Swapping One Story for Another

I do it all the time and it’s never fair. I ask my colleagues, on the spot, for updates about students we’ve been working on together. Understandably, I {often} get a blank stare. Yesterday, a colleague asked me about a student they wanted me to see a month ago. I started the recall by repeating the name of the student and talking about what popped into my mind, like—"I think I sent you an update by email about this student". (This person didn’t remember the email.)
So, I kept talking. My colleague responded to my recollection with additional information which in turn triggered my memory and the story emerged. At one point, I stopped to think and then said, “I want to make sure I’m not confusing one student’s story with another.”
This reminded me that, while writing my A-Z stories for the April Challenge, I wrote two stories that began one way but later ended in a totally different way than I intended. In one of the stories, my main character did everything she could to hold on to her story, but the secondary characters came in and changed the ending. (Read it April 5, AKA the letter E.)
When all was writtien, I said with an attitude (and out loud), “What?”
Somebody (I won't mention names) swapped one story for another and I like it much better. Go figure.
Do your stories, paintings, or craft ever take a different turn than you intended?

Journaling Woman

Comments

Mary Aalgaard said…
Yes. That happens sometimes in blogposts. I have to go back and change the title.
Cheryl @ TFD said…
Yes, just the other day I started out with a photo I took on a drive and the blogpost took a different turn than I originally planned.
Carol Kilgore said…
My stories often take different turns. When the turn is a plot twist, I always hope the reader is as surprised as I was.
Not drastically, but it's the subtle changes I notice. Never know where they come from either!
Jaime said…
Yes! I started a photography book and it's turned into a devotional. Go figure. I just try to go with the flow. Things change for a reason.
Mason Canyon said…
Sometimes I think it's my right and left brain fighting it out that causes things to change.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Unknown said…
Sounds really interesting. Can't wait to see what you have planned for the A-Z challenge.
Jema said…
I have painted an art piece only to find at the end that I don't like it at all. My husband comes back to find a crisp, white, blank canvas, wondering where the painting went that he liked!

Here's to changing the ending!
cleemckenzie said…
If those characters of mine would only behave I wouldn't have to chase them through my stories. I'm always surprised where my head takes me while I'm writing, and, yes, I often don't understand how some stories turn out so much differently than I'd at first planned. I'm looking forward to your stories in April.
Sure shootin'!!! It happens all the time. Sometime a story simply grows in a direction ya didn't plan on and it turns out better don't ya think???

God bless and have an incredible day sweetie!!! :o)
Katie Gates said…
Although my shorter writings generally don't travel unplanned paths, my two novels began with the briefest of concepts and then went where they wanted to go. I love the ride because it creates the same intrigue one gets from reading a novel. I remember saying to a neighbor, as I was heading up to write another few chapters of Novel #1, "I can't wait to find out what happens next!"
Hi Teresa .. yes all the time - blogposts always do it, and real letters get added to and then I forget the purpose for writing the letter in the first place and I need to do a follow up of some sort!!

I'll keep an eye out for E - sounds interesting .. have a great weekend .. Hilary
Unknown said…
Wow, if I'm reading your post right, you already have posts ready for the April Challenge? Wow! I guess I'm behind the ball already??? *giggle*
So I am starting early to go check out all the blogs on the A to Z Challenge coming up and I landed here! I'm your newest follower.
Giggle, Laugh, Cry
Tracy said…
hah, sometimes I think I know exactly where a post is going and then I write and write and think what the heck; where did that come from? I guess it's god's way of saying I had something else to say :)
Gail said…
Yes, I never know how one is going to end until it's finished.
Arlee Bird said…
More often than not my life takes an unexpected turn, so why not things I create. Unpredictability is something I have come to expect--kind of an oxymoron I'd say.


Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
cleemckenzie said…
Yes!
It's those independent, contrary characters that take my stories off into another direction than I intended. They don't want to 1) get sick 2)die 3)not find love 4) find love OR a combination of all the above. I keep telling them I'm in charge, but do they listen?

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