Though I don't really like snow that much because it has a tendency to get in my way, I'm still very partial to snowman decorations. You can tell from these photos. Except for the set with the dog, the rest are from my own house. I use the snowmen because they look cute and cheerful and that's reason enough for me. They were probably made at factories. I do know there's a place not far from my house where pottery classes are taught, but I buy them instead.Descriptions can be important in manuscripts. Make sure to add enough to give the reader a feel of what the characters are like. From what I've described about my decorations you can tell I'm a busy person who isn't patient or talented enough to attempt making pottery decorations.
Another example is I'm using a small fiber optic tree this year because of our dog, aptly named Rascal, and also because I can't find room in the house anywhere to put a large one. Many choose real trees and go to great lengths to decorate them, matching the ornament colors, using certain types. Some use garlands that look like old-fashioned tinsel. Others actually string popcorn or use real or fake cranberries as garlands. There are tons of variations of how to decorate trees and other Christmas season items. How a person decorates a tree can hint at if they're nostalgic, modern, a perfectionist, or happy go lucky, busy, or just impatient. I'm sure there are other decorations that also demonstrate character traits.
So, when you mention a season or holiday, remember to mention details of the decorations and see if you can tie them in somehow with the characters' personalities. What about you? What type of decorations do you use and what do they say about you? Or what do your characters use?
For a completely different topic, check out Spoiled Milk also on Wednesday at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com/ - what about that book you eagerly awaited reading?
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Morgan Mandel
