The Secret to Writer’s Block: Fashion

Chewbacca on a Plane: 

Writing Ancillary Characters by Focusing on What They are Wearing, Instead of the Writer’s Block That They are Causing

When I write about characters, I try to paint a picture of their personality, look, and demeanor.  I try to get across if they are funny, serious, or sarcastic.  I think about how they would speak, what they would say, and even the flow of conversations that they would have with friends.  Sometimes I get writer’s block when I try to describe characters.  This especially happens when I encounter a new or ancillary character that is not around in the story for long, but still important to the plot or other character development.  Often, I have a hard time developing an ancillary character quickly and in enough detail to get a picture of them across to readers.  So, I started a new approach which has been helpful.  If I have a hard time getting across what the character is about, I try to picture what they would wear and I write that instead. 

What people wear is often an extension of their personality.  It’s visual and the first thing that you see when encountering a new person.  Fashion can be a fast first impression and also a lasting image.  There’s a reason that people spend millions and millions of dollars on events that happen only once like weddings, prom, or even the first day of school.  Fashion choices can tell you more about a character than you think.   

I’ll give you an example.  My husband and I flew from Jacksonville, Florida to London, England with a layover in Charlotte, North Carolina last November.  Right before we were about to board our flight to Charlotte, a man in his thirties walked up to stand near us at the gate.  He was a relatively normal looking guy.  He was clean cut, average build, but he was wearing something unusual:  a head-to-toe Chewbacca onesie.  Now, would just anyone choose this particular outfit for a flight (or ever)?  Absolutely not.  Immediately, without speaking to this guy, I had a picture in my head of his personality.  I assumed he was a funny guy, but probably border line obnoxious.  The kind of guy you might want to have a drink with, but that you would be tired of before dinner. 

So, guess where the guy was seated on the plane?  Yup, right next to my husband in our row.  At first, the guy was quiet.  He took out his headphones and settled with his head against the chair.  Maybe I was mistaken in my assumption due to his outfit.  But then a guy in a neighboring seat asked him for a selfie (he mentioned something about his nephew being obsessed with Chewbacca or something).  Chewie obliged and then settled back into his chair.  Unfortunately, it was like that little acknowledgement of his outfit also woke up his true personality.  He spent the remainder of the trip singing out loud and off pitch, drumming on the chair in front of him, and constantly drawing attention to himself.  It was a good thing it was a short flight.  

So, long story short, this guys’ fashion choice matched his personality and also matched my first impression.  Now, of course, this does not always work that way.  Sometimes people’s outside appearance does not match their inside and you should not just judge a book by its’ cover.  But if you have writer’s block and need to quickly describe an ancillary character without boring your readers with pointless paragraphs that they just skim over, think about what they are wearing and describe that instead.

Here are some ideas of things that may help:

• Try describing an outfit, a haircut, or a piece of jewelry.  These items are all personal choices and can tell you a lot about your characters likes, personality, and style. 

• Consider tattoos, glasses, shoes, and hats.  Each of these is almost like a bonus item.  Would your character bother with them?  Does an object have a personal meaning or a dual purpose?  Does it symbolize something or relate to something in their past?    

• Do you want your character to blend in or stand out?  Is this a character that you want your readers to focus on?  

• Maybe you want to switch it up and use these descriptions to throw off your readers?  Like I said before, you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.  If you want to lead your readers in another direction, why not use what they are wearing to do that?  

Regardless which way you go, make sure your choices make sense for your characters and use these ideas as a jumping off point.  If you are like me, you’ll enjoy the fashion side of things and that in itself will be an inspiration to keep writing. 

So, the next time that you feel like writer’s block is keeping you from concisely describing ancillary characters, try some fashion inspiration instead. 

I hope that these ideas help you to break through! 

Found a great source of inspiration that worked for you?  Let me know!

Still getting writer’s block?  Tell me how I can help!