by Margie Senechal
The best characters have a bit of a quirk about them. Where would Stephanie Plum be if her cars never blew up? She'd probably be happily married to Joe by now and popping out babies in her Jersey home.
I admit to adapting some of my quirks into my characters. Like Darby's favorite lunch of pepperoni, peppermint patty, and Dr. Pepper is from me. And Ana's collection of suitcases comes from my desire to collect suitcases even though I rarely go anywhere. But maybe because I never go anywhere, suitcases symbolize the wanderlust I wish I could afford.
Other quirks I'll probably "borrow" someday include:
I never shut something fully the first time--drawers, cabinets, fridge doors. It's not on purpose, it just happens. And drives my dear husband a little crazy at times.
When it's hot outside as it has been the last few nights and will be unbearable for the next three days--I sleep upside down on my bed. My sister figured out that it's because growing up we only had one box fan that was placed between three bedrooms so the foot of the bed must've been where I could get air. Now, it's because the foot of my bed is right in front of the window.
Besides staples, there are three things always in my kitchen fridge or cupboard: Cinnamon Jelly Bellies, Tillamook medium chedder cheese, and Kerrygold Butter for my coffee.
So, now it's your turn. What's your quirk? And have you ever used your own quirk for a character?
The best characters have a bit of a quirk about them. Where would Stephanie Plum be if her cars never blew up? She'd probably be happily married to Joe by now and popping out babies in her Jersey home.
I admit to adapting some of my quirks into my characters. Like Darby's favorite lunch of pepperoni, peppermint patty, and Dr. Pepper is from me. And Ana's collection of suitcases comes from my desire to collect suitcases even though I rarely go anywhere. But maybe because I never go anywhere, suitcases symbolize the wanderlust I wish I could afford.
Other quirks I'll probably "borrow" someday include:
I never shut something fully the first time--drawers, cabinets, fridge doors. It's not on purpose, it just happens. And drives my dear husband a little crazy at times.When it's hot outside as it has been the last few nights and will be unbearable for the next three days--I sleep upside down on my bed. My sister figured out that it's because growing up we only had one box fan that was placed between three bedrooms so the foot of the bed must've been where I could get air. Now, it's because the foot of my bed is right in front of the window.
Besides staples, there are three things always in my kitchen fridge or cupboard: Cinnamon Jelly Bellies, Tillamook medium chedder cheese, and Kerrygold Butter for my coffee.
So, now it's your turn. What's your quirk? And have you ever used your own quirk for a character?
I love this, and now I'm thinking...Quirks? Moi? My heroines have stubby hands and sometimes frizzy hair and they always love cats. And everyone drinks coffee... You mean everyone isn't like this?
ReplyDeleteWell, everyone here drinks coffee. LOL And I have stubby hands just like my daddy ;)
DeleteI love character quirks - they really bring the pages alive, I think.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my quirk...I have to separate my food - M&Ms are eaten according to color, veggies and protein aren't mixed at dinner...you get the picture.
LOL. I didn't know M&M's had different flavors.
Deletethey don't! It's just a weird *thing* I have to do. RadioMan calls it my Food-based-OCD! lol
DeleteWhat a great idea to slide in a little personal quirk into your stories! I'm perfect, so I don't have any... okay, stop laughing! ;-) Like Kristi, I color-separate my M&Ms, and miss having two colors of brown (because the light brown was "caramel" in my mind). And, they do have different flavors, Red being the yummiest. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteMy M&M quirk is that the first bite is the best. I loved the first bite.
DeleteQuirks? Certainly not me...okay, so I never take food home from a restaurant--no doggie bags! Dunno why, just a thing, I guess. And seriously? Doesn't everyone separate out their M&Ms by color? How is that a quirk? ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I'm the minority, because I just eat M&M's by the handful without checking colors. Skittles I understand, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnd I always take home doggie bags. Mostly so Jordan has something different for lunch the next day. LOL I'm a thoughtful mom.
You're not alone, Margie--I do the handful thing, too...
Delete