Story Starter! What Do Your Characters Fear?

Photo courtesy of: The Digital Artist, Pete Linforth; courtesy of: Pixabay

We all have fears, our struggle to overcome them helps define us as an individual. The same is true for literary characters. To be relatable and real characters must be damaged in some way.

Every character, no matter how powerful, is frightened of something. Superman fears kryptonite, Peter Pan fears growing up, Anikan Skywalker fears losing those he loves. Each of these specific fears provides a catalyst that carries their stories forward.

Fear is a motivator, a survival mechanism that instigates a character's actions or reactions. Heroes and villains are born and die through their fears. 

We all cheer and admire the characters, who despite their fears, perform selfless acts of bravery to save others. In the same way, we despise villains who twist their fears and apply self-serving devices to avoid them. 

And, of course, we all love it when the good guy, who's conquered his fears, triumphs over the bad guy who's fears have wreaked havoc on others.  

As a writer, fear is a powerful means to get to know your characters and develop conflict in your narrative. It also operates as a self-reflection tool. 

When a writer exposes their characters' fears and places them in difficult positions where they have to confront these fears head on, it requires a lot of soul-searching. You must play out the scene in your mind, dig deep into your own humanity and compose an authentic scene that will ring true with readers.

After you've decided on the fears your characters will have you to have to take it a step further and determine why they have them. 

Did something happen to them as a child? Do they have an unexplained phobia that requires psycho therapy? Did they experience a recent traumatic event? Have they succumbed to their fears or overcome them?

Only the writer can answer these questions. So go on and give it a try. It’s fun and will help you and your readers get to know your characters a little better.

I'd love to hear all about your character's fears. Please comment below if you'd like to share.
 

Story Starter! Who Is This Person and What Are They Writing?

Photo courtesy of: Start Up Stock Photos; courtesy of: Pixabay

There are so many different reasons people write everyday. For me, this exercise seems like a great way to create a new character or get to know one of my existing ones a little better.

My List:

1. Student writing a term paper.

2. Author writing their first novel.

3. Kidnapper writing a ransom note.

4, Teacher writing lesson plans.

5, Lawyer writing down references for a case.

6, Politician writing a speech.

7. Blogger writing their next post.

8. Wife writing a poem to her husband.

9. Food critic writing a review.

10. Advocate writing a letter to a politician.

What did you come up with?

Story Starter: Use The Five Senses To Describe A Scene

Photo courtesy of: Mabel Amber; courtesy of: Pixabay

A great way to spice up a piece of writing is to use the five senses to set the scene. It immerses the reader in the story and as the title implies gives them a more sensory experience that is engaging and relatable.

In the writing world, they constantly tell authors  to "show" not "tell".  For example, if I were to "tell" about the photograph above I could say: It was a nice day at the park. My statement is accurate and to the point but where's the panache? Did I engage the reader? Pull them in? Capture their imagination with my words? No, I didn't.

However, if I were to "show" the reader what I want them to experience, I could say: 

Soft sunlight lit up the treetops conceiving an emerald green canopy that dangled over the clear-cut walkway. Burnished tree trunks, offset by the light, covered the ground in alternating strips of shadow and light, a delicate pattern woven into the path I took.

Perched on branches, birds sang out their morning salutations, while squirrels scampered about below as if caught up in a friendly game of tag. Freshly cut grass filled the air with its sweet scent. A light wind brushed my face as I breathed in the earthy smell and popped a piece of bubble gum in my mouth. The sweet taste flooding my tongue, I started my daily jog through the park.

As you can see, I embellished a bit with the birds and the bubble gum, but that's the beauty of writing. You can take whatever inspires you and create whatever you want from it. Using the photograph, my imagination, and some carefully chosen words I "showed" you a beautiful day at the park that is much more interesting than simply saying, "It was a nice day at the park."

Let's double check to make sure I hit all five senses.

Sight:

soft sunlight

emerald green canopy

strips of shadow

Sound:

birds chirping

Smell:

freshly cut grass

Touch:

light wind brushed my face

Taste:

sweet taste of bubble gum

I touched on all five senses, some more than others but that's okay. Writing is a process. I can always go back and write another description for the photo or add to the one I've already started.

Another way to describe the photo is to make a list of the senses and fill in what you actually see and what spurs your imagination.

Sight:

trees

brown tree trunks

green leaves

green grass

sunlight

pavement

shadows

Sound:

birds

people talking

bike bell ringing

music

feet hitting the sidewalk

a lawn mower

bees or flies buzzing

Smell:

grass

mulch

wet soil

flowers

Touch:

warm sunlight

wind blowing

cool air on your face

Taste:

fresh water from a water bottle

trail mix

the smell of flowers was so thick I could almost taste them

Is there an ice-cream vendor nearby?

Wow, isn't it amazing the endless possibilities one photograph can inspire? Now it's your turn. Use this picture or another one that strikes your fancy and jot down your possibilities. But, most importantly have FUN!!

Story Starter! Write A Character Sketch

Photo courtesy of: Prawny; courtesy of: Pixabay

Every story needs a cast of well-developed characters. In order to engage readers they must be relatable and authentic. Without interesting, quirky, or conflicted characters narratives are flat and one dimensional. 

Would Lord Voldemort be as intriguing without the glimpses into his dark childhood? The layers J.K Rowling added to his personality gives readers an insight into how flawed his psyche is. A young boy, orphaned by his dead mother and neglectful father, forced to live in a home where he isn’t understood.

How many people can relate to feeling ostracized? Everyone. We’ve all felt left out at some point in our lives. This back story for Voldemort adds the human element that connects readers to characters.

Rowling also gave Professor Albus Dumbledore human qualities that only an in-depth character analysis could achieve-his love of lemon drop candy and his affection for Gellert Grindelwald. Not only do we learn that Dumbledore cared for someone when he was young, we discover that he held some radical beliefs regarding wizards and muggles.

So simple, so unexpected, so human. Without these little character nuances, readers may grow bored, apathetic and unwilling to continue with the story.

One of the most effective ways to accomplish this goal is to write a character sketch. The most basic character sketch is a list of physical traits the character possesses; more in depth ones help create a fully developed character who is uniquely human with a rich personality and flaws.

Main characters will need a more comprehensive sketch but don't neglect to make one for minor characters. Minor characters enrich a story while adding dimension and insight into how the main character is perceived in their world.

For a list of Character Sketches click here.

My Character Sketch

Basic Information:

Name: Matilda Kookyberry

Nickname: Corkscrew

Age: 35

Physical Appearance:

Height: 5'2"

Weight: 135 lbs.

Hair Color: Jet Black

Eye Color: Purple

Most Prominent Physical Feature: Hair

Type of Clothes: Long dresses with pinched waists and high collars, low-heeled shoes

Hygiene: Matilda's clothes are clean, outdated and come in varying shades of purple.

Her shoes are well-worn because of the long walks she takes through the countryside. She enjoys watching the boats sail by and often dreams of taking a trip on one someday.

Friends and Family:

Parents: Russell and Aphrodite Kookyberry

Siblings: Matilda is an only child.

Best Friend: Nora Slick

A tall, thin woman who wears pencil skirts and stiletto heals. Her hair is combed back into a severe bun. A single black lock lies on her forehead like a shiny fishhook.

Other Friends: Donise Biblio the librarian

Acquaintances: Women from the quilting and arbor clubs

Pets: ferret, cats,

Work, Education and Hobbies

Education: Attended boarding school and finishing school but disliked both

Occupation: Piano teacher

Hobbies: Reading, quilting, gardening, collects butterflies and post cards

Psychological Make-Up

Personality: Optimist, cheerful, extrovert

How do they view themselves: Unique, great head of hair, kind, open-minded

How do others view her: Odd, kind, creative, easy to talk to, loves to talk

What did you come up with? Please share your character sketches in the comment section below. 

Story Starter! Use The 5 Senses To Describe

Photo courtesy of: derwiki; courtesy of: Pixabay

I titled this as another Story Starter but after completing the task a more apt name would have been Story Challenge.

It's taken me a few days to write a list of descriptions for each of the 5 senses for the picture. Sometimes I agonize over words which then hinders my productivity.

Many authors describe landscapes so fluidly and with such finesse that I become intimidated. But, I refuse to let that stop me from working on my craft and sharing what I've composed. I know I need to improve in this area so that's what I'm doing.

I'm not overly pleased with every description but at least I did it. To improve my technique, I will continue adding to the lists I created.

Sight:

Lush green hills surmounted by gray mountain tops

Thick clouds marbleized with patches of blue and smoky gray

A river surrounded by hills crowded with trees

A lake enclosed by hills thick with trees

A castle sitting on a hill rising above a small town

The sun is shining down

Sound:

Birds chirping

Water lapping at the shoreline

The scurry of furry feet over grass

Bees buzzing

Smell:

pine

The sweet scents of pine and spruce

A clean wind blew from the south rustling leaves and tufts of grass

Earthy aroma of dirt and grass

Taste:

The smell of pine and spruce was so thick the scent clung to my taste buds caramel candy

I chewed on a piece of grass savoring the bittersweet flavor

Feel:

A lazy wind brushed my face

Branches reached out to tickle my arms and legs

The sun felt warm on my scalp

How are you at describing landscapes? I'd love to read your descriptions.

Story Starter!

Pixabay

Where does the stone path lead?

My answer:

A pretty cottage, speckled with golden sunlight, nestled among a copse of trees. It's a quiet place where a poet can collect his thoughts or a couple can share in a private rendezvous.