Into the Fire

One of the questions some authors, professionals, and instructors suggest for writers is this one: “What if . . .?” This question is supposed to be the catalyst for the next big conflict in a story. This question is supposed to spur a reaction unique to the protagonist or heroine or peripheral character which will drive the story into even deeper conflict which is supposed to keep the reader involved and be the fundamental reason for reading a story. I guess.

But don’t we all ask this question of ourselves innumerable times daily? Isn’t this the unspoken question at the root of our fears? Yet isn’t this also the question that forces contingency planning?

Perhaps those who outline and plot their novels before they write them must ask this question outright to further the storyline. Those who write by the seat of their pants stumble into the series of circumstances which might fall under the “What if?” line of questioning. And isn’t it much easier to formulate possibilities for this question if writing a thriller, a mystery, or a suspense novel? It seems there would be limited occurrences for asking this question if writing a romance.

Sitting around at a writers’ gathering strictly for plotting purposes, this question stirs up imaginations. It also reveals how diverse minds work and interpret different stimuli. But the question is only useful if our minds respond to it with workable plot points.

This question could be the genesis of any story, but for me it’s not a question I consciously ask. How does your novel begin and travel down its road to completion?

Lord, you never fail to surprise me. I’m amazed at what you do through writers who’ve given their all to you. You are all I’m livin’ for . . . In the Name of Jesus, Amen.