Day 362 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Send your character into their domain.

Shannon: The school’s art room was had to be one of the best places in the world. I had free rein over all the supplies and my only limitation was my imagination. There wasn’t on tool in the room that I hadn’t learn to master, but choosing was still hard. I was a little unconventional in that way. I liked to mix.

Erin: I didn’t realize school was for me until I had my first college lecture. In that room education started to make sense and how I fit into it started to make sense. There I could thrive. I was no longer feeling stuck and stagnant.

Take us there.

Day 361 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about a character with two sides.

Shannon: “Why are you always so mean to him?”

“Because one of us has to be. You’re a push-over, I’m protecting you. Just appreciate it,” she explained as she continued to cling to the controls.

“From what?” I attempted to overpower her, but I couldn’t win.

“From heartbreak.” She finally looked at me for a second but soon turned back to the screen. “You forget too easily…I don’t.”

Erin: She was programmed with two emotional settings. Happy and angry. The only problem was she wasn’t programmed with any logic. Anything could trigger her. There was no telling what would.

What does each side of your character look like?

Day 360 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about a romantic moment in the midst of chaos.

Shannon: After calling for help, we got out of the car and started walking along the ditch. It was snowing, but it wasn’t too cold. We got out just to settle down after the short panic of skidding off the road, but it quickly turned into a sweet moment as our muscles relaxed and we took in the quiet snowfall. His hand intertwined with mine and I knew everything was going to be ok.

Erin: When my world was literally crashing down around me he was my only source of calm. a simple look into his eyes and a touch of his hand slowed my heart to its normal pace. I felt like I was gonna survive.

I moment within a crazy moment.

Day 359 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: What did your character get for Christmas?

Shannon: She got a couple gift cards, cash, and homemade baked goods. Exactly what she wanted.

Erin: He was spoiled. But there was one gift that stood out above the dozens he had got from his loved ones. His grandmothers quilt he had admired for years was more than he would ever dare to ask for.

What are you getting your character for Christmas?

Day 358 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: How is your character spending Christmas Eve?

Shannon: She’s going to church with her family, cooking and eating a delicious meal, and finishing some last minute tree decorating.

Erin: Alone. Not lonely. By choice. Having people around constantly makes it hard for her to take care of herself. Someone has to and that is the day she can.

The day before the day.

Day 357 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: What is making your character’s eyes sparkle?

Shannon: “She looks different, doesn’t she?” Will questioned, unable to take his eyes off her.

I smiled watching him, “Yeah, well she’s got hope now. It’s nice to happy again, isn’t it?”

His smirk grew, “It is.”

Erin: For the first time in forever I could see progress in my journey to my dream and that was everything to me.

Let your character shine a little.

Day 356 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: What is the real window to the soul?

Shannon: I’ve always thought you can tell a lot about how a person is feeling by watching their hands. People can easily put on a poker face, but their hands can’t lie. Hands have to follow through. They get nervous. They get excited. They reach out to help. That’s why I don’t look at the eyes when I need to read a person. I look at the hands.

Erin: I find that the little tensions of muscles is far more telling than any other facial or body movements. Going from loose to stiff tells far more than a smile or squinting eyes.

How do we look inside?

Day 355 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about a character leaving something behind.

Shannon: He doesn’t know, but I left the book behind on purpose. Our breakup still continued to sting, but I had one last message to share and he didn’t want to hear it. That’s why I left it in the book. I guess I figured if he missed me, maybe he figure out where to find one last piece of me.

Erin: My entire life was put on hold. I could blame him but in the end it was my own fault. I was the one who couldn’t leave him behind. I was responsible for changing that. I would.

Everything can’t be kept.

Day 354 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about a child with a secret power they are unaware of.

Shannon: “Why do animals always follow you around,” Jacob questioned.

“I don’t know, I guess they like me,” I shrugged before petting the neighbor’s cat that laid down on my feet.

“Yeah right. Every animal just likes you,” he rolled his eyes. “Are you hiding treats? Empty your pockets,” he demanded.

I did to reveal they were empty.

“Something is weird about you,” he shook his head, still trying to figure it out.

Erin: He didn’t even know he was controlling his parents.

Children are powerful.

Day 353 of 365 Days of Writing Prompts: Write about beauty that is kept hidden.

Shannon: “You’re going to have to come back into the light eventually,” I reminded Aurora as she danced around the garden.

“You’re wrong. There is no time limit. I don’t have to leave until I want to,” she disappeared behind a tree.

“It’d be good for you to go back. You’re ready. You’re just waiting,” I pointed out, disappointed in her resistance. There was silence again. She must have already run off.

Erin: Beauty is determined by society. So in isolation is the only option to be ugly? I studied my face and the symmetry seemed to equate to me looking appealing, but with no one to judge it wasn’t a reality.

 A character in the eye of the beholder.