Monthly Theme: A Fish Called Wander

At some point, everyone is out of place or time.

A fish out of water story is a story about someone who is in a place where they do not belong

A story about someone who is in a situation that is unfamiliar to them. A physical situation, like being in a new city, or a mental situation, like being in a new relationship.

The protagonist is typically a fish who is taken out of their natural habitat and placed in an unfamiliar one. The story follows the fish as they try to adapt to their new surroundings and find a way to get back to their old home.

Remember Nemo? Kinda like that.

Why do we love these stories?

Fish out of water stories are fascinating to an audience because they’re able to see how the character reacts to being in an unfamiliar situation.

Sparking empathy and their own curiosity of how they would react in the same spot of bother.

This can be humorous or suspenseful, depending on your story.

Why are these interesting to the writer?

There are a few reasons.

First, it is a way to explore what it means to be different, and to see the world from a new perspective.

Second, it can be a way to add humor to a story, by showing how someone who is used to a certain way of life struggles in a new environment.

Finally, it can be a way to create suspense, by having the reader wonder how the character will cope with being in a new situation.

Examples

La La Land

A movie about a aspiring actress who moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams.

“Here’s to the ones who dream.”

The Martian

In the movie, an astronaut is stranded on Mars and must find a way to survive and eventually return to Earth.

“In the face of overwhelming odds, I’m left with only one option, I’m gonna have to science the shit out of this.”

The Revenant

A movie about a frontiersman who is left for dead and has to fight his way back to safety.

“To seek revenge, first dig two graves.”

Moonlight

A movie about a young black man who struggles to find his place in the world.

“Just because the world don’t see you doesn’t mean you don’t exist.”

These Fish have things in common

1. They are usually strangers in a new place.
2. They can feel lost and confused.
3. They may have a hard time fitting in.
4. They may feel like they don’t belong.
5. They may be trying to find their way.

In this season of family, giving and being kind

I’ll share four major holidays this month for you to use to write a story from the perspective of a fish out of water.

A distant cousin or a traveler from another country or time or planet.

If you know the holiday, write about what you know from the view of someone who knows nothing about it. It’s alien to them.

And if you don’t know the holiday, then well, you get to learn a little about it and write as yourself caught in that confusing context.

So long and thanks for all the fish!

See you tomorrow for a little prompting into the unfamiliar.

Last Month’s theme was The Street Team

Our top three fan favorites were

Camilla Seth’s The Experiment:

The always saucy Reuben Salsa shares another:

And new writer Kate Granger bags third spot:

Well done writers!

Let’s see what you can do this month.