Who am I?
This month the prompts are all about getting started and what better way for a writer to start than by creating a character? All fiction is made up of characters and those who appeal to readers tend to be the ones that readily come to life in a reader’s head.
But how do you start to create a new character? Some like JK Rowling, claim they appear fully formed in their head with little need to plan anything beyond the starting point of the story. Other’s like to draw them out, creating a full description and history before deciding how a plot will develop.
Usually, the aim of a word square is to choose at least one word from each column and weave them into a piece of writing. Today though I’d like you to use the word square as a prompt for the description of a character. Pick one word from each column and describe what it means in the context of the person you’re creating. The words are simple but how you interpret them is entirely up to you. In fact, your character doesn’t even have to be human!
Please feel free to share your effort below, you will get feedback if you want it. Alternatively, you can add it to your own website if you have one and then provide a link in the comments for the rest of us to visit.
My effort can be read below, I have marked the words with bold type:
Long-legged and morose but cute in a flowery scarf sort of way. He’s in constant motion, talking with his body, telling the world what he thinks through appendages that flip and flap, this way and that!
(For completeness, the words I chose to interpret were Tall, Sad, Pink and Hands!)
Now it’s your turn. Why not use the comment area below to share your new character?
(Image by Saleh Perdomo from Pixabay
She walked softly and held herself like a dancer, all long legs, straight spine and the precise placement of her steps. There was something melancholy in her slowness, until she turned her face towards me. The tanned skin beneath those incongruous corn-coloured dreadlocks and a smile that simply shouted the joy of being alive. She watched me as her delicate fingers caressed the carcase of her guitar as if it were a living being…then nails enamelled the colour of midnight began to pluck the strings…she watched me, her breath catching, white incisors sharp against her plump lips. I swear she blushed.
I think I worked them all in there, but happy to check if there’s any you don’t spot. That one was FUN, Lindy! Thank you.
Glad you liked it and I think you did manage the whole lot – a bit more challenging that usual so even more weller done Lesley 🙂
There’s something about this one Lesley that just begs for more exploration. I want to know why she blushed, I want to understand the dreadlocks that speak of rebellion. The image you’ve created really punches out.
Two great examples there. Just not sure about whether the Latin or Greek rooted words work ie incisors and appendages. I’d prefer the easier words teeth and hands though incisors are more specific. Fangs?
Fangs is good and what about spades for hands Lindy?
Hi Linda
I’ve also had a go at including all the words, and this particular word square challenge made an interesting change.
It was always cooler in the hush of morning, before the pitiless sun unleashed its jaundiced flush on several gaunt skulls still swaying from the branches of nearby trees. Knowing that hours of unrelenting toil awaited, I dragged my dejected soles across the arid soil of the copper pathway to the fields where plump cotton stalks stood proudly, in stark contrast to the stooping, wretched limbs which would soon blot the landscape.
All too often, the curt hiss of a whip slicing the air broke the silence. Even in the distance, the sound made the angry sores on my back almost cry out in pain and only distant memories of more blessed times brought momentary relief to each grim day.
“Strange fruit” I’m thinking. Well-rendered as always Iain.