dialogue prompts from housemates: a novel by emma copley eisenberg.

i feel like a stuffed animal that's lost its stuffing.

let's give them something to look at.

you're much too complicated to be boxed in.

how do you identify?

where will you run?

no. won't. shan't.

i wish there was somewhere to put it all. make it all make sense.

who would've thought you had it in you?

you are more effective than any alarm clock.

i don't usually look like this.

what is your type, exactly?

the right moment kept not presenting itself.

you're a snob, but you're also not wrong.

let's go get you some air.

i'm not crying. it's just my eyes. they sting.

i'm not sure i'm good at romantic relationships.

i always thought i'd be on my own forever. maybe i was right.

i heard you crying through the wall. is everything okay?

'platonic' doesn't mean 'chaste'.

no one's ever taken my picture before.

it's not people i like to see, as much as the land.

i don't blame you. no one blames you.

why do you cry in the night? in your bedroom, at home?

i pretend to believe in things i don't believe in.

just because _____ gave it to you doesn't mean you have to take it.

there are murder shows on every channel.

read me one?

maybe i should have been angry, or should be now.

why does there need to be a new word for every little thing?

if you met my _____, you would understand.

have you ever had an abortion?

i say kind of fucked up things sometimes.

do you love _____?

doesn't everyone want to be happy?

sometimes i start reading the news and i lose hours. a whole day.

it never hurts to ask.

favorite pleasure?

braiding other people's hair: now that's nice.

that ____ is checking you out.

i know you and _____ hooked up.

you'll be comfortable here. no one will bother you.

no one gets all this more than you do.

with you, it's not so hard. i have enough room.

well, i guess we're married now.

i'm too old for this feeling.

i'm all wrong.

it wasn't only you who lost ____.

why do today what you could put off until tomorrow?

you're not going to let this go, are you?

i don't like being told what to do.

you decide certain things about yourself, and then it's hard to change them.

things are about to change again, i think.

i'd end it with _____, if you wanted me to.

i'm not even human to ____. i'm not even a person.

there's only room for one main character in any story.

i don't want to go home yet. i can't.

maybe there's another way to be together. there's got to be.

i miss you. what are you doing?

i just want to know that you'll be okay.

can i call someone for you? can i take you somewhere?

it's ordinary people who do what needs to be done.

it must be so exhausting to make fun of what everyone believes in.

i just came to see if you were alright.

i don't blame you for wanting what you never had.

i've lived longer than i ever planned to.

time just passes. things just change.

i don't know what to do with my hands.

SELF + HEALTH

how do they see themselves?  

how do they want to be seen by others?

what is their life motto?

would they rather lead or follow? 

what motivates them?

are they most likely to fight with their fists or their tongue?

do they have any pet peeves?

what do they most regret?

what achievement are they most proud of? 

what would they like to improve on?

do they have any scars?

do they have a disability?

do they have any allergies or food intolerances?

do they have any long-term illnesses or injuries?

PERSONALITY

describe their personality in one word.

their predominant emotion?

someone wrongs them. do they respond with revenge or forgiveness?

do they make snap judgments or take time to consider? 

are they a glass half-full or a glass half-empty kind of person?

do they express themselves through words or deeds? 

how often do they lie?

do they listen to their head or their heart while making a decision?

HABITS

how organized/disorganized are they?

do they have any routines?

talk about their mannerisms.

is there an item they take with them wherever they go?

good habits and bad habits.

THOUGHTS

their views on formal education vs self-education?

what are their thoughts on animals?

how much do they care what people think about them?

do they enjoy being the center of attention? why or why not?

how do they feel about learning?

which do they value more: creativity or practicality?

thoughts on material possessions?

would they rather win an argument or avoid conflict?

views on people in general?

what qualities do they admire in other people?

how do they feel about fun? 

what do they want written on their tombstone?

what would an ideal day, in their mind, be like?

thoughts on privacy? (are they private or are they “tmi”?)

thoughts on superstitions or the occult? (do they believe, not believe, etc.)

what are their religious views?

WHAT IF’S

if they could go anywhere, where would they go?

if they could change anything, what would they choose?

if they could only bring two things with them, what what they be?

if they could go back in time and undo one of their own actions, which would it be?

if they could contact one person for help, who would it be?

if they could save one person, who would it be?

if they had good news, who would hear it first?

if they were leaving, who get the first goodbye? 

LAST TIMES

when was the last time they cried?

when was the last time they smiled?

when was the last time they laughed?

when was the last time they felt brave?

when was the last time they felt scared?

THE PAST

where did they grow up?

how would they describe their family?

what was their childhood like?

what did they want to be when they grew up? 

as a child, what were they most likely to be found doing?

the worst thing that has ever happened to them.

the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to them.

the best thing that has ever happened to them.

which memory stands out most clearly?

THE FUTURE

biggest and smallest short term goal?

biggest and smallest long term goal?

where do they see themselves 5 years from today?

do they believe in happy endings?

are they afraid of dying? why or why not?

TOUGH STUFF

do they have any phobias?

do they get nightmares?

what kind of person are they?

would they let someone take the blame for something they did?

what are they insecure about?

what is one way to earn their trust?

what is one way to lose their trust?

one thing they would hate anyone to know about them.

they have to pick one: to be loved, to be feared, or to be admired.

have they ever been bullied or teased?

FUN STUFF

what is their character archetype?

what are they confident about?

talk about their moral alignment.

describe them in three words.

describe their aesthetic.

what will make them laugh?

what makes them feel safe?

favorite color and the reason for it. 

favorite book genre?

favorite movie genre?

favorite type of muse?

if they could have a superpower, what would they choose?

do they have a role model?

what is their personal kryptonite?