This blog is part four of six in a series designed to hone character development of protagonists in your fiction.

Pity the poor body under dietary restrictions. And haven’t we all been there at one time or another, for one reason or another? At home, we can manage. Never mind that the grocery store demands steep prices for specialty food. Because they can.

Dining in public? An adventure but not necessarily a fun one, unless you like being singled out and asked all sorts of questions. A person with a dietary restriction MUST have a reason for it. Is it political? If it is, passion arises. Steak lovers versus animal rights activists. Fur flies at this debate.

If you aren’t taking a political stand with your diet, your dinner companions might wonder aloud if you’re really, really ill. Oh, you’re not? Well then, will going on your diet help me, they want to know.

Is this diet forever? Are its benefits your imagination, or do you seek attention? “Sure,” you might say, “I love having a little placard at my place marking me as different, plus waiting for a special delivery of my meal. Oh, no, please go ahead and eat, all you normal people. Don’t let your food get cold.” Or worse, drinking water throughout the meal because I have to. Right.

Bon appetit!

 

Your turn:

Does your character live under dietary restrictions? How does this affect the character’s life?

Does this restriction allow your character to show grace and humor? How?

Or does your character become annoyed by the whole situation? What does this say about your character?

 

Character Development Series:
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six