Two of the Most Powerful Words for Writers

For a character driven writer, a story idea begins with a character. Think about this character. Figure out where he or she lives, how the character dresses, what his or her daily life is like, what motivates this person, and consider his or her physical description.

None of that, however, gives you a story. A storyline involves plot, climax, and resolution. It involves conflict: something the character needs or wants and the obstacles that stand in the way of him getting it.

This is where two of the most powerful words come into play. What? You’ve never heard of these words? I think you have.

Those two words are, “What if ...”

Consider Amelia. She is an impulsive girl born into a wealthy family. Her curly hair is blonde and her eyes blue. At the age of 13, she lives in Pennsylvania where her father is an important businessman. Tea parties and private schooling fill her days. Since she lives in the mid-1800’s, she wears fine dresses made of silk and fashionable boots with buttons. She has a collection of porcelain dolls, but there is one that is very special to her.

She could be any well-bred girl living in the 1800’s—but she’s not. Amelia has a story all her own.

What if …

Amelia experiences a tragedy unlike she’s ever known?

What if …

Her parents die of the influenza and Amelia is sent to live with her spinster aunt at the family estate in Massachusetts?

What if …

Amelia’s impulsive nature is at odds with her Aunt Martha’s desire to bring her up properly?

What if …

A lonely Amelia befriends Ralph, the Negro stable hand working at the estate? And …

What if …

Aunt Martha disapproves?

What if …

Amelia’s father told her stories of what Aunt Martha was like as a girl and they are very different from the stern, bitter aunt who is now her guardian?

What if …

Amelia decides she must uncover the secret that caused the change in Aunt Martha? And ...

What if …

She is willing to risk her aunt’s wrath to find out?

Two little words, yet they open up a world of possibilities. Use them wisely. Use them often.



Cheryl C. Malandrinos is a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Little Shepherd, A Christmas Kindness, Macaroni and Cheese for Thanksgiving, and Amos Faces His Bully. A blogger and book reviewer, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters. She also has a son who is married. Visit Cheryl online at http://ccmalandrinos.com and her children’s book blog at https://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com