Monday, December 7, 2009

Coloring Inside the Lines?


Every Monday I ask a question, to get to know you better. Ready for today's?


What are your favorite colors? If you are a writer, how do you incorporate color into your writing?


My two favorites are orange and purple. Orange reflects my personality: casual, gregarious, sometimes loud. Purple reminds me of my darling grandma, Viola, who was the mirror of Jesus' kindness and grace. She decorated every inch of her bedroom in shades of purple. When I dance through the gates of pearl, I'm sure her mansion will stand out among the others, painted in purple by the Master Himself!


I don't use color as often as I'd like in my writing, but I like to find new ways to say the same old colors, such as crimson, blush, or cranberry instead of red.

Your turn...

22 comments:

  1. We have more in common Jen- I love purple! It exudes a richness that I covet.

    My writing could stand a splash of color- thanks for the tip.

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  2. Well, I do not have a "favorite" color per say, because each color is VERY different and represent different things to different people. I just have to say that usually my "favorite" color is whatever catches my eye at the moment.

    Besides, when I limit myself to a "favorite" thing, I feel limited because someone may lovingly give me something in my "favorite" color but the color may not go with the item.

    Make sense?

    As for my writing, I use color sometimes to expound on my mood.

    smooches,
    Larie

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  3. My daughter ask me from time to time what my favorite color is. And I can't give them a specific color because really I like all of the colors at various times. In the fall my favorite are the earth tones of red, orange, brown, yellow. But in the spring I adore pink and yellow and purple. So really it just depends on what God is displaying at the time, then that usually is my favorite!

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  4. I'm a red girl! I think because it is bold and strong. (something I aspire to be!) I don't use colors well in my writing...I wonder why that is? lol

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  5. Such varying answers; I love it! Thanks for your input, friends.

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  6. Favorites: Blue, cream and purple.

    Blue for the sky and water.

    I love the names of colors given to markers and crayons lately.
    ~ Wendy

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  7. I love blue! but I am beginning to find a deep appreciation and love of many colors.

    Blessings, andrea

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  8. I adore light pink. It's makes me think of peaceful and soft things. Very calming for me.

    Color tends to change my attitude or reflect my feelings. Is that weird or what!

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  9. My two favorites are green and red. I use green a lot in my writing because I love to write about nature, especially trees.

    For some reason, though, I am using yellow a lot in my current manuscript and it's become a sort of symbol in the story. For sunshine, I think, and new beginnings.

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  10. My favorite has always been green. Not sure why but it seems to suit me and my moods. :O)

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  11. Purple is definitely my favorite color. And I love pairing it with something bright, like orange! I love contrasts like that. My goal in life is to always look (color-wise), like I came off a beach. :0)

    I love using color in writing. Often my stories have a predominant color. It's fun to see how it's used each time!

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  12. Red of course and the purple. I am beginning to like a bright, flashy turquoise blue. It goes with my white hair and I have accents of shades of turquoise in my mobile with all the off white. It is very soothing. And I need soothing quite often. :-) Hope all is well there.
    Clella

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  13. The older I get, the more colors I adore! God has gifted me a love for the infinite shades in His pallette.

    Oh, okay. You want specifics? Tangerine. Turquoise. Sienna.

    I love the fall spectrum of colors.
    They add texture and richness to my life!!

    Patti

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  14. Jeanette:
    I like purple.I am a winter-complectioned person. So, I like bright colors. I also like teal and most shades of the green family.
    I have a story about choosing a teal balloon at an auto dealership. The Credit Union where we belong had a promotion, If you bought a car and chose the right ballon you could get .5,1.0,10., or 2.0 % interest off our loan. I chose the teal one. and got 2.0% interest reduction. The women working that day wanted to do a dance. No one had gotten that much off their loan interest before we did.

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  15. My favourite colour is red! I wear it all the time. I use colour in my writing by describing the decor in my houses, at least my main house. There is always one special house in my stories and the decor is part of the scenery.

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  16. I enjoy many colors, but my absolute favorite is purple. Sometimes it's the main attraction, and other times it's paired with blues, greens, and pinks.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  17. Ooo! I have this document that lists all the basic colors, and then it has about a bazillion different shades or nanes for that color. I use it all the time!

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  18. It looks like purple is the winner. I love it too, and red. I can just see you dressed in purple with a big red hat my dear. Blessings.

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  19. Red has always been my favorite color and I have no idea why. I do try to incorporate color into my stories from shades of the characters hair and eyes, to their clothing, upholstry and curtains to flower gardens and landscapes. Sometimes I have to go back and add the elements because I get caught up in the story and the dialogue and forget to describe the scene. My critique partners usually tell me they can't visualize where my characters are when I forget to add these details.

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  20. Red has always been my favorite color and I have no idea why. I do try to incorporate color into my stories from shades of the characters hair and eyes, to their clothing, upholstry and curtains to flower gardens and landscapes. Sometimes I have to go back and add the elements because I get caught up in the story and the dialogue and forget to describe the scene. My critique partners usually tell me they can't visualize where my characters are when I forget to add these details.

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  21. Katie: I want that document! Will email you to ask the name.

    Thanks everyone for your fun comments. Great ideas.

    LOve you,
    Jen

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  22. Your term "favorite color" has several responses from me. I love to wear red,black,cream and tan. My favorite colors, just to look at, are blue (especially turquoise) and shades of green. That little inconsistency might be interesting in a character's makeup.

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Oh, it's YOU! I'm so happy to see you here today, and look forward to reading your comments.