As writers, we often focus on the main characters, carefully crafting their emotions and experiences. But sometimes, the richest stories are hidden in the overlooked moments of those who live just outside the spotlight. For today’s Creative Monday exercise, let’s explore a Thanksgiving memory from the perspective of a side character. Here’s a glimpse into how this exercise can breathe life into secondary figures and add depth to your writing.
The Memory of Geraldine, the Family’s Great-Aunt
The kitchen bustled with a sound of laughter, the clatter of plates, and the rich scent of roasted turkey and cinnamon. In the corner, tucked away from the whirlwind of activity, sat Great-Aunt Geraldine in her usual chair, the one by the window with the fraying floral cushion. She was a shadow in the periphery, a perennial figure in the background of countless family gatherings. Today, she would watch the stories unfold from her place, as she always did, holding a memory of her own like a fragile keepsake.
Geraldine’s eyes traced the chaotic dance of her great-nieces and nephews, who wove between legs and furniture with giggles that rang like tiny bells. She listened as her niece, Sarah, argued playfully with her brother about who would carve the turkey this year. The room was loud, joyful, and full of warmth that Geraldine had once known more closely.
A sharp pang of nostalgia tightened in her chest, pulling her back to a different Thanksgiving. She had been young, with hair the color of polished mahogany and eyes that shone with mischief. The house had been her mother’s then—a sturdy, sunlit place where she and her sisters would roll out pie dough and sneak sugared pecans when their mother wasn’t looking. There had been the scrape of her father’s chair against the wooden floor, a sound she could still hear when she let herself fall back into those moments. The air would always be spiced with laughter, with stories that began with “Remember when?” and ended in shared smiles.
A shout from across the room pulled her back into the present. The turkey had slipped, wobbling dangerously before being rescued by an agile cousin, and the room erupted in relieved applause. Geraldine’s lips twitched upward as she watched Sarah shake her head, pretending to be outraged.
No one noticed her smile. No one saw how she reached out to steady her teacup, the porcelain cool against her fingers. This was her place now—part of the scenery, an old branch on a family tree that kept growing, branching, blooming. And that was okay.
As the table was set, Geraldine leaned back, content to let the holiday wash over her in waves of chatter and clinking glassware. It was true that her voice no longer commanded attention, but it still hummed softly in the room’s symphony. She was part of it all, woven into the fabric of every Thanksgiving, even if only as the quiet, watchful presence who remembered.
And as the first slice of turkey was passed, Great-Aunt Geraldine closed her eyes for a moment, whispering a silent thanks—not just for the memories still locked within her heart, but for being here to witness this new story unfold.
Why Write From a Side Character’s Perspective?
This prompt is a great exercise to build empathy and depth. By writing from a side character’s perspective, you can explore emotions and stories that add layers to your world, making it feel more lived-in and authentic. Whether you’re penning a scene for a novel or indulging in a creative free-write, remember that sometimes the most touching tales are seen through eyes we often overlook.
So, on this Creative Monday, give voice to a side character’s Thanksgiving memory. What might they see, feel, or reflect upon? And how does that simple change in perspective add depth to your story?
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