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Personal Frame of Reference
Posted on July 10th, 2011 4 commentsThe other day I was looking at WIRED recent magazine’s cover. Smart Jobs. That was the big feature. Sure, that’s simple enough to understand, right?
But at the same time… using one’s personal frame of reference….
It can mean so many different things. If you’re British or just read a romping British novel you might think of “smart” as brilliant, sharp, or generally snappin’. If you are a young grad or someone who’s recently lost their job, you might think of a “smart” job as something that will pay well and has job security or an opportunity for advancement. If you are involved in technology, you might think of “smart” as something along the lines of smart phones and the technology that goes with it.
This guy’s frame of reference and take on the race is going to be different than the guy selling drinks in the stands or the guy who just bet ten grand on the jockey’s horse.So, which “smart” is it? To be truthful, I haven’t come across the article yet. (I’ve read some interesting other things though.) But it reminds us that when we are creating characters, we should keep our character’s personal frame of reference in mind because depending upon who they are and their history, they’re going to react to a situation in a very unique and personal way.
writing:characters/characterization character personality, developing characters, personal frame of reference4 responses to “Personal Frame of Reference”
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My parents grew up in Scotland and we often use smart as in well dressed and looking good. Frame of reference is SO important! I’ve had lots of discussions with my students about how history would be written differently from different points of view. Makes for lots of thinking!
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Jean,
Great post. It’s so important that we pay attention to what our individual characters bring to our novels instead of simple our own perspectives as writers.
Thanks so much for the great reminder!
hugs~
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Jemi, your students must get to have lots of great discussions in your class. Thinking of how history differs depending on the person is so true–very thought-provoking as well. (Helps increase empathy thinking like that as well.)
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Thanks, Cat. I love characters who are really deep and ‘real.’ They can really make a novel something great and it is a little thing I’d love to become a pro at doing in my stories.
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I am an aspiring fiction writer (children's, women's and commercial) and an agented nonfiction writer. I am also a member, critiquer and site moderator over on AgentQueryConnect.com. And, I also blog with other fabulous writers at all stages of the writing game on From The Write Angle.
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Jemi Fraser July 11th, 2011 at 09:00