The Power of Observation

There are many ways to define your MC without a checklist.  Personality is often reflected through taste in friends, music, fashion, living space...etc 


Here are two examples of describing your MC's bedroom without listing:


If it's messy:


She added the pants to the mound of others on the floor, and walked over top of them in pursuit of jeans that fit better.


(We know she doesn't crave organization, but still cares about her physical appearance.  And we know what her room looks like.)


If it's tidy:


She slid her hand across the comforter, smoothing out the single wrinkle in it, while heading to her vanity, where she noted one of her bottles of fingernail polish wasn't facing label out.


(We know she is a control freak and thrives on organization.  And we know her room is well kept.)


Just by honing in on a couple minute details about each character's room, we get a good sense of setting and a look into their personality.

What does your MC's bedroom say about them?
What kinds of details can you focus on that do an excellent job of summing up personality along with setting?

Welcome

Writing can be fun, exhausting, rewarding, complicating, simplistic, frustrating, joyous, and full of self loathing, but the next time your writing slows down, think about this:


“You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
                                                                                             Maya Angelou


Here are a few questions to jumpstart your creative flow:


What would you do with a can of spray paint that could make things invisible?

Who is the first person you would walk past if you could suddenly read minds?

What if a german shephard started talking to you?

What if you woke up in someone else's body?

What if your best friend set you up to take the fall for his/her crime?