Happy Friday, readers and writers! I’m going to be bringing you another onslaught of book reviews tonight and throughout the weekend. You can look forward to everything from a steamy romance novel to an edge-of-your-seat, fictional account of an Irish immigrant’s experiences while becoming “American.” First, though, I want to start the weekend with a writing prompt. This one, to go with my idiosyncrasies post, focuses on giving characters peculiar habits.
As I said in my previous post, idiosyncrasies (peculiar habits) can give a character depth and add subtext to a scene. This writing prompt is about exploring the possibilities presented by peculiar habits, as well as trying out some out on a few of your characters.
This prompt is a little more complicated than the others. Well, it has more steps. First, make a list of your most prominent characters in your current WIP. I’m not specifying a number because I know that a story can have as little as two characters, and I don’t want to make any assumptions.
Next, take a blank sheet of paper and list out–vertically, not horizontally, since you’ll be cutting these into strips–as many peculiar habits as you can think of. There’s no top limit to how many you can list, but try and come up with at least twice as many habits as characters to allow some chance for variety. If you can’t think of any habits, look around for inspiration: friends, family, that random guy in a suit riding the bus to an interview, etc. You can even look at your own habits! (Or you can ask friends and family if they’ve noticed any about you–I know my family sees more of my idiosyncrasies than I do!)
Image retrieved from Reddit
Then, cut this into strips, fold them up, and put them in some sort of container like a hat. You will then shake the container up and start drawing out slips. The first slip you draw will be the habit given to the first character of your list. The second will be for the second character on your list, and so on.
Finally, bring up a scene in your WIP in which all–or at least multiple–of these characters interact. Be sure to save it in a new file so that you will still have the original. Now, rewrite this scene, but this time try and incorporate the peculiar habits randomly assigned to each character. Make it as organic and subtle as possible, yet also ensure that these habits have purpose. Don’t force them in just to have them, but do incorporate them as best you can.
Have fun with it! And take your time. Some idiosyncrasies, you’ll find, are easier to slip in than others. The trick is making it match your character’s personality and other habits. You’ll be amazed at the layers these idiosyncrasies will add to your characters’ interactions. In the end, if you feel as though the habit doesn’t fit your character, at least you know what doesn’t work. That’s one step closer to finding what does work.
When you’re done, be sure to tell us the results of this prompt in the comments below. Did you find the exercise difficult? Did you learn something new about your characters and their behavior? Do you think it’s all just rubbish? Share your experience with other readers!
Also, if you have an idea for a writing prompt, drop a line in the comments or e-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and maybe it’ll end up as a future Friday Fun-Day Writing Prompt.
Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011