guide to wonderland: tips for tailored tales

ch-005: home is where the heart is

this is one of my own writing tips that
has helped me that I thought share.
It's a bit hard to formulate into words but I hope it's general concept is understood.
———-

to help understand a person think of how they feel when they're at home vs when they are out in the world, then project those feelings into the outside scenery and inside.

home example:

when at home her family is cold and distanced. her father is the family caretaker, and her mom is a business woman, both are strict.

scenery:

there are lots of decorative things that no one is allowed to touch, couches still looking brand new and smelling of wood wax even after fifteen years since its purchase. vase sitting on the stand where the tv should've be. schoolbags look like briefcases.

small stacks of money with each kid's name card next to it. right above the cash is a computer typed, printed and fading note framed on the wall saying "lunch money, no time to cook, maybe tomorrow."

phone vibrating on the hook, but noone answers. the stainless steel refrigerator is covered in her mom's job promotional letters. bedrooms are doorless, excluding a room in the back. a bin full of electrons sits by the parents bedside, a combination lock on it, and a list of choirs on the opposite side.

outside example:

when outside the house they have to hold up a facade of the perfect family, it's tiring.

scenery:

it starts out as snow flakes tickling the dogs nose, frosty air painting the canvas of the windows, but the flakes turn to firearms. hail and blizzards swinging against the fort.  frost bite is unavoidable, and the heater is broken, blowing out cold air.

explaination:

this naturally cold family is trying to appear warm and friendly. they're described as snow, it's fun and pretty and you are in awe of its beauty at first. but then you get cold, the wind becomes harsh and you'll get hurt if you stay in it too long, this family has much tension and is dangerous when together.

they try to appear soft and loving but no matter how hard they try they're still snow, they're still cold and tense no matter how soft and beautiful they may appear.

home example two:

chaotic family with lots of things to do, rushing and very close.

scenery:

phone ringing off the hook. three different trails of mud tracking across the floor, one of a dog and the other two of kids.

half eaten cereal turning soggy on the couch, television blasting, pictures of kids equally surrounding the cabinets.

outside example: 

they were taught to take the world by storm, they feel warmth and goodness and always on the move.

scenery: