Imagine This Part 1
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
Imagine This, Part 1
Title:
Imagine This, Part 1
Word Count:
949
Summary:
Can imagery and characterization blend seamlessly outside of an English class?
Have you ever considered your hero as a volcano, bubbling with fury ready to erupt? Or your heroine as a timid crane, keen to fly away at the first sign of trouble? Perhaps they embody earth, air, fire, or water. When they're angry, do they darken, flash, seethe, or boil? And when excited, do they become thick, fiery, experience flashes of lightning, or flow like rivers of fire?
Let's talk about imagery. Too often, people recall their least favorite high school English class. It's a shame, because strong, consistent imagery is a powerful tool for characterization. How often have you read something like: "His touch was a hot brand on her skin. Her heart quivered with longing as he pierced her with his arrow of love"? Well, maybe not that last part, but you get the idea: cliché imagery for cliché stories.
Many romance novels feature characters as perfect as Ken and Barbie?"physically ideal, their main emotional flaw simply a plot device. Barbie needs to learn to trust after being hurt before. Ken lost his girlfriend to a fire because he was in a coma, so naturally, he feels a need to save the world from its own folly. Romance readers know how the same emotional baggage can be either compelling or farcical, depending on the author.
So how do you create characters with emotional depth and real challenges, rather than a "Ken in a coma"? Through hard work. Yes, you're right, I was going to mention imagery. While good imagery won't salvage a poorly written book, consistent imagery can enrich your characters and help maintain your themes from start to finish. And since writing is hard work, anything that makes it easier gets a thumbs up.
Are you wondering what I'm talking about? Let's focus on your heroine, "Better Than Barbie" (BTB). What's her character arc? How does she change over the story? If you can't answer, take time to figure it out. Writing a credible book is impossible without understanding this. Remember, sometimes characters don't change; they remain steadfast in their beliefs.
Great, now BTB has a character arc. Suppose she needs to learn forgiveness, for both her past mistakes and her overbearing mother who set her up with the fiancé from hell and his awful family. What imagery best reflects a woman learning to forgive?
Consider the elements: earth, air, fire, or water. If she's religious, use water?"think baptism, cleansing, purification. If she's grounded in her roots?"family, job, location?"choose earth. Is BTB quick-tempered, able to ignite passion or anger? Then fire is your choice. Finally, air suits dreamers and creatives?"those more at home in their imaginations, whether geniuses or, like me, airheaded creatives.
Let’s say she’s a dreamer: an air person. Colors for her could be pastels like light blue and white fluffy clouds. She might have blonde hair and blue eyes that turn pale when she's lost in thought. Her ethereal appearance makes Not-Ken wonder if she’ll be swept away by life’s troubles. Heroes instinctively want to protect her.
When BTB is passionate, her eyes might darken to a stormy sky. Her passion brings words like lightning, turbulence, and electrifying sensations?"weather-associated imagery. Her laughter is bright and uplifting. When she's ironic or snarky, it has a crisp edge. These choices provide a vocabulary for portraying BTB. She’ll float through a room lightly rather than stomping or gliding.
Think about her journey?"words that reflect her need to forgive like stagnant, stuffy, or distant in the early scenes. As she progresses and changes, her imagery shifts too. Colors and textures become flowing; her touch feels soothing, like the sun finally coming out. Learning forgiveness feels like gentle spring rain, refreshing and cleansing.
Unfortunately, only fellow writers may consciously notice your imagery set. However, subconsciously it adds a cohesive feel to your characters throughout the book. It reminds you that BTB starts as an "airhead" but becomes more grounded with Not-Ken, while he appreciates her light spirit. Perhaps she cools his fiery temper.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Imagine This Part 1.
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