“There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don’t know how”
Oasis, “Wonderwall”

People don’t always say what they’re really thinking or feeling, particularly when those thoughts have the potential to hurt one or both parties to the conversation. But those unspoken ideas can be very important: they might identify areas of conflict, reveal unexplored dynamics between characters, or even mask a character’s deepest desires. As an author, it’s important to know the things your characters aren’t saying and find ways to suggest those ideas to the reader.

This week, write a scene or story where two characters are interacting but something important is being left unsaid. See if you can suggest the omission to the reader without revealing it explicitly.

I was re-watching Sherlock episode The Blind Banker a few days ago (what else can a fan do while still waiting for Season 3?), so I thought we’d have another go using the prompt Sherlock’s Word Hunt. This time, the book in question is the quirky and delightful The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. (The ninth word on page 70 was actually ‘the’ so I went with the next word instead.)

Here are your three words; use them in a scene, poem, or story.

• affairs
• one
• validity

Not inspired yet? Here’s three more bonus words, picked at random from the text.

• engaged
• file
• mismatched

“Only love can save us now.”
-Matchbox 20, “Downfall”

Love is the one subject that’s probably been explored the most in art, whether in writing, music, painting, sculpture or some other form. But have you considered what it means for your characters? Who or what do your characters love, and how much would they sacrifice to be true to that bond? Do they even know how to love, or are they so closed off that they can’t think beyond themselves? Write a scene, story or poem exploring someone’s attitude about love.

“Maybe / You’re gonna be the one that saves me”
Oasis, “Wonderwall”

Generally, when problems arise, people (and therefore characters) fall into one of two categories: the ones who are actively trying to help themselves and the ones who are waiting to be saved. (If you want examples to compare, think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer versus Twilight’s Bella Swan.)

Where do your characters fall? Are they helping themselves or waiting for someone or something to solve their problems? See if you can spot a trend in your writing and then write a story, scene or poem about the opposite type of character — the one you’ve explored the least.