Last fall, I took a writing class through the University of Edinburgh and met a group of similar aspiring authors. We still meet as a group every Wednesday night at The Canons’ Gait on the Royal Mile.
Besides having a great group of people to bounce ideas off of and provide encouragement to keep writing, part of what we do when we meet up is to write based on some writing prompts. They’re five minute prompts that help us shake the rust off our writing and strengthen our creative muscle. Sometimes, they even encourage new ideas or prompts to whatever we’re currently writing.
A couple weeks ago, I was taking a pause from writing in the garden by admiring looking around at all the plants we had planted since we moved in. I think there’s something like 60-70 different types of plants in this little 19 sq. meter plot of land. And it got me thinking how each plant plays a vital, and different, role in this new landscape we created.
Much like people.
Or characters in a book.
Framing it as research for the characters in my book (definitely not a distraction) I started to put some thought in my own made-up writing prompt: Characters as Plants.
The Snowdrop.
She shines bright in the depth of cold and darkness, offering hope for the spring that’s around the corner.
The Succulent.
Vastly misunderstood and advertised. She doesn’t need a drop of water every now and then, she needs a full water plunge in regular, but in-frequent, spurts. If you give her what she actually needs, she thrives.
The Hyacinth.
Beautiful in bloom, coming from a hardy bulb that appreciates either being tucked into the ground or baring all in a glass container.
The Evergreen.
Stable and reliable, always there to provide regardless of the season.
The Apple Tree.
Co-dependent by nature, they typically need a buddy to help them produce.
The Peony.
She takes awhile to form a rooted connection, but once she does, she’s the most flirty and thriving amongst the flowers.
The Lavender.
Beautiful, but fickle. She’s here for a good time, not a long time, often needing replaced every several years.
The Fern.
Much like her family, The Evergreens, she can thrive in the shadows. Just make sure to give her frequent drinks.
The Rose.
Beauty from the stems of thorns. These beauties range from delicate to basic, proving a type, shape and color for everyone.
The Wisteria.
Pubs are named after her. People trek across cities and countries to see her. Instagram is filled with pictures of her. If you know how to prune her right, she deserves the obsession she receives.
The Lily.
Stargazer is a personal fan favorite of mine. She’s not a fan of dogs and cats. Even though her blooms are bright and shining, it’s best to take precaution when inviting her over.
The Hydrangea.
Less delicate than her cousin, The Wisteria, people are still just as obsessed with her. She big and bushy and beautiful and brings the garden a calmed sense of joy and wonder.
Now, to start thinking about the growth of these characters…
Let’s hear it from you - what plants as people are missing?