Writing

On temperature and weather

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

We get that it’s cold. Or that it’s hot. Or whatever.

But there can be more description to the weather in books over that. Bitingly cold. Sweltering heat. Boring, dull, cliche phrases.

Today’s assignment: come up with something more interesting to describe what it’s like where you live.

The day reminds me of England. Temperature wise, it isn’t that cold, perhaps 40 or 50. But it’s the damp that gets you. That creeping, gloomy damp that seeps into your knuckles and makes them ache. No amount of polar fleece can keep you warm. You shiver, huddling in a blanket, and wonder when it’s time to go to bed. Tea is the beverage of choice, as it alone can warm your core.

Murdering the Easter Bunny

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

We often get inspiration from things that have happened to us, or to our family members. So, today write down a favorite family story, or one that you just heard.

Back before my grandparents were married, my grandfather drove my grandmother’s much younger siblings to visit their father.

As they were driving, a rabbit darted out into the road. My grandfather could have done one of two things–stop suddenly and have the kids catapult out of the car or hit the rabbit.

He hit the rabbit, and then said, “There goes the Easter bunny.”

My great aunt and uncle have never forgiven him.

On character development (part V)

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

The Character’s Emotions and Personality

1. Is your character an introvert or an extrovert?

He is very much an introvert. He doesn’t enjoy party situations and has a difficult time meeting new people. He’s talkative enough, but it is very difficult for others to get to know him.
2. Do they get along well with people? Do they have charm or charisma? Are people naturally attracted to them?

He gets along well with those he knows. He’s a bit charming, but it takes time to find it.
3. Do they have many friends? Any close friends?

He doesn’t have a lot of friends, but the ones that he does have are very close. His best friend is actually his cousin/penpal, who he’s never actually met.
4. Would you describe your character as hot-blooded or cool headed?

He’s cool headed.
5. Do they have a narrow or wide range of emotions? Do they show, or are the emotions concealed? Why?

He’s a very emotional person, but does his best to conceal how he really feels. He doesn’t like the idea of people knowing how to get the upper hand when dealing with him.
6. Do they indulge in emotional peaks, outbursts, or valleys? Often?

He tries to limit the amount of emotional outbursts that he has. Exposing his emotions makes him feel weak.
7. Would you describe them as sensitive or callused?

Sensitive.
8. Is your character suspicious, cautions, trusting, or oblivious about people or situations?

He’s cautious and would rather observe a situation than jump into it.
9. Are they an aggressive or reactive person? Act or react?

He’s a reactive person, and waits for things to happen to him rather than seeking out new and exciting things.
10. Do they typically take positive or negative action?

Positive. He likes to be happy.
11. In a dangerous or emergency situation, would they go toward the situation or run away?

He’d hover at the edges, able to help if need be, and just as easily run away.
12. Is the character basically nervous or calm?

He’s primarily calm.
13. Does the character have a sense of humor? Do they appreciate jokes? Can he see humor in any situation? Can they laugh at themselves?

He has an off beat sense of humor based on observation. He likes a good joke, but not the typical teenage sex jokes. He finds Judd Apatow boring. He can laugh at himself.

14. Do others find them amusing? Are they a practical joker? What do they think about tricks or jokes played on other people?

Others find him amusing enough. He’s not a practical joker, but loves when other people (not himself) get pranked.
15. Is their humor ever cruel?

Sometimes it borders on cruel, but it never involves the physical or emotional harm of others. Sometimes his humor falls in the black comedy variety, like the work of Martin McDonagh.
16. Are there any conditions that would cause them to be harmful, mean, or cruel to another person?<br />
17. Are they a loving person? Are they capable of relating to one specific person in a romantic way?

He’s a very loving person, but someone has to earn his trust in order to gain his affection. He’s capable of being in a romantic relationship.
18. Is the character loved by any other person, in what way?

He’s loved by his parents in a nurturing way.
19. Is the character romantically in love now? With whom? Is this a happy, rewarding or frustrating situation for them?

He’s not romantically in love, but has a strong attraction to his friend Linda. It’s frustrating for him, because Linda is dating someone else, and he’s too honorable to make a move.

Existential inspiration

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

carpe-diemI knew I signed up for Human Nature for a reason. And not just to fulfill a general requirement.

At the moment, I’m knee deep in a paper about existentialism in Dead Poets Society. While debating bad faith in SPOILER Neil’s suicide, I realized something.

My novel just got a swift kick courtesy of existentialism.

What a cabbage!

The Twirl and Swirl of Letters

Languages have such wonderful little idioms. For example, in Italian when you want to say “damn!” you say “che cavolo!” That’s literally “What a cabbage!”

English has some quaint expressions as well. In New England, “wicked” is positive. “Wicked good” is several notches above good, and “Wicked awesome” is about as good as you can get.

For example:

Mike: “Did you see the Sox game last night?”

Jim: “See it? I was there! Beating the Yankees 12-0 was wicked awesome!”

 

In creating different cultures (I’m looking at fantasy and sci fi writers specifically), keep in mind the strange things that might not be translated literally. It could be very interesting to have a character translating from his language to another, or even from one area of the country to another, and having a complete miscommunication.