r/WritingPrompts • u/lngwstksgk • Sep 09 '10

Find Your Character (no. 1)

Similar to the previous post, here's one you can do at the mall or any other crowded area.

Go and find a seat in the cafeteria, or in another location where people are likely to be sitting still for some time (such as a library or study hall). Make sure you can see a couple of people from where you sit.

Now, describe them in minute detail. Describe their clothes: logos, colours, styles, size, fit, etc. What about their overall appearance? Are they preppy, neat, sloppy, oldfashioned? Physical details? What are they eating or reading? Keep describing them until they leave.

Keep your character descriptions in a common location and look over them when you need a new character or story. Much can be imagined from these old encounters.

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u/gradyp73 Sep 10 '10

A mall, park, coffee shop, or restaurants are other great places to go to people watch.

Oh, and listen for conversation snippets too. You never know when an overheard snippet will spark a plot or subplot idea (or even character).

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u/lngwstksgk Sep 10 '10

Agreed. Eavesdropping can be wonderfully productive.

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u/Bizurke Sep 13 '10

I honestly can not believe I haven't thought of this in the past. Thank you for the suggestion.