Usually, when characters want to go places, they drive cars. It seems everyone has their license and everyone magically has a car, and if they don't, then their friends do. (Unless the main character lives in the city in which case they do that public transportation thing.)
And I'll admit, I drive a lot too, because my house isn't really walking distance from anywhere, and biking past the highway exits that follow my street is zero fun. But I've always been jealous of my friends who live in sidewalk-ed neighborhoods near downtown, because they can walk or bike or roller-skate or cartwheel to places without having to worry about parking and gas and other silly things.
Which brings me to an important point: take away cars, and you have an interesting new way to get to know a character.
Will your character strap on sneakers and walk/jog downtown? Or bike to a friend's house? Or roller skate to work? How about ride a scooter to pick up ice cream?
Here's how I would interpret the above:
Walking: this character is simple and independent.
Jogging: see above. Also, not afraid to show up at his/her destination covered in sweat.
Biking: this character is efficient and comfortable at higher speeds.
Roller skating: a daredevil who is also unique and maybe a bit loco.
Scooter: possibly wears a lot of skirts, but also efficient like the biker.
Of course, we could go on about cars and the kind of car your character drives and what that says about him/her. (Like, you know, the Impala.) Or maybe your character flies a biplane or hang glides.
What are the modes of transportation for your favorite characters?
Happy Tuesday!
Kieryn
www.kierynnicolas.com
