How to Write a Grocery Scene - "I Married a Monster on a Hill"

How to Write a Grocery Scene – “I Married a Monster on a Hill”

Writing a grocery shopping scene for characters with unique quirks and dietary needs can be a fun way to explore their personalities. Here’s how to do it, using our characters from “I Married a Monster on a Hill” featuring Bevvy, August, John, Thomas, Scarlett, Alliard, Hugh, Malcolm, Jackie, Teressa, Damien, and Wagner.

How to Write a Grocery Scene from “I Married a Monster on a Hill”

1. Set the Scene when writing a Grocery Scene

Start by establishing the setting and the goal of the trip.

Example: It’s Saturday morning, and the local supermarket is bustling. Bevvy and August have a shopping list in hand, ready to tackle their weekly groceries.

An illustration of two characters shopping in a grocery store. The character on the left has long white hair, a soft smile, and is blushing slightly, dressed in a white outfit with a cross necklace. The character on the right is a muscular man with a beard, looking ahead with a neutral expression, wearing a casual open shirt with a pendant necklace. He is holding a small handwritten shopping list that reads 'egg, chips, milk, cheese.' The background depicts a brightly lit aisle with various products on display. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

2. Introduce the Characters

Bring in the characters and their unique quirks.

Example: Bevvy, with his loyal and nurturing nature, takes charge of the cart, while August, elegant and slightly chaotic, flits between aisles, distracted by colorful displays.

An illustration featuring two characters shopping in a grocery store. The character on the left has long white hair, is blushing, and wears a light-colored outfit with a cross necklace. They have an apple and a snack bar on their head, giving a playful appearance. The character on the right is a muscular man with a beard, wearing a casual open shirt with a pendant, smiling warmly. In front of them are grocery items like bread, vegetables, and wine in a shopping cart. The background shows a brightly lit, out-of-focus grocery store aisle. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

3. Highlight the Unique Dietary Needs when writing a Grocery Scene

Show the specific dietary needs of each character and how they approach shopping.

Example: Bevvy is on the lookout for fresh produce and ingredients for his jewelry-making hobby. August, with their taste for sweets and fine foods, heads straight for the dessert aisle.

An illustration featuring two characters in a store setting. The character on the left, with long white hair and blushing cheeks, appears flustered or embarrassed, surrounded by a variety of colorful candy, including lollipops, gummy bears, and heart-shaped sweets. The character on the right is a muscular man with a beard, smiling warmly, wearing a casual open shirt with a pendant necklace. In front of him are various jewelry items on display, including necklaces, earrings, and rings. The background is blurred, resembling the interior of a store with bright lights. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

4. Add Hilarious Mishaps

Incorporate funny mishaps to add humor and keep the scene lively.

Example: Bevvy reaches for a can on a high shelf, only for it to topple and knock over a display. August tries to catch it, but their elegant swipe sends it flying into another shopper’s cart.

An animated GIF featuring two characters, a tall white-haired figure dressed in a stylish, long coat and a muscular bearded man in a casual shirt, standing in a grocery store aisle filled with canned goods. A large pineapple is prominently displayed on a shelf behind them. The bearded man has a thought bubble with a pineapple image, suggesting he's thinking about it. The animation has a playful and light-hearted feel. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

5. Show Character Interactions

Use the interactions between characters to reveal more about their relationships and personalities.

Example: Bevvy chuckles and apologizes profusely, while August blushes and tries to smooth things over with a charming smile. Nearby, John and Thomas are arguing over which brand of cereal to buy, with Thomas’ serious demeanor clashing with John’s chaotic energy.

An illustration of two characters shopping in a grocery store. The character on the left has spiky blond hair, a goatee, and a large, muscular build. He is wearing a sleeveless hoodie, with a pendant around his neck, and has a big smile on his face. He is holding three boxes of cereal, each with colorful designs. The character on the right has short, messy black hair, a more slender build, and is dressed in a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and a dark vest. He has a tired expression, with bandages on his face, and is thinking about a cereal box, as indicated by a thought bubble above his head. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

6. Introduce More Characters

Bring in other characters to add depth and variety to the scene.

Example: Scarlett and Alliard enter the store, with Scarlett confidently pushing the cart while Alliard makes jokes and grabs random items off the shelves, much to Scarlett’s exasperation.

An illustration of two characters shopping in a grocery store. The character on the left is a blonde woman with a bob haircut, wearing a white blouse and smiling gently. She is pushing a shopping cart filled with various groceries, including vegetables, a bottle of wine, and a loaf of bread. The character on the right is a tall man with short black hair, wearing a green shirt with rolled-up sleeves. He has a mischievous grin on his face. Several red apples are scattered in the image, one floating above the man's head and another near his hand, as if he is tossing them. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

7. Highlight Unique Interactions when writing a Grocery Scene

Show how each character’s quirks affect their shopping experience.

Example: Hugh and Malcolm wander in, with Hugh humming a love song and Malcolm carefully reading labels to find the healthiest options. Malcolm tries to keep Hugh from getting too many sweets, while Hugh sneaks a few candy bars into the cart when Malcolm isn’t looking.

An illustration of two characters shopping in a grocery store. The character on the left has long dark hair with a few streaks of grey, multiple scars across his face, and a serious expression. He is dressed in a dark leather jacket with layered necklaces and is holding a bag of chips. The character on the right has long light brown hair, a lollipop in his mouth, and is dressed in a blue striped blazer over a white shirt and tie. He is holding a chocolate bar, and there are musical notes and colorful candies floating around his head, giving a playful vibe. The background depicts a brightly lit aisle with various products on display. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

8. Wrap Up with a Group Interaction

End the scene with a group interaction that highlights the dynamics between the characters.

Example: At the checkout, Jackie and Teressa argue playfully over who gets to pay, while Damien and Wagner, still adjusting to shopping together, bicker over the best brand of pasta. Bevvy and August watch the chaos unfold, sharing a knowing smile as they unload their cart.

An illustration featuring several characters in a grocery store. The character on the left is a tall blonde man with a muscular build, wearing a green shirt and pushing a shopping cart filled with vegetables. He has a thoughtful expression, with a thought bubble showing bowtie pasta. Next to him is a green-haired man in a black suit, looking serious and slightly annoyed, with a speech bubble showing penne pasta. In the background, there are two other characters: a bearded man in a red jacket and a long-haired person in a white coat with a relaxed expression. In the foreground on the right, a woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing an orange blazer and pants, smiles slyly. Behind her, a cashier in a suit with wild dark hair looks perplexed, with dollar bills floating around and a bottle of wine on the counter. For How to Write a Grocery Scene.

Examples of How to Write a Grocery Scene

Bevvy and August

9:00 AM: Bevvy grabs the cart and heads straight for the produce section, while August gets distracted by a display of gourmet chocolates.

9:15 AM: Bevvy reaches for a can of tomatoes on a high shelf, knocking over a display. August tries to catch it but ends up sending it flying into another shopper’s cart.

9:30 AM: Bevvy collects fresh vegetables while August debates which type of pastry to buy, eventually deciding on both.

9:45 AM: At the checkout, Bevvy and August laugh about their mishaps and head home with a cart full of groceries.

John and Thomas

10:00 AM: John pushes the cart with enthusiasm, while Thomas follows with a list, trying to keep things organized.

10:15 AM: They argue over which brand of cereal to buy, with John wanting the sugary kind and Thomas insisting on something healthier.

10:30 AM: John sneaks a few fun snacks into the cart when Thomas isn’t looking, grinning mischievously.

10:45 AM: At the checkout, they bicker over who gets to pay, eventually splitting the bill and leaving the store with a cart full of compromises.

Scarlett and Alliard

11:00 AM: Scarlett pushes the cart with determination, while Alliard jokes and grabs random items off the shelves.

11:15 AM: Scarlett rolls her eyes as Alliard tries to sneak a ridiculous amount of snacks into the cart, reminding him they have a budget.

11:30 AM: They run into Bevvy and August, who share a laugh over Alliard’s antics and exchange cooking tips with Scarlett.

11:45 AM: At the checkout, Alliard and Scarlett playfully argue over who gets to push the cart to the car.

Hugh and Malcolm

12:00 PM: Hugh hums a love song as he pushes the cart, while Malcolm carefully reads labels to find the healthiest options.

12:15 PM: Hugh sneaks a few candy bars into the cart when Malcolm isn’t looking, earning a playful scolding when Malcolm catches him.

12:30 PM: They run into John and Thomas, sharing stories and suggestions for healthy snacks.

12:45 PM: At the checkout, they laugh about their different approaches to shopping and head home with a balanced cart of healthy and sweet treats.

Jackie and Teressa

1:00 PM: Jackie pushes the cart with purpose, while Teressa follows, keeping a close eye on their budget.

1:15 PM: They argue playfully over which brand of pasta to buy, eventually compromising on a new brand to try.

1:30 PM: They run into Damien and Wagner, sharing tips for finding the best deals and exchanging recipe ideas.

1:45 PM: At the checkout, they bicker over who gets to pay, eventually splitting the bill and leaving the store with a cart full of groceries and a few new recipes to try.

Final Thoughts on How to Write a Grocery Scene

Balancing the mundane task of grocery shopping with the unique quirks of your characters can create a lively, engaging scene. By highlighting their interactions and mishaps, you bring out their personalities and relationships in a fun and relatable way. So, dive into their shopping trip and let their quirks shine through!

About the “Willowgrove Writing Tips” Series

A promotional image of Reginald's (from "I Married a Monster on a Hill") Willowgrove Writing Tips series. The image is covered in scrapbook paper and tape with characters surrounding him in the background.

Welcome to the “Willowgrove Writing Tips” Series, inspired by “I Married a Monster on a Hill.” This collection of articles offers free writing advice inspired by Katya Stec and Tatiana Stec, who have over ten years of experience in the publishing industry. They’ve interviewed creators, editors, agents, publishers, and industry experts, and have been creating reaction and review content online for over a decade. Bookmark these pages for insights and tips to enhance your storytelling. Dive into Willowgrove Hills and learn how to create relatable, engaging stories.

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