The Small Things ~ A Character Study

"Find what causes a commotion in your heart. Find a way to write about that," -Richard Ford

In the novel I'm currently working on, Amelia gives a list to Roman for him to read whenever he feels down. It ends up being the framework for what they do to make someone in the group feel better. 

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a list of good things 

by Amelia

-music. the windows down, blasting kind

-the taste of chocolate when that's all you're craving

-the night sky, when it's darkest out and you can see all the stars

-being there for someone

-fall leaves and their colors

-hot tea, a good book, and the sounds of rain

-local cafes with gourmet sandwiches

-the laughter of someone you love

-fairy lights

-the one thing that makes you want to be alive and on this earth

-this list

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Amelia loved the stars, the sea, the open road, and summer heat, windows down, wind-in-your-hair rock music. 

Amelia hated small talk, the crushing brightness of winter afternoons, and most people, some of the time. 

Roman loved the ebb and flow of classical music, and the way that it fell like rain from his fingers. 

Roman hated walls, abandoned playgrounds at night, and himself.

Bailey loved the cold of a lake and the laughter that seemed infectious as it passed through others. 

Bailey hated upturned noses, dirty snow, and the way her brain would swirl like milk and betray her. 

Elliot loved the way his favorite musical could always make him cry, and how Bailey would never make fun of him for it. 

Elliot hated the snickers of mocking laughter, actual Snickers, and the man he called his father. 

Alice loved the sand under her fingernails, the nervous sweat of a crush, and all things involving Coca-Cola. 

Alice hated the grip of uselessness, skinned knees, and her feelings. 

Nick loved the electric thrill of leather and dirt, and her. He loved her. 

Nick hated the sighs of unenthusiasm, candid photos, and anyone remotely like him. 

Together, they were a collection of oddities, an antique shop from the future, but never the summation of their broken parts. Like a puzzle piece, like flowers growing through cracks, they found a place. 

That place wasn't perfect - it was just as wrought and bent as they were - but it was a good place. A safe place, like a little handmade, painted vase in a world of mass-produced pots. 

~

So. I guess that's a bit of a sneak peek of my novel. I've been working on it a lot more lately, and hell, it feels good to be getting elbow deep in creating again. 

~The WordShaker