Idiosyncratic Saguaro
Saguaro Series III
Those of us who feasted on a diet of Looney Tunes and Doritos each Saturday morning as children probably grew up thinking that those funny desert plants zipping past the roadrunner and coyote were all pretty much the same: deep green, trident-looking in their shape, with three equidistant arms.
If you’re like me, you also grew up associating that shape with the word cactus (even though there are thousands of species). And you probably had no idea that what you were looking at was called a saguaro. Unless you lived in the desert or visited it, you also probably had no sense of scale since the roadrunner and coyote often seemed to be only slightly smaller than those three-pronged prickly green cacti.
These saguaros stand in stark contrast against Arizona’s azure skies, taking root in some of the most difficult and rocky of terrains. Click to enlarge.
Now that I’ve lived in the Sonoran Desert for 13 years (transplanted from Pennsylvania where nary a cactus grew of its own accord), I’m here to tell you that those cartoon assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth. Saguaros are all different – as different as you and me.
Some aren’t as thick in the middle. Some are very small, while others are very, very tall.
This image provides a wonderful sense of scale. Given that hiking partner Kathy (in this photo) is 5’3", we’re guessing this monster is at least 30 ft tall, proving that the saguaro has more than earned its nickname as the “tree of the desert.” Click to enlarge.
Some saguaros even have arms that curl and wrap around a mountain vista in picture-perfect balance. Click to enlarge.
Some saguaros have two main trunks. Most have one. Some have three. Some have dozens of arms, while others have none. (Hey – that was kind of Dr. Seuss-equse, wasn’t it?) And some even resemble the Coyote and Roadrunner’s counterpart, Bugs Bunny.
Need I say more? This guy looked like a rabbit with the button nose and ears. Click to enlarge.
And this cactus near Neighbor Mark and Roxanne’s house has a lot of heart. Does this newly growing double arm not say thump, thump to you? Click to enlarge.
And finally … some saguaros even cultivate different species of cacti on their own arms. The assumption is that birds dropped the prickly pear seeds, and there was just enough moisture/dirt on the saguaro’s arms to support growth.
This wonderful specimen is in the wash behind my house. What a beauty! Photo by Kathy Becraft.
For Writers: As novelists, we run the risk of writing one-dimensional “everyone looks and sounds the same” characters. You know the kind: flat characters like the incorrectly portrayed saguaros in our cartoon-laden childhoods. Cardboard replicas. Characters without personality. But what if we approached our characters the same way that nature approaches its creation of the saguaro: with lots of little variances, some big differences and all kinds of diversity?
I’m personally a big fan of an MC’s emotional baggage and even his or her occupational choices when I develop my characters; just these simple details can differentiate your characters and the choices they make from story to story. What are some of the techniques you use to develop one-of-a-kind characters from novel to novel and story to story? Dialogue and colloquialisms? The surrounding environment and your character’s reaction to it? Your character’s hopes and dreams? Can you think of others?
NOTE: MORE PHOTOS AT RIGHT- I couldn’t fit all of my favorite saguaro shots onto this post (without making you scroll even more). If you’re interested in seeing more, click the Twitpic box at right for additional saguaro images.
P.S. My love for the spectacular saguaro abounds – especially as I’ve seen them struggle through the recent drought. If you missed the other posts in my Saguaro Series, feel free to take a look now: End of Mighty Saguaro, and Majestic Crested Saguaro. And stay tuned for Series IV, V and VI.
July 3rd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Great pictures. I love those. They take decades to grow, right?
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 7:28 am
When a saguaro is just starting out, it can take five years to grow five inches! At about 65 years of age, they start to develop arms. Most saguaros live 150-200 years. They can also weigh up to 5 tons (per Saguaro National Park in nearby Tucson).
[Reply]
July 4th, 2011 at 3:10 am
I grew up in Southern California so I knew there were different kinds of cacti, and I’ve even seen saguaros — but never ever this big! As for my characters, although I’ve gotten good feedback from editors and readers that they are strong, distinct, and multi-dimensional–I’ve also gotten feedback that at times it’s hard to see their motivation…so clearly I need to work more on how they make their choices; it’s a challenge! Incredible photos as always, Melissa! (p.s. I see your friend Kathy leaning against the mighty saguaro — does she have gloves on or are they not prickly?)
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 7:08 am
Congrats on having those strong characters! I’ve found what’s helped me with their motivations is to do a series of very extensive character profiles; it helps me decide “why” they make the decisions they make. It has made ALL the difference in my second novel.
I don’t think Kathy is wearing gloves in this photo. When saguaros get that big, you can actually fit a woman’s hand in between the vertical rows of spines! Of course, if the saguaro is smaller, the rows of spines are much closer, and you’d get pricked for sure!
[Reply]
July 4th, 2011 at 7:25 am
Whoa. That cactus is enormous! They look like giant muscles. I love the little cacti growing off the big one…like vines for the desert.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 7:30 am
I will never get tired of saguaros (or photographing them, as you can tell). Many of the ones on the right (in my Twitpics) are within a 5 minute walk from my house, so there are plenty to keep me entertained!
[Reply]
July 4th, 2011 at 11:33 am
I love the saguaros! They’re like people! So many good memories in that park. 🙂
[Reply]
Melissa Crytzer Fry Reply:
July 4th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Yes, Saguaro National Park is the best. But I also love having my “own” saguaros. I stopped counting when I hit the 30-mark on our property. Feel so blessed to have them naturally growing in our desert “yard.”
[Reply]
July 4th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
Oh Melissa, you make my heart sing with your camera and your writing analogies. I heart saguaros. And you’re right… I had no idea they were called that till we moved to AZ. If I could plop one in my front yard in Seattle, I would. Today is character day in my WIP, so thank you for these thought-provoking questions.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Your comments make me so happy. Sounds like you are due for a trip to your old southwest stompin’ grounds, aren’t you? Hope the character development is going well! (And yes .. if only saguaros could be plopped down in the soil of different states).
[Reply]
July 4th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Hi Melissa…I just love these Saguaros.We had something similar in our balcony(only much smaller), but had to donate it to the building as a new law was passed (that balconies must not have large pots).
As for my characters, I infuse them with quaint manneresims and add dollops of quirks and traits that make them come across as more believable.
Happy Fourth of July. Hope you had a wonderful holiday. 🙂
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
How sad that you had to give up your cactus! As far as your characters – yes, mannerisms and quirks are huge, aren’t they? I also think of things like physical imperfections and how they lend to uniqueness as well.
[Reply]
July 4th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Wow, those are amazing! I had no idea there were such differences in cacti. Always learning something from your desert tales and photos. I can’t get over how huge that one is. Amazing creatures!
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
I’m still marveling at the size of that saguaro. I never get tired of looking at them. They’re all so, so unique.
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 7:34 am
Beautiful photos of the saguaros – they’re so big! Thanks for spreading the knowledge – the more we know, the more we will appreciate.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:25 pm
I wish everyone could have a saguaro in her/his back yard!
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Priceless information for a naive (ignorant?) east-coaster like me! And the photos are like a vacation in and of themselves. As for the characters, you know I agree with you 100%. And there’s something else I’ve been thinking about lately in character development: not just knowing your characters and their multi-facets, but also, FEELING them. Knowing what it feels like to be in their skin. For example how would I experience the world if I were that first, 5’3 saguaro as opposed to if I were the one with arms that can encompass an entire mountain vista?
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Well, I was that same naive eastern-part-of-the-country girl before moving to the desert.
And, yes .. I couldn’t agree with you more about FEELING your characters/trying on their skin as a way to make them unique/realistic. I think there’s a bit of empathy involved in making that happen. And I love the personification of the saguaro – how thinking through its perspective can even help with setting! Love it.
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Seriously awe-inspiring, especially against the rocks and gorgeous skies. I’ve been having serious southwest homesickness lately.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:44 pm
The only cure is to come out for a visit, Kim!
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 9:13 am
Great photos — you could probably have your own separate photoblog if you wanted to (maybe you do and I just haven’t found it yet?).
Good writing analogy. The nonfiction world can benefit from that advice to — no one is as simple as they might seem at first. Everyone has a past and many people have unusual, even shocking twists and turns to their story. A rose (or cactus) isn’t necessarily just a rose (or cactus)!
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
I don’t have a photo blog, Liz, and confess that I don’t know much about them. Do you have some good ones in mind you can share? I must know more!!!
And I TOTALLY agree that the writing advice applies to non-fiction. In fact, on many a story I wrote for YOUR publication, it was those unique nuggets that were hidden beneath the surface of interview subjects that became the essential parts of the story.
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Looking at your pictures reminds me of Don Quixote. What if the story was set in the desert and he attacked Mighty Saguaros rather than windmills? That would be interesting, indeed. Thanks for the reminder about keeping our characters interesting. I’ve found that there are plenty of characters around if we will only take the time to look and listen.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 5th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
I’m with you 100% – there are so many interesting people around. So easy to pick a mannerism from this person, a facial expression from that, a speech style from another. Even things like health issues, birth marks … they can all lead to unique characters, I think!
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
I love the variation in the Saguaros.
My characters arise out of the historical setting naturally from my research. I often don’t know who my MC will be until I’ve researched comprehensively.
What a wonderful, thought-provoking post.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
I can only imagine the character depth you find in your historical research. Even with contemporary fiction (my methodology, anyway), research is where I also find those nuggets of truth that combine to make 3-D characters. For instance, my research with a local rancher revealed SO much about my MC’s husband’s backstory. It was exhilarating.
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
My husband calls them ‘cigaros’ because of their shape. Love the photos, Melissa. Just beautiful.
Before I sit down to write I usually fill out a character questionaire I got somewhere along the line. But I also just spend a long time thinking about my characters and watching them do stuff in my head – way before I even get to that stage. Then, in the process of writing the first draft surprises always seem to happen, no matter how well I think I know my characters. It’s part of the fun, don’t you agree?
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
I LOVE your hubby’s nickname for saguaros. Like you, I’m a fan of the character questionnaire AND the combined “marination” process of letting the characters speak on their own. Their revelations are absolutely one of the most exciting parts of writing.
[Reply]
July 5th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
VERY good questions you pose here . . . and oh I wish I could answer them well. Can’t. 🙁
[Reply]
July 6th, 2011 at 6:28 am
Melissa, you might have told us this before and I missed it (forgive me if you have) but how long or how old are these huge saguaros? They are beautiful and I appreciate you teaching us about them because I never thought about them before. They are spectacular. I’m sorry I haven’t been on here much lately. I’m catching up on my blog readings. Hope you are well.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
An average saguaro can grow up to 50 feet, but it seems the average height at maturity is 35 ft. My research revealed that at about 65 years of age, they start to develop arms. Most saguaros live 150-200 years. I always thought they were up to 500 years old. Need to confirm or see if it’s an old wive’s tale.
No need for apologies. I’ve been absent over at your place too – so, so busy with freelance work, may not come up for air until August.
[Reply]
July 6th, 2011 at 9:10 am
Gorgeous pictures! And I agree with characters. They all must have baggage. The good guys and the bad. No one is immune to the remnants of childhood, and I think creating a backstory for your character adds depth and makes him/her more sympathetic. It’s doesn’t have to be pages of information, just a hint that he/she has daddy issues or was a loser in high school or always dreamed of being an astronaut but failed out of space school.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Let’s hear it for baggage and backstory. Rah! Rah! In real life, we witness adult behavior that clearly was shaped by events earlier in life. So it stands that such should be the case in our fiction. I find that element of psychology so, so fascinating. I’m thinking I should have been a psych major b/c I’m oh-so-good at analyzing family members and diagnosing their emotional motivations (well, I think I’m good at it. They would tend to disagree. ha ha).
[Reply]
July 6th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Excellent photos of the Saguaros. You have a really great photographic eye. The vistas are stunning. Thank you for sharing.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Oh, what a lovely compliment. I’m on a happy cloud right now! Thanks for stopping by!
[Reply]
July 7th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
I like (trying) to reproduce colloquialism and accents in characters. I read Brian Jacque’s entire YA series in high school, which is entirely based on animal characters, but way more grown up than Clifford or the Man With the Yellow Hat’s friend. He’s a British writer, and his characters each have a distinct accent from different parts of the UK, and even upper- and lower-class English. Sometimes that made the dialogue a little difficult to read, but I loved every “Oi” for “I” and “Pip! pip!”
I think accenting language and adding idiosyncrasies like signature phrases, stutters, etc. really adds something to what we know about characters, and it drives me nuts when a character starts out with an accent and loses it along the way or vice versa. I once tweeted that I thought it would be cool if we could read accents in tweets. Some of them might be unintelligible to others, but it would be great fun!
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 7th, 2011 at 6:52 pm
I have to confess that stories with lots of accents are too distracting and difficult for me (maybe a short attention span?) … So I’m one of those folks who actually likes it when the dialect/accents are there originally then taper off since we, as readers “get” that dialect by that point in the story. But now, I have to say that the story of animal characters you mention – with their colloquialisms and accents – that sounds like a hoot!
[Reply]
Shakirah Dawud Reply:
July 8th, 2011 at 7:57 am
The best YA fantasy series I ever read. No shapeshifting or emo vamps, either.
[Reply]
July 7th, 2011 at 8:18 pm
Wow, it is crazy Saguaro!! but the Saguaro is the most beautiful that I have saw. Really great picture, and really great nature!!
[Reply]
July 7th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Your point about a writer looking at our character’s through the lens with a different perspective resonates. I make myself write poetry ( and I am so not a poet) when I get stuck on something because it shakes me up. After the torture of writing the dreaded verse I feel like I am ready to take on my flat character… painful, but helpful. As for the photos, always worth a trip to your site. Thank you for inspiring – again.
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 10th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Bravo to you for making poetry a secret weapon in your creativity. I’m too chicken to try it myself :-). Had to laugh … “the torture of writing the dreaded verse.”
[Reply]
July 8th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Oh, Melissa, I’ve missed your glorious photos–it’s great to be back and seeing them again. I would never tire of looking at these beauties–and I know you don’t. How could anyone, right?:)
I remember when an agent said one of my characters was out of central casting and I was shocked, horrified, even–but she was so right! It took revisiting the character and seeing what was cliched and turning that on its ear–like you say, characters are all different, and often, not what we think upon first look.
Hope you’re having a wonderful summer, my dear!
[Reply]
Melissa Reply:
July 10th, 2011 at 9:35 am
So happy to have you back, Erika! I had an agent tell me my characters spoke in “cliches” and thought, “But… but… that’s how people DO talk in this area of the country. That is REALISM!” Even so, I learned and came to realize that too much realism can lead to lack of authenticity for the reader. Lesson learned. I guess the same can be said of “cliche” characters. They need depth, and so do their words.
[Reply]