Love Over Scottland

Author's Note: This  piece is a response to the novel Love Over Scotland. I decided to work on a possible area of weakness: responding to a timed prompt. I was given a prompt and an hour to respond. I feel as though I did much better than I believed I would. It was not as challenging as I thought it would be, and I actually felt less stressed because I knew that I had to just get my thoughts down and not over think anything. Overall, it was an extremely beneficial experience and strengthened my writing.

Even very early on into the novel Love Over Scotland, the reader is able to define how the various characters interact with one another. Naturally, we receive a first impression of the character usually because of the way they interact with others. We perceive their spot they will hold in the novel and commonly decide within the first few seconds of reading about the character if we like them or not. Our opinions could be altered at a moments notice as the result of a mere word the author decided to place in the character's dialogue, or possibly just a simple description of their body language. In any case, studying the interactions between characters is an act we most often do subconsciously. Even so, when we unravel these thoughts and opinions we have created, we are able to better develop a clear image of how the characters interact which assist us in understanding the theme of the novel as a whole.

"'Writers can make mistakes like anybody else," said Antonia, rather peevishly. "We're human, you know." She looked at Angus, as if expecting a refutation, though none came." At particular moments of dialogue like this, we can see the diversity between characters. In this case, it is obvious that Antonia is the type of person to rebuttal -- to speak her mind completely whether the opportunity presents itself, or whether she forces it too. She enjoys being challenged, however only slightly; a good argument here and there gives her fuel, as long as she is clearly the one in control. Provocative statements are often spilling out of her mouth, and in her mind, she is never wrong. On the other hand, Angus, a polite portrait painter and poet, is quite the contrary.

Angus Lordie is able to see right through everyone he encounters. He can strip someone bare by a simple opportunity to study their outward appearance for just a moment. Angus is able to point out and understand what a person is all about without exchanging even a sliver of dialogue.

They had barely introduced themselves, and yet he was confident as to her social background, her interests, and her availability … a white linen blouse (only those with time on their hands to iron could wear linen) … the navy-blue jacket indicated an attachment to the existing order, or even to an order which no longer existed, while the brooch announced that this was a person who had lived in the country, or at least one who knew what the country was all about ... Antonia would thus be a blue stocking, a woman of intellectual interest and marked views.

With only less than a page of writing, the author is able to successfully represent these characters through their thoughts, their dialogue, and their body language. Almost instantly, the reader concludes Angus' observant, affable, and rather quiet personality, followed by the determination of Antonia's rather bold, fearful, and intellectual persona. This is made even more obvious throughout their interactions with one another. A successful writer can accomplish this goal; a successful writer will hint at the theme through spurts of provocative dialogue between characters which is precisely what is exemplified throughout  Love Over Scotland.