What vehicles are the stars of your story? Every character needs a means of transport. Whether it’s a vehicle they own or public transportation etc. How do they get from point A to point B?
I know it’s probably tempting to put your dream car in your story I know that I was tempted to put my dream car a ‘69 Mach 1 Mustang in there but I had to refrain. Because you are telling your characters story, not yours…well in most fictional cases anyways. So what would they drive? Or would they even drive or do they prefer the bus, or a taxi, or car pool, etc?
Now, I’m not saying you can’t put your dream vehicle in there…if your character would drive it. But budget plays a part too. In real life we can’t always drive the vehicles we necessarily wish we could. I love my car but if I had a different budget it would be a different vehicle. Whether higher or lower then what I have. When I first started driving, my car cost about $600, which was bought for me. Then when I finally paid cash for my own car it was around $1000 and it was nice for a car from the mid 90’s. Budgets have changed since I was a kid though. Teenagers looking now a days (wow…saying that makes me feel a little old lol) are looking at an increased budget. So that’s important as well. Stick to a realistic budget for your characters resources.
~ Once you figure out a realistic price range for said means of transportation…
~ Then think of your characters personality (what would they drive?)
~ Finally, what vehicle may drive the story forward? (See what I did there? Drive the story…lol you get it)
If it helps, think of how you would describe your vehicle when you sit in it? If you are more of a visual person then go sit in your car for a bit and describe it to yourself. What does it look like? Sometimes it’s need to know information for the car in a story, other times it’s irrelevant to know more than just the color and make.
For the vehicles in my story if it’s more of a detailed description and it’s a vehicle I’ve never driven then I do the research I need online. Luckily car dealerships will give you the specs online. So you know if the car for example has gps capabilities or something that would be pertinent information.
Obviously there are many types to choose from as we all know…
Car, truck, van, bus, plane, train, SUV etc.
And many colors.
But the details are what tell a story in itself for your characters personality as well as where the story may lead. Those moments where a reader can say ‘Wow that’s what that detail meant’. Or that’s why they got an SUV because they drive to the mountains every weekend to walk the trails. Or they got a sports car because they enjoy speed but it ultimately determines their story in the future.
There are so many ways to describe vehicles in a story. So if you haven’t put much detail about what your character drives consider it and what your vehicle means to you. How reliant are you on it? How much time do you spend commuting to work?
Do your characters have a jalopy that they drive? Or a well oiled machine? Before you say, well of course they will have a car that runs well, think about the possibilities if it didn’t. I don’t have much in the way of car troubles in my novel because I’m already putting my characters through enough lol. However, I think if they had a car break down on the side of the road it would make for an interesting chance meeting to introduce a new character. Or something along those lines. I’ve read similar ideas in the past that turned out very well.
There’s inspiration all around us, in our everyday lives, ways to enhance our writing, you just have to know where to look. Once you do you will discover so much more. Everyday as writers we will continue to learn. Every story is a new learning curve because it’s a different storyline. But if we just remember that there is so much inspiration around us, it will make it easier to see the possibilities of what our words can become.
Thank you for reading my blog…Until Next Time…JUST KEEP WRITING.
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