Focus please? Where's the spotlight?

Sometimes, the main character isn't a character at all. For instance, look at the Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot stories, and there's a strong case to be made that the "mystery" is the actual main focus. When you craft a story, it's important to pay attention to where the focus is and where it should be. Take the time to consider options and don't fly with your gut. You may not be in the habit of outlining, storyboarding, or planning exacting scenes, but you do need some kind of plan to avoid rambling.

Think about the vast epic, "Moby Dick." From the very beginning sentence, you know the focus of the story isn't the narrator, and quickly you learn it isn't even Captain Ahab, but the nearly mythical white whale. It's not perfect though, because there's far too much about whaling that you can skip without missing anything at all. Because the focus isn't where you'd expect, the tale takes on a legendary quality and dreamlike state. It's incredibly effective and I doubt any other approach would have worked.

Shine the spotlight where it deserves to be and you may uncover aspects of your story you didn't plan. Or, it could be a spectacular failure. Hey, I can't promise miracles. It's at least worth your while to consider more possibilities. Becoming stale is the worry of every author, but if you keep using your imagination it won't be more than an idle concern. Flex your brain, titillate your senses, and bring on the spotlight.

- M