What will your characters do?
From across the country for the past few weeks, we’ve been seeing how people react to needing to give up normal activities.
If you’re writing a novel, that information might prove useful. While I doubt your story involves a global pandemic, you can still apply these insights into human behavior.
If your novel has characters, it’s likely they have different personalities. And such people react differently to circumstances.
Those circumstances needn’t involve a shelter-in-place. Think of any situation that forces your characters to wait.
They might be put on hold by an act of nature: a blizzard, a hurricane, or a washed-out bridge. But they could just as easily be awaiting news of job layoffs or critical test results. The hold needn’t last weeks — just long enough for a powerful scene.
Given your characters’ personalities, how do they react? Do they rise to the occasion by sitting on the couch and watching movies or burying themselves in a book? Or do they burn off restless energy by compulsive cleaning?
Do they obsessively follow rumors and news reports — or dismiss them as propaganda? React selflessly to seeing others needs — or think primarily of themselves?
Unable to eat at a restaurant, do they prepare creative meals from their pantry or survive on cold cereal?
Do they sleep in, then spend the day in their pjs — or stick to their normal routine? Do they talk about the problem, refuse to talk, or chatter about trivialities? Do they see silver linings or only clouds?
These are just some of the possibilities as circumstances force your characters to wait.
Current news reports and social media posts can bolster your research. Given their personalities, how will your characters respond when they are forced to wait?
