This week, I’ve been blogging about objects: material possessions, sacred objects, and even the commonplace, everyday things we never notice but couldn’t live without. Writing Tips Thursday, I’m going to suggest some ways of using objects in your writing.
Start with a scene you’ve already written. Revisit the scene and think about what kinds of objects might be present. You may notice that objects are absent from your scene. We often neglect objects when we’re writing—especially ordinary items. Try decorating your scene with objects. Is there a cracked china teacup sitting on the table? A venetian blind with a broken slat? Perhaps the door has an unusual and very beautiful doorknob. One way of approaching this exercise is to overdo it at first. Be lavish with your objects. Go overboard. Then you can go back and weed, cutting down to the one or two things that work best.
Try putting an object in your character’s hand. Does it change the action or dialogue? Does it magnify the tension? Does it add a dimension to your character or sharpen his motivation? An argument that takes place while someone is holding a needlepoint sampler is going to have a different flavor than one in which she is holding a chainsaw. This is true even if the language itself doesn’t change. Experiment with different objects and see how they color your scene.
Another approach is to start with an object. We usually start our stories and essays wth people, problems, issues, ideas. Instead, start with an object. Something very simple and ordinary. Just start by free writing about it and see where it leads.
Simply describe an object. Put a nail, a pencil, a mousepad in front of you. Describe its physical characteristics—color, shape, size. Observe it for awhile to get all the details down. Pick it up. How does it feel in your hand? Pay attention to weight and texture. Smell it. Drop it and listen to the sound. Write it all down. At the very least, you’ll be working on your observational skills and description-writing technique. And perhaps your description will lead to something more.
When you’ve completed a physical description of the object, go on to its importance. What does this simple, easily overlooked object do for you, for the world? What would be different if the object didn’t exist? What is its significance?
Finally, try writing a poem to a simple, everyday object. The more ordinary the object, the better. Poetry is the perfect medium for finding the miraculous in the commonplace.
Start with a scene you’ve already written. Revisit the scene and think about what kinds of objects might be present. You may notice that objects are absent from your scene. We often neglect objects when we’re writing—especially ordinary items. Try decorating your scene with objects. Is there a cracked china teacup sitting on the table? A venetian blind with a broken slat? Perhaps the door has an unusual and very beautiful doorknob. One way of approaching this exercise is to overdo it at first. Be lavish with your objects. Go overboard. Then you can go back and weed, cutting down to the one or two things that work best.
Try putting an object in your character’s hand. Does it change the action or dialogue? Does it magnify the tension? Does it add a dimension to your character or sharpen his motivation? An argument that takes place while someone is holding a needlepoint sampler is going to have a different flavor than one in which she is holding a chainsaw. This is true even if the language itself doesn’t change. Experiment with different objects and see how they color your scene.
Another approach is to start with an object. We usually start our stories and essays wth people, problems, issues, ideas. Instead, start with an object. Something very simple and ordinary. Just start by free writing about it and see where it leads.
Simply describe an object. Put a nail, a pencil, a mousepad in front of you. Describe its physical characteristics—color, shape, size. Observe it for awhile to get all the details down. Pick it up. How does it feel in your hand? Pay attention to weight and texture. Smell it. Drop it and listen to the sound. Write it all down. At the very least, you’ll be working on your observational skills and description-writing technique. And perhaps your description will lead to something more.
When you’ve completed a physical description of the object, go on to its importance. What does this simple, easily overlooked object do for you, for the world? What would be different if the object didn’t exist? What is its significance?
Finally, try writing a poem to a simple, everyday object. The more ordinary the object, the better. Poetry is the perfect medium for finding the miraculous in the commonplace.