I write books with a splash of action to them. In my current work in progress, there’s a scene in which police officers converge on a location while my main character, Paula, is on a ride along with a sheriff’s deputy. She witnesses a crime in progress and gleans a key piece of information that could help law enforcement find the perpetrator.
Needless to say, it’s a harrowing experience for Paula, but until this morning I had little idea of just how much such an incident might result in a spike of adrenaline.
I’d been on the phone with my friend, Flo, most of the morning, discussing the above mentioned work in progress. When our call ended, I slapped on some makeup and headed into Tallahassee for lunch at my favorite place. I was running a bit later than usual today, and hoping my lunch destination wasn’t too busy.
Turning into the parking lot, I was startled by the sight of a plain white sedan headed straight for me. Half a second later, I realized the car was an unmarked police cruiser as its discreetly placed lights were activated.
I thought the car needed to get past me to head onto the street I’d just turned off of, but as I moved out of the way, the place was swarmed by additional cars from various law enforcement agencies. I navigated out of their way and back onto the street as smoothly as possible as officers emerged from their vehicles with guns drawn.
Y’all I was shaking.
My first thought was about the employees there who make me feel more like family than a customer. Was the cafe being robbed? Were they hostages?
My second thought was, well, essentially the same as the first.
I drove around the block and kept an eye on the situation from a nearby corner. When the police began dispersing, I got up the nerve to return, and was relieved to find all my “kids” safe and sound.
The details of the reasons behind the incident are still sketchy. I may never know why the officers converged on my favorite eatery, but now, I think I might need to rewrite Paula’s reaction to witnessing the robbery in my book. Her adrenaline levels need to go way, way up.
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Nothing like real life inspiration. How ironic that it happened at just the right time. Glad everyone was okay, including you Leslie!
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I was kind of cool, calm, and collected when the cars arrived on the scene, but got really shaky driving around afterwards.
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I get that. I am usually cool headed in a crisis, it’s later on…
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Me, too apparently.
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This is fantastic! It’s like the real world conspired to make an event like that happen to help your fictional world. When you said ‘y’all I was shaking’, I felt that, even though the closest thing I have witnessed to a real crime was two teenaged boys stealing phones from the apple shop displays and taking off, while a security guard raced after them!
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I think I could’ve done without the reality!
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It happened to get you to rewrite. There you go!!
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Yep. I definitely have a different viewpoint now!
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So, did you conger this scene? Are you magic?
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No, and no. It was weird and I would never have wished it to happen! 😳
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What an amazing “research” outing you had today! That’s trauma, girlfriend. I’m so glad your barista kids weren’t held hostage. Can’t imagine how surprised you must have been to come upon that scene. Love your story.
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It was surreal!
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“I write books” – now who would have thought a few years ago that you would have begun a post with that phrase?
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Certainly not me! But this platform gave me confidence—maybe misplaced confidence, but confidence nonetheless.
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Maybe the place ran out of donuts?
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Perhaps!
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