Skip to main content

The Haboob Ingredient in Writing

You might be wondering what a haboob is. I first learned about the word when my daughter Facetimed me from Arizona to show the bizarre weather in her city. 

To her left, lightning pulsed in purple and pink clouds faster than a rock band's drummer beats the skin. To her right, a wall of sand. She had front row seats--hiding inside her apartment.


A haboob only takes place when a thunderstorm collapses. Cold wind falls to the ground, scoops up desert sand, then, like a battering ram, bowls forward tossing sand into the air thousands of feet high. The length of the haboob can be miles long, and it will continue until it runs out of energy.

How can writers use haboob as an ingredient in writing?

1. Like a story twist, a haboob appears unexpectedly, powerfully, dramatically. Every genre has a place of honor for the story twist. It is the zest. The points in the story (because there should be more than one) readers will remember long after the book is closed. The twist is the tablecloth snatched away, leaving the dishes and observers surprised. Amazed.  

As your character's journey drifts forward, something unexpected must happen. Think of our lives. They are hardly prescriptive. From weddings to family reunions, something crazy happens. Later, when the event is remembered, what part of the story is told? The haboob.

2. Secondary characters need a haboob. Think Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol. He is not the main character. He took the stage for a short time yet his role was powerful, dramatic, and memorable without stealing the story.

3. The story climax needs a haboob. Like a firework finale, readers will gasp, cheer, laugh, weep--all out emotionally participate when the climax is vibrant, powerful, and dramatic. This scene will propel readers to the last pages and spur them to tell their friends about the book.

A haboob is not always negative. A haboob can create laughter. Spark a warm memory.

Your story will be haboobly enhanced

When adding story twist haboobs, 

Secondary character haboobs, 

and a dynamic story climax haboob. 




Comments


Popular posts from this blog

Fabulous Friday Feature-Candace Calvert

Today we welcome author:  Candace Calvert To win a copy of Candace's new release: By Your Side Scroll to the end of the post  to see how to get your copy. Mary Vee here. One of my absolute favorite classes at ACFW this last year was the medical fiction class. That wasn't the real title, I can't remember what snazzy name the instructors gave it--BUT three stellar medical professionals, who are also Christian Fiction writers, presented great information then opened the time for questions. We students asked them all kinds of questions like what kind of poison would kill a ..., and tons of other questions. It was sooooo much fun, and informative.     I asked Candace, who was one of those fabulous teachers, to join us and share  how God has led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said: God Gave Me a Wake-up Fall The story won’t surprise folks who hav...

Fabulous Feature-Andrea Boeshaar

Today we welcome author: Andrea Boeshaar Three commenters will win a copy of Andrea's book:  A Thousand Shall Fall Scroll down to see how. Mary here. Andrea has had an amazing journey. One many of us can relate to. Her post below shows her strength and positive spirit. I'm so happy Andrea is visiting with us today. Pull up a chair, grab your coffee and come chat with Andrea. I asked Andrea to tell us how God led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said:  Romance Done Write I didn’t read much while growing up in my family’s suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin home. I read what I was assigned for school, along with an occasional children’s novel like Pippi Longstocking and Little House in the Big Woods .  When I was in fourth grade, I wrote my first novel, Little Miss Mouse . My mother kept it all these years and it’s now in my possession. I laugh when I read those ten handwritten pages. At the tim...

Fabulous Friday Feature-Lorna Seilstad

Today we welcome author: Lorna Seilstad One commenter will win a copy of Lorna's book:  As Love Blooms Scroll down to see how. Mary here. I have quickly learned what an amiable person Lorna is. After only a few emails we've become great friends and found similar things to talk about. You'll see this same spirit in her post below. I asked Lorna to tell us how God led her on her writing journey. Here is what she said:  Excuses! Excuses! Moses and I have a lot in common. Oh, I haven’t led any Egyptians out of bondage, but I have looked at the path God laid out for me and rattled off excuses that would rival those of the great spiritual leader himself. You’re probably familiar with the story. God gets Moses’ attention with a burning bush, and then when He begins to disclose his plans for Moses’ future, the excuses start. ( My paraphrase of the story:) “Moses, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people ou...