By Michelle Lim
Secrets snatch up live news feeds, tabloid articles,
history book pages, and even a parent’s diligent attention as their child
reveals who really “started it.” They’ve long held our fascination and changed
relationship dynamics.
We often forget to incorporate the power of secrets
into our stories unless it is genre driven. What a missed opportunity!
Think of the secrets throughout history that caused
scandal, intrigue, and continued study. People are still trying to solve riddles
of historical crimes and missing treasures. It’s time to cash in on the power
of secrets in our stories.
If you say, “That’s all well and good, but I
struggle to brainstorm secrets,” don’t panic! Here’s a brainstorming strategy
that helps me create plot-deepening secrets for my story characters.
Brainstorming
Secrets in 3 Easy Steps:
Step One:
*Take a truth from your
character’s values that would facilitate an expected response. Find an opposing
value to pit against it.
Example:
Truth:
You’ve been offered a job as a nanny with a wealthy family.
Value:
Meaningful employment that allows you to support yourself.
Twist:
You have a stalker that might put the kids at risk.
Decision: Take the job and keep the situation a secret
from the family, reject the job to insure the children’s safety and lose your
independence, or tell the family and accept the job if they will hire you.
Step Two:
*Give knowledge of our
character’s secret to someone who will use it against them.
Example:
Secret:
Tammy received a DUI in college before she made the decision to quit
drinking.
Deviant:
The fiancé’s former girlfriend discovered Tammy’s secret. She uses
it to get the job remodeling the couple’s new house. (Think of the opportunities
for conflict introduced by the former girlfriend’s proximity.)
Lie
that deepens the internal conflict: Her fiancé won’t love or forgive her
if he learns the truth because his father was killed by a drunk driver.
Step 3:
*Use a secret to create confusing
contradictions in the character’s behavior.
Example:
Secret: Carrie has always been picked last since
elementary school. In college her professors assigned her lab partners who were
always disappointed to work with her. She avoids situations where she will be
left standing last.
Situation:
She is expected to participate in a Picnic Lunch Auction to benefit the
children’s hospital’s new neonatal unit.
Choice:
She refuses to take part in the auction, certain her contribution won’t
receive a large donation and she’ll be humiliated when no one bids on her
lunch.
Confusion:
The auction committee members assume she’s snobbish, uncooperative, or
uncaring because she doesn't have children of her own. The hero believes she’s
self-centered. Her secret insecurity could potentially harm her reputation and
relationships.
Secrets don’t have
to be skeletons in the closet—a murderous history or a past affair—to be effective
in deepening those all-important conflicts in a compelling story. Experiment
with the idea of introducing a secret or two that naturally increases tension.
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Author Michelle Lim is
the Brainstorming/Huddle Coach with My Book Therapy Press and the Midwest Zone
Director for American Christian Fiction Writers. Michelle’s romantic suspense
is represented by Mary Keeley of Books & Such Literary Agency. Michelle
writes devotionals for The Christian Pulse Online and Putting On The New as
well as articles for her own blog, thoughtsonplot@wordpress.com. Since her
nonfiction book release, Idea Sparking: How To Brainstorm Conflict In Your Novel, through public speaking and
online chats Michelle helps writers discover the revolutionary power of
brainstorming to bring new life to their stories.
Her Social Media Links: Twitter:
@MichelleLim24
Facebook: Michelle Lim
My Blog: www.thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com
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