One Character In A Fiction Story

Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter — What if? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers prompts —

The Exercise —

Write a story whose forward movement is propelled by:

a character's belief in something: a tale such as in Alice Hoffman's White Horses, a religion, astrology, the I Ching, a friend's lie, or winning the lottery

Allow something imagined to fire your character's imagination and provide the fuel to cause that character to act and move the story toward some conclusion.

The Objective -

To respect the minds and imaginations of your characters. To see how a character's imagination can transcend the confines of a limited point of view - as in Hotel New Hampshire and Zuckerman Unbound. To allow characters to experience the full range of thought of which we all are capable.

The highlighted lines below are the recommended beliefs to write about:

• a character's lie - It is silly how we spend our days in our old age, laughing at each other and ourselves. Does everyone in their seventies do this? I told you that I want a date night each week. It started well, but now it is about having dinner out. You told me we could go out once a week for date night. Is dinner out date night? What about a movie, music, or the theatre? Was that a lie? I know you lie even when it is just as easy to tell the truth. The weather, for example, why say it is 40 below zero, when it was just 19 above? I told you it doesn't have to be the same night that we have sex. Is that the problem? In your mind, does date night include sex? Okay, I know this isn't going anywhere. I probably need to end this train of thought and talk to George to get some answers.
• a character's suspicions - I have been tired recently, and taking naps, does that mean I am just old, or does it mean it's cancer? Not everything is cancer, but after having it once and being told the cancer I had was treatable, probably not curable, it's cancer. I know it is. Okay, this is my reality. I may always think it's cancer when I am not feeling right. What can I do about that? Think about this: what you resist persists. Eat an elephant one bite at a time, and don't wear cancer reminders until you see an oncologist. That is what the cancer psychologist said anyway. Is it working? No, I am too often suspecting I have cancer!
• a character's guilt - Guilty! Am I guilty? All I did was borrow your car for a short ride around the neighborhood. I didn't know there would be so many things to watch out for. It rained, and it was icy. Your car slid right into the neighbor's car. I proceeded on without stopping to make my apologies. I am guessing you will be blamed for that. I will help pay for damages. Well, maybe pay for it all, even if it takes me the rest of my life. I really do miss driving. When you put my keys away and sold my car, I knew it was the end of driving for me. It was going to be just a fun little ride for me today. I guess maybe you are right about taking my keys and selling my car.
• a character's regrets - I am so sorry for not being there for you more. When your mother died, I promised myself that I would be there for you. My life has gotten in the way of that. I know I try. And I know you try to stay in touch, too. I really appreciate how you reach out on occasion. I hope to do better hereafter. Please forgive me. How does that sound for a letter I want to send with my Christmas card? Well, it would be better with a few gifts. Maybe some cash? Then am I trying to buy forgiveness? I don't think she expects anything more from me than I can give. I do regret not getting to see more of her and the boys. Maybe a phone call will help my regrets, and even making plans to visit.