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No matter where you are, the landscape is populated with all kinds of
interesting details you can use in your story. It could be a
tiny hidden garden or an interesting architectural detail or even an
old cemetery with one particularly interesting headstone.
Details make all the difference between a place that feels real or
something that feels more like a plastic copy of something not quiet
real. This is OK as long as that's the effect you're going
for. Many of David Lynch's movies do exactly that. But he
does it on purpose, so he does it very well. However, most of
us are not going for the Dali-esque / surreal effect.
But rather than describing the dilapidated farmhouse, describe the
tractor falling to pieces in the field as years of disuse have
allowed it to rust and turn a myriad of colors. Instead of
describing the chrome and glass skyscraper in the city, talk about
the tiny garden tucked just out of sight or the delicate sculpture
near the corner.
Consider the sights you don't normally notice, but that might mean
something to your character. Maybe the garden reminds her of
her grandmother or the dreams she had when she was young. Maybe
the sculpture inspires her to persevere. Or maybe it's just
something she loves to see every day as she passes on the way to work
because it lifts her spirits and she would be devastated if it was no
longer there.
Consider your character and the landscape around her. Then
WRITE the answers to these questions:
What in that landscape would she be drawn to? Why?
What does she notice that most other people wouldn't? What that
specific thing?
Is there something in particular she goes out of her way to see?
Why? What is it about that item that appeals to her? Is
it something that lifts her spirits for some reason?
Is there something that she looks at every day that reminds her of an
important purpose in her life? What is the item? Why does
that work for her?
A friend of mine takes fabulous photographs of pieces of things that
are in plain sight, but which most people never notice (www.amyforlan.com).
Go on an outing somewhere your character might go in your story and
really look at what's around you. Stop for a long moment and
just see what is there beyond the first impression. More
importantly, don't pick something obvious. Maybe it's an odd
gargoyle on a corner or a magnolia bush growing where it shouldn't or &ldots;.
What would your character notice and why?
How could you work that into your story and make it richer? |
