Why the best stories don’t stick to the script

I forgot how much I love going to concerts.

Recently, my hubby and I went to see one of our favourite crooners at our old stomping ground, Lee’s Palace in Toronto.

He played the songs we came for – the classics, the ones we knew by heart. But what really blew us away were the tangents: Spanish guitar riffs, drum solos that bordered on transcendental, jams that wandered and came back around in ways we couldn’t have predicted. There was even a Theremin!

Of course, I love a radio hit with its catchy chorus and hot hook. But what really holds my attention is the curiosity. The surprise. The unexpected.

Stories work the same way.

Yes, structure matters: arcs, open questions, closed loops. But when a character veers left instead of right? When an author withholds, pivots, or takes us somewhere we didn’t see coming? That’s gold. That’s the moment we lean in closer.

That’s the power of going offbeat.

👉 If you’re ready to unlock your own story and start finding those surprising turns that make your message unforgettable, I’ve put together a free guide for you: 10 Quick Prompts to Unlock Your Next Story.

Download it here and see where your story takes you:

https://catmargulis.com/unlockyourstory

 And if you’ve been sitting on a book idea or big story and you’re ready to turn sparks into something solid, let’s chat. I’ve opened a few spots for discovery calls this month, and I’d love to hear about what you’re creating.

Until next time,
Cat