First, hop over to the Hot Flashes page for my monthly Hot Flash. I just noticed that last month’s Hot Flash didn’t post. Why do you never tell me these things? Do you not care? You make MomGoth cry!
ANYWAY, I just finished participating in my first-ever Cherished Blog Fest, which was tremendous fun. Never one for half-measures, I did a post for myself, one by Sweetie Pie on Caturday, and one by a character on Sample Sunday.
That got me thinking: I don’t think I ever included that in my character interviews. I think from now on, one of the questions I’m going to ask my characters is, “What’s your most cherished object?” Can’t be a person, can’t be a concept or an animal, can’t be an abstract symbol.
For example, a character couldn’t say, “I cherish the cross of Christ Jesus.” Not in answer to this question, anyway. But, “I cherish the pink plastic rosary Father Gephart gave me. He used to sit in the rectory and make them while he watched sports on television.” THAT’S a good answer.
What if your character doesn’t have a cherished object?
Okay, then the question becomes, “What object have you ever cherished?”
Most of us had favorite toys when we were little, or favorite books (a specific volume, not just a title). “I used to love Cinderella,” doesn’t count. “I used to love this Little Golden Book copy of Cinderella, before Disney, with this picture of Cinderella in sausage curls and a golden gown with rosebuds on it,” does count.
What if your character never did cherish anything?
Not even a doll made out of twigs? Not even the bullet that shot his paw? Not even the first dollar they ever made? Not even the skull of her enemy? Not nothing, not no time, not nohow?
Wow! Talk about that, then, Mr. or Ms. Character!
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Look around. Pick two objects at random and invent characters who cherish those particular objects.
MA
Dan Antion
August 1, 2016 at 7:04amThanks again for three cool entries. I only ever work with a character, when I’m having a beer on a Saturday. I don’t know if he has a cherished object. I’ll have to ask him.
Marian Allen
August 1, 2016 at 7:41amOooo! I’m looking forward to that one! Okay, yeah, I look forward to all of them. YES, TRUE, I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYTHING YOU WRITE — ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? heh
Dan Antion
August 1, 2016 at 8:09amHa ha – yeah, well it kinda does. Actually, I don’t even look forward to everything I write. I do enjoy the visits to the bar, though. I think I need to get back there soon. Geese, here it is, only Monday, and I’m talking about chili dogs and beer, and…
Jane
August 1, 2016 at 10:51amGreat writing prompt.
First line:
There was this thing I used to have….
Marian Allen
August 1, 2016 at 11:40amOh, me like! Make it so, Number One!