Faces have a way of grabbing my attention. And if the face has an intriguing expression, I’m pulled in even more. This photo is one of those faces. What is this character seeing? I think something has taken her by surprise, but her face hasn’t registered yet whether it’s a pleasant, unpleasant, or even frightening surprise. It’s like the camera captured the moment before something important is revealed.
What do you think this character is seeing? Put your ideas in the comments. You can even write a short scene. Like mine.
*****
“It looks great, Lee.” My best friend Hannah glanced up from the screen on her camera. “Let’s take a few more and then you can change your outfit.”
I nodded and patched together a smile. After smiling for a half hour for senior pictures, my cheek muscles were wearing out.
Hannah lowered her camera. “Let’s try some without smiling. Or just a hint of a smile. Or just look over the woods and lake like I’m not here, and I’ll try to get some candid shots.”
I dropped my fake smile with relief. But how could I pretend I wasn’t doing senior pictures? I’d never wear these nice clothes to the lake.
As a breeze massaged my hair, I looked away from Hannah, past the benches along the edge of the water, to the lawn and parking lot, slowly moving my head like I was just taking in the–
My head, my eyeballs, every cell froze.
“Great, Lee.” Hannah clicked away.
That couldn’t be …
*****
Here are more writing prompts to inspire characters.
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