EXERCISE: Add an antique?
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writercises Original Posting Sept. 20, 2018
Okay. Let's say you have a character, but they need a little more depth, a little more backstory? So...
Take a trip over to Google Images.
https://www.google.com/imghp?gws_rd=ssl
Type in antiques! Take a look around, and pick one thing. An antique globe? Sewing machine? One of those old, old pens? Maybe an antique platter? How about an ancient bootjack, with a chunk of the old stone step where it was installed? Or maybe... just an antique piece of furniture?
Or maybe google "antique auctions" and take a look at one of those? Wait, wait, don't get lost, remember, just pick out an item of interest, and come back! Whew, I thought we were going to have to send out the dogs to get you back... So, got the item?
Whatever it is, your character has one of these sitting in their... well, where are they? Office, living room, personal cubic in the ship, or...
And, of course, one of the other characters (or perhaps you, the all-seeing author?) wants to know more about it. Why do they have it? Why do they keep it? Where did they get it, who gave it to them, what does it mean to them?
What does it mean to the other characters? Are they interested, or just bored to tears at hearing the story of this old piece of junk? How do they react to finding out about this?
Write up that scene, that snippet of dialogue where they are talking about and explaining the antique. Do they caress its well-worn edge? Shake their head over it, remembering...
Go ahead. Toss in an antique, and see how your characters react.
Okay. Let's say you have a character, but they need a little more depth, a little more backstory? So...
Take a trip over to Google Images.
https://www.google.com/imghp?gws_rd=ssl
Type in antiques! Take a look around, and pick one thing. An antique globe? Sewing machine? One of those old, old pens? Maybe an antique platter? How about an ancient bootjack, with a chunk of the old stone step where it was installed? Or maybe... just an antique piece of furniture?
Or maybe google "antique auctions" and take a look at one of those? Wait, wait, don't get lost, remember, just pick out an item of interest, and come back! Whew, I thought we were going to have to send out the dogs to get you back... So, got the item?
Whatever it is, your character has one of these sitting in their... well, where are they? Office, living room, personal cubic in the ship, or...
And, of course, one of the other characters (or perhaps you, the all-seeing author?) wants to know more about it. Why do they have it? Why do they keep it? Where did they get it, who gave it to them, what does it mean to them?
What does it mean to the other characters? Are they interested, or just bored to tears at hearing the story of this old piece of junk? How do they react to finding out about this?
Write up that scene, that snippet of dialogue where they are talking about and explaining the antique. Do they caress its well-worn edge? Shake their head over it, remembering...
Go ahead. Toss in an antique, and see how your characters react.