The photo below could refer to:
- The infamous Cat Gallordi, having snuck her way onto the rooftop of the Chick Palace
- A fellow writer in my critique group who shared an anecdote when I needed an appropriate CD & song title to drop into a pivotal scene
- The perfect example of the unexpected affecting your fiction
- A secondary character working her way to center stage, thus needing a bit of corralling. (Or her own book/sequel)
- More than one of the above
In my earlier blog I touched briefly on characters taking on lives of their own. When this happens with supporting cast members, it may take your story in unexpected directions. It might make for unexpected developments.
The Catalana Gallordi in my head was little more than arm candy, The Other Woman. When I put her under Lilly's sink & then let her explain, she came to life in ways I had never anticipated. More importantly, who she is & how she interacts helps define & develop my main characters.
Try it yourself. Shake out your wrists & have at it.
Expect the unexpected.
... It being summer and all the
windows open, I caught strains of “A Cold Day in July” wafting from within. My
Dixie Chicks CD? My stereo system.... The remains of my faucet and sink trap, bits of dried gaskets, an empty box and
braided copper tubing littered the Linoleum on the left. ... I let the familiar
squeak of my neglected screen door hinges announce me.
Accompanied by The Dixie Chicks’ harmonies, Cat Gallordi oozed out from under
my S pipe, worked herself around the J bend and turned to look up at me. That
Hampton tan drained from her complexion faster than water through new PVC.
“Lilly! Oh my god, what are you doing here?”
"Cat,
honey,” I said, “We’ve swum in that pond.” ...
“Lilly—" From the
floor Cat wound and re-clipped her auburn tresses, then plucked part of a
Brillo pad from the Free Natalie emblazoned on her t-shirt in patriotic
colors. While I fumed she started a sardonic chuckle and leaned back against
the stove. 
THE CHICK PALACE
Three Dilemmas, Two Friends, One Deserted Tree House
during a simmering summer on Lake Allamuchy
1 comment:
I loved the image in my head of that scene. You are too good.
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