the importance of lists in writing

My copy editor noticed something about my stories: I like lists.

There's the list a character keeps in her phone on the Do's and Don't's of Shoplifting.
There's the list a grandmother keeps on her fridge for what not to feed the dog.

When my editor pointed out my habit, at first I thought: Oops, better stop that. Then I reconsidered. This could be a "thing" in my stories. Every writer needs some kind of trademark, why not lists?

Lists are practical, easy to read, and they can offer clues to the character or plot.

I also post numerous blogs here that are lists.

I like lists. In honor of their awesomeness, let me offer three ideas for using lists in your story.

1. Grocery lists. If I don't write down what I need, I will leave the store with things I'm hungry for now. When I get home, I will have to eat chocolate and mini peppers for dinner. This is not good. Lists help us remember the important stuff. What if your character had to go to the grocery store and forgot something on his list? He'd have to go back. Who might he run into?

2. Birthday lists. Thanks to Google, all my friends' birthdays show up on my calendar. A calendar is a great place for lists because it's all organized by a need to know. How might your character use a calendar in your story?

3. To Do lists. I don't know about you, but my "to do" lists are a mish-mash of so many things. "Make dentist appt; research Vitamin D; send my son a fan... I love "to do" lists because they have no category. It is merely a collection of all the random things that come to mind that must be done. What if your character found someone else's "To Do" list? What might be on it?

These are a few ideas for using lists in your writing. How do you employ a list in your stories? Please share your ideas with us.
Write on!

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