Tropes, archetypes, and other narrative conventions exist
for a reason—they give us readers and viewers a familiar framework. I have
nothing against them, but when a story follows them to the dot, it becomes
stale and predictable. As a writer I love bending the formula. It's fun.
Take Jem from Secrets and Ink for example—he has a
touch of TSTL (Too Stupid To Live).
He does things that land him in tight spots, and he really doesn't have
to because trouble has a way of finding him without help. At one point of the
story Jem's romantic interest, Detective Nick Davies takes Jem to his (Nick's)
home for safekeeping. Before leaving for work Nick tells Jem not to open the
door for anyone.
Of course, later on someone knocks on said door. Jem peaks
through the window and sees a man in blue of some sorts. Maybe the cable guy,
or someone from the utility company. In nine stories out of ten Jem would open
the door and bad things would happen. But he doesn't because he'd seen the
slasher movies and knows opening the door when you'd been told not to, will
lead to unpleasantness. Jem's not that
TSTL.
***
Secrets and Ink is now live and available in ebook stores near
you.
