WRITING

The Rainbow Garden

Day 16 Preptober writing prompt challenge

Day 15: What is your main character’s favourite plant, and why?

Question from the Preptober 31 Day Challenge from the Character Collective.

Random much? No, not really.

This question seems so completely random and that’s why I love it so much. I was recently reading a series by Reese Morrison, a fellow writer of LGBTQIA+ and gender-binary-challenging fiction. In this series, a genderfluid character, Landon/Lena, loves plants and gardening with a particular love of cacti. It seems like such an insignificant detail of their personality but this one small thing became a focal point in the building of two relationships. It was crucial. Without that detail, one relationship would lack the spark needed for Landon/Lena’s character growth, and the other relationship would lack a reason for connection at all.

So why is such a seemingly random question so important at this point of Preptober? Well, right now, I’m still connecting with my characters and learning about them, their pasts, and their character arcs.

The beauty of character and plot is in the details. It’s in the little things that people connect to. We are not robots. At least, I don’t think we are… but wouldn’t that be an interesting idea — we turned out to all be robots and we didn’t know it because we had been taught that our biology was natural but in fact, we were all synthetic. Ok, let me put that in the ideas spreadsheet and move on. And people ask where ideas come from… Anyway… Let’s assume we aren’t all robots. We draw connections with each other through shared interests, ideals, knowledge, desires, values, etc.

As fiction writers, our characters need to do the same because they aren’t robots either (unless they are, but let’s not complicate it). So us non-robots connect with book characters in the same way we connect with people and we like to see those connections between the characters too.

Would you read a book where the characters were all the same and had no interests or desires? I wouldn’t. Sounds boring.

Ok, so that I’ve explained why this is such an epic question, let’s ask the boys what their favorite plants are and why. I’m only slightly scared of where this may go!

Jack

Me: Jack — what is your favorite plant and why?

Jack: Prickly Pear.

Mario: I have a prickly pair *eyebrow waggle*

Me: *eye roll* Mario. Dude. Just, shhh.

Jack: (to Mario) I told you that would happen

Looks between the boys. You know what, I really, really, DON’T want to know. Takes a deep breath.

Me: Is it really, Jack? Or are you just choosing that because I was talking about cacti before?

Jack: *tsks* No. Have a look at the health benefits.

Wait, what? Ok… goes to google.

“Prickly pear cactus — or also known as nopal, opuntia and other names — is promoted for treating diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and hangovers. It’s also touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties,” (Zeratsky, 2020).

Ah, well, that happened. Of course, it makes sense that Jack would choose a plant with medical benefits given his paramedic background. I would not have expected him to go with ‘natural’ cures, but the above quote comes from the Mayo Clinic and cites peer-reviewed academic references. How do I know — I checked!

The blog is linked below if you are interested. It goes on to outline other benefits of Prickly Pear including its high content of fiber, antioxidants, and carotenoids.

Reference: Zeratsky, K 2020, “I’ve seen prickly pear cactus promoted as a superfood. What’s behind the hype?”, Healthy Lifestyle Consumer health, 15 December, viewed 16 October 2021, <https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/prickly-pear-cactus/faq-20057771>.

Mario

Me: Mario— what is your favorite plant and why?

Mario: Oh baby, this one is so easy, you already know.

Me: Oh, right. Ok, so I’m guessing roses?

For those playing at home, the one clue I had came from Day 6 of the Preptober challenge:

Mario says his trailer smells like his natural rose scent but everyone else will tell you it smells of acrid charcoal and rancid beans. They’re exaggerating, but only mildly. Once you get used to the first aromatic punch (give it a minute), the rose scent starts to come through.

And with a flourish, Mario pulls out a rose from I-don’t-even-want-to-know-where and runs it under his nose then down his chest. Ok Mario, because that was clearly necessary. And why aren’t you wearing a shirt?

Jack: *snorts* When is he ever wearing a shirt?

Me: Good point.

Let me just share for those who are a little lost that Mario is a fire performer in the Rainbow Circus and yeah, he performs shirtless. Unless it’s really cold, he finds it easier to practice that way too, and since really, all he ever does is sleep, perform, or practice, or… other things in bed, chest coverings are minimal.

Mario: And why would you want to deny the world of this anyway?

Me: Sure. And that.

Jack: But someone starting out should not do that, right Mario.

Mario: Right, right. Yes, my Jacky-Bear is right.

Jacky-Bear? Oh dear lord.

Mario: It is very dangerous have your skin exposed around fire. I am a professional who has been doing this for twenty years. Do as I say, not as I do. *looks to Jack*

Jack just gave Mario a wink and approving nod and now Mario is looking very pleased. Man, what have I gotten myself into with these two?

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