Object + Emotion Exercise
This one is quite difficult! However, it helps you to develop your characters by forcing you to write about them in a new, unique way whilst still keeping their characterisation consistent.
Here are the rules:
- Think of a character from your story.
- Choose randomly from the OBJECTS list. Do this AFTER you’ve chosen the character. It’s supposed to be unexpected and challenge you!
- Choose randomly from the EMOTIONS/FEELINGS list
- Write 20-200 words about the object from the character’s point of view. The character should be feeling the emotion you’ve chosen during the scene.
- Write the object number, emotion number and the name of the character underneath.
OBJECTS
Object 1
A preserved butterfly.
Object 2
A set of Russian dolls with creepy expressions.
Object 3
A bottle of wine. Tasteful. Expensive.
Object 4
Eighteen boxes, tiny but heavy.
Object 5
A pool of suspicious-looking liquid.
Object 6
A yellow flower with a curious smell.
Object 7
A dusty, moth-eaten blanket.
Object 8
Just a ball. A giant, orange ball.
Object 9
Empty armour with eyes.
Object 10
An out of tune, black guitar.
Object 11
A random hat snagged on the branch of a tree.
Object 12
An old, rusted sword.
Object 13
A purple pencil, reverberating with power.
Object 14
A small, withered plant.
Object 15
A bronze coin laying on the ground.
Object 16
A book full of secrets about the character’s enemy/rival.
Object 17
An out-of-date milk carton with the character’s wanted poster on it.
Object 18
A branch… or is it a wand?
Object 19
A fluffy pair of slippers.
Object 20
An old photograph of someone lost.
Object 21
A bone-shaped dog treat.
Object 22
A rotten egg mayo sandwich.
Object 23
An old Nokia phone.
Object 24
A shiny nail sticking out of the wall.
Object 25
A plate: ornate, old and priceless.
Object 26
A green hot water bottle.
Object 27
A fossil inside a huge boulder.
Object 28
An old, bronze, broken record player.
Object 29
A smelly shoe in the middle of the house.
Object 30
A blood-stained t-shirt.
EMOTIONS/FEELINGS
Emotion 1
Longing.
Emotion 2
Impatience.
Emotion 3
Love.
Emotion 4
Excitement.
Emotion 5
Fear.
Emotion 6
Thirst.
Emotion 7
Nostalgia.
Emotion 8
Lust.
Emotion 9
Anger
Emotion 10
Embarassment.
Emotion 11
Confusion.
Emotion 12
Hatred.
Emotion 13
Happiness.
Emotion 14
Joy.
Emotion 15
Sadness.
Emotion 16
Uncertainty.
Emotion 17
Hunger.
Emotion 18
Tiredness.
Emotion 19
Nausea.
Emotion 20
Frustration.
Have fun!