5 Random Objects Found in My Current Manuscript

When people describe a book, they usually talk about the characters, the plot, the romance, or the tropes.

They might tell you it's a hockey romance.

A second-chance love story.

A secret baby romance.

Or a story about fate, timing, and the choices that change everything.

But recently I came across a prompt that made me stop and think:

List five random objects that appear in your book.

Not symbols.

Not themes.

Not major plot points.

Just five completely random objects that exist somewhere in the story.

The result?

It might be one of my favorite ways to talk about a book.

Here are five random objects in my manuscript that probably don't belong together anywhere except inside this story.

1. A Duffel Bag

One of the very first things Kelsie notices about Ryland is the duffel bag slung across his chest at the airport.

At the time, it's just a bag.

Nothing special.

But looking back, it's carrying everything he needs for the next chapter of his life.

Including a meeting neither of them saw coming.

2. Zip Ties

Every event planner has a survival kit.

Mine just happens to include zip ties.

At one point, Kelsie reflects on holding an entire fundraiser together with zip ties, caffeine, and blind optimism.

Honestly?

That might be the most realistic thing I've ever written.

3. Binders

Not one binder.

Not two binders.

Three binders.

Because Kelsie's best friend, Nyla, believes preparation is not a suggestion.

When planning a girls' trip years in advance, apparently one binder simply isn't enough.

As someone who appreciates organization, I have to respect the commitment.

4. Color Swatches

There is an entire battle involving shades of blue.

Cornflower.

Periwinkle.

Aegean.

The problem?

None of them are apparently the right blue.

If you've ever worked in event planning—or tried choosing paint colors—you probably understand the struggle.

Sometimes the smallest details become the biggest headaches.

5. A Plastic Dinosaur

Perhaps the most random object on this list.

But also one of my favorites. Because no matter how carefully Kelsie tries to organize her world, life has other plans.

Those plans occasionally involve plastic dinosaurs, sibling debates, and passionate arguments about extinction events.

As it turns out, children are not particularly concerned with event timelines.

What I love most about this is that if you looked at those five objects together, you'd probably have absolutely no idea what kind of story you're looking at.

A duffel bag.

Zip ties.

Binders.

Color swatches.

A plastic dinosaur.

That doesn't exactly scream hockey romance.

And yet every single one of them belongs in The Puck That Changed Everything.

Now I'm curious.

If you had to describe your favorite book using five random objects, what would they be?

Let me know—I think this might be one of my new favorite ways to talk about stories.