The Big 5-0<\/b><\/p>\n
In just over a week, I will hit the half-century mark, the BIG 5-0, 50 years-old. Anytime anyone or anything survives that long, people see it as a major milestone and, on most occasions, feel the need to celebrate the event. In my case, it was done with a surprise birthday party. The key word is \u201csurprise.\u201d<\/p>\n
I grew up on a healthy diet of Sherlock Holmes and Batman, so when things are not quite the way they should be around the house I tend to notice. Recently, my wife began receiving phone calls from my mother which she would take in the other room; that is not a normal occurrence. Mom will usually call me, and if she has a message for my wife I will relay it to her. I knew the party was coming, but I didn’t know when.<\/p>\n
The \u201cwhen\u201d came this past Saturday, twelve days before my actual birthday. I was lured to my parents’ house by a half-truth (my sister\u2014who thought up the surprise party idea\u2014wanted to see my new grandson.) Unfortunately, she and my brother-in-law had to make an emergency detour to a medical emergency facility to have my nephew’s finger checked. Since this disrupted their plans, my dear wife began delaying our plans. Another clue something was up.<\/p>\n
When we finally reached my parents’ house, I opened the door to a host of family wishing me an early happy birthday. The only reaction I gave was a nod before I began talking to my nephew about his finger. Despite my facade of indifference, however, I was genuinely touched by my family taking time out of their day to celebrate my birthday.<\/p>\n
When writing, if you are going to use clues and lead up to a surprise of some sort, at some point you will have to\u2014or, at least, you should\u2014show your reader what normal is in each situation so your clue has a greater impact. Once all of your clues are revealed and tied together, make sure your characters have a better reaction than mere indifference. Of course, if you do have a character that seems unimpressed by the big reveal, there might be more to him or her than meets the eye.<\/p>\n
Just thought I would jot this down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Big 5-0 In just over a week, I will hit the half-century mark, the BIG 5-0, 50 years-old. Anytime anyone or anything survives that long, people see it as a major milestone and, on most occasions, feel the need to celebrate the event. In my case, it was done with a surprise birthday party. The key word is \u201csurprise.\u201d I grew up on a healthy diet of Sherlock Holmes and Batman, so when things are not quite the way…<\/p>\n