The other day I learned something new: not everyone eats salad the way I do.
Now, I’m sure this statement is a given. We are all different, we all have different ways of doing things, but I’d always kind of assumed eating salad was a little like putting on one’s pants: there are only so many variations on the action ( … although now that I think about putting on pants, a writer could have a lot of fun exploring those variations.)
The epiphany came at dinnertime with my husband. I had prepared a salad and he had commented that the pieces were too big – he prefers small pieces. And this is the moment where I realized there were two types of salad-eaters. Spearers and Scoupers.
I’m a Spearer. If the pieces are too small they’re hard to get on my fork and I can’t spear enough for a satisfying mouthful. My husband, on the other hand, is a Scouper. If the pieces are too big they fall off his fork and he can’t get a satisfying mouthful.
As a result of this difference, when I make a salad, I chop the veggies into spearable chunks. When my husband makes a salad, he dices the veggies into scoupable pieces.
What does all of this mean for a writer and characterization?
When you’re creating your multi-dimensional characters, consider cause and effect. How your character prepares a salad will depend on whether your character is a Spearer or a Scouper.
(and now you’re supposed to translate this theory to other actions – like putting on one’s pants)
Hmm. Interesting. I think I’m a Scouper.