and the story when you're willing to take those risks.
Jackee: I like to be surprised, too. Hope your weekend is great as well!
Kristan: Thanks!
Anne: Good point. Finding something unexpected can be just as exhilarating as an action filled scene.
You're right, there must always be a surprise.
I love finding the unexpected. My favorite part of traveling is just that. In Venice, Italy, I loved the interior parts of the city and wandering in little churches, each with it's own art collection.
Venice, Calif. is my old stomping grounds, so I know it well. The canals were built at the turn of the 20th century to mimic its Italian namesake. They are, indeed, a quiet treasure.
This is gorgeous, Sherrie. What a beautiful way to communicate such fantastic advice. Bravo!
Nicely put. I think I've seen that river and bridge in a movie.
beautiful post and awesome pictures! Luv it!
I love the unexpected, during my walks, as I write and when I read.
What a perfect way to put that!
Sharon: Surprise is good :)
Tricia: I'm glad that not all of them got filled in and made into roads. They are great treasure in the city.
LiLa: *blushes* Thanks!
Lois: Tons of movies have been filmed in Venice, including "White Men Can't Jump," "Nightmare on Elm Street," and most recently, "Valentine's Day."
Christy: It's a great place to visit!
Medeia: I think we all like to find a bit of the unexpected every day.
Michelle: Glad it resonated for you!
Post a Comment