: Re: How to evoke wonder in the reader, when there isn't an incredulous character? A "fish out of water" character can serve as a reader proxy: whether it is a wondrous view, an unusual custom,

Make the circumstances special

Sitting on a chair is normal. Sitting on a chair because there is a bomb under it that will detonate the moment you stand up is not.

Your character simply has to see the palace in another light. Maybe they have always been at daytime when some kind of ceremony took place and visitors were allowed. But now for story reasons your character has to hide in the palace at night.

Suddenly everything feels different. The normally sunlit passages are completely dark. You can't even see your own hand, let alone the rows of beautiful portrays of past kings and queens lining the walls. You know they are there, but apart from the contures you can't see the details of their prestigious robes and their golden crown with the small ruby that symbolises the royal blood.

As you progress further you notice that for the first time in your life you are straying from the golden path - the floor tiles that are lined with gold and supposed to be the only ones visitors should step on.

Finally you made it to the big dining hall. The impressive size has always filled you with awe when you were a kid, but now that you can't even see the ceiling in this darkness it feels incredibly dangerous. You know that there are paintings of angels, looking down upon the little sheep that are humans and caring for them - but now their invisible stares feel like they are judging you, waiting for the slightes mistake to use their heavenly spears not against the demons that are waiting outside, but against you.

Or make the character aware of how impressive it is for others

Introduce a new character. Or just let your character watch a little child that is seeing the palace for the first time.

I remember the day I first visited the palace. The grand hall with all its glory. The beautiful mosaics on all sides... It all feels so dull now. The magic is gone.

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: Re: How to evoke wonder in the reader, when there isn't an incredulous character? A "fish out of water" character can serve as a reader proxy: whether it is a wondrous view, an unusual custom,

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: Autobiography and lawsuits If I write an autobiography and include living family members who have done some very strange things, am I at the risk of being sued?

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