Today my guest is Karin Beery, who has a unique perspective on something many of us use all the time, with no thought. But as a writer thinks…. what if….
Owner of Write Now Editing, Karin Beery is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and the Christian Editor Network, where she teaches several editing classes through the PEN Institute. Her debut novel, Summer Plans and OtherDisasters, released earlier this year. As managing editor of Guiding Light Women’s Fiction, she is looking for stories that entertain, encourage, inspire, and enlighten. Find out more at her website.
The writer’s struggle – how can you add more conflict to your story?
I’m always looking for new, fun ways to mess up my character’s lives, and sometimes that involves observing ordinary situations and asking “what if”?
What if that guy hadn’t stopped his bike in time and he’d ridden in front of that minivan? Maybe all five of those kids belong to the lady driving. What if she’s single? What if he likes her? What if the kids don’t like him?
That’s a pretty typical list of what-ifs for most writers, but the other day I had a revelation. While wondering how suspense writers create their plots, I realized the truth: my husband and I are easy prey for the next psychopath looking to pin a murder on someone.
You see, I’m not only a writer, I’m also a fan of cop shows and suspense novels, so I know how this works. One finger print, some DNA, and I’m going away for life. But how could someone frame me for murder?
eBay
That’s right. It seems so innocent – I have something you want so I sell it to you for a bargain – but what if it’s really just a way for murderers to frame innocent people?
Think about it. Every time my husband and I box up something to ship to a customer, we use high-quality packaging tape. Do you know how hard it is to use that tape without leaving a finger print on it? And that adhesive! How many skin cells does it rip off every time I tear a new strip? As if that’s not enough, I’ve noticed more than one of my hairs accidentally taped to the outside of a box. So. Much. DNA.
I’m not selling shoes. I’m shipping off frame-me kits!
For the record, I didn’t do it. I’ll never do it. If you ever hear about me being arrested for a violent crime, take this post to the police and tell them I was framed!
Am I overreacting? Possibly, but that’s how I’d frame an innocent man if I wrote a crime novel. It’s just how this writer’s mind works … and probably why my husband doesn’t ask for my help.