Postcards #2- The gift of disbelief

Have you ever noticed how, when they're caught in unusual situations, people often don't believe what they see? Even in the light of day. The strangeness is right in front of them. We see it in movies all the time. It's a handy quality for a character to have in fiction because it's something to play with in a story.

Often, the character won't choose what seems the safest, obvious action, either. They'll find themselves back in the dark, cluttered barn, or looking for the strange creature or leaning over the river where the impossible thing happened. A part of them doesn't believe. It has to be that way or there's no story. From that denial the story can grow, though most of them begin to see the light. The final question is always, "It is too late?"

Setting adds another layer to the disbelief making or breaking these scenarios in rural gothic fiction. Where the story takes place cradles the necessary unease and texture, which will (usually) be ignored. What unseen spirit is lonely for company in this stunted forest? Is this roadside stand with adorable hand-painted signs run by a cute old couple what it seems? Is that dark, dank cave safe to explore? Then the chills begin as someone who was simply going about their day gets blind-sided by the unexpected. Whether it's human or supernatural. What is that character going to do now?

It's my pleasure to help them find out.

Back to the story,

Lyndsey

Photo: Leslie Saunders, Unsplash