Dinner Table Scene

WRITING EXERCISE - week two

What to learn more about your characters? Need help developing uniqueness between their voices?

Write dinner table scene.

It’s one of those scenes that everyone enjoys, but isn’t always realistic. Creating an environment where your characters are socializing in a normal situation will help you know normal/abnormal things like, who in their group they’re most comfortable sitting by, what their favorite food is, what they talk about for fun, and when they would rather just sit back and listen.

Below is a sample from my book. All of the agents have just come back from the most difficult mission yet and for the first time, decide to relax for the evening. The reader has never seen them in this situation and neither have they.

“Hey,”

Will looked up.

“What do you want to drink?”

“Oh,” Will said, looking to Chris, and then to the waitress. “Just water, please.”

She nodded and walked off.

“Good choice, good choice.”

Will smiled and looked away from Chris. He sat back at the comfortable table and looked at the people who sat with him.

Across from him were the girls. He had never seen any of them eat—ever. He admitted he would be shocked if they actually ordered anything.

Will turned to his left where Oliver Dailey studied the menu. He muttered some blunt statements every now and then, but it didn’t take a college degree to know that he was enjoying himself just as much as the rest of them. Somehow it felt humbling that he was sitting by Will instead of at the end of the table.

Sean Gates was in that position, quiet most of the time. Will wanted to talk to him about things, but time was going by much too quickly. There were so many of them that Will wanted to talk to.

Greg Phillips sat near Sean, going back and forth with Chris and adjusting his glasses which he claimed were only for reading.

“So,” Chris said, stifling a laugh and turning to Riley. “Sweet tea?”

“I know,” Riley said shaking his head. “I forget where I am sometimes.”

“It’s iced, right?”

“Yeah it’s iced,” Riley said, laughing. “We’re not in England.”

Chris’s eyes widened and he looked at Julia. “I’m detecting some sarcasm coming from my right.”

Dailey snorted and muttered, “I’m detecting some stupidity coming from mine.”

“Ouch!”

Dallas leaned on her elbows. “How long has it been since you guys did something normal?”

Will smiled. “This is normal?”

Chris laughed. “This is the most abnormal thing I’ve done in years.”

“The truth is,” Dailey said, speaking louder and more clear. “none of these guys have had to socialize with anyone—” He then muttered something else.

Will smiled. “What did you say?”

Dailey smiled and shook his head.

Julia began turning her glass. “I think he said none of you guys have ever had to socialize with girls.”

“That’s what I thought he said.”

It was silent for a moment until Chris said forward and looked at Dailey. “We’ve socialized with you, haven’t we?”

Will smiled and sat back.

Dallas was right, but so was Dailey. It had been so long since the agents had lived normal lives.

Will missed it—and hated it at the same time. But this wasn’t the beginning, it was the end.

This was a goodbye.

Everything he knew, everything he loved . . . it was all changing.

Keep in mind, writing this scene does not mean you have to include it. It’s just a way to explore your characters.

Have fun!

Keep changing the world through words.

Samantha