Writing About The Best Things That Can Happen

Over at advicetowriters.com they posted a quote by Nicholson Baker, go read it here. The advice he gives it to ask yourself, "What is the best thing that happened today?", to give yourself a cheerful retrospective that pulls out the good things that happened to you, then write about those things because a lot us, myself included, love to write about the bad things that happen in our lives.

Although, I find the bad things create more interesting situations for drama, suspense or chills; the good things are necessary to remember to create balance. The hero(s) have something they are fighting for that brings them love and happiness, otherwise why would they be fighting for them? People don't fight other peoples battles unless they can get something out of it - in most cases profit - but if you can't sell the reason why your hero has to get off his ass to save the day, then all those bad things that happen to them has no meaning.


The Best Things That Can Happen

Have meaningful conversations that bring you closer to friends or family
Help someone by opening a door, carrying something, or just saying "Thank you."
Being patient with others
Telling someone you love them (only people you know)
Introducing yourself to someone/Making new friends
Saying something nice on the internet
Winning something
Receiving a gift
Making someone smile


As you can see, I don't have much experience in thinking about the good things that happen in day. Most days the best thing that happens is I write. Then the second best thing that happens is I might meet someone, but that never happens. The third best thing that can happen is I make a profit, which makes me a villain, but I least I don't sell out my values to make a quick buck; working for a company that destroys the environment or scams hardworking people out of their well deserved profits. So I may have some redeeming qualities after all, I am no Robin Hood.

Send me a list of the best things that can happen to you or a story of the best thing that happened to you, that would be awesome! In the next few days, I will try to share my own story of the best thing that happened. Until then.