top of page
Writer's pictureGeorgina Hull

What To Use: Native Character

If your character is a native to the place you went, then you'll need to use more day-to-day memories and images. This could include the sunrise/set at a certain time of day at a certain time of year; the smells - eg. from a bakery or the seaside; traffic conditions; local jobs; local wildlife, etc.


It's fair to say that you'll probably need to supplement your holiday time with some actual research.


Make sure to look back at your pictures and notes when you're writing - getting details spot on will be crucial if your character is a native.


However, your writing might not be set entirely in reality. In this case, of course, it is fine to use some creative licence - however, you must be sure to stay culturally sensitive, and it might be nice to have some nods to certain aspects of reality. For example, your story might take place in that country after a war - imagine what structures, however dilapidated, might still stand; what aspects of culture might endure, be it food smells or religious rituals or clothing, etc.


If you are staying accurate, a nice way to get a feel of what to write about is to walk around your local area and see what you notice. It might be a certain species of bird in the trees; what it's like in Tesco at 10am on a Saturday; who is in the park; how much of your town is built on, etc. Once you start tuning in to the things you notice in your every day life, you'll feel much more confident writing about someone else's.

0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page