Notice there is no, “but,” in this post’s title. I’ve put myself on an attitude diet and reduced my, “but.” I’ve replaced it with pure, “and.”
I decided to try this diet after reading an article by Sarah Calendar on Writer Unboxed:
There is something empowering and freeing in using and in place of but, which I suppose makes sense. But is a word that limits someone or something. And is a word that increases someone or something. These conjunctions-junctions really do have important functions.
The idea that we are not solely one thing or another was a, “whoa,” moment for me.
Try it:
I’m an introvert and I like to entertain in my home.
I’m trying to traditionally publish and I know it’s hard.
I like to play the piano and I need to practice more.
I want to learn to play Redemption Song by Bob Marley on my guitar and I need to find the music.
My goals and motivation sharpen way the hell up when I do this. I even accidentally created the first step to accomplishing my goals in two of these examples.
Reading and Writing The, “And”
Do you like characters that are complicated, flakey and don’t always know what to do? I always have. Though we are in an age where authors are told readers want strong female characters. Yes. Certainly.
But (oops, my but gettin’ big).
I like characters that mess up because of who they are and not in spite of themselves. Now, I know, like you know, that some characters in some bestsellers are TSTL (too stupid to live). I won’t list them, but you feel free to in the comments. Hee.
But (again) what if you read about a songwriter who is divorced from a cheating husband and loves two men? Is such a conflict even possible?
What about a man who’s trying to save his marriage and loves his best friend’s fiancee?
Whaaaaat?
Would their conflicts resonate with you? Do you think you might feel all the betrayal and redemption these characters do? Could they possibly become more human to you? Would the promise of a character arc from, “I thought I was right,” to “Now, I know I’m right,” appeal to you?
Or would you find it boring?
Dana Scully is a skeptic and she searches for the truth.
These are characters that came to life for us. We may not agree or support all of their decisions but we will never forget them.
Become Instantly Fascinating
Think of people in your life and throughout history with personas that contrasted with their actions or their beliefs. Make statements about them that brings their humanity to the surface.
Then create statements for yourself and see where the, “and,” takes you. You are more than you think you are. You’re pretty fascinating, if you ask me.
While I’m afraid that I am wasting my time—the precious moments I’ve been given on this earth—by writing What The Heart Wants and I may fall in front of people whose opinions matter to me, I keep trying everyday to make it the best it can be because I am human—conflicted and flawed. I am afraid to fail and I keep writing.