Today, you’ll write about the most interesting person you’ve met in 2014. In your twist, develop and shape your portrait further in a character study.
Who’s the most interesting person (or people) you’ve met this year?
Our stories are inevitably linked to the people around us. We are social creatures: from the family members and friends who’ve known us since childhood, to the coworkers, service providers, and strangers who populate our world (and, at times, leave an unexpected mark on us).
Today, write a post focusing on one — or more — of the people that have recently entered your life, and tell us how your narratives intersected. It can be your new partner, your newborn child, or the friendly barista whose real story you’d love to learn (or imagine), or any other person you’ve met for the first time in the past year.
Today’s twist: Turn your post into a character study.
In displaying the psychology of your characters, minute particulars are essential. God save us from vague generalizations!
— Anton Chekhov, Letter to Alexander Chekhov; May 10, 1886
Describing people — whether real or fictional — in a way that channels their true essence is an invaluable skill for any writer. Through the careful accumulation of details, great authors morph their words into vivid, flesh-and-bones creations in our minds. How can you go about shaping your portrait of a person? Some ideas to explore:
Don’t just list their features. Tell us something about how their physical appearance shapes the way they act and engage with others. For example, see how the author of this moving photo essay, which documents the final weeks of a woman dying of cancer, captures the kernel of the woman’s spirit with a short, masterful statement:
Her eyes told stories that her voice didn’t have the power to articulate and she had a kindness that immediately made me feel like we had been friends for years.
Give us a glimpse of what makes this person unique. We all have our own quirks, mannerisms, and individual gestures, both physical and linguistic. If you’re looking for inspiration, read this blogger’s portrait of her French host family — after reading the first two paragraphs, you already have intimate knowledge of who these people are and what drives them.
Need a helping hand? Head to The Commons.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I haven’t met anyone new this year. But, we’ll see.
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Me neither
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I think I figured out what to do. My boyfriend recently met someone who he said was EXACTLY like his former teenage self (who he was when we met), who was in love with my former teenage self (a cold-hearted jerk), so I’m going to kind of quiz him about the guy’s specifics and write mainly about the past, I guess. I wish I was there when they met — I could only imagine what it would be like to come face to face with someone who was exactly like you used to be.
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I don’t think it has to be someone you even spoke with. Sometimes, I form stories around strangers I encounter — like someone reading a book I might be interested in on the bus; or riding the elevator with someone who is listening to music so loud, you start bobbing you head to it too; or someone whose sense of style you liked. Give them a name, a job, a story.
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Thank you, pseudo, I needed that. I’m kind of choking on this story because I’m thinking of someone with whom I haven’t had a lot of dialogue, and I don’t even think I want to. But he’s a character.
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I guess I’ll go fiction
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I was going to before I had the idea above. Though, I got another idea from this comment feed — you could write about a new blogger you’ve discovered =] Or maybe someone you already knew, but who has changed. Really, we can adapt each prompt to our own needs/wants.
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That’s a good idea
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I was thinking the same thing. Maybe just write about anyone?
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I’ve figured out what I’m doing. I also have a bunch of other suggestions for anyone who might be stuck:
-Personally, I am writing about a guy my boyfriend met and told me about, who he says was exactly like his former self.
-You can write about someone you have already known for a while, but who has changed so they’re not exactly the same person.
-Write about one of the wonderful new bloggers you’ve discovered (here or elsewhere) (or a newly discovered author, celebrity, etc.)
-Write about a child you’re close with, because they most definitely change every year.
-Write about who you want or plan to be, or how you’ve discovered/changed yourself.
-Or, go fiction!
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Thanks for the ideas; I was also despairing about how I’ve not really met anyone. I’m going fiction now 🙂
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Here’s my offering: http://tuckedintoacorner.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/the-stranger/
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I met a ton of people this year from volunteering over the summer and in choir. I don’t know who to talk about. LOL :S
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Combine them =] Write about the most interesting traits in each of them, or turn them into one giant stupendous person!
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I haven’t met anyone new this year. Maybe, if I twist it through a fictional character’s point of view. This should be a challenging one.
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Feel free to write about someone else, then, if you haven’t met anyone new this year. But your idea to go the fiction route is a good challenge!
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Thanks Cheri. I thought about a fictional character meeting someone new, more like the past six months. Whether their meeting creates the sense of Character Building is what I doubt. I’ve written the plot and have to put on the polishing touches.
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Okay. Here’s the link to my post. I hope it even qualifies for it.
http://wiredwithwords.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/bless-her-immortal-soul/
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I met evil incarnated this year so it’ll be interesting to see how this goes. *cracks knuckles*Thank goodness for writing to let out feelings.
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lmao! I can’t wait to read this. xD
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I will be eagerly awaiting it 🙂
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This comment gained you a new follower. LOL!
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Geez, now I’m SCARED! *laughing, nervously*
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new people especially the interesting one seldom meet you… but still let us see..
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Can’t wait to describe one of the persons I most admire!
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Wasn’t this supposed to tie into part 1 & 2 from the last 2 writing 101 posts? So add this to the idea for the final installment?
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No, there was only one in that three-part-series so far. Day Four was about loss, which had the twist of turning it into a three-parter, BUT they said that those other two prompts would come later, we haven’t gotten them yet. Day Five (the letter) was not connected to Day Four, and this one (Day Six) is not connected to either (unless you want it to be). The second prompt for the series is coming later this week, I think, and the third one sometime after that.
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Rats, I totally thought Friday was day 2!
Tks for clarification,
Laura
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Here is my offering for today.
http://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/the-most-interesting-person-ive-met-this-year-is/
Much Respect,
Ronovan
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Wow. I actually have a long list to chose from seeing as I moved to Madagascar in January this year. But who to pick?
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You know, the challenge actually did say ‘people’.
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Damn that’s a good point but I just posted . . . next time!
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http://maryteacherisat.blogspot.com.tr/2014/06/someone-important.html
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Great post.
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Thanks Shaz! Yours is incredible!
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http://wp.me/p4qNGz-5J
This was the second person I thought of. She’s really inspiring. I’m not sure that I dove very deep into a character study.
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Wow… Today’s challenge perfectly fit into my Day Six blog post, I did in advance last Saturday… This will be a part of my continuing writing as well, Please go and have a look at:
http://byswav.com/2014/06/07/young-entrepreneurial-spirit/
Any comments and feedback are appreciated, from the point of view of story telling or continuing writing, even more than welcome, Have a great week, Swav
PS Please also include the link to your blog post of today’s challenge or some part of continuing writing, I will check this out.
I already love the writing story of idleandbored2, which is here… http://idleandboredtwo.wordpress.com/2014/06/07/the-money-letter/ it’s called ‘The Money Letter’ 😉
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Really nice story. Thanks.
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Thank you Buddy 🙂
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Character study. Instructions offering ideas of how to construct a believable character – and examples of some that succeeded. The last paragraph offers solid direction.
Writers don’t have to always draw from actual person in their lives. Bit and pieces from different people floating the brain around can be rafted together for an entire new creature.
So don’t whine “not another memory or reflection piece” for an assignment. Right? (insert snorts and giggles here…feel free..it’s fine. Really)
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I agree, I think a lot of people are taking these assignments a bit too literally. I think it’s difficult to realize that we can do whatever we want — prompt, twist, both, neither, our own version, etc. I’ve decided to write about someone I haven’t met, but my boyfriend has, who happens to be the exact version of his former self. (Before I thought of that, I was going to make someone up because I haven’t met anyone this year.)
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Not surprisingly right now mine would have been … ‘The nurse’. The different conversations – or not – during the day, sometimes more at night when they had more time, watching them with other patients, and some shared personal details. But luckily I’m not doing this challenge!
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Oh, and yours would offer some chuckles along with the gritty realism.
My writing has been attempting to swim in these waters, but posts keep showing up before the “assignment”…a bit of morphing to hammer the square peg into the challenge’s assignment round. We’ll see how it goes. Worked on assigned pieces so long, I really didn’t want anyone telling me what to write about now…but some interesting stuff tucked in around here.
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I wonder whether the word “assignment,” attached to each day’s task is too heavy a psychological hammer? Many people see the word assignment and they fill with dread, remembering school days past and daunting piles of homework. That is the exac
Thoughts?
We’re constantly talking about ways to make things clearer for participants, and find ways to make things as comfortable and as welcoming as possible for as many people as possible.
Sometimes it does take a bit of time for word to spread in that there is no way to fail, there are no requirements other than having fun and maybe meeting a new blogging friend or two.
Feedback is welcome!
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Your first paragraph is on target. School managed to crush the creativity of many – so any memories stirred up of that is a huge barrier. Many also write by/for/on assignment – and wish to escape the drudgery by blogging.
You are right, people need to lighten up. Nothing to fear here (but some are so new to WP they don’t realize yet.) It helps when people say, “I’m really new” as it gives you a frame of reference for comments and how to word them encouragingly.
Will ponder alternative wording…Today’s writing experience/experiment? A new tool to try today? Maybe think along phrases used in writers’ workshops? …or go totally nuts with Firecracker of the day to make your writing pop…..Brain candy?….if enough think about it, something will emerge…
appreciate all your efforts/ time/anguish…it isn’t easy
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At first I couldn’t think of anyone, but then I remembered a woman I met on my last trip to India. She definitely is a good subject for this piece. But I don’t remember much more than the paragraph I wrote in a letter at the time. Turning it into more than a factual, linear account is going to be an interesting challenge for me.
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In which I rave about the most interesting author I’ve read this year. Gotta adjust the challenge for a book blog. 😉
http://bookrhapsody.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/the-most-interesting-author-so-far-of-2014/
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That’s a great way of tailoring a challenge prompt to your blog’s focus.
Also: I need to read some more George Saunders. It’s been a while.
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Nice post. I appreciate it. I shared the video on my Facebook page. And I will certainly check out the author.
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I went the way of books too! I like yours a lot and that you kept with what you do already. I think that’s where I’ve struggled with this challenge so far… George Saunders has been on my list. My good friend swears by him as a go to this summer…
http://butlerbin2013.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/reading-life-satisfaction/
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This comment helped me so much yesterday! i also tailored it to my blog … http://www.creativeglo.net/blog/day-6-of-writing-101-the-most-interesting-handmade-person-of-2014/
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I just started a new work placement and was in awe of my new mentor and how talented they were at their job. I think I’ll have a write about her.
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That was a bit on the difficult side for me, as I don’t exactly know this person ^_^
http://pizzasandthat.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/he/
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I really like your post, it’s awesome.
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Can I write about a character that I haven’t necessarily met in real life?
And is there like a specific timing period for the challenges or not? Because I’d really like to participate in this one but I have an exam tomorrow so I don’t think I could write anything today.
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You can mold each assignment to meet your own needs and desires. You can do the prompt without the twist, the twist without the prompt, both, neither, or a variation of each that you made up yourself.
There is no time frame, write/post what you can, when you can. The goal isn’t to get you overwhelmed with posting every day, just writing something at all every day.
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Alright, thank you for the information.
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Here’s my article, I don’t know really :’)
http://ispeakwriting.wordpress.com/2014/06/10/a-beautiful-soul/
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Here is my take on this prompt. http://voicingaloud.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/leaving-a-trail-of-sentiments/
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I really didn’t think as I was writing this, so I apologize if it seems “all over the place.”
http://justkate914.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/writing-101-da…ing-experience/
I copied the link, but this whole linking from one blog to another is just NOT working out for me.
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I liked it a lot! 🙂
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i really loved writing today’s exercise. it was a lot of fun to play with words and word order.
http://lovealwayssarah.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/a-person-of-interest-writing-101-day-six/
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I liked it! Really clever…
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Mine’s here: http://amiecuscuriae.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/writing-101-assignment-day-6/ I’m trying to get the character’s realization across, but I think it came across kind of weak. What do you think?
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Like it!
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Here’s my offering:
http://resilientdonna.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/king-of-my-heart/
🙂 Whew!
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http://thethingsiyell.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/writing-101-day-six-a-character-building-experience/
A happiness-inducing visit to the local Starbucks
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Okay, i am not so sure about this one. The only other interesting person i have met recently is a guy i see everyday at the coffee shop. However, i think he is more interesting in my head than in real life. Is it alright to mix fiction and non-fiction???
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I think it’s OK 🙂
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I’m not completely satisfied with this but at least it was really fun to write. Oh and I cheated by two months but the person I wrote about is pretty much coolest guy I’ve ever met. http://pieniajaristyksia.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/no-shrink-for-a-street-fighting-man/
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A girl who came near the end of the year last semester. She has a kind personality, yet can be headstrong and random. She loves anime and drawing and I helped her make her birthday party cards. She is quite interesting!
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This was a really interesting challenge…because I interpreted it to be a commentary on the friendships I have developed this year. I’ve not been very good at friendship as an adult so these women were, by far, the most compelling and interesting that I met this year.
http://meridethcohrs.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/social-ism-but-not-the-kind-you-think/
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Good stuff!
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Thanks! Love yours as well 🙂
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that was great to read.
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Welcome to meet my neighbor. She is a little bit… uh… well, you’ll see http://joantatley.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/the-double-from-the-past/
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My assigned writing — “The Most Interesting…” is here: http://www.buddycushmanart.com
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Hi I just got a doubt. How to we participate in this? I mean I’ve signed up for writing 101. So now if I wanna write a post as a response, should I do it and give the post link here or should I generate a pingback in the post itself?
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Welcome to Writing 101!
When you write a new post on your blog in response to one of the challenge assignments, you can drop a link to that post either here (in the comments section of the relevant assignment) or in the Commons.
Enjoy the ride!
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Thank you for the clarification! 🙂
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