Good Day Brewers - Pang here! ☕

Can you believe it?

We’re at issue #20!!!

I remember writing my first issue like it was yesterday.

How a baffling encounter with the pricing model of a store selling Thai milk tea can be framed in two different ways to portray two different messages.

The next thing I did?

Hit PUBLISH.

I had 19 readers then. That was 6 months ago.

Today, we’re over 500 strong!

The takeaway from this?

Just keep writing. Keep working on that passion.

You’ll get there!

I hope you’re enjoying these heartwarming stories so far!

All of these wouldn’t have been possible without you!

I’ve always been curious about who’s reading my newsletters, so if you’re reading this today, let’s hop on a call!

I’d love to get to know you better!

Drop me a DM here and let’s follow up from there, shall we?

(Plus steal this opportunity to crack my brain!)

Estimated reading time: 3,196 words - 13 mins 26 secs

Pants.

Damn it! Every single pair of pants I own is currently soaking in the washing machine.

I'm talking specifically about the ones with pockets — the ones I find most comfortable.

And well, I only possess two of those prized possessions.

I can already hear your thoughts echoing in disbelief.

"Why in the world would anyone rely on just two pairs of comfy shorts with pockets!?"

Allow me to explain.

As someone who spends most of his time at home, only two occasions would prompt me to venture outdoors. Going for a run. And meeting up with friends.

Do I really need that many pants with pockets? I don’t have a clone and my brother moved out recently, taking his entire wardrobe with him.

But then it hit me like a bolt of lightning — I remembered the existence of another pair.

But this one was far from ideal. It was two sizes too large. Trying to fit into it was like attempting to fit a ring meant for my middle finger onto my slender pinky. As if that weren't enough, it even had a belt loop, mocking my predicament.

Now, I stood at a crossroads, pondering my options.

The first was to squeeze into the oversized pants and secure them with a belt.

The second was to settle for a pocketless alternative and abandon any hopes of practicality.

Oh, how I craved those pockets — a safe haven for my phone and wallet, sparing me the inconvenience of carrying them in my hands.

Lost in my ruminations, I found myself donning the ill-fitting pants almost involuntarily.

Fate had decided for me.

Screw it!

I went with the third option — and that is to go with the first, but without securing them with a belt.

After all, it was merely a brief and quick trip to procure groceries and lunch — a breeze for someone who has run a marathon.

The midday sun blazed overhead with relentless intensity, its scorching rays bearing down mercilessly upon unsuspecting souls. Pedestrians traversing the streets even brandished umbrellas, shielding themselves from the unforgiving heat. (I know this sounds silly, but if you’re living in a country like Singapore, this is a common sight.)

45 minutes later...

My hands groaned under the weight of a bunch of items.

A tin of tuna, a trio of cheese packs, Gardenia herb wraps, 300 grams of succulent beef cubes, a dozen eggs, two plump tomatoes, and a delectable red bean bun.

And let's not forget the lunch I procured — mixed vegetable rice teeming with succulent braised three-layer pork, beancurd with minced pork, and a sizzling stir-fry of bean sprouts for my dad. However, I got myself the tantalizing McSpicy set meal, courtesy of a wonderful 20% discount.

Juggling the burden of six kilograms worth of groceries alongside our lunch, I pushed forward on my journey home.

The weight proved manageable, or so I believed.

Yet, the unforgiving heat persisted, causing beads of sweat to cascade down my body. It felt as though I were trapped within a blazing furnace, the scorching sun roasting me alive. I was incapable of tending to the glistening beads of perspiration as both my hands remained captive.

I quicken my footsteps, looking to escape this infernal ordeal by seeking refuge at the nearest shelter — a mere 700 meters away. Yet, at that moment, it might as well have been 700 miles, an insurmountable distance in the face of my discomfort.

Slowly but surely, my pants were on a downward descent. With each passing centimeter, they slipped further from my waist until they rested three centimeters below where they ought to be.

The consequences were dire — a wardrobe malfunction that would expose my bright red underwear for all to see, an embarrassing spectacle to behold in brought daylight amidst the bustling main roads.

Realizing the impending disaster, I knew what I had to do to rectify the situation before my pants fully succumbed to gravity's relentless pull.

I only had mere seconds.

And that's when fate presented me with a fleeting window of opportunity. As I approached the junction, the traffic light switched to red — a signal to pause and take a short breather.

I seized the chance, coming to a standstill and shifting the burden of my lunch and a cup of Sprite from my right hand to my left. As my grip loosened, destiny intervened.

I missed my mark — the hook that had previously kept my Sprite secure.

The cup slipped from my grasp, plummeting to the ground.

CRASH!

The vessel shattered at its base, rendering my beloved Sprite a lost cause.

A surge of boiling frustration coursed through my veins. Anguish enveloped me.

FUCK!

But the tale only worsened from there. I couldn't simply abandon the mess strewn across the pavement.

No, that would constitute littering — an offense punishable by a staggering fine of 5. And no, I don't mean a mere $5, or $50, or even $500. We're talking a whopping $5,000. But it wasn’t just the fine that bothered me. This would violate my obligation as a responsible citizen.

Reluctantly, I bent down, retrieving the bag containing the remnants of my Sprite. A hole had formed at the bottom, allowing its contents to leak relentlessly. With hands already brimming with burdens, I embarked on the arduous journey home, steadfastly clutching my “lost cause”.

Finally, upon reaching the welcoming embrace of my house's void deck, I discarded the broken cup of Sprite into the trash..

Thirst was haunting my throat, a testament to the scorching heat. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon my weary frame, a consequence of the trying journey.

Miserable and dissatisfied, I bemoaned the string of unfortunate incidents that had unfolded, robbing me of my thirst-quenching Sprite and leaving me in a state of discontent.

All of this could have been averted if I’d decided to put on that belt. Or did my laundry. Or have a bigger stash of comfortably fitting pants with pockets.

This comical encounter with ill-fitting pants and a spilled Sprite taught me the importance of maintaining a sense of humor and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.

Life has its unpredictable moments, and rather than letting frustration consume us, it's crucial to find the silver lining, make the best of the situation, and approach setbacks with a lighthearted spirit.

Ordinarily Impactful

This is an ordinary story that could be found in your everyday life filled with moments:

• The typical dilemma over daily decision-making.

• Having to shop for groceries and get lunch.

• Perhaps even having to endure the hot sunny weather.

• Not having comfortably fitting clothes in your wardrobe.

• The subsequent wardrobe malfunction.

• The mishap and accident that occurred afterward.

Yet, these moments are highly relatable.

They are moments that surface in your daily lives.

You got to know me a little better after my story — only to realize that you aren’t facing these struggles alone.

That’s how we connect through relatable moments.

And that’s how you’ll connect with your audience when you share your PERSONAL STORIES.

Be a familiar figure in your audience’s lives, for they’ll talk about you naturally when they least expect to, perhaps even in their sleep.

That’s the power of sharing your personal stories!

Story Arc for Object Story

To craft a story based on an object, your object needs:

• To serve a purpose in your story

• Either to solve a problem, or cause a problem

#1 - Opening Frustration

Start with an opening thought.

• What problem are you struggling with?

• Does it drive curiosity?

I opened with a laundry problem.

Every single pair of pants I own is currently soaking in the washing machine.

#2 - Context

Continue by explaining a little further.

• Why are you struggling with this problem?

• What is the role of the object in this story?

• Why did it matter?

The context here allowed you to understand why I was struggling with this problem in the first place. Explaining it helps put your audience in your shoes as the story unfolds.

I'm talking specifically about the ones with pockets — the ones I find most comfortable.

And well, I only possess two of those prized possessions.

I can already hear your thoughts echoing in disbelief.

"Why in the world would anyone rely on just two pairs of comfy shorts with pockets!?"

Allow me to explain.

As someone who spends most of his time at home, only two occasions would prompt me to venture outdoors. Going for a run. And meeting up with friends.

Do I really need that many pants with pockets? I don’t have a clone and my brother moved out recently, taking his entire wardrobe with him.

#3 - Initial Conflict

The initial conflict sets-up the stage for the main conflict to be revealed later.

• What is the initial conflict here?

• How will this be relevant to the main conflict later? (Keep this in mind)

The initial conflict in the story was having loose pants that were two sizes larger.

But then it hit me like a bolt of lightning — I remembered the existence of another pair.

But this one was far from ideal. It was two sizes too large. Trying to fit into it was like attempting to fit a ring meant for my middle finger onto my slender pinky. As if that weren't enough, it even had a belt loop, mocking my predicament.

#4 - The Dilemma

Evaluating the options you have can create tension in your story.

It’s keeps your audience on the edge of their seats, curious to find out how the story unfolds with your selected choice.

• What options do you have?

• Which one did you pick and why?

• Can you apply the foreshadowing technique to create tension?

When I chose the third option, I’m applying the foreshadowing technique, giving you a glimpse into something that’s going to happen next — and it has to do with wearing that loose pants without securing them with a belt.

In fact, I applied another technique here, known as misdirection. The first two options were there to mislead you. But when I presented the third choice, you were surprised!

The first was to squeeze into the oversized pants and secure them with a belt.

The second was to settle for a pocketless alternative and abandon any hopes of practicality.

Oh, how I craved those pockets — a safe haven for my phone and wallet, sparing me the inconvenience of carrying them in my hands.

Lost in my ruminations, I found myself donning the ill-fitting pants almost involuntarily.

Fate had decided for me.

Screw it!

I went with the third option — and that is to go with the first, but without securing them with a belt.

After all, it was merely a brief and quick trip to procure groceries and lunch — a breeze for someone who has run a marathon.

#5 - Build-up to Climax

Next, we move on to building up the tension within the story.

• What important details would you like to share here?

• Were the details you shared specific?

• Were you able to magnify the situation through these details?

• Can you cut the irrelevant parts?

In my build-up, I continue to use foreshadowing to drive curiosity. The heat from the midday sun was intense and I was carrying a whole bunch of stuff and my pants were loose.

I’ve also trimmed away the irrelevant parts — what I did in that 45 minutes was irrelevant to the story.

After all, it was merely a brief and quick trip to procure groceries and lunch — a breeze for someone who has run a marathon.

The midday sun blazed overhead with relentless intensity, its scorching rays bearing down mercilessly upon unsuspecting souls. Pedestrians traversing the streets even brandished umbrellas, shielding themselves from the unforgiving heat. (I know this sounds silly, but if you’re living in a country like Singapore, this is a common sight.)

45 minutes later...

My hands groaned under the weight of a bunch of items.

A tin of tuna, a trio of cheese packs, Gardenia herb wraps, 300 grams of succulent beef cubes, a dozen eggs, two plump tomatoes, and a delectable red bean bun.

And let's not forget the lunch I procured — mixed vegetable rice teeming with succulent braised three-layer pork, beancurd with minced pork, and a sizzling stir-fry of bean sprouts for my dad. However, I got myself the tantalizing McSpicy set meal, courtesy of a wonderful 20% discount.

Juggling the burden of six kilograms worth of groceries alongside our lunch, I pushed forward on my journey home.

The weight proved manageable, or so I believed.

#6 - Main Conflict

Continue to develop the story into the main conflict.

• What’s the main conflict here?

• What did you do to try to resolve the situation or make it better?

There is a whole bunch of conflict in this section of the story. But the main conflict was that my pants were falling off my waist. Impending disaster loomed over my head.

Yet, the unforgiving heat persisted, causing beads of sweat to cascade down my body. It felt as though I were trapped within a blazing furnace, the scorching sun roasting me alive. I was incapable of tending to the glistening beads of perspiration as both my hands remained captive.

I quicken my footsteps, looking to escape this infernal ordeal by seeking refuge at the nearest shelter — a mere 700 meters away. Yet, at that moment, it might as well have been 700 miles, an insurmountable distance in the face of my discomfort.

Slowly but surely, my pants were on a downward descent. With each passing centimeter, they slipped further from my waist until they rested three centimeters below where they ought to be.

The consequences were dire — a wardrobe malfunction that would expose my bright red underwear for all to see, an embarrassing spectacle to behold in brought daylight amidst the bustling main roads.

Realizing the impending disaster, I knew what I had to do to rectify the situation before my pants fully succumbed to gravity's relentless pull.

#7 - Climax

Jump into climax! It’s the most exciting part of your story.

• How can you present the climax in an engaging manner?

I love using single words to describe the crash and my thoughts (FUCK) when the disaster unfolded in front of my very eyes.

In times like this, fewer words have a greater impact.

I only had mere seconds.

And that's when fate presented me with a fleeting window of opportunity. As I approached the junction, the traffic light switched to red — a signal to pause and take a short breather.

I seized the chance, coming to a standstill and shifting the burden of my lunch and a cup of Sprite from my right hand to my left. As my grip loosened, destiny intervened.

I missed my mark — the hook that had previously kept my Sprite secure.

The cup slipped from my grasp, plummeting to the ground.

CRASH!

The vessel shattered at its base, rendering my beloved Sprite a lost cause.

A surge of boiling frustration coursed through my veins. Anguish enveloped me.

FUCK!

But the tale only worsened from there. I couldn't simply abandon the mess strewn across the pavement.

No, that would constitute littering — an offense punishable by a staggering fine of 5. And no, I don't mean a mere $5, or $50, or even $500. We're talking a whopping $5,000. But it wasn’t just the fine that bothered me. This would violate my obligation as a responsible citizen.

#8 - Resolution

Finally, it’s time to share the resolution.

• How did you resolve the issue?

• How did you feel? Were you satisfied?

I was not one bit satisfied with the outcome.

Reluctantly, I bent down, retrieving the bag containing the remnants of my Sprite. A hole had formed at the bottom, allowing its contents to leak relentlessly. With hands already brimming with burdens, I embarked on the arduous journey home, steadfastly clutching my “lost cause”.

Finally, upon reaching the welcoming embrace of my house's void deck, I discarded the broken cup of Sprite into the trash.

Thirst was haunting my throat, a testament to the scorching heat. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon my weary frame, a consequence of the trying journey.

Miserable and dissatisfied, I bemoaned the string of unfortunate incidents that had unfolded, robbing me of my thirst-quenching Sprite and leaving me in a state of discontent.

All of this could have been averted if I’d decided to put on that belt. Or did my laundry. Or have a bigger stash of comfortably fitting pants with pockets.

#9 - Lesson

Time to come to a satisfying ending for your audience!

• What was the lesson or message here?

Notice how I’ve framed this story to be a funny encounter?

Who would’ve thought that “Pants” would make for a great story?

This comical encounter with ill-fitting pants and a spilled Sprite taught me the importance of maintaining a sense of humor and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.

Life has its unpredictable moments, and rather than letting frustration consume us, it's crucial to find the silver lining, make the best of the situation, and approach setbacks with a lighthearted spirit.

And… That’s it for this long issue.

Did I inspire you to write a “Pants” story too?

Because if I did, don’t let that inspiration go to waste!

Start crafting your story now with the Story Arc I’ve just shared!

The best way to learn storytelling is through telling a story!

Your Barista,

Pang

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