In books as well as in life, there are times when something
totally unexpected happens. It can be when a past relationship between two main
characters is revealed, which helps explain their interactions and attitudes.
Or the discovery of new evidence in a mystery that can help narrow down the
suspects. Or the arrival of a new
character who has always been on the periphery of the story.
Last week a conversation brought to mind my time
facilitating a writer’s workshop a few years ago. Occasionally I would create a prompt for the
group, giving them a particular component to focus on and writing a few
paragraphs of a scene to get them started. It was always a blast to see the
results when they returned for the next session. Some were so well done they
left us begging for more.
One of my favorites was about the unexpected. In that prompt, I set it up where a guy has
prepared dinner, getting everything ready to woo his new girlfriend. The mood
is set with candlelight and romantic music when there is a knock at the door.
Expecting his lady friend, he is dismayed to discover his ex-girlfriend on the
landing, demanding his attention. There
were a number of great scenes that stemmed from that.
When working on my stories, it’s
always in the back of my mind that a little twist is needed. Sometimes I plot
it out well in advance. Often, it’s a spur of the moment inspiration. But
whatever the method, it always helps to keep the story going.
Here’s an example of the unexpected from “Fleeing Beauty”. In this scene, Jamie and her friend Ian are
just finishing up a day’s work at her late father’s studio, when there is a
knock at the door.
It was after four
o’clock when I decided we’d done enough for one day. All told twelve crates had
been opened, their precious cargo revealed to the light of day for the first
time in over two decades. Ian was sweeping up the last of the straw. I had just
sent the video files to my home computer and to Lincoln Banning when someone
knocked on the outer door. Quickly we turned off the lights in the storeroom
and swung the secret door shut. Ian was closing up the roll top desk as I went
to open the door. Releasing the lock, I pulled the door open partway, letting
it rest against my shoulder. It’s a good thing I did that, because what greeted
me was so stunning that I almost fell over.
She was standing there
with a gentle smile on her face. Wearing modest heels, she was still an inch
shorter than me. Her hair was the color of sand, with a few blonde highlights
sprinkled in for good effect. She was wearing a linen suit in an ivory color,
the skirt not quite reaching her knees. The silk blouse shimmered in the light,
giving me the impression she was sparkling with energy. Her face was free of
wrinkles or shadows. Her makeup was perfect. Even from three feet away, I
caught a whiff of her delicate perfume.
Vera.
“Well, Jamie, are you
just going to stand there or are you going to invite us in?” Her voice was
strong, with just a hint of annoyance.
I hadn’t noticed there
were other people behind her. Lincoln Banning and Helen Gaines flanked
her. Drawing a breath, I pushed the door
open and stepped back. Vera reached up and put her hands on my shoulders. She
leaned close, but not near enough for an embrace and did the air kiss routine
toward each cheek. Then she swept past me into the room, trailing the
attorneys. She canted her head in Ian’s direction.
“And who is this
handsome young man?” she cooed.
Ian wiped his palms on
the back of his shorts and came forward. I introduced him to everyone. Vera was
sizing him up like a pony at the rodeo.
“I didn’t think you
were coming to town for a week or more.”
Vera fluttered a hand
at me as if she were shooing away a pigeon. “Well, once my friends heard about
the discovery, they insisted on expediting our trip. We flew to Hawaii. Another
friend suggested I use his private jet to come to the mainland. I’d forgotten
how tedious international travel can be.”
“We did try and call
you, Jamie,” Lincoln Banning said, “as soon as I knew Vera was in town. I left
several messages on your phone.”
“It must be in my bag.
We’ve been busy.”
Vera walked around the
studio, stopping in front of the worktable with the lone sculpture on it. Slowly
she brought one hand up to her mouth. No one said a word as she stared at it.
Vera reached out and delicately ran her fingers over the figures.
“I remember this one.
The lines were giving him fits. He just couldn’t seem to get it right. Peter
was such a perfectionist.”
“That he was,” Lincoln
said. “Even after all these years under wraps, this is an amazing piece of
art.”
Vera spun to face me.
“Linc said there are many more. I’d like to see them.”
“They are in the
storeroom.” While we’d been talking, Ian moved over by the hidden switch. I
nodded and he unlocked the door and swung the panel open.
Vera led the way. I
followed with Lincoln right beside me. Helen Gaines walked a few steps further
back. Ian stayed by the doorway.
“Linc said you are
making a catalog,” Vera said, speaking softly.
“We are.”
I explained the
process and the videos we had taken so far. The group slowly made its way down
the aisle, taking the time to examine each piece. Helen remained out of the
way. I glanced over my shoulder in her direction. Her face was etched in
wonder. I could relate.
“There are so many,”
Vera said breathlessly. “I had no idea.”
“We’ve opened nineteen
so far. We’ll resume work on Monday. If we can stay on schedule, we should have
them all open and ready for the experts in two more weeks.”
“Once we have
everything documented, I can have the videos professionally edited and we can
make a very detailed catalog,” Lincoln said.
We moved back out to
the studio. Ian switched off the storeroom lights and secured the door. Once again we gathered around the worktable. I
was studying Vera. It looked like her energy was fading.
“I’m afraid jet lag is
catching up with me,” Vera said. “I’ll have Benjamin drive me out to the
hotel.”
“Who’s Benjamin?” I
asked.
Vera gave me a gentle
smile. “He’s the limousine driver. My friend insisted that I use his private
car and driver while I am in town. I’m staying at the Hotel Baronette in Novi.
Come for dinner. Eight o’clock. The hotel has an excellent restaurant.”
All I could do was
nod. With the two attorneys flanking her, Vera made her exit. Ian appeared
alongside me.
“Are we all done, Jamie?”
“Yes, I think we’ve
just been dismissed.”
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Music this week comes from Bruce Springsteen.
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