Seeing the bigger picture, by Susan Sanderson

I’m writing this post because Sheila Johnson, the regular blogger, has a broken arm. I pray for her speedy recovery.

I was reminded of a conversation with a member of a choir I sing in (about someone else).

‘Why can’t she come to practices?’

‘She’s broken her arm.’

‘But she doesn’t sing with her arm.’

‘No, but she drives with it.’

One of the people in this conversation was probably unaware of the bigger picture. The singer with a broken arm had to travel about six miles to be with us. If she had lived within walking distance, she might have been able to manage.

The field beyond the gate is only seen by looking over the top

Writing fiction is not one of my strengths, but I read a lot. As a reader I am perhaps allowed to express my views about what works well in a story.

The author should be aware of the bigger picture. Some of the characters may know more than others. If this information is relevant to the story, the point at which it is shared with other characters and the reader may be important in keeping the readers’ interest and making a good story. A twist at the end or tying up all the loose ends works best if there have been hints as the story progressed. The reader may think, ‘I didn’t see that coming!’ or, ‘That’s a satisfactory ending’.

In life it is also important to consider what may be happening to make people behave as they do. The grumpy person may have worries we are unaware of. I thought someone was rude not to have replied to something after several months. Then I learned that the person was having to cope with very difficult circumstances. We have to make allowances.

In the bigger picture writers and artists perhaps notice more details than many other people. Writing can open people’s eyes to things they might not have seen by themselves.

Susan always wanted to be a writer.  In 2012 she revived her interest in writing with a blogging project to collect the kinds of sayings, which were much used in her childhood.

Susan experiments with factual writing, fiction, humour and poetry.  She does not yet have a book to her name. Her interests include words, languages, music, nature study and gardening  She has experience of the world of work, being a stay-at-home mum and an empty-nester.   She is active in her local community and Church. She and her husband live in Cumbria. 

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