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Exercise #963: Craft
Posted 10/7/22
Your characters have to be credible and relatable if you want to hold your reader. Characterization is not easy to do in very short pieces but it can be done. Ways of speech (or thought), mannerisms, actions, even visual description all lend to the reader's idea of that character. Understanding a character's motives help the reader empathize.
For today's exercise, pick one of the below scenarios and try to get your reader to see the character that way:
Your character is opening a box recovered from storage and finds an undeveloped roll of film. Once developed, one of the photos is . . .
Show us your main character reacting in one of these ways, with emphasis on the characterization listed:
1. A jealous 60 year old wife finds a picture of her husband's mistress; the affair ended years ago but was a breach that required marriage counseling.
2. A patriotic 30 year old man finds a picture of his best buddy from the "war." His buddy didn't make it home.
3. A compassionate 18 year old girl finds a picture of her first pet. That animal was responsible for her goal to become a veterinarian.
4. A forgetful 90 year old man finds a picture of his wife. They were married for just over 50 years before she died.
5. A newly-initiated 13 year old gang member finds a picture of a person that was involved in the initiation.
Ages and genders may be changed, or you can set up your own scenario if you give it to us at the top of your SUB. Do not include the set up in your word count.
Critiquers, along with the usual grammar, spelling, etc, review, consider these questions:
* Could you relate to this piece? Why or why not?
* Was this piece helpful to you as a writer? Why or why not?
Word limit: 1200
Please use the subject line
SUB: Exercise #963/yourname
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