Characters and "Describe objects as if they were people?"

Hi everyone,

Have you ever done this: describe objects around you as if you were describing people?
Huh? Come again?
It sound weird isn't it? Who would actually do that?
Well, if you read often, you may notice that several authors do, in fact, do that.
So, this is what we did as a little exercise.

On the table, we had several objects: a cone, a twig, a big leaf, a smaller one, a large pebble, a stone or a bone (we are still debating on that one).

This is what I came up with:

A) She's got wrinkly skin from all her years out in the open. Her small size makes her look fragile, but everybody knows that she is as sturdy as a rock.

B) His thin frame is even more pronounced as his long gnarly fingers come into focus. "Come here Child." The Child doesn't want to approach, scared of these hard, unyielding eyes. 

C) Broad shoulders and bulky across his top half, it takes a long time to get this fit! Everybody laughs. If only they knew! Their laugh is why he became like this. His emotions hardened on the inside; it's only right that the outside reflect it too.

I didn't get a chance to do more than that; but can you answer which one is which?

Here are the answers:
A- the cone,
B- the twig,
C- the pebble.

I enjoyed this exercise to be honest, because I really could make out different personalities and see it too. I really enjoy creating characters' personalities and attributes. Obviously, at times I think that it's hopeless and that I can't do this. But most times, I'm okay. I'm saying this because, let's face it, we (authors, women, men, people) are human. At times, we really feel like crap and will feel like we cannot get anything right. And it's completely normal.

When this happens, I usually try to find something else to write about. Let's say that if I struggle on Zarek's character (one of my book characters), then I'll see if I can write about Bielo's  (another character) life on a regular day. As it happens, I have a file called "Short Stories", but really, it's my way of writing about something else when I feel stuck.
What do I write about in this file?
I make out bit and pieces about my characters everyday life. It can be set in the present, in the past, or in their dreams. It does two things:
- It helps my writer's block. I don't like this expression, but that is what most people call it. To be honest, I feel like I do not have a writer's block; it's more like I can't write this particular scene at this time. It may be sad or happy and my own mood doesn't reflect it. Or I just don't feel like it's the right time to write it.
-It gives me some insight into my characters lives: day to day activities; routines and culture aspects of the world building; or simply something that I think needs to go in my book at some point but I don't know where yet.

Enough for today. I hope that you find this both helpful and interesting. Have a go at the description exercise; you never know, you could surprise yourself. So pick some stuff up from your garden or in your house and go crazy.
As usual, post your answers in the comments, or tag me on your twitter account with a link to your blog, or send me a message on twitter. If you want. It's all in your hands.