I’m in the process if working on a story and a small detail came to mind, as something I can add to give more depth to one of the characters.

Only problem with adding this particular detail is two fold:

a) I don’t have the slightest idea on what I’m thinking to mention

b) I don’t know anyone I can resort for first hand information (and possibly embarrassing questions)

For context

In the story, two persons meet again after several years, now completely different individuals. The relation between the coprotagonists builds over memories of when they first met and what opportunities were lost then and what they are in the present and what made them into it.

Plus some other things, which are not relevant now.

Throughout the story, there are several moments where I put out background but details, the kind that can be easily overlooked in a first readthrough, is what, for me, makes a good story great and a book re-readable, and that is what I’m looking to do.

One of such details I want to insert is one of the protagonists having had nipple piercings, which are no longer used. This is not openly stated; I just go into a very detailed description of a piece of jewelry that can be mistaken for coventional earrings and have a dialogue between the characters where nothing is really confirmed nor disproved.

I intend this to build on a background of a troubled time in teenage years, hinting at a period of rebelion, some anger towards others, even a small degree of low self esteem, but also a gesture of self affirmation, of going into a new personal direction, that after some time fell out of need.

My doubts

Well… if you managed to read this far, you’re probably thinking (or saying out loud) something along the lines of me being full of it. I agree. I read what I wrote above and thought that exact same thing.

But does/can my idea hold any water? Is it credible? Or am I trying to put too much weight on a twig?

  • eezeebeeEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    One of such details I want to insert is one of the protagonists having had nipple piercings, which are no longer used. This is not openly stated; I just go into a very detailed description of a piece of jewelry that can be mistaken for coventional earrings and have a dialogue between the characters where nothing is really confirmed nor disproved.

    I feel like the part of the character you want to portray by using nipple rings won’t come across if the reader doesn’t know that they’re nipple rings. What is the purpose of describing an object if we still don’t know what it is, and then miss the implied background of the rebellious years? Do we care to solve the mystery of this “jewellery = nipple rings”, or do we care that “nipple rings = possible troubled past”? You can call it what it is, and have the option to elaborate more later if it serves the story.