There is the world out there and then there is the stories we make up about the world.
Pretty much nothing else.
In between that divide of real world and the stuff we say about the real world is a bit of mystery.
We are constantly navigating what is real.
When it gets to be too much, that is what causes uncertainty, fear and anxiety.
But eliminate all mystery and things get boring.
What we want is a healthy amount of mystery. I guess you could also say uncertainty.
That’s why people love going to see live music. There is an element of uncertainty. What will the band play? Will they mess anything up? Will there be an encore?
It’s the living element. The way you don’t plan a conversation over coffee. They way overplanning can ruin a date.
Mystery can even be boiled down a little more to simply surprise.
By using surprise (not shock, though that has it’s place as an occasional garnish) you keep people interested. By incorporating a mystery, you can make almost any information seem fresh and new. You can peak curiosity.
Too much curiosity of course and you’ll wind up with a dead cat.
For just the right amount of surprise and mystery, sign-up below to get a free copy of the mystery horror stories, The Seance and Here Comes The Rain (mailed 24 hours after you get The Seance).