Build Your Story: 8 Strategies for Writing Innovative Setting with Impact
Visible Threat: Case
Study
Brinna
sighed. “I went into the water accidently, nothing heroic. Then I blacked out
and next thing I remember I was in an ambulance.”
….
Brinna
shook her head and explained. “When I saw the girl, adrenaline took over. I
tried to get close enough to the edge and grab her and fell in. It was stupid.
“Hear,
hear.” Maggie held up her soda cup up. “She and Rick were connected by a leash.
When Brinna lost her balance, so did Rick. They both went into the water, but he hit the rocks. Matt
and Jeff grabbed him; then all of a sudden there were firemen everywhere. Their
timing was impeccable.”
The above passage gives a version of the characters
impression of the events that left Long Beach Officer Brinna Caruso with a
broken wrist, and a fellow officer facing dangerous surgery due to a fractured
shoulder and broken back.
Earlier the readers saw that five police officers acted
capably and with courage, but not with any degree of irresponsibility. They all
knew the dangers of the river and took precaution. All Brinna planned to do was
kneel on the water’s edge in the hopes the drowning girl was swept close
enough. Rick also stood as close to the water’s edge as was safely possible. Then they added the
extra safety precaution of the leash.
It’s a great example of how the combination of a known
natural territory and experienced preparation can still upend a situation into
high conflict and high stress. Now
a life is on the line as well as a solid partnership, and relationships both personally
and professionally.
Exercise: Make a
short list of normal actions your character does in their daily job. Then next
to each one choose how an accident could be directly related to that normal
activity.
Share: Think of a
possible example for your character where a slight fall could have dire
consequences based on their territory.
Read deep, marcy
For more information on Janice Cantore's intriguing mysteries check out her site at: http://www.janicecantore.com/
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