When we’re deciding how we want to live our lives, or how our work will exist out in the world, the first choice (aka, the Most Obvious Choice) we make is… fine, but not always the most interesting one… the one that gives us goosebumps and excitement.
 
 And isn’t interesting what makes life and the tiny bets we experiment with fun?

Note: from here on out, Most Obvious Choice will be referred to as MOB for “Most Ob” because it’s shorter and also fun. And yes, it's not the perfect acronym but welcome to my brain. 😅

I took a horror screenwriting class during the pandemic… because what better way to spend quarantine than learning how to write creepy and murderous scenarios with a group of strangers, right?

It was taught by a successful screenwriter with a few horror films under his belt, and a guest class by C. Robert Cargill  — the writer of the Sinister films and the upcoming The Black Phone movie. We spent a lot of time talking about how to best kill off characters, horrify people and weave underlying tension throughout your script.

(Don’t worry, you don’t need to be in the film industry for this email to make sense)

As we went through class, we were tasked with something simple: Every time you have a dark thought, write it down. Keep a tiny pocket sized notebook with you. Never, under any circumstances, share what you wrote in your sacred notebook full of weird shit. You need to do this without judgement, cause some *strange* things come out when you start doing this exercise.

Did you think about someone finding your notebook and feel second hand embarrassment too? See, I’m sure most of us did because it was obvious. :D

There’s a twofold reason for this:

1. To get yourself used to bringing the dark thoughts in your head out. There’s a natural barrier we experience when wanting to write something down for fear of someone seeing it and judging us.

2. To give you fodder for unsettling or terrifying things to consider sprinkling into your film. These are little fire starting seeds,but are usually the MOB <— More on that momentarily.

Something happens when you write horror. You realize how many gates, walls, doors and barriers are blocking your subconscious from making INTERESTING choices — from reaching real deep down to what’s hiding out in the basement.

So, you've been doing this exercise for a while and now you’re onto the exciting part. You’re writing, and  your character is about to experience an unreal and terrifying situation. You write down something you think is masterful and tap your fingers together like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons.

“They’ll never see this coming!”

Except, this is the MOB and I hate to break it to you, but the audience probably will see it coming.
 
 Why?
 
Your first choice — the Most Obvious Choice — is still very inhibited. It usually comes from something you know or a place that feels kinda safe. It’s surface level.
 
 Yes, even if it’s something you think sounds unhinged for a horror film where someone ultimately is about to die. The MOB isn’t punishing enough for the character(s).
 
 This is why everyone knows the person wandering off by themselves will die (especially the not-so-smart one) the most unassuming friend will save everyone, and when it’s eerily still and someone is turning a corner, there will be a jump scare.
 
 It’s the MOB all over the place.
 
The job of a screenwriter is to weave together a beautiful, compelling story (or terrifying in this case) with enough cohesion that you can follow the story, but enough twists, turns and unexpected moments that you’re on the edge of your seat.

So you think of a second choice, and a third choice, and a fourth choice. Usually your third or fourth choice works, but sometimes you have to keep going.

Eventually you settle on something that will (hopefully) surprise and shock your audience because they won’t expect it either.

It’s why films like Midsommer or Hereditary stick with you and get under your skin. Especially ~that scene.~

So wtf does this have to do with anything other than screenwriting?

When it comes to life or creative work, we tend to run with the MOB. We love to do things “right” and so our Most Obvious Choice also tends to be the safest. The most acceptable. The most “this isn’t too left field so I won’t stand out” kinda choice.

But what if you dug a few layers deeper? What could that creative or life choice look like if it wasn’t the first option? What if you made a tiny bet on yourself and tried the more interesting route for what it is you’re doing, or how you’re living?

From how you structure your day, to how you market your business, to how you get visibility on your art… it can be applied anywhere. Go for interesting. Go for surprising. Go for unique.

That’s how you differentiate yourself from the MOB and stand out.

This is an excerpt from Selena's tiny bets memos. If you'd like to get more perspective-shifting emails like this, hit the sign up below.