By Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet
The key to creating the unexpected character, setting or plot is that you control reader response. If your readers feel superior to your story, if they believe they can anticipate not only the story’s larger direction but also the smaller elements of description, characterization and plot, they won’t turn the page. But if you lead characters down a road not usually taken, and explain why it’s not often taken, you can expect your readers to come along for the ride.
- Think outside the box. Look for the unusual detail, the different setting, the road not taken.
- Go beyond stereotypic characters. The hooker with the heart of gold may seem different, but she’s been used before.
- Play fair with your endings. O. Henry twists need preparation.
- Provide explanations for every unusual character, element of setting, or event.
- Stake out that middle ground of the unusual. Try to avoid the extremes of the slightly quirky and the unbelievably outlandish.