Monday, April 22, 2013

Furnishing Your Character's House






Photo Credit:  Susan J. Reinhardt

I love to decorate. I especially love to find treasures at bargain prices. The lamp in the picture was a yard sale find, and fit my vision for my reading nook.

Writing a novel requires a lot of imagination. Not only do we have to develop multi-faceted characters, but also the entire stage upon which they share their story. Where can we get ideas for interior design for our characters' homes?

1.  We can find inspiration in our own homes. The above picture became my model for a lamp passed down from Ellie Zimmerman's Mom in my book, The Moses Conspiracy. It's a huge help to have a visual when writing a scene.

2.  Stroll through a furniture store, linen department, or any place that sells items for the home. Get a picture in your mind of what styles your characters would choose for their home.

3.  Browsing through magazines is another fabulous way to narrow down the choices for our home setting.

Writers:  Where do you find ideas for your characters' home sweet home?

Readers: Where do you get ideas for your own home?





10 comments:

DenaNetherton said...

Hi Susan, I find lots of my ides come from all the places I've visited. Those images get stored in my brain for later development.BTW, I love the lamp! When is your book coming out?

Loree Huebner said...

I do have to do research for 1800's style and fashion.

I browse antique stores and study up on things I find interesting.

Nancy said...

Many of my stories were based on my childhood so I used furniture we had in our old house.

I used to use home magazines to decorate my home. Now, it's finished. I just change the pillows.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Dena - The Moses Conspiracy was released on 3/16/13. It's available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo in ebook format.

Hi Loree - Researching for historical novels is a bit more involved.

Hi Nancy - Good idea! Someday, I'd like to write a novel set in the 1950's. All I have to do is look at family photos from that time period. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan .. I'm definitely not a follower of fashion - hate following others ... so mine is my style ..

Creativity seems to come from my head to - yes inspired by something ... but perhaps it takes its time to appear ..

I must get The Moses Conspiracy early May ... got to get the techy bit of me organised first ..

Cheers Hilary

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Hilary -

I don't follow fashion trends either. Purple is my favorite color, and I use many shades of it in my house. The guest bedroom is pale yellow with blue and yellow accents.

A lot of us have techy challenges. Thankfully, I have friends and relatives who know what they're doing!

Blessings,
Susan :)

Unknown said...

Fascinating! Never thought of all that goes into writing fiction. Thanks for the fun visual! God bless!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Love that lamp!

I rarely add anything new to our decorations--we've accumulated for 38 years, and I'm trying to de-junk!

Jean Fischer said...

Hi, Susan-- I get a ton of ideas from Pinterest. It's a good resource for all things historical and modern. Like Loree, I also enjoy browsing in antique stores.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Maria - Characters have to live somewhere. It's fun giving them settings. I get to decorate without spending a dime.

Hi Jen - I rarely buy new stuff unless something wears out. When I do get an item, it's a piece I really like and want to live with for a long time.

Hi Jean - Pinterest is a wonderful resource for writers. It simplifies research when it comes to decorating, as well as clothing from a particular time period.

Blessings,
Susan :)