Quirky Sources to Make Your Story a Winner
DiAnn Mills
I live and breathe story—most writers do. And we’re always looking for ways to ensure our characters and their predicaments are exciting and unique. Some of the places we look can be a bit . . . different. But the exploration is worth it.
Here are a few areas that I’ve delved into to add idiosyncrasies to character, plot, dialogue, setting, emotion, body language, and symbolism. You might find your next plot twist there too.
Zoo
Who doesn’t love a devoted dog, cat, or horse? Those animals are typical. What about a character who has a snake, parrot, iguana, or potbelly pig for a pet? Tour your zoo. Take pics. A few of the animals might resemble your character.
Habits
Observe what is going on the next time you’re at a hair or nail salon. Women can have some crazy habits regarding their hair, fingers, and toes, everything from color to style. What about a woman at a hardware store searching for nails or plumbing supplies? Study those people at a family reunion. Who resembles whom and what mannerisms make them distinct?
Mall Walkers
I used to think the only mall walkers were of the seasoned citizen variety, but not so. I see women pushing strollers and men joining them. Some of the walkers window-shop, sip coffee, chat on the phone, make sure they don’t work up a sweat, and (my personal favorite) pump their arms and legs as though heading for the Olympic gold.
Water Park
Preferably in the summer because the writer will want to participate in the fun.
This is another place to snap a ton of pics. Who zooms down a water slide? Who’s the man who doesn’t want to get wet? Who’s there to show off his/her body? Who could care less how he/she looks—those enthusiasts are there just to have fun.
Grocery Store
Everyone needs to buy food, and most of us develop habits that stick throughout life. Does your character smell the pineapple? Squeeze a head of lettuce? Always buy two of each kind of fruit. Only selects organic products? Despise vegetables and replace them with green apples? What about your character’s choice of candy—from gummy worms to dark chocolate? Does your character save the dairy and bakery department until last, or does the ice cream always melt by the time she gets to the checkout line?
Coffee, Tea, or Milk?
I admit my characters drink coffee. Usually black. But what about a tea drinker? What brand? Sugar or cream? Use a tea bag or steep the leaves? Visit a shop that carries tea and check out the buyers. You’ll find all sizes and ages. What if your character is a milk drinker? Whole milk or two percent? Your character could despise coffee, tea, is lactose intolerant and drinks only lemonade.
Workout Facility
Sometimes this can be compared to a zoo. Need I say more?
Distinct details about our stories are everywhere. Leave the movie stars in Hollywood and go for real people in real situations. You never know what you might find.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
DiAnn Mills
I live and breathe story—most writers do. And we’re always looking for ways to ensure our characters and their predicaments are exciting and unique. Some of the places we look can be a bit . . . different. But the exploration is worth it.
Here are a few areas that I’ve delved into to add idiosyncrasies to character, plot, dialogue, setting, emotion, body language, and symbolism. You might find your next plot twist there too.
Zoo
Who doesn’t love a devoted dog, cat, or horse? Those animals are typical. What about a character who has a snake, parrot, iguana, or potbelly pig for a pet? Tour your zoo. Take pics. A few of the animals might resemble your character.
 |
| Ok, so you got the tall genes. Big deal. |
Habits
Observe what is going on the next time you’re at a hair or nail salon. Women can have some crazy habits regarding their hair, fingers, and toes, everything from color to style. What about a woman at a hardware store searching for nails or plumbing supplies? Study those people at a family reunion. Who resembles whom and what mannerisms make them distinct?
Mall Walkers
I used to think the only mall walkers were of the seasoned citizen variety, but not so. I see women pushing strollers and men joining them. Some of the walkers window-shop, sip coffee, chat on the phone, make sure they don’t work up a sweat, and (my personal favorite) pump their arms and legs as though heading for the Olympic gold.
Water Park
Preferably in the summer because the writer will want to participate in the fun.
 |
| Scream if you're a girl! |
Grocery Store
Everyone needs to buy food, and most of us develop habits that stick throughout life. Does your character smell the pineapple? Squeeze a head of lettuce? Always buy two of each kind of fruit. Only selects organic products? Despise vegetables and replace them with green apples? What about your character’s choice of candy—from gummy worms to dark chocolate? Does your character save the dairy and bakery department until last, or does the ice cream always melt by the time she gets to the checkout line?
Coffee, Tea, or Milk?
I admit my characters drink coffee. Usually black. But what about a tea drinker? What brand? Sugar or cream? Use a tea bag or steep the leaves? Visit a shop that carries tea and check out the buyers. You’ll find all sizes and ages. What if your character is a milk drinker? Whole milk or two percent? Your character could despise coffee, tea, is lactose intolerant and drinks only lemonade.
Workout Facility
Sometimes this can be compared to a zoo. Need I say more?
 |
| I can think so much better in this position. |
Distinct details about our stories are everywhere. Leave the movie stars in Hollywood and go for real people in real situations. You never know what you might find.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
I had to chuckle at the walker who moves slowly but pumps their arms and huffs like they're chasing Olympic gold. There's a woman who "jogs" near where we live and is just like that. If you didn't see her legs strolling, you'd think she was a great jogger. Only her head never jogs up or down. Funny sight.
ReplyDeleteI've been studying a woman who is in my towns business alliance. She's a real character and I'm watching many of her mannerisms. I'll find others form other people, but when you find one of those wonderful people in real life, you almost have to pattern a character after them.
DiAnn, great post. The editorial letter for one of my novels included a remark to the effect that I really must like Diet Coke, since my protagonist drank it all the time. Actually, it was sort of an "addiction" for her, but I have made a concerted effort to vary things a bit since then. Thanks for some excellent suggestions.
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