As I work on my 4th or 5th manuscript (maybe 6th or 7th, depending), it always amuses me to see the "repeats" of imagery that find their way into my stories. You know, those certain fascinating objects or images that suddenly pop up in our scenes without us knowing how, exactly, they found their way in.
I have a few favorites, and I must say, to this day, I am never tired of them when they appear: pools and water, of course, being the obvious to those who know me, but less obviously, tunafish and mayonnaise, kitchen tables (interesting side note, I do not own, nor have I ever owned a kitchen table, nor lived in a house where there was a traditional kitchen table), and today's blog-triggering image, those little brightly-colored paper umbrellas you used to get in your drinks at chinese restaurants.
God, I love those. Welcome little paper umbrella. :)
So, i'm curious: what objects/imagery finds itself repeatedly into your character's lives and stories?
I wonder what would happen if you got a dream book out just for fun and looked up the meaning behind these recurring 'symbols'.
ReplyDeletewow, im so glad you wrote that. I decided to waste (er, spend) time looking mayonnaise up and this is what I came up with from an on-line dream dictionary:
ReplyDeleteMayonnaise
To see or eat mayonnaise in your dream, represents disappointment in your waking life. It also indicates the occurrence of insults and disrespect in some situation or relationship.
Of course, I didnt dream it, i wrote it, but one could argue that writing through your muse and dreaming are similar things. And, fyi, that second sentence would be right on! Off to look up paper umbrellas. :)
I couldn't find (on quick search) paper umbrellas, so I did paper (makes total sense for a writer, of course) and umbrellas. Thanks, that was fun. :)
ReplyDeletePaper
To see a blank white paper in your dream, signifies your desire to make a fresh start in your life. You need to express yourself through writing or art. Alternatively, it suggests that you need to work on being more communicative.
To see a stack of papers in your dream, denotes overwhelming responsibilities and stress that you are having to cope with. You are not effectively dealing with the issues at hand.
Umbrella
To see an umbrella in your dream, suggests that you are putting up a shield against your emotions. You are trying to avoid dealing with them. It is also symbolic of emotional security. If the umbrella is leaking, then it indicates that you are unprepared with facing your problems.
To dream that you cannot open you umbrella and it is raining, then it suggests that you are open to confronting your own feelings and letting your emotions come to the surface.
soccer. in the DP series, in Mending Fences, in my dystopian, mention in current WIP. I think I might be obsessed. :)
ReplyDeleteSoccer is about as surprising as pools/water for me, Megan. ;) Anything smaller and a bit more esoteric?
ReplyDeletePutting a little more thought into it, coffee. One of the DP books a new coffee place opens, Kaylee works at Starbucks, Cheesy and her dad have an awkward moment over coffee. etc.
ReplyDeleteOf course for me, that's probably as obvious as soccer. I think I may look at my novels more closely and see if there's something even smaller that I hadn't realized. :)
coffee is good. No more work on this. You go do the work you have to. You're dismissed. <3
ReplyDeleteLeaves. As in autumn. I prefer not to think about any links between this trope and my life.
ReplyDeletehands. Love hands. Love this blog post.
ReplyDeleteI love autumn leaves, if aren't quite yet ready to be one, Jim. Mary, ah, hands...
ReplyDeletehmmm...I've not thought of this before. I'm sure there are some things --
ReplyDeleteformica being one...formica table tops or counter tops. I think that comes from being a child of the 60's :)
soda being another. I think I've had some form of soda in every one of my novels (those on the desktop and those in the dusty box under the desk)
fun thoughts today, Gae
coffee. rain. the properties of water. televisions buzzing to an empty room. windows. turned backs. shall I go on?
ReplyDeleteerm... nose rings. unruly curls. Big black boots. snow. beat up trucks. Vegetarians. Erm... Monty Python *shifty*
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I have a VERY hard time making my characters like things I really don't like, but quirks and tics are a whole different thing, so characters don't ACT much like me, but my MCs can often EAT like me, or like the kinds of moview or music I do... I try to be light about sprinkling those things in...
I seem to have a lot of Western elements - horseshoes, cowboys, settings, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnimals. I always have animals in my stories. Sometimes they are the main character. Sometimes they aren't, but they play an important role in the main character's life.
ReplyDeleteFor me it's the ocean/seashore, and gardens. I always find it interesting, too, when I can spot the recurring images in the authors whose work I regularly read.
ReplyDelete