Discombobulated

 Ever Feel Discombobulated?

Discombobulated. I’ve always wanted to use that word. Not live it…Use it.

Authors like to throw things at their characters. Actually, we may not like to do so, but it is necessary for our characters to grow and essential for our readers to turn the page rather than put the book down.

So, we have everything going along smoothly for our hero, then throw a monkey wrench into the situation.

Books, movies, and good stories depend on tension. And tension comes when things don’t simply glide along without a glitch in the life of the character.

Red Riding Hood is merrily skipping through the forest to see her grandmother when a big bad wolf appears out of nowhere and wants her basket of goodies.

Tension.

I often feel a bit discombobulated.

Star Wars: A New Hope starts with a battle. Tension.

Even Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet begins with a description of the feud between two families. Tension. 

As an author, I embrace tension. I want it on the page…not in my life. If you follow my blog, you know that Mike and I had a few moments of “unexpected tension” in our lives of late. 

When we were stuck in Ohio, we may have felt a bit discombobulated. At least I did. I had a speaking engagement coming up in Florida so we were anxious to get home. Then came the monkey wrenches, or at least some sort of wrenches…those to fix Mike’s truck.

But those glitches make us appreciate the everydayness of life even more. 

I don’t need spectacular events and glitz and glamour. I enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the lake and the Spanish moss swaying from trees outside my window. I love the sound of rain on our metal roof and the peaceful quiet of Tiki, our cat, curled up next to me as I write.

So, if we can feel “discombobulated” at times, can we feel “combobulated?” Actually, no. there is no such word as combobulated. The closest we can come is with “compose” or composure.” 

But let’s pretend there is such a word. 

In your world, what makes you feel most “combobulated”?  Please share. It may be time to yourself, a card in the mail, an unexpected sunrise? It may be a call from someone you love or a simple thank you from a neighbor. 

Please do share a word or sentence or story in the comments…even if you think it silly. I promise I’ll appreciate it and celebrate with you.