Tag Archives: Family Story

Our Road West Hits A Sharp Turn

Grandma and Grandpa Go West, , , , , , , , ,

Our Road West Hits a Sharp Turn. What we thought was the whole truth turns out to be part truth or no truth at all. The bright light of new knowledge reveals secrets. Everything changes. Unfortunately for the worse. The stakes soar. I am a fiction writer. A plot twist like this enlivens a novel. A twist like this is much less enjoyable in real life. And we were plot twisted for sure.

First Shock – the Unreliable Narrator. People we trust tell us a story. We base our journey on that narrative. Eventually we learn they have not told the story accurately. They were either lying or somehow lacked the knowledge needed to tell the truth. We have been misled. Everything we previously believed is suddenly rendered unbelievable. Our entire enterprise is cast into doubt

We must Figure Out What is True and What is Not True. We had believed these people to be our friends. We were convinced they had our best interests at heart. Maybe that was the case. Maybe it was not. We can no longer be certain of anything. Up to and including this moment of revelation we had no reason to doubt the story we were told. Now we are totally bewildered.

Next Shock – the Red Herring. Our attention was drawn away from the truth. Our gaze was directed to glowing photos of our destination. We were dazzled by impressive websites of the projects we would participate in there. In reality – the place turned out to be a dump. The projects did not exist. Not in offline life anyway. Our Road West Hits a Sharp Turn.

Red Herrings Work Well in Suspense Novels. Truth is revealed.  Readers are surprised. They smack their foreheads and exclaim, “I should have seen that coming. Why didn’t I figure that out myself?” The surprise is nonetheless enjoyable. That red herring is a device in a fiction story. In real life there is no enjoyment. There is disillusionment and a rude awakening. A very rude awakening.

Another Shock – the Epiphany. Our long-time friends always portrayed themselves as reliable. Information to the contrary has now been revealed. A bright light is trained upon a dark corner. We are forced to experience an epiphany about those friendships. In a novel such a twist is fortunate for the storytelling. In our actual lives it was only unsettling. Very unsettling.

We must Re-Examine Our Journey for Missteps. What did we do wrong? Why were we so readily led astray by what is now so obviously false? We are intelligent people. How could we be so easily duped? Exploited? Maybe even scammed. We look back. We see clear clues we ignored. We realize we should not have done that. Did we simply want too desperately to believe? We must take responsibility for that – for all of it. Our Road West Hits a Sharp Turn.

One Possible Consolation is Poetic Justice. The exploited are saved by their virtues. A satisfying ending occurs. God is in His heaven. All’s right with the world. In our lives we were exploited but not faultless. God gifts us with a crucial virtue anyway. We are guided to truths we need to know. This time we respond from sadder but wiser hearts. We must now save ourselves.

You May Have Your Own Similar Stories. Tell your stories – if only to yourself.

  • A Moment of Need to Believe. Was there ever a time in your life when you wanted very badly for your circumstances to change? A time when you were presented with an opportunity for that change to happen and needed that promise to be true? When in your life did this occur? What was the promise? What drew you to it so strongly?
  • Choice amidst Possible Risk. Were there foreseeable dangers in grasping this possible opportunity? Could the outcome be something other than what you hoped for or were promised? What advice were you given by family and friends? Did you listen?
  • Doing It Anyway. Was there ever a time when you disregarded whatever warnings there might be and made the risky choice anyway? What did you do? What happened? If you have never done such a thing, imagine doing so. What happens and how does it feel?

Lesson Learned – Fall down seven times. Get up eight.

We Make a Shame-Faced Admission of Misplaced Trust. We allowed our need to believe to undermine our common sense. A fresh direction is required. We can turn around and go back east where we long belonged. Or move on. What will we do? Further choices and adventures await. Surprises too. Maybe even another chapter where Our Road West Hits a Sharp Turn.

You possess storytelling magic. Keep on writing whatever may occur. AliceOrr  https://www.aliceorrbooks.com

Alice Orr. Teacher. Storyteller. Former Editor and Literary Agent. Author of 15 novels, 2 novellas, a memoir, and No More Rejections: 50 Secrets to Writing a Manuscript that Sells.

Read Alice’s Memoir. Lifted to the Light: A Story of Struggle and Kindness. At the beating heart of this moving story a woman fights to survive. All her life she has taken care of herself. Now she faces an adversary too formidable to battle alone. Available HERE.

Praise for Lifted to the Light: A Story of Struggle and Kindness. “I was lifted. I highly recommend this book as a can’t-put-down roadmap for anyone.” “Very, very well written. Alice Orr is an amazing author.” “Honest, funny, and consoling.” “I have read other books by Ms. Orr and am glad I haven’t missed this one.” “Couldn’t put it down.”

Thrill Yourself with Alice’s Suspense Novel Series. Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series. Five intense stories of love, death and intrigue. Available HERE.

Praise for Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series. “Romance and suspense at its best.” “I highly recommend this page-turner series.” “Twists and turns, strong characters, suspense and passionate love.” “The writing is exquisite.”

Follow Alice on Substack. https://aliceorr.substack.com/

Ask Alice Your Crucial Questions. What are you most eager to know about telling your own real-life stories? Ask your questions as a Comment following this post.

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Welcome to “Grandma and Grandpa Go West” – My Name is Alice

Grandma and Grandpa Go West, , , ,

Welcome to “Grandma and Grandpa Go West” – My Name is Alice. In 1854, Horace Greeley said, “Go west, young man, and grow up with the country.” In 2025, my husband Jonathan and I heard, “Go west, decidedly mature couple, and see what happens.”

Going On Two Years Ago, Jonathan was Diagnosed with Dementia. He is at an early stage of the disease. Even so, it was a shock to say the least. We were living in New York City at the time – Astoria, Queens to be exact. We understood right off that this home place might not work for our new circumstances. We needed to make a move. But where would that move be?

Back in the Aughts We Went West to Help Raise Our Grandkids. We stayed for ten years on Vashon Island in Washington State. We loved it there but never intended that relocation to be permanent. We were New Yorkers after all, which is a state of mind as well as a state of place.

Now We Were Searching for a New Place. This time, that venue would most likely be permanent. Our first thought was of Vashon. Unfortunately, the island has become quite pricey, with few housing opportunities at any expense level. A knotty dilemma indeed – especially for me, the caregiver.

“Go West, You Two” was Lodged in Our Imaginations. To be totally honest, I was worried. We needed a specific destination – soon. When the possibility of an Idaho venue arose, we agreed, even though it was not our dream place. Welcome to “Grandma and Grandpa Go West” – My Name is Alice.

Then, a Mini-Miracle Occurred. Actually a maxi-miracle for us. A long-time Vashon friend invited us to share her house – a charming blue cottage in need of an upgrade. The perfect project for Jonathan, the upgrade king. She has also been increasingly isolated since her husband passed. This arrangement could work out well for all of us.

So – Here I am, Sharing Our Story. For many years, I have encouraged and taught others to share their real-life stories. To conjure them up and write it all down. Now I shall attempt to take my own advice. Welcome to “Grandma and Grandpa Go West” – My Name is Alice.

Tell Your Own Life Challenge Story. Have you ever confronted a situation that required making a risky change in your life? What was the toughest part of that challenge? When and where did it happen? Who was involved? What, specifically, occurred? How did you feel then? How do you feel about it now? Write your story. Straight from your heart.

Tell Your Own Heroic Story. Recall a time when you turned a dark moment to light in your life. What was the darkness? How did you bring light to the situation? Take pride in your accomplishment. You are the hero of this inspiring story. Portray yourself as such.

You are the Hero of Your Life Story. You experience difficulties. You persevere. You try your best to shield yourself and those you care about from harm. That is heroic. How does it feel to think of yourself as a hero in your life? Share those feelings in a response to this post. We would love to hear from you. Keep on Writing whatever may occur. Alice Orr. https://www.aliceorrbooks.com

Alice Orr. Teacher. Storyteller. Former Editor and Literary Agent. Author of 15 novels, 2 novellas, a memoir, and No More Rejections: 50 Secrets to Writing a Manuscript that Sells.

Read Alice’s Memoir. Lifted to the Light: A Story of Struggle and Kindness. At the beating heart of this moving story a woman fights to survive. All her life she has taken care of herself. Now she faces an adversary too formidable to battle alone. Available HERE.

Praise for Lifted to the Light: A Story of Struggle and Kindness: “I was lifted. I highly recommend this book as a can’t-put-down roadmap for anyone.” “Very, very well written. Alice Orr is an amazing author.” “Honest, funny, and consoling.” “I have read other books by Ms. Orr and am glad I haven’t missed this one.” “Couldn’t put it down.”

Experience Alice’s Suspense Novel Series. Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series. Five intense stories of love, death and intrigue. Available HERE.

Praise for Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series. “Romance and suspense at its best.” “I highly recommend this page-turner series.” “Twists and turns, strong characters, suspense and passionate love.” “The writing is exquisite.”

Follow Alice on Substack — https://aliceorr.substack.com/

Ask Alice Your Crucial Questions. What are you most eager to know about telling your own real-life stories? Ask your question(s) as a Comment following this post.

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Family Fuels Fiction – Joy Writing

Storytelling, , ,

Family Fuels Fiction – Joy Writing. Pat Conroy is one of my favorite storytellers. He said this. “One of the greatest gifts you can be given as a writer is to be born into an unhappy family.”

Let’s Modify That. One of the greatest gifts you can be given as a writer is to be born into a conflicted family with family secrets. In my experience that statement encompasses just about all of us.

My Family is Conflicted. Sometimes explosive. My family harbors secrets.  Your family is most likely conflicted too. Your family may harbor secrets. Do you have a family story – funny or dramatic or painful – that you have always wanted to write about?

Joy Writing Prompt. Write a scene where a long-held and protected family secret is revealed at a holiday gathering. How does each family member react? Whose version seems most true or untrue? Include compelling scene elements – action, dialogue, description, tension.

Conflict is the Essence of Strong Storytelling. I prefer to refer to Conflict as Struggle in this context. Struggle is the essence of strong storytelling. Ergo. Look homeward angels. Family is where the fodder is. This storytelling fodder is waiting for you to turn it into story magic.

Families Bristle with Serious Struggle. My family. Your family. Everybody’s family. Take a moment right now for this exercise. Make a list of the intense struggles you have heard about or witnessed or participated in from your family history. Each is a story throbbing to be told.

A Family Memory Patchwork. How do separate members piece that patchwork together? An incident occurs in your shared past. Am important incident. Maybe a traumatic one. The details sear your consciousness. You compare notes.

Memory Details may Differ.  Have you ever compared memories of a family event or incident with another person in your family? How did your recollections coincide? How did they differ?

Joy Writing Prompt. Select a family event – a wedding or funeral or birthday gathering. Describe the event from the point of view, and in the individual voices, of three different family members. How do their memories of the event compare and contrast?

Test This Premise Further. Grab your list of intense family struggles. Choose one. The more fraught and traumatic the better. List the family members involved in that struggle. Which do you think would agree with your recollection of the incident? Which do you suspect would disagree? Family Fuels Fiction – Joy Writing.

Discrepancies Can Be Benign. Like they usually were with my late brother Michael and me. We would tease each other and make jokes. But only with the not-so-touchy bits. Nostalgia rather than gut wrench. The dreaded stories we mostly did not mention.

Dreaded Stories are Danger Zones. We tiptoed around them like quicksand. One wrong step and we could be sucked down with no hope of rescue. Rescue from what? Rescue from the collision of my version of reality and his and from the powerful confrontation that might erupt between us as a result.

Joy Writing Prompt. Write a family story that no one wants to talk about. In your story, someone brings up this episode that has previously been silenced. What happens when this revelation occurs? What emotions and conflicts arise? Be specific and detailed.

Every Family has Dreaded Stories. Your personal list of family struggles is a catalog of danger zones in your history. Each struggle is a bed of quicksand. Each is a collision of points of view waiting to happen. Each is a potentially bloody battleground. All possess story power.

This is Fertile Ground for the Storyteller in You. Who in your family do you tiptoe around for fear of your colliding truths? What conflagrations have you barely survived when one of those toes slipped into the memory mine field? Which would make the most dramatic story? Which family member’s perspective would be most challenging for you to write?

Joy Writing Prompt. Two siblings remember a childhood incident very differently. Write a dialogue where they argue about what really happened in that incident. Reveal their emotions by way of their manner of speaking.

Family Fueled Storytelling is About Emotional Truth. You have your emotional truth. Other people have theirs. Each truth is valid for that person. Have you written stories about real people and events? How did you handle emotional truth – yours and theirs?

Intensify the Story You are Writing Now.  Hot emotions. Cold hearts. Hotter clashes. Colder calculators. You have encountered all of these somewhere in your life. Slide them into your story. Use them to bring your characters and your scenes to life on your pages.

This is Toxic Territory in Real Life. Tell these stories as fiction. Reimagine all of the physical details. Personal descriptions. Locations. Times and dates. Anything identifiable. Retain the emotions. They are where your intense, powerful, dramatic story material really resides

Joy Writing Prompt. Write an intense, powerful, dramatic scene where a family member leaves home under difficult circumstances. What is said? What is left unsaid? How, specifically, does the family cope with their absence?

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Struggle Boils through My Own Stories. Through roiling Riverton, tempestuous families collide and conflict. How much of that has been inspired by real-life experience? Let me just say this. I agree with Pat Conroy about complicated families. I am grateful for the gift to my writer self. Family Fuels Fiction – Joy Writing.

FYI – More Family Fueled Writing Prompts and Exercises.

  1. Make a list of the most intense struggles and conflicts you have witnessed or experienced in your family. Choose one and write a brief summary of the event from your own perspective. Write a paragraph (or more) from the perspective of another involved family member (or more).
  2. Choose a family member you know well. Invent a fictional character inspired by them. Change name, appearance, and circumstances but keep their core emotional struggle.
  3. Write a conversation between two of your family members who are tiptoeing around a “danger zone” topic. Focus on subtext. What are they not saying? What emotions simmer beneath the surface?
  4. Write a short piece where each paragraph is a different member of your family’s recollection of the same event. Let the discrepancies and overlaps create tension and reveal character.
  5. Choose a strong emotion that you personally associate with a specific family memory – anger, joy, grief, jealousy, etc. Write a fictional scene that captures this strong emotion. Include characters who will best populate this scene and a setting that will best accomodate it.
  6. Create a lifelong creativity writing prompt or exercise of your own. Send it to me in the Comments section following this post. I cannot wait to read it, write it, share it.
  7. Create a family fueled writing prompt or exercise of your own. Send it to me in the Comments section following this post. I cannot wait to read it, write it, share it.

You possess storytelling magic. Keep on writing whatever may occur.  Alice Orr.  https://www.aliceorrbooks.com

Alice Orr. Teacher. Storyteller. Former Editor and Literary Agent. Author of 15 novels, 2 novellas, a memoir, and No More Rejections: 50 Secrets to Writing a Manuscript that Sells.

Visit Alice’s Joy Writing Blog. Whether you consider yourself a writer or not you have storytelling magic in you. Learn to shine in the light of that magic and make it your own at https://www.aliceorrbooks.com.

Follow Alice on Substack — https://aliceorr.substack.com/

Alice’s Novel. A Time of Fear & Loving. Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series Book 5. Experience Joy Reading. Available HERE.

A Time of Fear & Loving

Praise for A Time of Fear & Loving. “Alice Orr is the queen of ramped-up stakes and page-turning suspense.” “Warning. Don’t read before bed. You won’t want to sleep.” “The tension in this novel is through the roof.” “I never want an Alice Orr book to end.” “Budding romance sizzles in the background until it ignites with passion.” “The best one yet!”

Alice’s Suspense Novel Series. Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series. Five intense stories of love and death and intrigue. Available HERE.

Praise for Riverton Road Romantic Suspense Series. “Romance and suspense at its best.” “I highly recommend this page-turner series.” “Twists and turns, strong characters, suspense and passionate love.” “The writing is exquisite.”

Ask Alice Your Crucial Questions. What are you most eager to know? About your writer experience. About telling your stories. Ask your question as a comment following this post.

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