A character’s neighborhood provides the opportunity to tell us about him/her without narrative. People live where they’re comfortable, so how you describe the protagonist or antagonist’s home town will reflect his values, beliefs, passions.
When your character is out and about, take the opportunity to describe his neighbors, what he notices around him, the traffic–vehicles and foot, the flora and fauna, the rhythm of his world. Does he live amidst spreading estates or in a cluttered old apartment complex? Are homes stately and old or nouveau riche?
The descriptions I’ve included below are from novels I’ve read. For descriptions of homes, click here (coming soon).
I hope you like them:
- Buildings were tan stucco and wood slat, built around grassy knolls
- It thrived as people went about their daily business, some walking or packing loads, others pounding corn in hollow mortars. The sound of shrieking children mingled with flute music. The slanted morning light gave everything a hazy look as it passed through the moist air.
- The quiet of an older neighborhood
- The town seemed to pulse with life and excitement
- A short, squat tower topped by a wide, gently sloping octagonal roof
- I’d tell you the paint was peeling, but it’d be more accurate to tell you it was shedding
- It looked like a nice place to live. An older woman with wispy white hair eased a Hughes Market cart off a curb and across a street. She smiled at a man and a woman in their twenties, the man with his shirt off, the woman in an airy Navajo top. They smiled back. Two women in jogging suits were walking back toward Hoover, probably off to lunch at one of the little nouveaux restaurants on Clasper. A sturdily built Chicano woman with a purse the size of a mobile home waited at a bus stop, squinting into the sun. Somewhere a screw gun started up, then cut short. There were gulls and a scent of the sea.
- Home. Eight acres of scrub and savanna, a pasture and paddock, a pond, a stream, avocado, lemon and orange trees loaded with fruit.
- Fair-sized house built of red Lyons Sandstone with the most god-awful-looking picket fence I’d ever seen.
- He stared up at the arch, knew little of the history, only the name. It was yet another symbol of a glorious empire that had collapsed into the dust of this desolate place. What armies have you seen? He thought. How many generals have passed beneath you, expecting their accomplishments to stand like this, a monument to history?
- Small upstairs apartment on Newport Island, a tiny piece of land accessible only by a bridge so narrow, it would admit just one car at a time.
If these snippets don’t speak to you, I understand. That’s the beauty of literature–there’s room for every description. I’d love to hear yours.
For more descriptors for characters and settings, click here.
It really helped me!!
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Love hearing that!
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Great advice and descriptions.
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This writing stuff is a lot more than just narrative objective words, innit?
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Thanks for the great examples. This is a good place to learn. 🙂
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Thanks so much!
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Jacqui, this is great advice and descriptions. I love books who let you feel through
events, conversations and similar. I remember telling a story about “Mr Squirrel” and how his character – unbeknown t me – evolved through his responses, attitudes, dress code and so on. You brought this memory back, thank you.
miriam
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It took me a long time to understand this approach. What a difference it makes in my writing.
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Amazing illustrations!! Thanks for sharing
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They are pretty cool, aren’t they?
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Wonderful examples!!
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I hope they help draw mental pictures outside the norm.
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I always struggle with this scenes.. Thanks for the ideas and sentences, it is a great help
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So many great ways to say, “…lived in a good neighborhood.”
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Much appreciate these great examples
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Absolutely, Daal. Enjoy!
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My personal thoughts about my neighborhood?
“Although close, we re sepperated by walls – but no wall can keep love within!”
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That’s a gorgeous sentiment. That little twist at the end–love it.
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Thank you – after all a stranger is a friend you don’t know yet 🙂
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I love these ideas that you share with us! They are so helpful!
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Don’t these resonate perfectly?
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Yeah they are great ideas!!
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Pingback: Describing a Character’s Neighbourhood | Diane Tibert
It’s very interesting!!! Murray
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🙂
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I practiced imagining lives of a few homeless people who frequent places in our town, McD’s and library. I called them character sketches. I liked your neighborhood examples, Jacqui. You have a good “ear” for this.
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I know what you mean. I got so into it, I almost interviewed them, but was afraid I’d come across as insensitive.
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very informative and helpful.
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Thanks!
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Informative. Thanks.. 🙂
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My pleasure!
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Jacqui – It doesn’t matter where I wander about on your blog, I always find useful information. I have no idea how your head manages to hold everything. Yes, I understand the concept of having reference notes, but still, you are truly amazing.
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I only manage by writing it all down! That’s why I have so many disparate posts. Thanks for your kind thoughts, Sheri.
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Fantastic examples. Thank you
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Thanks!
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Really informational and well phrased! I’ll definitely be utilizing some of these tips in my own blog!
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They’re pretty clever, aren’t they? Writers sure know how to pick the right words.
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As a new blogger and author..well 2 short stories in an Anthology…I love your way of thinking and it has given me ideas thank you so much. Have a lovely day 🙂
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Thanks for the feedback. Where you are in your writing is wonderful. The future can be anything!
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Thank you for your kind words Jacqui 🙂
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Nice examples and explanation of the importance of these kinds of descriptions, Jacqui! I love it when writers are out there helping other writers. Thanks!
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These I liked because they turn the setting almost into a character.
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thanks for sharing……….
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My pleasure
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My descriptions spring mostly from viewpoint character– I hardly ever do anything other than third-person limited. I must try a more omniscient narrator, and general descriptions. Soon. Thanks for sharing these.
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I think third person limited is very personal. I just read an entire series (13 books) in that POV. I actually miss the character, now that I’m done.
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I know. I have 4 POVs in my novel, and the descriptions for each of them differ so much.
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Great post love it!
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Thanks!
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very helpful info Jacqui, thank you! I’ll keep these tips in mind as I work on my second novel. 🙂
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Thanks, Geraldine. I might add a strawberry-knit hat to my next novel. I got the idea somewhere…
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Love hanging out at your blog. A very welcoming place for a reader and a writer. Helpful post, thanks. 🙂
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Considering the competition for your attention (jungles, elephants, cats), that is a serious complement!
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Good Blog…:)
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Thanks, Adrain!
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Great descriptions, Jacqui. As an architect, I can definitely appreciate the subtlety of descriptions of our surroundings. Some of the most memorable aspects of any space are the tiny caveats that blend seamlessly into the rest of an image to escape our specific retelling, but that we remember instantly when they’re highlighted. It’s the kind of thing we (architects) strive to achieve and something that spans across the pursuits of writing and design (two loves of mine).
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Sounds glorious. It makes me want to be an architect. I worked for an LA firm early in my career–CKNA.
Thanks for dropping by.
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Neighborhood as a character! I like the idea! I have some great pics of neighborhoods but can’t post it here.
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I wish blogs allowed visual comments. Some day. thanks for dropping in!
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very good way to describe….thanks for sharing dear..I enjoyed it a lot
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Thanks, Kavita!
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Your most welcome Jacqui..lovely blog you have 🙂
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This Site is fantastic !!!
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Aren’t you nice.
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I found your blog through CafeGirlsChronicles. I’m learning about self-publishing as I would like to publish a memoir I’ve written. I will be back to peruse your site soon.
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I have quite a few articles on self-publishing. It’s a valid alternative these days. Thanks for dropping by. Say hi to Cat next time you see her!
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