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| Image by Rockandbacon, via Flickr |
However,
let us assume that there is clothing of some type draped about your form. Work
clothes. Stay at home clothes. I’m not feeling well and this is comfortable clothes.
Gardening clothes. Cleaning out the garage clothes…you get the picture. Clothes
are the outer signs of your role for the day or night. Sleeping? Baking? Making
a court appearance? There are clothes for that.
There are
clothes which identify your work role. Nurse. Lab technician. Judge. Surgeon.
Armed forces personnel. All clothes - not costumes.
A costume
isn’t your clothes. It’s something you have to get accustomed to wearing. It’s
different. It could be awkward to wear; maybe it’s long or heavy. It might be
something you wear on a special occasion. Whatever it might be, it’s unusual
for you to be wearing it. You’re aware of it. No one is aware of their clothes.
They’re just clothes. Even those who adorn themselves in designer togs from
head to foot wear them casually. If they don’t - then it’s a costume.
No one
lives in costumes; not even actors. For actors, costumes are work clothes and
the trick is to make, whatever form or shape the garment happens to be, be
clothes. The costume is the character’s clothes. It’s normal for him/her to be
dressed like that. They don’t give it a second thought.
It’s
obvious when someone isn’t comfortable in their clothes. This can be a good
thing for writers/actors/readers because then the questions start. Why are they
uncomfortable? What are they doing that’s new or strange? Etc.
Take a look
the next time you’re out and about. Who’s comfortable in their clothes? Who’s
not? You may find the inspiration for your next story.
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| Elspeth Futcher is a bestselling author of murder mystery games and playwright. She has been the top selling author at host-party.com since 2011. Her British games are published by Red Herring Games in the UK. Her latest game is "Which Guide Lied?" Elspeth's 'writing sheep' are a continuing feature in the European writers' magazine Elias and also appear on this blog from time to time. Connect with her on Twitter at @elspethwrites or on Facebook at Elspeth Futcher, Author. |
Today's post presents some intriguing possibilities in story development: a character suddenly thrust into the witness protection program, one who's hiding from a controlling family, one who's escaping a homicidal mate, a character who just won the lottery, one who's gone from blue-collar to white-collar, one who simply wants a change--a new lifestyle, and the list marches on. This is a keeper, Elspeth.
ReplyDeleteIn all the above cases, a less than comfortable wardrobe could play a significant role.
DeleteAge is a big consideration when choosing a wardrobe. When you're young, you wear what's in fashion, even if it's 5" heels, even if they kill your feet. You're dressing for others. Middle age is practical time. You tone things down, still care what you look like, but maybe not as flashy. Seniors, both men and women, just want to be comfortable. Period. They care enough when they go out to spiffy up a bit, but otherwise, who cares. No one looks anymore.
ReplyDeleteClothing is a great way to define character. How do they prefer to dress? How does society force them to dress? Their job? Their hobbies? Do they dress to impress, to blend in, or to rebel?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Polly, at my age, I just want to be comfortable. Period. I don't even bother to spiffy myself up except to change from baggy sweatpants to jeans. And costumes. Not happening!
ReplyDeleteWell, my clothes today don't define my profession, unless one buys into the "sloppy writer" persona. LOL Seriously, I do love the fact that we can dress however we please while we are typing away on our keyboards.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do love costumes, and often wear something that makes me feel less like Maryann Miller and more like someone else when I am doing events. I think many of us writers find ways to overcome shyness that way.
Black. Almost every day, no matter what season. Now my characters are entirely different.
ReplyDelete