Maximum Impact

Did you know there are those among us who can see 100 million colors? These individuals have four types of cone cells in their eyes instead of three and are known as “tetrachromats” according to Discover Magazine’s July/August 2012 issue. The ability to see 100 million colors (can you?) is a quintessential trait—a characteristic, situation or ability taken to its most extreme—like the world’s ugliest dog, or worst boss.

Try writing about someone or something quintessential and see what happens—the world’s worst mother, best dresser, most judgmental date, most finicky cat, most extreme sport (Olympic gymnastics?,) or most tenacious survivor. Start with the character and let the problem emerge as you describe him. Make it up—-maybe your character can hear light falling from distant stars or run faster than the speed of sound.