The Art of Contrasts

7 Exercises for Subject and Juxtaposition in Imagery

⋙ Master the Fundamentals, Keep the Streak Alive ⋘
Bookmark these daily “streak savers” from Writing Streak.

The most memorable moments in your favorite books aren't just beautifully written—they're strategically constructed like a card castle. This week we’re focusing on meaning in imagery and how it changes when different subjects are placed side by side.

Think about it—a teddy bear hits differently when it's sitting on a child's bed versus abandoned in a rain-soaked alley. That's not just description; that's juxtaposition doing the heavy lifting. When we create imagery, we're not just painting pretty pictures with words. We're making choices about what deserves the reader’s attention and how those elements interact to create meaning beyond their individual parts.

So grab your pen and let's get messy with some deliberate image-making.

This Week’s Streak Savers 🪦

⋙ Monday, Mar 24: Object Layers

Setup: A character encounters an object that holds significance in your story world.

Goal: Create layered imagery that builds reader immersion by revealing an object through a progressive narrowing focus.

Constraints:

• First, describe the general class or category of objects

• Next, describe the specific object

• Finally, focus on one particular feature or function that makes this object meaningful

Reflection: How did narrowing your focus change the emotional weight of the object?

⋙ Tuesday, Mar 25: Unfamiliar Discovery

Setup: A character encounters an object they've never seen before

Goal: Create reader curiosity through defamiliarization, making a common object feel strange and new.

Constraints:

• Write in first person perspective

• Show the character figuring out how to hold or interact with the object

• End the scene when the character discovers the object's true function

Reflection: What details most effectively created the sense of discovery?

⋙ Wednesday, Mar 26: Objects in Contrast

Setup: Two characters with different professions or backgrounds meet in a shared space.

Goal: Create a meaningful moment through juxtaposition that reveals character and invites reader insight.

Constraints:

• Choose one distinctive tool/object from each character's profession

• Write a scene where these objects end up physically near each other

• Show one character noticing and reflecting on the contrast between the items

Reflection: How did the juxtaposition reveal something about both characters that description alone could not?

⋙ Thursday, Mar 27: Same but Different

Setup: Two characters possess identical objects, but have very different relationships to them.

Goal: Create depth through contrasting perspectives, showing how meaning is shaped by personal experience.

Constraints:

• Have the first character describe their object and its significance

• Show their reaction when they discover the second character has the same item

• Reveal how differently the second character views or uses their identical object

Reflection: What techniques most effectively highlighted the difference in perspective?

⋙ Friday, Mar 28: The Density of Surprise

Setup: A character enters a familiar setting that contains both an expected object and something entirely out of place.

Goal: Control reader attention through information density, creating emphasis on the unexpected.

Constraints:

• Establish the setting in one brief sentence

• Describe the expected object in 1-2 short sentences

• Write the description of the surprising object in a full paragraph, using sensory details

Reflection: How did varying the length and detail of your descriptions affect the impact of the surprising element?

⋙ Saturday, Mar 29: Unexpected Connection

Setup: An object seems to conflict with a character’s established identity or background.

Goal: Create reader intrigue by subverting expectations about a character through their interaction with an object.

Constraints:

• Briefly establish the character and setting, creating clear expectations

• Describe the moment the character encounters an object that seems misaligned with their identity

• Focus on their surprising familiarity (or unfamiliarity) with the object, revealing something unexpected

Modification: Subvert expectations by having the character be unfamiliar with an object they should know well.

Reflection: How did the subverted expectation deepen the reader's understanding of the character?

⋙ Sunday, Mar 30: Character Mirrors

Setup: Two characters who are either strikingly similar or complete opposites move in as roommates and begin to establish their shared space.

Goal: Create a vivid character study through contrasting or parallel imagery, revealing deeper character truths through visual elements.

Constraints:

• Begin with descriptions of each character's appearance and mannerisms

• Focus on significant objects each character unpacks or arranges

• Show each character performing a routine action in their personal style

• End with a moment that reveals an unexpected similarity or difference

Reflection: How did physical imagery and object choices reveal character without explicit statements?

3 Alternate Exercises 🫰 (Paid Content)