Country Roads

If you have ever spent any amount of time driving in West Virginia, I am sure there is a chassis parts salesman somewhere who appreciates it. While it is true you can go from one city to another using our interstate or highway system, at some point you have to leave the big road behind.

Country roads can be an adventure all their own. They can narrow to the point of becoming one lane with more turns, hills, and dips than a roller coaster. That doesn’t include the pot holes. There is a joke that asks, “How can you spot a drunk driver in West Virginia?” The answer…“He’s the one NOT swerving all over the road.”

When you are writing, the plotting process is like driving on the interstate. The interstate will get you from where you are to where you want to go in the least amount of time, just like a plot will give you a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Along the way, you will come upon exits and entrances; these are where you leave the main story to explore sub-plots and then return. You don’t find the really interesting ideas or plot twists until you are on the country roads.

The cool thing about country roads is that you are never sure what you will discover along the way. You may spend a good bit of time exploring only to realize you have reached a dead end. At other times, you may find something so amazing that you want to rethink the ending of your story. And, even on rare occasions, you might discover that missing piece of information which points you in the direction you need to go.

Never be afraid to spend a little time exploring the country roads. Remember where you left the interstate, however, in case they try to take you to far from your destination. The main thing is to enjoy the ride.

Just thought I would jot this down.