Character Traits: The Little Things All Around
Oldest Daughter is home from college. Classical music plays so loud the house shakes.
"Sorry I have to listen to it on the living room stereo. I can't listen to classical in my room. The speakers I have wouldn't let me play it this loud."
We're talking LOUD, folks. Shouting to coverse loud. So loud the neighbors hear it. But you might ask, "Why not play it in your room at a more reasonable volume?" But then YOU are not a parent of a classical violinist.
"Okay," I said.
But just in case, as if I needed her to explain (which I did not . . . I have been her mother for 19 years after all), she added, "Because to really listen to the New World Symphony, to classical, you need it ALL AROUND YOU."
I wonder if someone was writing a novel about a classical violinist if they would remember to get that right.
Baby Girl never matches her socks. Yesterday's were neon orange on the right foot, purple on the left. A t-shirt with a black vest over it. She is an artist at heart. If writing a novel about an artist. Would you remember to not match their socks? (Check out the link on the CEO of a company that sells umatched socks.)
When people tack on traits as afterthoughts, they forget to make it like classical music. ALL around, all through, vibrating through the character so you can organically feel it. A tremor. A pulse. A crescendo.
It's the little things made very real. All around. All the way through.
What's a little thing that reveals much about you or your character?
Happy Sunday!
23 comments:
Something that reveals my character: My refusal to buy anything with an elastic waist. I'm not talking about sweatpants, but jeans, khakis and shorts - I refuse to buy anything that has "comfort waistbands" just because of their purported comfort. Nope. Nothing doing. I'll work-out like a mother-hucker just so I DON'T have to resort to "comfort waistbands.
Gap is my refuge. Give me jeans or give me death... :)
P.S. At least Oldest Daughter isn't playing Ozzie...
I have an on-going relationship with my ex's widow so that my kids can know their half-sister. Some would say that reveals I am certifiable.I hope to my kids it reveals that I always put them first.
Kath:
No, but Demon Baby prefers the Clash and Rage Against the Machine.
E
Amy:
I would not call it certifiable. I would say it shows incredible and admirable maturity and grace.
E
Interesting, because I was thinking at the last band concert of my son's what a different experience it is to listen to music from inside the orchestra than hearing it from the audience. For the musician on the stage you are "inside" the music, which is different than hearing it from the audience. I also suspect it's part of the addictive nature of being an orchestral musician.
I think I'll start deliberately mismatching my socks. That way I can readily single out the type of people who would approach me and say, "Are you aware your socks don't match?" Not to mention the time saved doing laundry.
Heh, my daughter never matches her socks, either.
I love this post. I can't think of anything off the top of my head about my characters that would qualify, other than my female MC trusts her instincts (but no one else). I'm sure there are more there, but nothing materialistic.
Ooh, it drives me nutty when people put classical music on softly in the background, and then call it "pretty" and "relaxing," LOL.
I prefer to lay with my back flat to a wooden floor so I can feel all the vibrations in my body. When I was little, I would spend hours in the basement "dancing" to classical music.
Mark:
I still remember the first time she went off to a music camp at age 7 and suddenly realized she was making music--real music. It is something to be up there in it.
E
Stephen:
it would help you wade through the people who don't get the mismatched idea. Like The Little Prince and the boa constrictor who swallowed the elephant (versus the hat).
E
Sex Scenes:
Kindred spirits.
E
Melanie:
I think when the characters are organic, these sorts of things permeate them . . .
E
Spy:
I love to "feel" it too. I remember listening to music through headphones for HOURS being inside Quadrophenia!!
E
Something about my character?
Well, I have a rather odd sense of style. Course I have to tone it down because of where I live and because my mother can only handle my quirkyness in small, but steadily growing dosses.
You know how people say they dress how they feel? Well, if I did that then I'd still be wearing black My Chem shirts and painting my nails like Adam Lambert.(I went through a minor emo faze during the latter part of junior high...long story.)
Nowadays, I dress how I want to feel. My closet is full of bright warm and neon colors, mutihued jeans, shoes that look like the 80's barfed on them, and a few other things that I've bought, but doubt my parents can handle the awesomeness yet.
Can you tell I'm feeling incredibly long-winded today? Must be the full moon.
-J,T.
JT:
I thought that was the most beautiful response. After only clothing myself in black for years . . . I have been adding color here and there, often in the form of political or ecological "statement" T-shirts.
E
I think developing characters from the inside out helps. You have to, in a sense, be the character as you're writing. That way, traits and quirks never feel tacked on.
My daughter mismatches socks too. Although she's in school for dietetics she's an actress and a musician.
I think all artists know that there are more important things in life then matching socks.
I love your metaphor!
A character in my middle grade WIP has a hobby of 'doll decorating' totally boy style since he's a 6 year old boy. He makes funny movies with these dolls, and sends them into his local television station each week. He wants to be famous, and he's persistent.
Not a lot of depth, but then I try to write humor for boys.
Jude:
I think some writers are more adept at that than others. I think a lot of "mehs" suffer from that.
E
Aimless:
Yes! Much more important things.
:-)
E
Chris:
I love that, though!!! My youngest daughter makes films all the time. She does stop-motion. She has one with our salt and pepper shakers that's adorable.
E
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