By Barbara Neal Varma //
So how do writers find their stories?
By letting their stories find them.
Real-life experiences are the magic beans in creative writing, giving readers something they can relate to while adding credibility to the mix. The trick is to recognize potential story material when it … well, materializes. (And not getting caught while taking furtive notes on your cell phone.)
Like the time I walked into my ob-gyn’s office and saw two nuns dressed in full regalia seated in the waiting room. I was surprised, but it’s not polite to stare, so I checked in and then took a seat, sitting up straight.
Two more women came in. First, a petite, senior gal in a buttoned-up tweed coat followed closely by a woman I guessed to be her daughter. She got the older woman settled, then took the adjacent armchair and picked up a magazine.
The stage was set.
I casually took out my phone and started tapping away as if composing a text—which I was, but to myself, wink, wink.
Mom regarded the sisters, who were quietly chatting. She turned to the younger woman. “Are you going to church with me this Sunday?”
The daughter, still engrossed in her reading, merely hummed in reply. Mom must’ve taken it for a “Yes” because she again watched the nuns as if to gauge their reactions.
Alas, they didn’t seem to notice. Mom tried again, upping the ante. “And are you enjoying your Bible study?”
That caught the daughter’s attention. She looked up, seeming confused, but then comprehension crossed her face as she took in the Sound of Music scene before her. She smiled, said, “Yes, I am,” and patted her momma’s hand. Then back to her People.
And that’s where the scene ended. For me, anyways, because I was called in for my appointment. But that was okay because I knew I had the start of another personal essay. Or maybe an opening anecdote for a reported piece on the importance of health services for women in the clergy. Or even the opening dialogue for the next Sister Act movie, why not?
Point is, I’d captured another real-life moment that would add flavor to my writing however and whenever I chose to use it—which, full circle, turned out to be here in this column.
Last month my husband and I saw Jesus Christ Superstar at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts, our first time back since it had gone dark due to COVID. To my right sat three ladies rocking their ’60s, best guess, in cleavage-enhancing animal-print tops and a generous amount of bling. They busied themselves before the show began by taking selfies before the “turn off cell phones” rule went into effect.
Golden Girl #1, holding the phone to show her friends their latest group selfie attempt: “What do you think? Good enough for Insta?”
Golden Girl #2: “I think my nose looks too big.”
GG #1: “Oh, it does not—besides, you’re wearing a mask. Fine. We’ll take another one.” Pose. Click. “How’s that? Better?”
GG #2, slipping on bright pink reading glasses: “Now my boobs look too big.”
I stifled a laugh, can’t make this stuff up, and casually reached for my phone.
BARBARA NEAL VARMA is a contributing writer to Orange Coast Magazine and has appeared in other notable publications, including The Atlantic. Her easy-humor personal essays have proven popular with readers, one gaining numerous hits on Orange Coast Magazine‘s website. (Hello: Desperately Seeking Donny.) You can learn more at BarbaraNealVarma.com.
You are so entertaining Barbara!
Love it! Yes, that’s how writing material is collected – from places you go, conversations you overhear… they will get a good use at some point!
Too bad the nuns weren’t taking selfies…unless that’s another adventure.