Hello everyone, Di Riley here.
Characters.....
Adam’s ‘what if’post (September 16) made me think about the characters in my stories and how they come to life.
The short answer is 'people watching'.
I could leave
my post there really, but so much more fun to walk you down the streets of my mind and
how people watching works for me.
When I was
sixteenish, a friend in our youth group was doing her HSC. Her parents said
she had to break off her relationship with the guy she was going out with so
she could concentrate on her study.
(Very traumatic for us all at the time,
after all he had just given her a ‘friendship’ ring!)
I was
outraged and saddened for my friend. So
I penned my frustrations in a story (changing the names to protect the
innocent!).
It was there my first
characters were given life in my imagination.
The story
hasn't seen the light of day yet – it is in the ‘ready for the professional editor’
folder.
(Although you will be
pleased to know, an amazing HSC mark was achieved, the couple resumed their
relationship and they have been married for over 30 years now!)
For seven
years I worked as an office lady in a K – 12 school. A treasure trove of situations, dilemmas,
heroes and heroines were before my people watching eyes every day!
Student trauma
over mobile phone usage soon had me typing away, my son and his
friends provided much of the story line.
Oh and what about relationships
– school is the perfect place to find some characters to write about, deaths and romances for the unsuspecting teachers, parents and students!
Church can
be an interesting place to find characters too.
People losing faith, finding faith and walking through life’s
difficulties whose own characters are being built along the way in my
imagination.
I now work
in customer service, the tangled webs of people's lives, gives me an enormous
panorama to let my people watching eyes meander over.
My parents
have moved into a retirement village, from the staff to the ‘inmates’ (as I
call my folks….good naturedly!) there is information a-plenty for fabulous
inheritance squabbles and family tension to be relieved with a happily
ever after ending.
Hope you have
found this little piece amusing (maybe inspiring?), it is confidential, but perhaps you should look
out if I meet up with you at conference, something you do or say might just end
up in a story!
(Names and
places changed for protection of the innocent, naturally!)
A fun post, Di, and as a people-watcher from way back, I totally identify!
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne, it sounds like you've had an interesting career with perfect opportunities for character building (and I mean that both ways :) I also like watching people and anonymously bring their examples into my talks at women's events. Life is full of real-life drama; no need to look elsewhere for inspiration. Thanks for your humorous post! Looking forward to the next one. Blessings...
ReplyDeleteThanks girls.....nice to have a little laugh along the way!
ReplyDeleteMargaret I have had some wonderful character building (both ways) opportunities.....
Luci Swindoll says "Nothing is wasted in God's economy" and it is the truth!
I like your rather unique green man, Di. He reminds me of one-eyed jealousy. Yes watching folks' expressions is enlightening also.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita....the little green guy is my drawing of Mike out of Monsters Inc....great kid's movie!
DeleteYour view of him as Jealousy kind of fits well....jealousy can be a monster!
Thanks Dianne. That was lovely. I think I had better watch out if I meet you at the conference. Who knows where I end up! :) Jokes apart - yes, we writers have so much fodder for our writing at our fingertips don't we? I know we need to be observant in order to become better writers. I think I need to do it more. Thanks for your post Dianne. It was very enlightening and entertaining! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad it was entertaining Anusha.....what I was hoping for!
DeleteDon't be too worried about meeting me :-)
I agree Di. People watching is the basis of research for characters - such variety and interesting personalities - all grist for the mill. Hopefully most readers can't recognise themselves, but it is good if they identify with characters.
ReplyDeleteGreat way of putting it Carol, to identify with characters can be a sign of a great story you want to keep reading!
DeleteIt's a fun hobby, people watching, and when you can use the skill in stories, so much the better. Thanks for the post, Dianne.
ReplyDeleteHi Paula....it is fun!
DeleteThanks Di. I think all writers must be secret people watchers. I was in a Korean café waiting for my takeaway the other night, when a petite woman walked in wearing what could only be described as a white bathmat with applique. I immediately reached for my notebook and jotted that down for a future story :)
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic!
DeleteI also belong to the fashion police (in my mind), so that outfit would have definitely gotten a ticket from me! Thanks for sharing your Korean cafe experience!
Since I'm presenting a seminar at the upcoming CALEB Conference in Brisbane on 'Creating Characters from Real Life', this blog certainly resonates with me, Di! Preparing my input made me stop and think of the ways I do that in my own writing---and people watching is definitely a big part of that!
ReplyDeleteHope your preparation is going well Jo-Anne.
DeleteWish I was able to be at the seminar!
Oh yes, Di. Thanks. I was thinking about this earlier today while watching someone at the supermarket.
ReplyDeleteDale when my 21 yr old son was young we used to play a game in the supermarket. I would give him a list of things people might have on and he had to find them.....kept him amused and me able to whisk our shopping into the trolley! Fascinating Fashion show at the supermarket! (or a Korean cafe as Nola posted)
DeleteSchools are great places to observe people. People who work in the office see it all. I'll bet you have several book's worth of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Elaine! Dramas a-plenty!
DeleteIt was a K-12 school too.....teenage girls - just fabulous!
Although just as entertaining with the Kindy kids (or perhaps even more...their parents!)
Glad that my post inspired you a bit Di. You have now inspired me, to take better notice of the people around me to help develop characters. I am not a very observant person (not good for a writer) so time to work on that. Good fun post.
ReplyDeleteglad you found it 'fun' my intention fully!
Delete