Q&A: How Often Do Your Pieces Take on Lives of Their Own?

Is it a straight road to the end or are there detours? Happy accidents? Destinations you hadn't thought about before you started?

Photo by Jorge Barros on Unsplash

I’m asking the question today because lately I find I start out with a piece in mind and end up with something completely different. The original idea may be buried in there somewhere, but the writing has taken a completely different turn. It’s actually kind of thrilling when it happens.

Sometimes, if I’ve worked on it long enough, I don’t remember what originally drew me to start the piece in the first place. It had to have been something pretty compelling, but, since I made no outline and took no notes, the original premise is lost, probably forever.

And I don’t care.

For example, the piece below started out as a political rant. I realized some time into it that I’d been there many times before, and the reason I’ve been there many times before is because nothing has ever been resolved. In fact, things have gotten worse, at least from where I’m sitting. So I decided to play with it, to have fun with it, instead of working on blowing the top of my head off for nothing. Again.

You might be able to tell I had fun with it:

When There's a Monster in Your Midst it Can't be Anything Else

This has happened a few times before, where I start off with a few ideas, including execution and mood, and end up with something else entirely. Something else that makes me much happier. It comes most often when I’m not feeling rushed and it’s okay to experiment, when I’m not so locked into a piece I can’t see where I can alter or cut to give it new life. It becomes expendable, a rough draft ready for a new direction. And heading down that new path is exciting!

Has this happened for you? I hope so. Let’s talk about it. And feel free to share examples!

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