My
water heater just gave me a lesson in the craft of fiction.
Like
many lessons, I didn't expect it – or even realize it at first.
Wednesday morning as my wife and I got ready for work, I started
hearing an unusual noise. From the upstairs bathroom, it seemed to be
coming from outside.
I
went down to investigate. The noise wasn't coming from outside or the
main floor. But it increased when I approached a heat vent. Time to
head to the basement to check the furnace.
I
discovered the water heater gurgling and spouting. The flow hadn't
gone past the concrete floor of the furnace room, but I needed to
take action.
Soon
my wife, my daughter, my son-in-law, and their three-year-old were
all there. Some watched, some asked questions, some offered
suggestions, some began moving items out of the way. Each acting
completely within character – only more so.
Later I reflected on the characters in
my work in progress. I know about their baseline personalities, but I
haven't gone nearly as far as my friends DiAnn Mills or Brandilyn
Collins would suggest in charting how they'll act when the pressure
really hits.
I think I'll find out. Just wait for
the next scene.
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