Hubs and I just returned from a snowboarding trip in Steamboat Springs, CO. Fresh powder fell each day, so conditions were great. While hubs and his nephew got 4-day passes for the mountain, I chose to get a 3-day pass. That break on Saturday was worth it. I took my own solitary snow adventure.
One of my favorite ways to unwind in a remote location is to take a walk in the fresh snow in search of the local little free libraries. According to the LFL map, two libraries were just within walking distance of our place. Trying to find the first one took me down a winding, snow covered trail behind a lodge area. My footprints were the only ones there first thing in the morning. I had to backtrack and take different paths until I finally spotted the familiar box.
And the journey was so worth it—not just for the books, but for the peace it gave me.
I'm aware that it can be unwise for a woman to walk alone, even in daylight. I'm also aware that many people aren't comfortable being alone in an unfamiliar place. But armed with my Pokemon Go map and a backpack, I didn't mind if I wandered for several hours. And I did.
By the end of my journey, I found both LFL's. The second one, I stumbled upon completely by accident while on my way to the nearest bus stop. That's the one pictured above. While I didn't take a book, I did deposit one I finished on the plane ride there. I got to share a book, get some exercise, breathe in clean mountain air, experience the quiet that comes with blankets of powder all around, and feel the crunching snow under my insulated boots.
Pure peace. At least, for me.
When I'm developing a new character (or even an old one if I feel something's missing), I dive in and ask myself what they view as perfect peace: an emotions and/or physical place they go to feel totally safe and at ease. Depending on the story's themes, this should vary from the typical "a good book by the fire" scenario. Yes, that sounds amazing to me, but not everyone would answer that way.
Unique characters should base their answers on their past experiences and current situation/predicament/stage of life.
For the lonely child, perfect peace could be playing games with their sibling who lives with their divorced parent: a feeling of camaraderie among less than desirable circumstances.
For the hired gun, perfect peace could be a room full of bodies: no one left to kill the character/their loved ones.
For the woman who endures brutal scrutiny from her parents and peers, perfect peace could be solitude by a placid pond: no one to judge her if she dances in her bra to the songs of birds.
For the man who knows his wife is cheating on him, perfect peace could be lounging with her on the sofa: a way to pretend they are happy for one more day before he confronts her.
The list goes on. And it can and probably will change as a story progresses. Once I figure out what makes my characters feel safe and secure, it becomes that much easier to write what rattles them. It also works in reverse. Find out what scares a character, and their peace will surface.
Peace and motivation are often connected. a character who feels comfortable in their job, even though they're underpaid, may be less likely to search for other opportunities. But if they hate their new boss? Peace slips out of their reach. To what lengths will they go to get it back? Change must happen; a story happens.
How a character balances peace and tension gives them depth. It defines their borders and comfort zones and how they interact with others. And, of course, looking back on my own life and seeing how my definition of peace has shifted is a source of inspiration.
Keep on smilin'!
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