by Nancy Noell Burk
Take your character shopping. Imagine a “Mall of America” with every conceivable shop, for whatever time period you require – Everything from herbal healers to blacksmiths to high-tech lasers and time machines. What would your character be looking for? A pretty bauble? Something self-indulgent? Or a weapon? Would this object help her on her quest?
Imagine your character invites you to join him for the holidays, or if he’s not the type to ask, pretend you’re thrown together. How does he observe the holiday of choice? Does he call it Christmas, or Winter Solstice? What is his mood? Does his past color the present?
Ask your character how she’d like her obituary written. Would she prefer to do it herself, or let someone else? Would her approach be humorous, or straight-laced? What was her greatest accomplishment in life? Was it the completion of her quest? Or was that a glorious failure? Maybe she died trying. Let us know.
© 2004 Nancy Noell Burk. All Rights Reserved.
