Tis the season
I am cold this morning. I live in the south. By the beach. I don’t like below freezing temperatures. But, i fare better than my island born husband. He and his mother want to wear gloves and woolen caps at 45 degrees. Sure, it’s different, but, they’re comfortable, so that’s ok.
How do you make your characters comfortable? I know one way to add conflict is to take them out of their element. Does that discomfort motivated them to action or shy away from it… My heroine in Constance of the Carolinas is comfortable in boys clothes, but put her in a military regiment, her confidence begins to waver. Especially when she’s captured by the handsome Loyalist, Willem.
He’s out of his comfort zone as well. He is an colonist but hopes to see reconciliation with England. He yearns for a free America without the severence of the royal head. (ha, I almost said royals…) But his comfort is really tested when he discovers the true identity of the boy soldier, Connor.
I used those examples to try to show that people are in situations that spur them into some action. Discomfort does that. If it’s hot, don’t touch, if you’re cold, get warm. By cuddling, is my favorite option. Maybe they can cuddle in the warmth of each other…cuz I need my cuddle buddy now. Brrr-rrr-rr.
Tags: brrrrr, cold, comfort, Constance, Leigh Royals, motivation, Willem, Writing
Necessity is the mother of invention. I love putting my characters in places where they are uncomfortable. That’s why I sent Lindsey in One Ring to a comic book convention. Absolutely the last place she wants to be.
The fish-out-of-water is definitely a great way to yank a character away from his or her comfort zone. Built-in conflict always rings true, and it can be lots of fun, too.