  Short Stories
This week: What A Character! Edited by: Legerdemain  
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What A Character!
Years ago, my kids and I were vacationing and were in the hotel lobby scooping up some breakfast before loping off to do some sightseeing. The breakfast area was busy, lots of families and kids, some little ones running and circling the chairs like a garden maze. A family came in and sat at the table next to us. The children were both chubby preteen cherubs. The little boy wanted a donut. He wanted a donut real bad. The parents were trying to have a conversation and the little boy kept interrupting, punctuating the conversation with alternating pops of "Mom!" and "Dad!". They finally stopped talking and asked what he wanted. In a high-pitched, whiny southern voice he said, "Can I have a jelly donut?" The parents said no and continued their conversation while the little boy moaned and whined. "Why can't I have a jelly donut? They have jelly donuts. I need a jelly donut." On and on it went. I was about ready to...well, my kids thought it was pretty funny. We finished up and left for our outing.
It's funny, but that kid's whine stuck with us all these years. Whenever we're out shopping or traveling and one of us get tired and hungry...we start whining. "Can I have a jelly donut?" We found it to be a good way to complain in a funny way.
Whether you're on vacation or just out about in your own neighborhood, do some people-watching. You'd be surprised how often you'll find a funny characteristic, or interesting face to store away for use in a later story. Take a mental picture, and if you want, write down what you saw or heard when you get home. It doesn't need to be a perfect description, just jot what was funny, or memorable about the person you saw. These tidbits are a goldmine when you need a special character in a story.
Write on and write it down!
What interesting characteristic, accent or face have you used in a character that you first saw in person?
Send in your reply below, editors love feedback! |
Excerpt: I'm a lucky guy. My wife's a real knockout. I tell people that all the time. They usually think I'm referring to how beautiful she is, and I am, but there's more to it than that. Let me explain.
Excerpt: "Come with me to Cape Cod, Rorqual," Rallin pleaded with his brother. "I want to show you the woman I've been talking about."
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Excerpt: Yanking the door open, he was ready to tell whoever it was how stupid they were for not seeing the 'CLOSED' sign on the door, but he stopped, his mouth hanging open. The man, dressed in a white suit complete with wingtips and a hat, smiled at him. A gold cane was in his right hand. This was not his type of neighborhood.
Excerpt: Nathan was a Changer, an ancient breed that possessed the ability to shift forms at will, a race that were believed to be extinct by the very Hunters that sought him. They captured him in the guise of a human, and had yet to discover what his true form was. In fact, none in the human world had ever figured it out.
Excerpt: Having dozed off, Susan was awakened by a cold hand on her shoulder. She glanced up and stared at a woman with two, piercing blue eyes, flaxen hair, and a pale complexion. The woman was so thin it seemed her bones might pierce her skin.
Excerpt: Rocco can see angry energy. He feels it, too. It's an electric shock prod to his nervous system. Shimmering red energy with bursts of silver sparks swirling around the heads of angry people terrifies every fiber of him. Oh, he knows what anger can do. And as Rocco makes his way from the store toward her, it is clear as windowpane she isn't just campfire angry. That woman is hopping, bonfire mad. And she is parked right next to the car he has to drive away.
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Excerpt: I feel it. Her breathing, it's against my chest. So deep, yet not so heavy.
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Excerpt: "You gotta be kidding!" I snorted. "You? Speak at the Dutch Hill Residents meeting about your book?" I studied my wife. She used to be good-looking before having the twins. Five years later, she still had most of her baby fat padding her thighs. Her beautiful blue eyes now had darker circles cradling them. Lines as thin as spider webs spread from their outer corners.
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This month's question: What interesting characteristic, accent or face have you used in a character that you first saw in person?
Last month's question: How do you find relief from holiday stress?
dejavu_BIG computerprobs  responded: How do you relieve Holiday stress is a great question!I simply lock myself in a quiet room, light some scented candles and turn on some soft, upbeat music.While I'm doing that, I grab my notebook and pen and jot down my feelings, what caused them and how the other person acted. I've gotten fodder for some great emotional scenes that way!
Ladyoz says: How do I find relief from the holiday stress? I shop online as much as possible, and get everything done and ready as early as I can. The last thing I want to do in the 2 weeks before Christmas is go anywhere near stores, or (even worse!) the Post Office. For groceries, I go early in the morning and get it done as quick as I can. Nothing is more stressful to me than fighting crowds of rude people in stores and on the roads in holiday season!
chinnu submits: Holidays can never be considered stressful. Its the only time when I get enough sleep, rest and peace of mind. I suppose all students would agree to my views. But if people find it too lengthy or boring they can opt for doing something constructive and delightful.It could vary according to personal interests like joining music classes, swimming, trekking etc. I prefer reading novels, magazines and if brain permits do a bit of writing too.
Fi sent in: I've been enjoying the Short Stories newsletter, picking up good advice and info as well as seeing others' comments and connecting with members of Writing.com. Thanks for your input to this wonderful community!
I have collected some writing notes and posted them on Writing.com in my portfolio. I thought maybe the notes on Short Stories would be helpful to some people. "Invalid Item"
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Short Stories: January 19, 2011 Issue [#4194]
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