EXERCISE: Life Passages?

[mbarker]

Original posting 2022/1/21

Hum, just started reading another book, where the very beginning started simply "It was her birthday." Of course, then they wandered off into how different her birthday was from the normal cake and family celebration expectations, so we understood right away that things were going to be different. Which suggested something to me.

See, here's a few life passages (yes, I googled...)
1. Birth
2. Puberty
3. Marriage
4. Having children
5. Death

Or what about this list:
1. Rite to birthright
2. Rite to Adulthood
3. Right to marriage
4. Rite to Eldership
5. Rite to ancestorship

Or maybe Gail Sheehy's list?
1. Trying 20s -- trying work and partner
2. Catch 30s -- shake and bake
3. Forlorn 40s -- let's try again?
4. Refreshed/Resigned 50s -- let go and renew

Or take your favorite list of problems, starting/ending school, starting/ending work, starting/ending relationships, moving, crime... whatever you like.

Now, turn it inside out. That's right, let your character look at that normal expected stage of life or transition, but with a very unusual and special twist to it. What happened to turn that birthday, that first day of school, that start of a new job into... marvels and wonders? Fear and trembling? Shock and awe? You decide!

Then go from there. What happens next? And then...

Write!