Create a Memorable Minor Character

In Miss Gazillions by Richard Weber (St. Martin's Press, 2005), the author offers the following description of a minor character:

"...a slight, elderly Alpine pirate in Saville Row worsted."

"His voice--as he welcomed us into his office salon, with its grand view over the Musee des Beaux Arts--was, at first, teacup-timid with deference and age, but his mahogany eyes had the 20/20 iciness of a Gestapo interrogator."

"Teacup-timid" is one of the most evocative descriptions I've read in awhile, and coupled with the rest of the description, it left a vivid image in my mind's eye.

A vivid character snapshot can keep minor characters from blurring together, and make a story more memorable. I'm filing this one in my Inspiration file!

Re-Vamp Time

It's time this long-neglected blog was used for something. Something that isn't business-related.

So, let's talk about books-- reading them, writing them, fondling them. There's just not enough time in the world for all of that, so maybe this is a place to start.

I'm reading Stephen King's On Writing this week. It's laugh-out-loud funny in spots, a little too profane for my taste (but too good to miss, even so), and practical, so far.

I am unpacking King's writer's toolbox now, and it's interesting to see what's in it. My personal writing rule is 'BIC' (backside in chair); the autobiographical section in On Writing provides a snapshot of exactly what this looks like in real life.

I'm also in the middle of several other books-- no point in reading one at a time, is there?