Character Castle 2.0
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I agree with what you’re saying, I guess it was just the topic of conversation so I got on board with it but honestly, the sexuality and romance of my characters is the least of my concerns (at this rate there may only be one big love story). My characters aren’t defined by who they’re attracted to, so its definitely not a question that I’m very concerned with 🙂
Oh, totally–and I didn’t mean to come off as harsh, if I did. You see, I tend to have very smashing-bashing opinions, and I’m trying to soften them, but… 🙂
Romance does actually play a big part in the story I’m currently working with, because it’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and that story has to be romantic with “true love’s kiss” and all that. I’m doing something interesting because I’m employing role-reversals, so “sleeping beauty” is a man, and the prince is a princess. Honestly, the story doesn’t look like Sleeping Beauty anymore, after all that and the fact that I have time travel in it…hm.
Thats Mo Ghile Mear! One of my favourite Irish songs.
Let me take this moment to say…I thought you’d recognize it!
Sorry that was a random history lesson lol
I LOVE HISTORY LESSONS! The more impromptu, the better! My sister is taking classes in Irish history and now Irish songs, and I’m learning this one with her. 🙂 I LOVE the song, though I’ve never read the real translation all the way through, so it’s actually my pick. She’s kind of luke-warm about it, but mwahahahah! I’m finally learning it.
Isn’t it interesting how war can produce some of the world’s best poetry?
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comOh no don’t worry, you didn’t come off as harsh at all, I wanted to say before that the sexual attraction for my characters wasn’t really important to me.
Your Sleeping Beauty retelling sounds awesome! Especially the gender reversal, that will be an interesting take on the story! Now that we’re on the topic, I suppose I should say that the main romance in my WIP series is pretty much the focal point of the characters journeys. I know what I was saying earlier about my characters not being interested in love or attraction, but thats precisely why this couple is so important for me. They find each other in their brokenness and find love despite the outside forces of evil destroying everything. But that said, them being together is more of a choice than anything, because they are fully aware of the hardships that will take place should they decide to be together. Does that make sense?
Let me take this moment to say…I thought you’d recognize it!
And I’m glad I did XD
I LOVE HISTORY LESSONS! The more impromptu, the better! My sister is taking classes in Irish history and now Irish songs, and I’m learning this one with her. 🙂 I LOVE the song, though I’ve never read the real translation all the way through, so it’s actually my pick. She’s kind of luke-warm about it, but mwahahahah! I’m finally learning it.
Isn’t it interesting how war can produce some of the world’s best poetry?
Oh really? What parts of Irish history is she learning do you know? Its not something that a lot of people would willingly study cause – well I admit its very complicated and political 🙂 Thats so nice that you’re learning it together let me know how it goes!
Its very intriguing indeed but not very surprising either 🙂 I think war exposes the evil capable by mankind, so its impossible for poets to ignore it
Your Sleeping Beauty retelling sounds awesome! Especially the gender reversal, that will be an interesting take on the story!
Thanks, I hope so!!
Does that make sense?
Absolutely! That’s honestly really cute. It seems so much more fulfilling and healing that it’s a choice instead of a they fall in love scenario. Is this, by any chance…Lorcan and Myra???? Or am I putting two people together that don’t go?
Oh really? What parts of Irish history is she learning do you know?
I think she started in ancient Irish history–before it was Ireland, but I’m not totally sure. Now I think she’s doing modern day stuff, but she might have moved into more specific stuff, like traditions etc. She is interested in it and found these online classes and really loves them. Ok, will do! So far I’ve got the chorus and verse one and am working on verse two. Do you have a favorite verse?
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comJade dragged her eyes away from the poster featuring herself and glanced around at the others. Isaias and Abirami were pointing at each other’s and talking. Ophelia just stood in front of hers. The poster of Ophelia was every bit as interesting as Jade’s own. The young lady’s face was serious and unpainted, revealing a hidden depth of character, just as her nervous smiles did. Whatever world Ophelia came from, she was human.
Jade stepped next to her to ask what she thought of the poster, but Ophelia held out a shiny cylindrical tube.
“Would you like to borrow it?” she asked.
Jade stared at the object in question. She had not a clue what it was but didn’t really want to admit it to this perfect painted girl. A glance at the real person on the poster made Jade open her mouth.
”What is it?”
Jade almost wished she hadn’t asked when a look of confusion flitted across Ophelia’s face, as though surely everyone ought to know what it was. But the look vanished faster than fish food on the surface of the water.
”It’s lipstick,” said Ophelia. “It’s pretty. Here, let me show you.” She smeared the reddish end of the tube against her lips. “Now you try.”
Jade gingerly took the cylinder and imitated Ophelia as best as she could, revolting against the squirming feeling of foolishness within her. Of course she could do whatever Ophelia did.
”Um, maybe try wiping right here with your hand?” Ophelia rubbed above her own upper lip.
Jade did so, the back of her hand coming away with a red blotch. She thrust the tube back into Ophelia’s hand.
”That’s better. It’s easier with a mirror when you’re starting out. And it looks so nice!”
”Ehm, thanks?” said Jade. The heavy red paste stuck her lips together and tasted waxy, worse than rations.
Isaias looking at her like she’d deliberately put a spider on her face didn’t help. “What is that? It looks like you ate a bucket of strawberries.”
“Never you mind,” Jade said, the foolish feeling confirmed by his observation.
”I wish I had some strawberries,” said Isaias.
”I wish we would just get on with practice. Let’s go.” Jade stalked off toward the stage.
Boy, Jade hates being the unknowledgeable one! And on makeup 😂
We are called to be lights in the cosmos.
May your inkwells never run dry!Oh, that totally makes sense–you put that beautifully. I think I’ve done that a couple of times, but mostly I read things to get away, or to study story and character structure. That has consumed my movie-watching as well. I still enjoy it, but I find myself analyzing it.
Oh, goodness same XD I analyze everything within an inch of its life XD My parents are usually appalled by it because “how can you enjoy something like that?” but it actually makes me enjoy it more? It’s like I can see the gears of a clock besides just the face of it. I can admire what makes it tick and how beautifully it all works together, besides just being able to tell the time!
Most women are! My sister certainly is. I don’t think I’m as void of character-sensitive ability as I thought at first, though. I took SE’s “writer’s weakness quiz” and they said I was weakest on my Theme. Which makes sense, because I don’t really notice or care about theme.
From all I’ve read of your writing, you’re absolutely not void of character writing! Your characters are great, and definitely left an impression on me! (Quin will always be special to me 🥰)
I used to have the same thing with themes, but the more I write the more I find theme becoming a big part of my writing? It’s odd, MoS even came to me theme-first, and it’s what the whole story has been building off of. I even have the problem of ‘too many themes’ XD
Some books I’m really invested in the characters! I think those tend to be older books though. Like A Tale of Two Cities. BEST. CHARACTER. I’VE. EVER. MET. (Okay Emily, stop fangirling, lol) Do you have a certain book/character you especially resonate with?
Ohhh… Lemme see… I have a lot of characters I love but there were a few that really resonated with me. The first one that comes to mind was Rose from the Red Ribbon (My pen-namesake XD) Something about that book and that character really impacted me, especially her desperate, devouring optimism. (That’s the only way I can describe it XD)
You have heard me ranting about Haikyu a LOT but I can’t not mention it in this case. So many of those character arcs really touched and impacted me, not just the way I view fiction but life in general. If I had to single out a few, Hirugami and Kenma. (Kenma is incredibly special to me and probably my favorite character to ever exist but that’s a discussion for another day.) But I don’t think there was a single arc that didn’t impact me, which is saying a lot seeing that there were upwards of twenty.
Now it’s my turn to desperately stop myself from fangirling too hard XD
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Absolutely! That’s honestly really cute. It seems so much more fulfilling and healing that it’s a choice instead of a they fall in love scenario. Is this, by any chance…Lorcan and Myra???? Or am I putting two people together that don’t go?
Do you think so? I hope its the right thing. Because its not that they’re not in love (technically its one-sided first), they are, but its about them realising that despite their massive differences, being together will like help save the world or something😅
As for your last question…ehhmm – its a surprise😶
I forget I have created so many characters but you guys have only met a couple of them😂
I think she started in ancient Irish history–before it was Ireland, but I’m not totally sure. Now I think she’s doing modern day stuff, but she might have moved into more specific stuff, like traditions etc. She is interested in it and found these online classes and really loves them. Ok, will do! So far I’ve got the chorus and verse one and am working on verse two. Do you have a favorite verse?
That sounds so cool! Fair play to your sister for picking that topic to study😄 does she like the traditional poetry and music in general? I’m sorry to say that my siblings hate Irish music, they tease me for being like a boring elderly granny😂
And I love this verse best 🙂
Is cosúil é le hAonghus Óg,
Le Lughaidh Mac Chéin na mbéimeann mór,
Le Cú Raoi, ardmhac Dáire an óir,
Taoiseach Éireann tréan ar tóir.Its got a lot of mythological references in it, which i love nitpicking😂
Do you think so? I hope its the right thing.
Absolutely! Those can be the best stories. 🙂
As for your last question…ehhmm – its a surprise😶
Drat it. I knew that would be your answer! 😀
That sounds so cool! Fair play to your sister for picking that topic to study😄 does she like the traditional poetry and music in general?
She corrected me last night. I guess it more started as she liked the teacher and this is what she was teaching. The Irish songs were actually her idea, though, and now are offered as a course option. 🙂 She’s interested in voice–takes lessons– and somebody gave her this this idea that it would be cool to learn “Be Thou My Vision” in Irish. She loved it so much that now she’s working on her third song in Irish (Mo Ghile Mear–hope I spelled it right!)…if I’m understanding everything correctly.
Oooh, I haven’t got to that one yet! I’m only working on verses 1 & 2 so far, but I have 4 total that I’m gonna learn. Irish is a curious language. Beats me how you’re supposed to delicately sing something that sounds like “Squeal-igg” or “goo-shocked”, but hey! People sing French nicely, and that’s not much better, lol.
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comOphelia
Jade stared at me as though I’d offered her a snake.
“What is it?” she asked, suspiciously.
Didn’t she know? Didn’t they have lipstick in her world? It sounded awfully sad. I wasn’t sure I’d want to live in a world without it.
“It’s lipstick,” I said, more gently than usual. “It’s pretty, I’ll show you.” I reapplied it, just to demonstrate.
I offered it to Jade, who gingerly took it, examining it as though she still wasn’t sure about it.
Jade tried it out, carefully, as though she wasn’t sure what she was doing but was trying really hard not to show it.
It was crooked, just like it had been with my first few times.
I gestured for her how to fix it, which Jade did, looking as though she wasn’t sure whether to get mad at me for correcting her.
Jade shoved the lipstick back at me. Had I done something wrong? I had been trying to share something with her, but perhaps it had made her mad.
“It’s easier with a mirror when you’re starting,” I suggested, cheerily. “It looks nice!”
It did. The bright color stood out without being overwhelming.
‘Thanks–” Jade said, dubiously.
Isaias commented on something, but my mind had already moved on to what to do next.
I tiptoed onto the stage, shielded by a heavy red curtain. My slippers tapped on the vinyl, a sound I’d gotten so used to. I faced the curtain, staring at what would be faces beyond. I wasn’t ready, but I would never be.
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
I forget I have created so many characters but you guys have only met a couple of them😂
How many characters do you have in your book? (unless that’s also a surprise. 😉 )I have…2 MCs, 3 major SCs, the villain, and a few minor SCs. So that’s like 8. I think it’s the most I’ve written with?? Normally I do two MCs, and a few random side characters nobody cares about.
Also, I have either distinguished or disgraced myself.
I was looking over the translation of Mo Ghile Mear today and, well…I made a rhymed version. ThE pRoBLeM is that I dOn’T kNoW the HiStOrY behind all these names and places so I just slap them in there, footloose and fancy free. (that is SO American of me!) IDK why I’m telling you this. I’m half excited half shy, and nobody’s around who will care because my sister isn’t home yet. 😛
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comOh, goodness same XD I analyze everything within an inch of its life XD My parents are usually appalled by it because “how can you enjoy something like that?” but it actually makes me enjoy it more? It’s like I can see the gears of a clock besides just the face of it. I can admire what makes it tick and how beautifully it all works together, besides just being able to tell the time!
YES! It does make it more enjoyable, because I get to appreciate it twice in one watch/read: Once for the sheer entertainment of it, and another for how it works (or doesn’t, lol).
From all I’ve read of your writing, you’re absolutely not void of character writing! Your characters are great, and definitely left an impression on me! (Quin will always be special to me 🥰)
<3 well thank you! I am glad Quin is special to you. Sahar, Acyn, and Aydin are special to me, but especially Acyn. 🙂 (And maybe Aydin, too, but he was only here for a short time…or it felt short).
Rose from the Red Ribbon (My pen-namesake XD)
Ha! The tea is spilled now. *evil laughter for no reason*
Now it’s my turn to desperately stop myself from fangirling too hard XD
I have heard you mention Haikyu. Remind me again, was it a book or a movie?
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.com…Now I will stop spamming this castle and go wash the dishes!
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comYES! It does make it more enjoyable, because I get to appreciate it twice in one watch/read: Once for the sheer entertainment of it, and another for how it works (or doesn’t, lol).
Exactly! Plus, it’s even fun to read objectively bad things because it lowers your standards for published books and makes your writing seem better in comparison XD (Not that I… would ever do that on purpose. Oh, no n e v e r)
<3 well thank you! I am glad Quin is special to you. Sahar, Acyn, and Aydin are special to me, but especially Acyn. 🙂 (And maybe Aydin, too, but he was only here for a short time…or it felt short).
Well, you’ll be happy to know I ended up not cutting Acyn as a character XD I even gave him a POV chapter and a little more screentime. Sahar is simply vibing and having a great time while the others get traumatized XD Aydin is the one getting traumatized, poor thing. XD
Ha! The tea is spilled now. *evil laughter for no reason*
Lolll I actually read that book after I chose my pen name XD But it’s a very happy coincidence.
I have heard you mention Haikyu. Remind me again, was it a book or a movie?
Technically both XD It’s a manga that was turned into an anime! It’s probably the closest thing I’ve found to a perfect piece of media XD @calidris dragged me into it almost against my will and for that, I am eternally grateful XD
The bad explanation of what it’s about is that it’s about a boys’ volleyball team XD However there are so many layers and themes and depth and complexity to it. I knew nothing about volleyball when I started and couldn’t have cared less. I just got extremely invested in all the characters. The volleyball aspect does work beautifully, it wouldn’t work without it.
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Ugg! Good trip, but got COVID upon returning… good now. =) but that’s why I’ve been away…. whew! have a LOT to catch up with!!!
“Agh,” I groaned as the searing lights blinded me. I squinted at the sign. 15 PACES LONG. YOU’RE WELCOME. I chuckled. “Good to know.”
haha! too funny! the signs and the glass message were great!
OH! Maybe the castle could threaten to make them relive that regret all over again if they don’t tell? That’s horrible we gotta do it!!
lol. well, seeing as the castle did provide a stage… forced to relive it in front of everyone would be fitting and sounds like something the castle would do. lol.
ah. caught up… (two hours later…)
oh, and two things… I love creating characters! =).
I have LOTS of characters in my novels… what helps me is when picking the names, I always look at what the names mean first, then pick a name that gives meaning to the character, which helps me determine what that character is like. Some of my characters will grow into their names (character development), like Ku’Aya which means ‘many blessings’, and some describe the characters heart, like Abirami, which means ‘father elated’ – which showcases how big a daddy’s boy he is… always yearning to measure up to his famous deceased father. One of my favorites is Setti, who I shared a picture of (….wow… it was almost a month ago!) he adores Abirami as an older brother and is perhaps a bit ADHD. Setti means ‘dazzling’ but it also can mean ‘pillar’. It’s an awesome name, cause it describes him, but also provides him a development arc.
Oky… enough rambling. hehe.
The second thing…. If anyone likes to beta read……………… I am still looking for more beta-readers for Aefflaed’s Weakness (which is the story of how Abirami’s parents first met – and it’s an epic story!!! wink wink) It’s got romance, action, (hehe…. a good one fifth of the book is one massive, epic battle!), and themes of forgiveness and redemption.
There’s been a lot of talk about touchy subjects… and it really is all in how you portray it and prayerfully seeking God’s glory through it. Aefflaed’s Weakness has themes of redemption and it runs deep because Aefflaed, Abirami’s mother, grew up as a slave in the red district and tries to redeem herself through good works (by becoming a doctor), then realizes through the story that good works can’t redeem her. And Hanniumm, Abirami’s father, is running from his greatest regret, which is tied to war crimes. Long story short, in the war, the enemy’s head mage cast a blood curse on his own people that sent them into a berserk frenzy. The enemy was cursed to never stop until Hanniumm and his army (he was the general of the army) was killed. The curse sent an entire race, every single living vaelintrien – man, woman, child, into a frenzy, out to kill him…. Hanniumm survived… meaning, he practically committed genocide in order to survive. It was in self-defense, but Hanniumm naturally feels guilty over the genocide, and comes to find redemption through a Christ-like authority figure (the king). Anywho… hope I didn’t spoil to much of the story, but Aefflaed finds Hanniumm poisoned by the last living vaelintrien, and the poison is a very rare plant-based poison, so the two of them go on a journey to find the cure while being chased by the last vaelintrien, out to finish the job.
So…. finished rambling again…. hehe…. if anyone else is interested in beta-reading it! I would be greatly greatly appreciative!!!
Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried. ~ G.K.C.
Abirami
The glass spoke of allowing the dance, providing food, and then having to reveal your worst regrets.
The food part sounded alright, but revealing ones worst regret? Was that the castle’s form of payment for services rendered?
I shrugged. I could see it being problematic for some here. No way Ku would be willing, but I had already owned up to my worst regret… well, at least, I’d apologized for it. They’d forgiven me, even if I’d never live it down myself. I’d always hold it as my deepest regret. A life-long reminder. Never to come close to doing it again. I’d been so reckless. Stupid. Even if it had been our only way out.
“I can tell you my worst regret now,” I said, the others glancing my way. “Doesn’t matter much either way. Almost two years ago, now, I did something very foolish in an attempt to save my family. I was able to save them, but the cost afterwards was too high.”
Their faces were blank and open. Of course they didn’t know what I was talking about, but perhaps my little testimony could help them not to fear this ‘regret’ payment thing.
“You all know, well… most of you know…” I glanced at Isaias before continuing, “that I can transform into animals. On my world, we call those types of abilities essence abilities. It’s…” I’d never tried explaining it to someone… “-it’s like a separate part of you that’s connected to something outside of you… like the true form of the animal I transform into. ‘s the best way I can describe it.”
They looked totally confused.
“Anyway, my essence went out of control. I lost all memories and the essence controlled me completely, and I lashed out, like a wild animal.”
“Hmm, like the old stories in the Scriptures? When old king Nebuchadnezzar became like and lived like an animal?” one of them asked.
“Um, I guess.” I’d never heard of this old king Nebuchadnezzar guy, but if he became like an animal, then I guess it was very similar.
“My deepest regret comes from that,” I said. “I lashed out and hurt my family. The ones I loved. Then I ran from them and was away from them for… a very long time.”
“That’s rough.”
“They went through a lot of very hard times while I was away, and I wasn’t able to be there for them.” A tear came to my eye, and I blinked it away. “I don’t ever want to go through that again.”
They were quiet. It was understandable. I wouldn’t know how to respond to myself if I had been in their shoes.
We walked quietly into the room where the stage was, and the girls put something over their lips with a small cylindrical container. It was strange, and I wanted to say something, but decided it was a cultural difference, so I remained quiet.
Still, why anyone would want to put something on their mouth that changed their lip color to something that looked like a bee had stung it was beyond me. They were pretty enough before, but now their lips stood out, like someone had put a spot-light on them, but only on their lips.
Would they ask me and Isaias to wear something on our lips too? Was it some sort of dancing tradition or rule? I hoped not.
Ophelia walked over to the stage and didn’t turn toward me, and I sighed in relief as she put the strange cylinder away.
The rest of us meandered up to the stage as well, then we started to practice.
I couldn’t remember the order of what I was supposed to do, and what I could remember, I honestly didn’t understand what it was I was supposed to do. It had been like she was speaking a foreign language when she described the dance to us.
Oh well. From what I could tell, I was to walk around all fancy like, pick her up, spin her around, set her down, and then…. who knows. I guess I just had to play it by ear from there.
They seemed to enjoy standing on the tips of their toes. Was it because they wished they were taller? Did the dance require height? I was so confused. But they were the professional dancers, and they were so dainty and graceful. I wasn’t about to ask. I just hoped I didn’t mess things up for them. But, well, after all, they asked me to join them, so…. here goes nothing….
I stomped out after them, then remembered they had me practicing on my tippy-toes too, and raised myself up onto the tips of my toes.
This hurt! How did they do it so much! And still keep their balance! Respect!
My soles fell to the ground numerous times as I vaunted across the stage. Jade’s glances were tinged with frowns. I knew I was doing it wrong, but that’s what practices were for, right? She came at me, her body brushing up against mine, and my cheeks burned. Too close.
I stepped back while realizing might be where she expected me to pick her up. Her body leaned over into mine, and I feared if I didn’t catch her, she would fall.
Not knowing what exactly to do, and fearing I might hurt her, I placed my hands under her arms, as I would when playing with Setti or picking Gouyen up (Gouyen is a one-year old).
My elbows were locked in place, sweat falling from my face. Was I doing it right? I’m sure I wasn’t doing it right. Jade was frowning at me, her arms out like a swan.
She was in the air. I was holding her up. Now what? Oh, spin. My feet were flat on the floor again. I needed to be on my toes, but I didn’t know if I could with her in my hands. I spun, one step over another, until I had turned all the way around.
By the time I came back to my original position, Jade was no longer angled with her arms and legs out, but was vertical in my hands, her arms crossed, her eyes shooting glaring darts into me.
“Put… me… down.”
I set her down and backed away, and hand rubbing the back of my neck. “Sorry.”
Jade sighed. She stomped forward, put a hand on my chest and pushed me to the back of the stage.
“Just watch Ophelia and Isaias. You need to do what they do.”
hehehe… hope that will do for now. lol. Have fun with that! …. and I will come back for Ku soon, hopefully.
Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried. ~ G.K.C.
You’re looking for beta readers? I’m totally willing to do that! When would you want me to start? The story sounds good!
I have LOTS of characters in my novels… what helps me is when picking the names, I always look at what the names mean first, then pick a name that gives meaning to the character, which helps me determine what that character is like. Some of my characters will grow into their names (character development), like Ku’Aya which means ‘many blessings’, and some describe the characters heart, like Abirami, which means ‘father elated’ – which showcases how big a daddy’s boy he is… always yearning to measure up to his famous deceased father. One of my favorites is Setti, who I shared a picture of (….wow… it was almost a month ago!) he adores Abirami as an older brother and is perhaps a bit ADHD. Setti means ‘dazzling’ but it also can mean ‘pillar’. It’s an awesome name, cause it describes him, but also provides him a development arc.
Name meanings are so important to me. Like Jade Nightingale, for example. As hard as stone, and graceful as a lovely songbird, and able to soar above the rest. And that growing into names thing is totally my Riadné (means “noble maiden” in a language I made). I also like doing ironic names: Nussné means “woman of the light/sun,” but she is actually an evil, dark character.
What’s your favorite name you’ve ever given a character?
We are called to be lights in the cosmos.
May your inkwells never run dry!
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