Why Times Five

This week has been all about the question Why. Why become a teacher? Write Anything on Monday wondered why write in the first place?

But my chemistry professor brought up the best point about the question why. He stated a good scientist doesn't just ask why, they ask it at least five times to see if the answer holds up and to follow where those answers lead.

I don't think this should only be for scientists to ask why 5 times.

Here is a great example. I played baseball from as early as I can remember. After high school (it's been almost fifteen years now) I was accepted to play at a local college and had a small scholarship. I quit immediately after our first meeting.

Why?

1) The coach said, "If you have ever thought about quitting, quit." So I did.

Why?

2) I had a life outside baseball. I had a girlfriend you know.

Why?

3) I didn't want to put the time commitment in.

Why?

4) I was tired of feeling like the slum of the earth after a bad game and an invincible jerk after a good game. I wanted to get off that roller-coaster of emotion.

Why?

5) I didn't want to start over with a new team and go through the issues of trying to fit in. I worried I didn't deserve or belong playing baseball at that level. I worried that I wasn't good enough.

See how the answers went from flippant to pretty detailed and emotional...yes that really is a true story. Go cry for me. Or not. But it did take a long time for me to even REALLY understand why I had made that decision.

Are you asking your characters why? What about your story? Have you had your tale move off your intended path into something totally different? Why? Why? Why? Don't ask once...ask five times! And don't forget that where it leads you is just as important as answering the question!

Mike, from one of my new favorite shows, The Middle, was hammered with the question why just last week. They thought he was just a little to excited about septic tanks. I love this show....I'm a Hoosier (whispers "Hoosier" to self) afterall.

The Teeth of Character

We can all think of characteristics that makes an impact. A character can have a limp,a lisp, wild hair, or just plain act crazy. But what about teeth?

In reading we hardly ever get a description of teeth unless there is something unsettling in their appearance or out of place. Unsettling teeth can be missing or discolored and the author conveys an idea of an unhealthy, poor, or evil individual. We rarely get the perfect teeth description unless they are for a purpose. A perfect set of chompers typically represent overindulgence or a snake oil salesman.

This week I ran into a kid in one of my education classes whose two front teeth were pitted. It looked as if braces were forceably ripped off of those teeth and then nothing was done. What kind of person do you think he was? Well, I can say I had the "pleasure" of introducing the kid. He was a jerk. I'm thinking about making him the basis of a killer in one of the sections of my work in progress. I think the teeth really make him the leading candidate. Along with the stringy unkept hair and patchy beard make him the perfect looking killer. Where has this guy been all my life? Oh, by the way, he wants to educate your children....*shiver*

My point? Think of a character that you have that may become stronger with a missing tooth or so. Or if you want to set convention on it's head, give a protagonist a bad set of snaggled teeth. Austin Powers comes to mind, but his teeth were literally a joke. If you take a serious character and give them teeth that you're momma would be shocked by...how does that effect that character? A ruined confidence? Definitely a self esteem issue. But what else can they do that overcomes their teeth issues? Maybe it makes them better undercover. Maybe it drives them to be the best at what they do. Experiment a little.