3 x 87 = (3 x 80) + (3 x 7) = A Far Better Plot

In school, I was that math student.  The one in the classroom wondering aloud when I would ever actually use what we were being taught.  I offer up a late apology now to all my former instructors.

For Mentor Monday, we’re going abstract this week.  This semester, I’ve been taking a mental math class.  It requires you to do all the work inside your head.  No paper, pencils, calculators, or computers.  This came up in conversation with a public school teacher and she was appalled.  Apparently, this goes against the core of common core where one needs to show all of their work.

 

"Show your work!"

Of all the classes I’m currently taking, this one has become my favorite.  Here’s why…

I was always taught one way to work out the particular problem presented.  I’d feverishly scratch down my work on a piece of paper.  Remembering to carry the one or lock in a placeholder.

Doing it old school!

Continuing with the title of today’s update:  3 x 87 = (3 x 80) + (3 x 7).  If you asked me to multiply 3 x 87 in my head, my eyes will glaze over.  I have flashbacks to those Scantron tests in high school.

How I loathed Scantron.

Now…ask me to multiply 3 x 80?  Piece of cake thanks to that handy zero!  240.

3 x 7 is a no-brainer.  21.

240 + 21 = 261

Mentally, that is far easier than 3 x 87.  So how does this tie back to writing?  It occurred to me in class that you can tackle your writing the same as working out an equation.  Writing a novel, you can certainly write it 2 + 2 = 4.  Basic and simple.

Or 2 x 2 = 4.  Adding some flavor, same answer.

Or maybe 2². Going a little deeper now, same outcome.

Any of those three options gets you to the answer of 4. BUT - when writing, it's not about the answer. It's all about getting the answer. Take the awards show last night. The answer to best picture was Moonlight. How we got that answer? WAY more interesting.

Oops.

Writing a murder mystery?  At its core you may have:  Man1 + Man2 = Murder.  Sure, murder is the answer, but it’s not terribly compelling.

How about (Man1+Woman1) + Man2 = Murder.  The answer is still murder, but the way to that answer is far more intriguing when you learn that Woman1 is Man2’s wife.

(Man1+Woman1) + (Woman1+Baby1+Man 2) = Murder.  Still murder.  It’s all about how you are getting to that answer it what drives the story.

That is why I tip my hat to mathematics on Mentor Monday today.  When I started writing, I had loads of great ideas or “answers”.  To be successful, you need to find the coolest calculations you can to get you there.

Keep the conversation going down below in the comments section.