Comments on: The Things They Carry: Creating a Mobile Sanctuary for your Characters

By: benzeknees

benzeknees — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 19:37:21 +0000

I always learn so much when I stop by here to read. It never even occurred to me to give my characters possessions to help define their characters. Thanks again!

By: Zan Marie

Zan Marie — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:06:46 +0000

Thanks for reminding me of an exercise of turning out the pockets or purses of characters. That's how I found out my retired Marine kept his "anchor and globe" in his pocket even though he was now a chorus teacher. The young father who lost his little girl to drugs and alcohols keeps toying with his four-year AA coin. And so on. Good post, Jessica!

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:51:09 +0000

In reply to julipagemorgan. YAY for ideas! I love it when that happens.

By: jesstopper

jesstopper — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:29:13 +0000

In reply to Linda. Thanks, Linda! I loved the idea of "mobile sanctuary" as well - I think Orly here on WITS may have coined the term while we were emailing back and forth one day about what I planned to write and the piece I contributed to Writerspace. It stuck with me!

By: jesstopper

jesstopper — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:27:24 +0000

In reply to emlee5134. Oh Emlee, you are absolutely right. So sorry you had to go through that. I hope you can find comfort in the memories, as well as treasure the new memories you make. Your story put things in perspective, for sure. Thanks for stopping by!

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 04:35:15 +0000

Excellent article. "Mobile sanctuary" in itself illustrates the usefulness in creating depth using things. And such a lovely excerpt. Thank you!

By: emlee5134

emlee5134 — Sun, 06 Apr 2014 04:42:41 +0000

Thanks, Jessica, for an awesome post. We also have to remember when we lose those tangible items/stuff we must rely on our memories to replace the irreplaceable. I lost my home of 17 years in 2012 to fire, seventeen years lost. We barely got out, so no chance to save anything. While not as tragic as losing someone you love, it is my grief. Now, I concentrate on making new memories for the second part of our "new life", and, hopefully, I will find new items/stuff to make them with.
I will be checking out Louder Than Love!

By: Saturday Summation – 05 April 2014 | It'll All Work Out

Saturday Summation – 05 April 2014 | It'll All Work Out — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 13:07:55 +0000

[…] More about characters and connecting with them. Author Jessica Topper has a great post about using “things” to flesh out who your character is and why he is the way he is. We can get insight into objects that they collect or hang onto, even […]

By: jesstopper

jesstopper — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:50:38 +0000

In reply to Barbara Bettis. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!

By: jesstopper

jesstopper — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:50:17 +0000

In reply to Sharla Rae. Thanks for sharing that story, Sharla Rae. My heart truly goes out to you. I love that you still use such a cherished item from your son on a daily basis, rather than stow it away for safe-keeping. I hope it's always stays with you, just like your thoughts always will. PS While all items from our loved ones, here and gone, are valued, sometimes the cheap and ugly things are truly the most endearing!