Writing a monologue for a traffic cone might sound strange, but if you find the right approach, it can be both easy to understand and engaging. Especially when writing for the “loneliest traffic cone in the world,” the key is simple: don’t throw in random phrases. Just stand in the traffic cone’s shoes, talk about its daily life, its little grievances, add a touch of humor, and you’re guaranteed to succeed. Today, I’ll teach you step-by-step, even beginners can easily master it, without any fluff.Will rubber speed bumps harden and crack in low winter temperatures?
First, you need to understand: where does this traffic cone’s loneliness lie? It’s not placed at a busy intersection; it’s most likely in the middle of nowhere, on a deserted roadside, or on an empty street late at night. It just stands there every day, ignored and uncared for, only able to watch cars go by and be exposed to the wind and sun. So, when writing a monologue, first clearly state this “lonely situation,” don’t start with sentimentality, it sounds too fake.What should the spacing of traffic cones be?
For example, don’t start with “I stand alone by the empty roadside, enduring the loneliness of time,” that’s too convoluted. Simply put, “I, a bright red traffic cone, have been standing here on this run-down road for days, and not a single person has spoken to me.” This single sentence perfectly captures the loneliness, feels relatable, and isn’t forced.How to Repair a Road Cone Flattened by a Vehicle
Secondly, focus on the traffic cone’s “little thoughts,” not just its loneliness. The traffic cone has no hands or feet; it can only stand still. Its world consists only of passing cars, the blowing wind, and the falling rain. You can sympathize with its complaints, share its hopes, and add a touch of humor to avoid sounding overly sentimental.
For example, complain about the sun and wind: “The sun beats me down, the rain makes me fade, and the wind keeps squeezing into my cracks. So I’m just a free ‘weather tool,’ huh?” Or express the longing for attention: “Occasionally a car slows down, and I get excited for ages, but they just walk around me, not even giving me a second glance. It’s worse than being ignored.” Writing like this is both lonely and funny, resonating with the reader immediately.
Avoid complex words like “lonely,” “melancholy,” and “wandering.” Use simple phrases like “no one talks to me,” “a feeling of emptiness,” and “a little sad”—simple, direct, and easily understood. After all, you’re writing a monologue from Lu Zhui, who wouldn’t use such elegant words. Its language needs to be plain and simple, the more genuine the better.
Then, add specific details, avoiding generalities. Loneliness is often hidden in small details. For example, the scratches on Lu Zhui’s body, the dirt on it, or the scenes it sees every day: the morning dew, the moon at night, the occasional stray dog passing by.
You could write: “I have several scratches on my body, from being grazed by a truck a few days ago. No one cared, no one wiped them off. Every morning, the dew hangs on my head, cool and refreshing, like someone handing me a glass of cold water, but sadly, still no one talks to me.” Adding these small details makes Lu Zhui’s loneliness less empty, allowing the reader to immediately empathize.
Also, don’t be too stiff in tone; make it sound like the road cone is chatting with you. Don’t try too hard to be pitiful or force humor; just be natural. For example, you could add a line like, “Sometimes I wonder, what am I doing here? Blocking cars? Or just a ‘roadside decoration’? Nobody tells me the answer, so I just stand here.”
Finally, don’t write too pessimistically. Even though you’re the loneliest road cone, you can add a little expectation, like, “Maybe tomorrow, a worker will come and move me to a busier place, and then I won’t be a lonely road cone anymore.” This fits the theme of loneliness without feeling oppressive, and leaves a touch of warmth.
Actually, writing this kind of monologue isn’t difficult at all. The core is: stand in the road cone’s shoes, speak in a human way, use details, add humor, and add a little expectation. Don’t use fancy words or imitate the stiff formula of AI; just chat honestly, and the resulting monologue will naturally be touching and easy to understand.