What Is Behind Door Number Three

Writing is like playing a game show. 

When I was growing up I remember my mom watching the Price Is Right or Jeopardy or even Wheel of Fortune.  I always was curious when you had to pick a prize behind one of three doors what the other prizes were.  Typically though, if you picked door number three you would get to see what you missed out on and what was behind doors one and two. 

Writing can often feel as if you are picking the prize behind generic door number three but never getting to see what was behind doors number one and two.  There are so many decisions that run through a writers head as the words fall upon the page.  These decisions can be instantaneous or they can be plotted out and deliberate.  When you write these decisions that by the end of a chapter or the story could have an impact on the outcome or the vision of the story.  Behind door number three you get a character with long dark hair, tall and smart.  You get a trip to Romania and DC and you get the storyline of being haunted by memories.  Yet, what if my story were set in Germany in 1962 or the character was illiterate or the family were open and friendly and close versus sinister and manipulative.  What if my main character were a male who played sports or was fat and sat in front of the TV all day or a grandmother or a child....these choices are endless.  Often, these may be the choices behind door number two.

When you watched those game shows they never let you change your mind AFTER you selected and saw what was behind door number three.  You had to stick with your decision.  This is not uncommon with writing.  Your story may change from your initial outline but as the story flows you are making decisions to keep everything moving.  When editing you can remove a minor character but that is again another decision.  In truth, as you are writing you have to commit to your main characters and locations.  This allows you to form relationships with your characters to the point that they appear real to you.  If a character feels real to you then the chances are better they will feel real to the reader.  This could also mean that you may have to do a little research to add in landmarks on your locations but it will seem as if you were really there. Behind door number three is a fantastical trip to a far off land and yet you never have to leave your seat and you computer.  You don't have to pack anything but your imagination.

That does in no manner negate all the work that goes into your story.  In fact, if you think of that same game show format you will recall that you can't pick the ultimate prize without making it through the maze to the end of the game.  Every chapter and progression is getting you to the final scene and so what is behind door number three...maybe a completed, finished work and there standing behind my door number three may be a publisher.  Or, I can pick door number two and learn that I want to self-publish. Or, I can go with door number one and become a crazy lady with ten cats who dies and they find piles of manuscripts locked in a safe with my will that leaves everything to my cats... Writing is like playing a game show and selecting a prize door all the way through.  The important part is committing to your decision and your story and whichever door you select there will be a prize because of your accomplishment of a finished novel.