This week's prompt is all about character development. We'd like you to write about what your character wants most. Do you know what you want most? Does your character? Write a piece of 600 words or less.
These are characters from my very first National Novel Writing Month story. I attempted to show what motivates two very flawed women through this newly written excerpt.
"Did you see that?" Caroline pursed her bright red lips, pushed her designer sunglasses farther down her nose, and glared at Christina. "That man was looking at you in a way that should be reserved for his wife. I never..."
Christina thought she probably did, and much too often, but she simply nodded at her best friend and turned her head to check out the man supposedly checking her out. When her eyes met his, she blushed with pleasure. It was her next door neighbor and favorite fantasy, Joey Connors. He grinned and waved and she smiled slightly and lifted her hand in acknowledgment.
"He's coming over here!", Caroline's tone was disapproving but that didn't stop her from smoothing her swimsuit wrap or delicately crossing her tanned legs. She leaned forward in her lounge chair, her ample bosom positioned just so.
"And how are you lovely ladies this fine afternoon?" He held out his hand to both of them in turn. They exchanged smirks, even as they returned the handshakes.
"We're just fine, thanks.", Christina sat back in her chair and studied him. He was certainly friendly, but she could see no hint of anything more. Too bad.
She dug her fingernails into her hand, disgusted by her own thoughts. Get a grip on yourself, Christina. You're a married woman, you don't need to be desired by every man you meet.
They chit chatted for a few minutes and then he was off with a smile and a wave. Caroline remembered to send their love to his wife but the second he was out of sight she started raving about all her faults.
"If I was married to that man, I'd be taking better care of myself. Have you noticed the weight she's put on the last few years? And the way she's always off at this meeting or that club? She never has any time for him. It's a wonder they managed to have any kids at all. If he was my man...", she winked at Christina, "Well, it doesn't matter because he barely even glanced at me. He only had eyes for you, girlfriend."
Christina snorted, "He adores his wife, Caroline, he was just being friendly."
Caroline picked up her lemonade glass, stirring the straw slowly, and shook her head. "I don't think so. You could feel the vibes coming off of him. He's fighting it too, sweetie, just like you are. And with the way Stephen's been looking at that Andrea he works with? Well, it might do him good to have a little competition."
"I don't know, Stephen loves me. He wouldn't do that."
"Just like you love him and would never check out the next door neighbor?" She smiled triumphantly.
Christina looked at her palm, her fingernails had left deep, red marks. Any deeper and they'd draw blood. She needed to end this conversation.
"You're always pushing for the drama, aren't you?"
The question was rhetorical but Caroline answered anyway, her grin widening.
"It's what I live for."
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