Thinking Outside the Box
I am not an envious person, but fairly content with who I am and what I have. However, now and then I lay a much-read book aside (or turn off the TV after a compelling program) and wistfully say, "I wish I had thought of that idea."
"Thinking outside the box" is good advice for writers. Here are three of my favorite examples.
Unexpected
After I read The Unexpected Mrs. Polliifax Book 1 of Dorothy Gilman's delightful mystery series, I rushed out and bought the entire set. I have read the books many times, and advised suspense-loving friends to do the same--because the author began with an "out-of-the-box" situation.Mrs. Pollifax is retired, busy with church and raising flowers, but bored. Her doctor advises her to do the one thing she has always longed to do. This poses a problem. Her secret, life-long dream is to be a spy for the CIA. That dream is the basis for books that take readers all over the world and into a multitude of exciting situations.
Exceptions
Fantasy has to be outstanding for me to like. Early Edition, a TV program that ran in the late 1990s did that. Last weekend the Decades channel aired continuous episodes, which I recorded and enjoyed
Gary Hobson gets tomorrow's newspaper, complete with screaming headlines,
today--when a cat perched on the edition meows at his door. Gary doesn't know why. All he knows is that when
the early edition hits his doorstep, he has twenty-four hours to set
things right and prevent disasters. This unusual idea was enough to hook and hold me.
A fresh perspective
My favorite example of thinking outside the box is Bruce Barton's, The Man Nobody Knows. The preface, "How it Came to be Written," tells of a child in Sunday School who stares at a picture of a pallid-faced Jesus with red whiskers and wonders how anyone can love Him. \
The boy grows up and becomes a businessman. He says, "Only strong, magnetic men inspire great enthusiasm and build great organizations." The man searches what those who knew Jesus personally had to say--and is amazed. He waits for someone to write a book about the real Jesus." No one does.
Finally, he writes such a book, focusing on seven aspects of "the founder of modern business." When published in 1925, The Man Nobody Knows topped the nonfiction bestseller list. It was one of the best-selling non-fiction books of the 20th century. It focuses on seven things. Here are excerpts.
The Executive. A failure? Jesus picked twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organization that conquered the world.
The Outdoor Man. A weakling? A successful carpenter who slept outdoors, Jesus was strong enough to drive the money-changers from the Temple.
The Sociable Man. A kill-joy? Jesus was the most popular dinner guest in Jerusalem.
His Method. Jesus invited frail, bewildered humanity to stand upright and look at God face to face; to throw away fear, disregard the limitations of their mortality, and claim the Lord of Creation as Father.
His Advertisements. Imagine headlines from a possible Capernaum News. PALSIED MAN HEALED. JESUS OF NAZARETH CLAIMS RIGHT TO FORGIVE SINS. PROMINENT SCRIBES OBJECT. "BLASPHEMOUS," SAYS LEADING CITIZEN. "BUT ANYWAY I CAN WALK," HEALED MAN REPORTS. Front page story number one and the day is still young.
Founder of Modern Business. Jesus stated, "There is a success greater than wealth or titles. It comes through making your work an instrument of greater service . . . this is my Father's business. and He needs your help."
The Master. In the foreign cities of Tyre and Sidon, people cared not that Jesus refused to be crowned a king. They came to hear Him because His words thrilled them, because they felt their better selves touched and made vibrant by the wonder of His life.
Closing scene
"Jesus." The voice of one of the robbers on the cross beside Him. "Remember me, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom."
There have been leaders who could call forth enthusiasm when their fortunes ran high. But when His enemies had done their worst, Jesus so bore Himself that a crucified felon looked into His dying eyes and saluted Him as king.
Unexpected Mrs. Polliifax
The Man Nobody Knows.
Finally, he writes such a book, focusing on seven aspects of "the founder of modern business." When published in 1925, The Man Nobody Knows topped the nonfiction bestseller list. It was one of the best-selling non-fiction books of the 20th century. It focuses on seven things. Here are excerpts.
The Executive. A failure? Jesus picked twelve men from the bottom ranks of business and forged them into an organization that conquered the world.
The Outdoor Man. A weakling? A successful carpenter who slept outdoors, Jesus was strong enough to drive the money-changers from the Temple.
The Sociable Man. A kill-joy? Jesus was the most popular dinner guest in Jerusalem.
His Method. Jesus invited frail, bewildered humanity to stand upright and look at God face to face; to throw away fear, disregard the limitations of their mortality, and claim the Lord of Creation as Father.
His Advertisements. Imagine headlines from a possible Capernaum News. PALSIED MAN HEALED. JESUS OF NAZARETH CLAIMS RIGHT TO FORGIVE SINS. PROMINENT SCRIBES OBJECT. "BLASPHEMOUS," SAYS LEADING CITIZEN. "BUT ANYWAY I CAN WALK," HEALED MAN REPORTS. Front page story number one and the day is still young.
Founder of Modern Business. Jesus stated, "There is a success greater than wealth or titles. It comes through making your work an instrument of greater service . . . this is my Father's business. and He needs your help."
The Master. In the foreign cities of Tyre and Sidon, people cared not that Jesus refused to be crowned a king. They came to hear Him because His words thrilled them, because they felt their better selves touched and made vibrant by the wonder of His life.
Closing scene
"Jesus." The voice of one of the robbers on the cross beside Him. "Remember me, when Thou comest into Thy kingdom."
There have been leaders who could call forth enthusiasm when their fortunes ran high. But when His enemies had done their worst, Jesus so bore Himself that a crucified felon looked into His dying eyes and saluted Him as king.
Unexpected Mrs. Polliifax
The Man Nobody Knows.
6 comments:
Great writing advice, Colleen, and perfect examples. Thanks for the reminder to come up with an out-of-the-ordinary idea, add a few "what ifs," and get busy!
i forgot all about mrs. pollifax. Going over to Amazon and downloading it to my Kindle. Yay! And I'll try the Man nobody knows too. For $1.99. :-)
Early Edition sounds interesting. The KCLS only has parts of Season 1, though. There's a 1944 movie with the same premise called It Happened Tomorrow; the library has that. Thanks for your recommendations (:
I like in Early Edition that just when you think you have the why and wherefore figured out, there is another quirk. Besides, Kyle Chandler is a real cutie and other cast members play their parts well. Julie and I used to watch a lot of it before she was married.
To paraphrase, "If you get the idea, the rest will come."
I got a whole new picture of Jesus from The Man Nobody Knows. And Mrs. P. takes you all over the world.
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