The OOPS Cookie

 

There's a Café in Dublin, California, (address on request) that serves great food and even better cookies. Their specialty is their OOPS cookie. How convenient, Camille, you say, that you're eating one right now while the topic of the week for LadyKillers is OOPS. It's true as only real life can be true.

The cookie got its name (say the bakers) from the day the original recipe for peanut butter cookies was ruined when — OOPS — someone dropped chocolate chips into the batter. Eureka! They shouted (okay, here I'm making it up), "This batter is better."

And thus the OOPS cookie was born.

As I munched on the cookie last week at a much needed pre-Thanksgiving lunch at the Café, it occurred to me that a lot of my writing can be described as OOPS writing.   

As often as not, I'm writing along, chatting up a scene and — OOPS — something happens that I hadn't planned for. A character reacts badly to information, and it turns out he was hiding something. From me. Or a plot point turns north instead of south. Or I "see" something in a room I've described, and, lo, it's the murder weapon.

I've learned to not only embrace OOPSes, but to hope for them.

Comments

[Susan Shea]

The important bit, other than the chocolate, I suspect, is that you're open to the opportunities of the 'oops' when they occur rather than pushing them aside for the sake of the outlined direction?

[Staci]

Sounds like your OOPS moments really work for you, Camille!
Those cookies sound delicious.

[Ann]

Open tO the PossibilitieS = OOPS ... :-)

Okay, I'll "bite," Camille. What's the bakery???

[Camille Minichino]

Good point, Susan!

[camille minichino]

Denica's in Dublin, Ann! We should meet there:-)

[Camille Minichino]

Thanks, Staci!

[Priscilla]

I'd embrace any Opps that had chocolate in it...