In The Fence My Father Built, when legally separated Muri Pond, a librarian, hauls her kids, teenage Nova and eleven year-old Truman, out to the tiny town of Murkee, Oregon, where her father, Joe Pond lived and died, she’s confronted by a neighbor’s harassment over water rights and Joe’s legacy: a fence made from old oven doors.
Sights:
Helpful hints:
–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood. (From The Fence My Father Built)
Example 1:
I followed Aunt Lutie across the living room to the kitchen area. It was a good five foot walk.
Example 2:
The broken down, green and white single-wide mobile home, with room additions sticking out in all directions, looked more like a child’s homemade fort than a place to live.
–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.
Example 1: (Simile)
Example 2: (Metaphor)
Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Just making sure that my comment was clear Ü
Bright pink would make sure it’s noticed. My teardrop is going to be wood sided with a green roof…hopefully. Quite the process to build. Sorry…now I’m off topic.
Oh no Charlie, I didn’t take your comment negatively at all–I was responding to Linda’s general statement. 🙂
As I said earlier, I grew up in a trailer park, and so I know first hand that that many of the people who live there are just folks trying to make a living and save enough money to buy or build a house. Mine was right next to a semi-rural school, and so I think location was also a factor for some.
My grandma had a teardrop trailer for vacations. I loved spending time in it as a kid and pretending it was where I lived. 🙂 It was–get this–bright PINK!
Angela
When I said I found the people fascinating, I did not mean in the typical way portrayed in television. I mean that they are unique in their placement on the edge of home ownership and the gipsy lifestyle. They live in a grey area that I find intriguing. Like the coveted loft spaces in NY, they get by with few possesions and use space-saving methods to live comfortably. Yet, unlike their NY counterparts, they live with a humility and simple grace that I admire. I wrote a short story a few years ago about a woman who lived in a trailer park. She is one of my favorite characters I have ever created.
Funny Stuff I Write
So wonderfully descriptive, I could not only picture everything but also smell and taste it, thanks for a great post.
I’m so glad you were able to give us a view into trailer life, Linda. It’s not something I’ve had much experience with, so it’s nice to get info from someone who knows!
We had friends who lived in trailers. I remember being so envious: they had a hole in the back of their fence which my sisters and I coveted something fierce.
The whirl-i-gigs, low ceilings, and green shag carpeting are great touches. And tomatoes, nasturtiums and morning glories…
This is a very rich deconstruction of the sensory appeal in the text. Thank you.
Thanks Angela. More general setting writing tips today on my blog, Linda Clare’s Writer’s Tips. Tomorrow: Ten Plot Problems to Avoid. Not that any of you have problems, right? Keep writing–Absolute Top Speed! ~Linda Clare
Absolutely loved
‘I followed Aunt Lutie across the living room to the kitchen area. It was a good five foot walk’.
Nice one Linda!
Good job on this. Not many people know this, but I grew up in a trailer.
And I agree, Linda…not all trailer parks are like ‘My Name is Earl.” Just sayin’.
Angela
Hey everyone, thanks for reading my Trailer entries. I have to say that my descriptions of trailers may be tacky but the people who live in them must be awarded dignity and hope. If you use trailers or any of these descriptions, remember that it’s fine to play up the tackiness of trailer trash, but not OK to make fun of the people. Just my opinion. ~Linda Clare
Aww, you know I love the “built for elves” metaphor!
OMG, I have an aunt who lives in a trailer park and all of this is sooooo true. Wow, excellent details. Thank you.
Ooo, I can use this for the scenes in my wip. Thanks a bunch!!
I’ve always found trailers fascinating, but mainly for the people. I like the extended view of the setting Linda has given us. Thank you Linda.
I am also building a teardrop trailer for fun…and because I’m crazy.
Funny Stuff I Write
Ooh, a guest entry? Nice. Very well done, thanks Linda!
(and Becca and Angela, always)
oooh good one, guys! Now off to look under fear b/c I’m sick of my MC getting ‘chills” LOL! Love your site!
Those clearly are the suggestions of an expert. It’s like being there. The creaking, flexible floors and streaks of rust are for me the essence. I’d add also the sound of footfalls, combining a thud and a rattle.