Writing a fantasy story - What would they do when waiting?

Question

I'm writing a fantasy story, and it seems like I'm going through everything too quickly. It seems like the heroes are always running around waving their swords in the air, and there's just too much packed into it.

I want to have moments where they are just in one place. They might be in hiding or waiting for something for very long periods of time. My problem is I can't really think of what they'd do other than talk, read, or sit and do nothing. They can't do those 3 things for a whole day.

I think my problem is what I am used to. If I am in a room, I go on the computer, write (normally on the computer), or read. A lot of my time is spent on the computer, or with some type of technology. Since they do not have technology, I have a hard time imagining what they'd do to keep themselves busy.

So when you answer, think of this situation: the characters are in a house and in hiding. It is dangerous to go outside. The house could have really anything you'd find in a LotR type setting.

So in this situation, what would they do to keep themselves busy?

Answer 1

a whole bunch of stuff. They could train to fight. I dunno, talk, eat, invent things to help them with their day-to-day lives

Answer 2

I think you're worrying for nothing. Nobody wants to read about them doing the small chores anyways.  Oh and go take a shower then help your mom with the laundry.

Answer 3

Instead of focusing on physical activities, you can have a lot of internal dialogue and thought. Your characters can address their worries, have flashbacks, arguments, etc. Not only is this a good way to pass the time, but it also shows more about the character's personality. You don't and shouldn't focus on every little thing your characters do just so it takes up space. You can write about something they say or do and have the rest of the day just speed by. After all, you don't want to bore the reader (and sitting in a house with nothing to do can be very boring). Make sure that whatever you will put in that scene, it is necessary and has at least some purpose.

Answer 4

Think of those situations as a good opportunity for you to expound on your philosophy/point of view through their conversations.

Is the viewpoint of your story positive or negative?  Is the world they inhabit a utopia or a dystopia?  Use their conversations to explore your worldview.  Have them tell stories about their pasts, saves you the exposition and is a great way to create well-rounded characters with real history...through their dialogue.

Answer 5

Cook. Clean. Argue. Think about the opposite s*x.

Read The Diary of Anne Frank for help.  

Answer 6

What about some invented game? You could fill pages about the main character being taught a new game that the elves/dwarves/trolls/gnomes/ect play that they have never played before.

They could train (tracking/swordsmanship/horsemanship) also.

Or they could look around the premises by taking a walk or riding horses. That could spark an interesting conversation because I know I love to talk when I walk in nature, I don't know why. Maybe two characters might have a love interest in each other that the rest of the company doesn't know about. They kiss, then don't want to admit they have feelings for each other. It could create very awkward situations back at 'camp'.

Or they can find something out, then argue about it. Arguments are very fun to read and write. It creates character depth and character relationships.

And there are plenty more options.

I guess I have the opposite problem that you have. I love writing about nothing, then when the action comes, it's like...what to do next?

Keep writing! :D

EDIT: Instead of a woods/outside setting I was suggesting (sorry, I didn't see you had another paragraph under there) they could perhaps find a basement to that house explore that. Or you can talk about how boring it is in the house and all they do all day is sit.

Answer 7

i would make it winter,make someone sick, have some conflicts with living in one place, and have some love hate relationships  

Answer 8

Argh I have that same problem! a good way to fill this type of time is to describe their characters more. One might have a flashback while another watches the other characters and thinks about them, maybe asks questions to them self. A third might be walking around the house to try to discover things or get exercise. This is a nice opportunity to let the reader understand the people more, and maybe for the people to understand themselves/others more. Remember: DETAIL! I hope this helps! Bye! :)