Surprise Me

It's March 20, 2026 and I just finished the third draft of my most recent novel. My goal was to finish this phase in two weeks. It took three days. I guess I was slightly obsessed.

Writing takes many forms (ex, see blog post!). I've been ensconsed with Kingdom Writers Hollywood as a screenwriter for a couple years now and every time I'm asked what I'm working on, I say, "My novel." I justify it by saying I'll adapt it into a screenplay, and I will. Lying to that group of articulate praying screenwriters fighting the good fight in Hollywood can win you a pretty scathing reprimand.

The thing I've always liked about any art form is the creation. In this case, the surprises the story gives me as it's going down on the page. Well, just now, for instance. I didn't want to write that line but I did. And even if it sounds like a cliche, it seems to fit. Music, painting, acting, directing, it's all the same. Surprises are the name of the game.

I know people who hate surprises. I don't understand them. If I knew what was going to happen all the time, every time, I think I'd go crazy. Not to mention run out of Hollywood screaming like a Banshee. It's a shame to say, but every job I book is a surprise. Some of the best things in my life were surprises. College basketball. Having a kid. Getting married.

I guess it wouldn't be fair if I didn't acknowledge that some of the worst things in my life were surprises too. Widowerhood, career implosion, no's to the nth degree.

But, I imagine my life without them. Surprises. And everything goes gray and stale.

Sometimes good things happen, sometimes bad things happen and we see them coming a mile away. Parenthood, for example. We get nine whole months to prepare. Oh, it might be a surprise finding out, but we get nine whole months to panic and plan and panic.

Orphanhood for another. If we're lucky enough to live a long time, and our parents are lucky enough to live that little bit longer, we eventually lose them both. It might come as a surprise on the day, but we could see it coming. Even from a mile away.

You surely know what I'm saying by now, that surprises are the spice of life. Or, a spice of life. But I'll say it anyway. Surprises are the spice of life. Or, um, a spice of life? I hope I have plenty more on the way. But, if I can just ask, let them be good. Thanks for listening.

Be blessed. Be surpsised. Resist when you must (fiftyfifty.one) and I'll see you at the No Kings Rally.