Characters’ Personal Surroundings

 

IF YOUR STORY allows, stage at least one scene in your character’s personal surroundings—the earlier the better. Sketch the setting briefly when the character first enters it, then scatter important details throughout the scene. Is your character sloppy or neat? Rich or poor? Can readers identify his interests or hobbies from the items he has on display? Are there any clues to his backstory or his dreams for the future?

 

Exercise: Answer the following questions about how your protagonist’s personal setting (house, bedroom, office, car, etc.) reveals aspects of his personality.

 

Question #1: What is the setting?

 

Question #1.1: What does this setting reveal about this character?

 

Question #1.2: How can you feature this setting in your story?

 

Exercise #2: Answer the above questions for each of the following characters—and any others who are important to your story.

 

Antagonist

 

Love Interest

 

Sidekick

 

Mentor

 

Reference: Structuring Your Novel, chapter 5, pages 70-71.