Friday, January 18, 2008

Adventures in Groceryland

The grocery story is a very interesting place to visit--and not just because it has all that yummy food. LOL

As a writer, I'm a people watcher, and you can tell a lot about people by the groceries they plunk down on the checkout in front of you. For instance, anyone checking out my groceries can easily tell I'm a vegetarian. No meat is the first giveaway. Plus, there is the vegemeat. *g* Tastes just like chicken. No...really it does!

There was a well-dressed, very professional woman in front of me in the line-up. I couldn't look that put together if I spent a month at it. LOL But she pulled it off beautifully. Anyway, she had two cartons of low-fat milk, two frozen pizzas and about a dozen frozen dinners, along with two tubes of toothpaste. Maybe she's just picking up a few things that are on special. Who's to say? But my writer's mind immediately thinks that she's going home alone--no cat, because there was no cat food, and cats always need more treats--to her empty condo or house. The pizza is a treat, which she'll heat a portion of it, and eat it along with a good glass of red wine. Is she lonely? Is she happy? Is she seeing anyone or does work take up all of her time?

Doesn't matter if I'm right or if I'm 100% wrong. The thing is that it gets me thinking. Once that starts, characters start appearing in my brain, demanding I write their stories.

So, if you're a writer who ever gets stuck and needs a new character. Just visit the grocery store. Even if you don't get any ideas, you can always pick up something great for supper. It's a win/win situation.

Have a great weekend!

7 comments:

Unknown said...

My grocery list always includes a pudding cake. It's my favorite.:-)

N.J.Walters said...

I think that treats are very important when grocery shopping. I need chocolate. :-)

Unknown said...

Yep chocolate makes life worth living.:-)

charleneteglia said...

A bag of Hershey's Special Dark with almonds always leaps into my shopping cart. No idea how that happens.

N.J.Walters said...

It certainly does, Kathy. :-)

N.J.Walters said...

I know exactly what you're saying, Charli. A Lindt 70% cocoa chocolate bar always seems to stow away in my cart.

Anonymous said...

Mmm...my cart somehow finds a package of those little Dove dark chocolate squares. *sigh*

Another great place to find characters is the mall!