I was looking through my old scribblings today and came across something that has helped me a lot with my writing. Considering perspective. It's like taking a picture of the same place during different weather.
(not the same place. similar. best I could do)
What you write and how you write it depends on which character is seeing and experiencing it.
If you have a character who is generally positive and upbeat but has recently had something bad happen, they might be relating everything regrettably e.g.
"Persephone usually liked the sun, but today the open deck of the ship was sickeningly yellow. The sound of laughter set her teeth on edge and the shape of every cloud was 'blob'."
She is still noticing the sunshine, people's laughter, and the shapes of clouds, but it's rubbing her the wrong way because of whatever happened that upset her.
Or say you have someone who's on that same boat, and they feel amazing because it's a dream come true to be traveling to New York. They might find that nothing can ruin their mood and that everything is absurdly great. e.g.
"The alespotted floorboards smelled like musk and adventure. Neville leaned over the banister, the sun bore down on his skin with vicious rays; it reminded him of the fireside. And when the bitter seawater spilled onto his lap and soaked his trousers he shivered with excitement and hypothermic joy."
Or imagine you have someone who's on that same boat merely for business. They might hide away where they could focus and overlook the more beautiful parts of the trip. e.g.
"Violet folded her body into the corner where the wall cast a small pie slice of shade. Finally. She could shorthand without the sun in her eyes. If only the boat would stop swaying, then she might be able to keep her lunch in her stomach and her pen in her hand."
Characterization is something I find difficult. Trying to describe people's feelings is almost impossible for me because I can't even describe my own feelings! But this concept has taught me to stop and think about the differences between my characters.
M.
If you have a character who is generally positive and upbeat but has recently had something bad happen, they might be relating everything regrettably e.g.
"Persephone usually liked the sun, but today the open deck of the ship was sickeningly yellow. The sound of laughter set her teeth on edge and the shape of every cloud was 'blob'."
She is still noticing the sunshine, people's laughter, and the shapes of clouds, but it's rubbing her the wrong way because of whatever happened that upset her.
Or say you have someone who's on that same boat, and they feel amazing because it's a dream come true to be traveling to New York. They might find that nothing can ruin their mood and that everything is absurdly great. e.g.
"The alespotted floorboards smelled like musk and adventure. Neville leaned over the banister, the sun bore down on his skin with vicious rays; it reminded him of the fireside. And when the bitter seawater spilled onto his lap and soaked his trousers he shivered with excitement and hypothermic joy."
Or imagine you have someone who's on that same boat merely for business. They might hide away where they could focus and overlook the more beautiful parts of the trip. e.g.
"Violet folded her body into the corner where the wall cast a small pie slice of shade. Finally. She could shorthand without the sun in her eyes. If only the boat would stop swaying, then she might be able to keep her lunch in her stomach and her pen in her hand."
Characterization is something I find difficult. Trying to describe people's feelings is almost impossible for me because I can't even describe my own feelings! But this concept has taught me to stop and think about the differences between my characters.
M.
Sometimes we are so cute.
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