Have you ever wondered how your life would be different IF you’d made a different choice here or there? If you’d bought that house instead of this one? Gone on a date with this guy instead of that one?
What if you’d decided to go to a different college instead of the one you went to – where you met your husband? What if you’d never applied for that job – the one you’ve had for ten years now and where you met your best friend? What if you you hadn’t ignored that phone call, the one bringing an urgent message that you now regret missing?
What if can paralyze us in life, or spur us on to make different choices going forward. What if can be filled with regret, or it can be the catalyst to take stock of our life. What if is a question we rarely get an answer to (when looking back) and can plague our dreams. But it can also help us evaluate where we’ve been and where we’re going.
The great “what if” is often at the root of a new story. You encounter a woman, a stranger, and wonder “what if she’s actually a classically trained pianist who had her hand injured when she tried to save a child so now she works in a women’s boutique instead?” What would her story look like? Or you see a man with a child at the park and overhear the child say, “I wish mommy was here.” So you wonder about their story. What if “mommy” was his single sister and now he’s left to raise a child on his own? What would that story look like?
These are simple examples of how a romance story might be born. That question – what if – can turn an ordinary situation into one filled with danger (romantic suspense) or new opportunities (contemporary romance), or show us a slice of life in the wild west (historical romance). “What if” can spin the lives of our hero or heroine onto a new trajectory. It’s a question that should be asked several times throughout a story to add twists and turns.
What if we don’t ask what if? We end up with a story that’s predictable, even boring. And the reader tosses the book aside, left to wonder her own what ifs. What if the character had done this instead of that? What if the hero hadn’t been able to return when he said he would? What if the heroine sold her store and left town when the hero didn’t return? What if the story hadn’t gone the predictable route but instead forged a new and unexpected path? (The answer to that is the reader would finish the book, recommend it to her friends, and be anxious for the next book to come out!)
So ask what if and look for unexpected answers. Consider alternate endings (in fiction and in life).
Don’t settle for what is (if you don’t like it) – ask what if. The answer just might surprise you. And it might change your life!
Is there a what if in your life that spurred you to make a change? A what if that resulted in something wonderful and unexpected?
Stacy is a freelance writer with articles published regularly in local community magazines and national publications. She also writes web copy for area businesses and a monthly newsletter for a women’s health business. She blogs regularly on Land of 10,000 Words where she features Minnesota writers, and provides insights into the writing craft and industry. Past president and founder of MN-NICE, the Minnesota ACFW chapter, she is now the Area Director for Minnesota. Her debut novel, One of Me, releases June 1, 2014, through Choose NOW Publishing. And if you ask her about her 1st grandchild (born Valentine's Day 2014), she'll be happy to show you some pictures.
Stacy, what a wonderful article. The “what ifs” of life are sometimes challenging to deal with, but I’m learning. The most important thing about those what ifs for me is to lay all my options on the table and then pray about each one. Letting God guide me in the direction He wants me to go is the only way I know I’m in His will. That includes allowing Him to hear all my what ifs and then hand me one I hadn’t yet considered. That’s when life gets really interesting!
I love the what ifs of stories. I’m not yet that great at them, in my opinion, but again, I’m learning. My current story in progress deals with this what if: What if you could have two soul mates?
Happy “what if”-ing!
Andrea
That’s a great what-if for a story, Andrea. And for real life. It blows the assumption that we can only have one soul mate right out of the water. Can’t wait to read it – all of it!
Hi Stacy, Your post reminds me of the Gwynneth Paltrow movie, Sliding Doors. I agree, it can be counter-productive to dwell on past decisions because we can’t turn back the clock and alter our real life choices. But, we can learn and move forward with our new knowledge for future decisions.
I love brainstorming ‘what if’ story ideas with you and Suzie. It’s often the cliche or stereotype that’s our first ‘what if’ idea, and digging deeper gives us the stronger and more powerful ideas.
I’m a terrible what-if’er on my own, Narelle, so I’m thankful for wonderful crit partners who help me dig deeper to ferret out those story-changing what-ifs. :)
So true. Crit partners are so helpful to dig past the obvious “what ifs” and into lesser charted territory. We don’t read contemporary romance for the ending. We know what that will be. We read for the journey, and there are many ways to get from A to B, especially if the “what ifs” keep coming!
That’s the fun of the story, don’t you think? Just when you think you know what’s happening, or going to happen, the author throws in a what if you didn’t see coming and the storyline has a whole new twist. I think it’s so important to find new ways to get from A to B, to keep readers (and ourselves as we write) interested.
Thanks, Stacy! I needed your encouraging words today. Yesterday, I felt like I should give up writing altogether. Good thing I didn’t listen to that negativity too long. :o) This morning/early afternoon I’ve already written over 1200 words. I’d say God is blessing me through the storm again. Love Him so much for His patience and steady hand on my life.