Saturday, January 7, 2012

What Costco can teach us about writing

The other day I shopped at Costco, pushing my flat bed cart throughout the store. It teetered with, among other things, six gallons of milk, two cases of bottled water, and four boxes of cereal. Three bunches of bananas precariously perched on top. We have three growing sons, and my Costco bill is frightening. I'm the lady you don't want to stand behind in the checkout line (I'm not cruel...I've let plenty of people go before me).

Anyway, as I maneuvered around a tight corner, I passed an elderly couple with--count 'em--three items in their small cart. They smiled when they saw my pile, and I envied their tiny bill. But here's the thing--there's always more than one way to view a cart, or a character, or a journey, and this helps us as writers.

The Cart

One way: Elderly couple thinks Poor dear has to feed those kids.

Another way: Elderly couple thinks Do you remember when our kids were home? I miss those days. The bustle, the activities, the noise. The laughter around the dinner table. I'd give up our small Costco bill in a flash just to have those days back.

The Character

One way: My character is too mean/nice/pretty/flawed. And I'm not sure how they should respond to certain situations.

Another way: Characters should be multi-dimensional. Like real people, they should react to situations based on who they are at the time. We have an entire story for their arc to run its course. And if the characters still aren't quite right? Luckily we can revise until they are.

The Journey

One way: I'm a new writer with no publishing credits. Who am I fooling?

Another way: I have passion, desire, determination. I'll work hard, learn, fail, and try again. I'll play with characterization, genres, and techniques. There are so many opportunities, and it's wide open for me.

One way: I'm published. I've achieved the dream. Now what?

Another way: I'm published! I've achieved the dream! I'm grateful, and looking for the next mountain to climb.

Have you ever analyzed a situation from two completely different viewpoints? What were the results? And is your grocery bill enviable or frightening? And isn't Costco's food court the best?


41 comments:

  1. That was a great post, Julie. My family's grocercy bill would probably frighten yours - nine children eat a lot of food ;)

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  2. I'm definitely in the 'another way' camp of being published. And there's always just been two of us, so I guess our grocery bill is to be envied.

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  3. I was amazed how much my grocery bill and utility bill went down when the daughter went off to college. I envy those bills since she's been home for semester break. But I guess, since it's just the three of us, a lot of people probably envy even these higher bills.

    I try to look at things from different angles. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. But it's an important thing to remember - perspective is everything.

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  4. Very, very nice post, Julie. Love it :) (and I'm glad I only have one teenage male in the house...I hear you on the milk--they're drinking machines!)

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  5. Ah Costco, I love it! My boys have grown and left home but I still can't resist stocking up on great Costco deals.

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  6. Caitlin's comment cracked me up...I'll remember her bill when I'm writing my check!

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  7. Awwww, Julie - this just proves how sweet you are! I mean, I would have gone right to the "She better not get in front of us in line" thought train... LOL!!! BEAUTIFUL POST.

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  8. Interesting. I can see the little old couple in my head. Nice post.

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  9. So true. I shop at Sams...we have no Costco, but I often see people in there for a variety of reasons and they all have a story. There are always many ways to look at every situation, and the way we choose often depends on our happiness. I'm glad to know you, Julie. I know you choose the positive!

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  10. The Cart: I'd be thinking how lucky you are to have a hustle and bustle of a life. Our kids have left home and it's far too quiet here.
    Characters: The best thing about being a writer is that you can completely control your character's life and destiny. You can do anything you want to them... The Power!!!
    The Journey: You're so right. It's all about determination. One thing's for sure. If we don't keep writing and keep submitting then we'll never get things published.

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  11. **stands and cheers**

    You guys are awesome!

    Rosalind, thanks so much for adding such wisdom :D

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  12. You always have awesome posts. I'm jealous.

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  13. Thanks for the different viewpoints. I should do this more, look at a situation not just from myself, but the people around me. Thanks again!

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  14. I've heard this rumor about Costco's food court. I'm going to have to check it out.

    Interesting take here. Love it!

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  15. I like looking at things from different viewpoints; it helps me figure out what might be on the mind of characters I don't usually write/read about.

    I've never been to Costco--but it sounds like they must have a good food court. :)

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  16. I alwasy feel energized when I visit you!

    Love this analogy. Although we don't have a Costco anywhere near here (4 hours of driving away), I know what they're like! Our grocery bill is terrifying too - being healthy eaters costs a lot - especially with young men and their ginormous appetites in the house!

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  17. I've never been in Costco, but I totally saw myself there with a full cart, envying the elderly's couple tiny bill! lol
    Nice post, btw, loved the different ways of seeing the same thing.

    Also, I'm glad to see you around again--with your hiatus and with my pneumonia (I got it in Dec) I had missed seeing you around! <3

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  18. The only time I am in Costco is when I visit my mom - she and her husband shop there frequently - I'm overwhelmed by it, yet fascinated!

    And I love this post - very uplifting and positive!

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  19. Julie, I feel your giant grocery bill pain!

    I love when authors use two different interpretations of the same situation. But in real life, it's sometimes hard to see the other side. Wonderful post!

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  20. It's all a matter of perspective I guess. This is a great post. I'm all amped up to go work on the WIP!

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  21. Love the idea of finding the opposing perspective! I think it can definitely add richness to our writing because we understand it a lot better.

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  22. Costco and writing! Only you would see the connection. Your dueling perspectives are fab. Your determination deserves a superhero cape.

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  23. That was a good post, Julie. You really gave me something to think about with that. Looking at things from different angles can only help us deliver those rich characters, and more believable and far more interesting scenes.
    If I ever bump into you at Costco and you look to have a glazed look in your eyes, I'll know that you're just prepping your next post! ;)

    -Jimmy

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  24. Julie,
    What a wonderful post and a creative way of looking at things...so true!
    thanks for sharing :)

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  25. Now I'm convinced that you really can turn anything into a writing analogy - LOL!

    But you are right. Most people decide what is happening in a given situation and never think twice. Writers can see unlimited angles in the same take.

    Great post!

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  26. Julie, this is wonderful. You receive writing lessons everywhere you go. I love the way you look at life. I am going to be published soon! And so very excited to start the next part of my journey.

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  27. Great post Julie! It's funny how just going about one's everyday life can bring all sorts of inspiration.

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  28. ...and my wife and I were that reckless couple behind you, pushing a flatbed of goods, stacked and teetering like a whimsy scene from Alice in Wonderland, the two of us arguing as to whether or not we'd managed to grab a jar of peanut butter, not being able to locate it under the mass perishables weighing down our cart.

    Great post, Julie. Inspiring. ;)

    El

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  29. I was just at Costco yesterday! ... I bought the jellybeans on sale, which was probably a big mistake. :)

    With five young kids, I can imagine that in about five years my Costco bill is going to be atrocious! :)

    And you're right -it's all about putting a positive spin on our situation, whatever it is. Wonderful post!

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  30. There are always different ways to analyze a situation. I tend to think more positively. At least, I try to. lol

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  31. What a creative and thought-provoking post! I always like looking at things from different perspectives. Good skill to have as a writer, seeing a scene through the eyes of ALL our characters. :)

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  32. Isn't it funny where we get our ideas and inspiration? The fact that you can look at the same thing from so many angles proves how multi-dimensional and talented YOU are, how well you challenge yourself each day. You are an inspiration to ME!

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  33. Who'd have thought you could bring back even more from Costco than what was on the shelves :)

    Although it's easy to forget, as writers I think we definitely need to actively search for different perspectives. Thanks for the reminder.

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  34. I Love, love this! You've completely inspired me hun. And all from a visit to Costco. You're kind of brilliant you know!

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  35. Hi Friends! I enjoyed reading this. I've been avidly plugging my werewolf/romance book,"The Lupine Effect" via Twitter and Facebook,but I haven't found another way.When you're an unknown, it is always tough to get noticed.

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  36. I enjoyed your post today. I had to click from Twitter because we're in Costco all the time...curiosity got the best of me! It is now just my husband and I and we still have large bills at Costco! I can't help myself! LOL! I just published my first book in December and I would answer your question of now what? Go write another book! Have a great day and keep writing!

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  37. You have such an amazing way of digging into any situation and taking the most out of it. And then you're kind enough to share it with us - thank you!

    Wonderful post!

    p.s. my cart looks like yours!

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  38. Great way to look at things! It really is about choosing our own attitude and perspective. I heard Lady Gaga say something on an interview with Ellen about her song Marry the Night... which I'd never heard til then (cuz I'm so out of touch) but she said she wrote it as a reminder to cherish our struggles cuz they make us who we are. Be thankful for the tough night we had to get thru to make it to the day, cuz that shows our strength of character.
    Cool stuff, I thought!

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  39. This was terrific and a good reminder to always but always back up and look at every situation from a different angle. Much like photography. Thank you for sharing!

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