Jim Henson’s six unique scribbles, from the adventurous Dreamer to the audacious Blowhard, each reflect a different personality trait, giving writers a quirky lens to explore the spectrum of human nature. The City Critters are in reference to a set of figures released in the early 00’s based off of the doodles of Jim Henson. These characters can serve as inspiration for a writing exercise designed to explore complex emotions and behaviors. Here’s a guide on using these scribbles to add depth, humor, and introspection to your writing:
1. Create a Backstory for Each Scribble
Each scribble offers a glimpse into universal traits exaggerated to the point of caricature. Begin by developing a backstory for each. Think of what has led the Dreamer to constantly think of what’s next or why Lump finds comfort in inactivity.
Exercise: Write a 300-word scene from the scribble’s past that reveals what shaped their personality. Consider how a childhood experience, role model, or personal philosophy could have led them to embody this trait. This approach builds empathy and adds dimensions to each character.
2. Bring the Scribbles to Life with Dialogue and Monologues
Each scribble has a distinct way of interacting with the world. Use dialogue to capture their perspectives, quirks, and vulnerabilities. Give each scribble a monologue where they explain themselves directly to the audience, allowing them to defend their motivations.
Exercise: Write a monologue where the scribble describes their day-to-day struggles. For example, Goth Girl might ponder the futility of happiness, while Trickster rationalizes a recent prank. These monologues reveal not only character depth but also the comedic absurdity of their exaggerated personas.
3. Experiment with Repetition and Cycles
Several of Henson’s scribbles, like Lump and Dreamer, suggest patterns of behavior that are both humorous and relatable. Repetitive cycles can be used to highlight these behaviors, creating comedy and empathy for their struggles.
Exercise: Write a short scene or poem where each scribble repeats a familiar habit. For instance, Lump might cycle through excuses for not leaving the couch, or Blowhard might repeatedly boast about fictional achievements. By emphasizing these loops, you showcase the character’s consistency in a humorous light.
4. Pair Scribbles in a Scene to Explore Conflicting Traits
Many of the scribbles embody conflicting traits, making them perfect for scenes where they play off each other’s differences. Imagine Weirdo frustrating Blowhard with bizarre interruptions or Goth Girl dismissing Trickster’s lighthearted antics.
Exercise: Write a dialogue scene between two contrasting scribbles. Let their personalities clash as they attempt to achieve a goal. This not only provides a rich platform for humor but also highlights how distinct character motivations can lead to unexpected conflict and resolution.
5. Reflect Your Own Voice and Struggles Through Each Scribble
Henson’s scribbles resonate because they reflect aspects of our own personality. Channeling parts of yourself into these characters can help you explore your own strengths, insecurities, and quirks.
Exercise: Pick the scribble that resonates most with you and write a reflective piece as though you’re in conversation with that part of yourself. Ask it questions, express frustration, or thank it for its unique viewpoint. This introspective approach allows for a deeper connection to the character and to yourself as a writer.
6. Use Setting and Action to Amplify Each Scribble’s Personality
The environments around Henson’s characters are as whimsical as the characters themselves. For example, imagine Dreamer in a supermarket, thinking of aisles of snacks, or Lump in an unmade bed surrounded by half-watched DVDs. These settings highlight each scribble’s personality while providing visual cues to the reader.
Exercise: Write a scene in a specific setting for each scribble. Use objects, colors, and background details that complement their traits. For instance, place Goth Girl in a dimly lit café or Trickster in a room full of whoopee cushions and pranks. These environments reinforce the character’s worldview and create a vivid sense of place.
Jim Henson’s City Critters are more than just quirky doodles—they’re exaggerated reflections of our inner complexities. By using these characters as a foundation for writing exercises, you can explore facets of personality with humor and empathy. Whether you’re crafting a full story or simply experimenting with dialogue, these six scribbles offer rich opportunities for creative expression and self-reflection.
More about the city critters…
From the Book Doodling with Jim Henson by Jim Henson and Jim Lewis
Dreamer:
This scribble is the dreamer in you who gazes off into the clouds and imagines something greater. For this Scribble, a cloud is never a cloud. It’s a castle besieged by dragons. It’s a two-headed turtle wearing a jet pack. No matter what it is, this guy somehow sees the magic hidden within. Sure, he’s a tad idealistic and impractical at times. He’s rarely prepared for the countless obstacles standing in the way of his ambitious dreams. Yet that never stops this scribble. In his heart beats the hope in all of us for grander possibilities and greater thrills. That spirit who dares to ascend beyond the norm and achieve the extraordinary. So in the end, it’s dreamers like this Scribble that inspire us to succeed, just because he believes we all can.
Lump:
Wanna know why it was impossible to get out of bed? Why you spent the whole day on the couch watching TV marathons? Meet this lazy scribble. To this lethargie lump, the perfect day is one spent doing absolutely nothing. She cherishes peace, indifference, and utter passivity. No obligation or conflict is worth moving off the couch for. In fact, moving off the couch is exhausting. She’ll need a nap just to recover! And once she’s in bed, you’ll need a crane to pry her out again. To her, bed is bliss. The only time you’ll see this lump moving is when she’s avoiding responsibility. She’ll run the 100-meter dash in seconds if it means escaping a pesky chore. She’ll also trek across the globe in search of the ultimate universal remote. But if you ask her to do something? Sure, she’ll do it… just as soon as her TV show is over. And her food is done cooking. And after her post-lunch nap, of course. Don’t wait around for her, though. She’ll lure you right onto that couch with her!
Goth Girl:
The goth girl Scribble is the classic dark-hearted soul that everyone can relate to at least once in a while. She is cloudy with a chance of rain. She prefers dim candlelight to sunshine and only reads stories with tragic endings. Bittersweet is too sweet for our melodramatic Scribble. Her favorite hobby is “brooding,” and she will deliberately extinguish the optimism in anything around her. So if she’s not reciting morbid poetry, she’s sitting in the dark, listening to some manic-depressive band whining about its feelings. In fact, the only time she’s happy is when others mistake her for a monster. She actually likes that. Don’t let her fool you, though. This Scribble has a big heart. Her criticisms of the world are valid, and she blogs about them with abandon. She simply wants everyone to think, act, and live better. And who can fault her for that?
Weirdo:
Some call this Scribble unique. others call him weird. A few ask him to stop staring after an uncomfortably long span of time. No matter where he is, this guy can’t help being artistically different. It’s as though he simply doesn’t comprehend how to function in normal situations. No, you shouldn’t lick the house guests. No, you shouldn’t spend 30 minutes highlighting the milestones of the mayonnaise industry. No, don’t ask plants out to dinner. At times, he’ll be so withdrawn, you’ll wonder if he’s sleeping with his eyes open. Other times, he’ll act as though you’re the only person on the planet and find every word you say fascinating, only to leave the room mid sentence to put peanut butter in your toaster. Why? Because the toaster was hungry. He’s also the one friend who’ll support any harebrained scheme. In fact, he’ll convince all your other Friends to join in! His unflappable confidence is inspiring, and you’ll never meet another soul more comfortable in his own skin. So despite his quirks, this weirdo is a great friend!
Trickster:
Maybe you’re bored. Maybe you’re suffocated by too many rules. or perhaps you just thrive on spontaneity. Regardless of what’s motivating you, this part of you yearns to shake things up by playing pranks, breaking rules, and causing mayhem at every turn-and this Scribble reflects that. He has an endless appetite for antics. The bigger and more innocent his smile, the more you know he’s up to no good. This one’s always scheming new ways to keep people on their toes, if only to force them to enjoy their lives and laugh a bit more. So, in a way, he believes that all his immaturity and absurdity is really for our own good. Because of his good intentions, this Scribble is rarely reckless or spiteful. Sure, some schemes get carried away. In hindsight, he probably should’ve fed the wolves before letting them into your office. Yet this scribble relishes an elaborately plotted prank or a clever act of rebellion. And he prefers snickering behind the curtains over dancing on stage. That’s why you’re his main act. you just don’t know it until you hear the fart of his whoopee cushion. And by then, all you can do is give him credit for getting you yet again.
Blowhard:
This Scribble is the overly confident guy who calls everyone “Sport,” “Tiger”, “Champ,” or “Sweetie” even if he knows their names. He’s just delighted to hear himself talk, and everything he says or does is meant to impress others. This Scribble has dined at the best restaurants, read all the classics, met all the movie stars, and traveled around the world and back again. And he loves to talk “intelligently” about any topic, regardless if he knows anything about it. It’s surprising how many credentials he claims to possess. From brain surgery to deep-tissue massage, he’s somehow done it all. But will you ever see him fly that chopper or cook that four-star dinner? Nope. He’ll somehow find an excuse to avoid proving his endless qualifications. So why tolerate this arrogant blowhard? Though he acts tough, he obviously means well. He just wants people to like him. So as long as you welcome him into the Fun, he’s harmless lif not entertaining). And even if you didn’t invite him, he’d manage to show up anyway. In a limo, no less. So all in all, it’s just easier to allow him to tag along.
