Character Sheet – Madra Flemming Interview

LAYER THREE: INNER VALUES AND MANNERISMS

Why do you want the ancestral planet?

Because it is our ancestral home.

Why?

My ancestors were emperors before they were all executed or sent to this rock.

Why?

Why what? Why were they emperors or why were they sent here? Really they are they same answer. They were powerful people. Intelligent, beautiful, better then the masses below them and so other governments, other lesser planets feared their superiority and took action against them.

Why?

We always fear what we don’t understand, what we can’t assimilate.

Why?

Human nature.

The emperor started the Cleansing war.

So your history says. We don’t believe that.

Why?

We know better. It comes back to fear again. The old emperor closed the planet to all immigration and began to make it pure. The emperor convinced our immediate neighbours of the sense of the Cleansing and so he began to spread the cause. A few infidels resisted the truth and began to spark unrest in the galaxy. Spreading their own fear and prejudice, riling up the outer planets to declare war. They started the war, not us.

The Cleansing war ended over 300 years ago, another war has been fought since. Why do you now want the ancestral planet back. No one alive in the Convex Confederacy has ever even set foot on the soil there.

Because it’s our home and it was taken from us. We are still pure or blood and spirit, just as the last emperor would have us. This planet is going to be devoured and we want to go home.

You are being given a home on one of the moon colonies.

If we move to a moon colony, our people will be spread out over the surface, split into conclaves. Within a few generations they will forget who they are. Their blood will mix and thin and we will no longer be pure, no longer exist.

Why?

Because memory is weak and temptation is strong. Moon colonies don’t allow segregation. Schools are public, religion shared. Our young will be exposed to inferior education and mixed information. We will not allow that. We will not allow ourselves to be lost in the multicultural soup. It is time to regain what was taken from our people and for the galaxy to leave us alone.

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Character Sheet – Lexie’s Chair

I’ve used the following image to inspire a very short scene, a reaction from three characters to a single object, an old chair.

Lexie Petrone

Lexie looks at the old chair. She notices it’s solid structure. Places her hands on the top rung she feels the woods strength. There’s a few spots where it wiggles a little but on further examination she can see it would be easy to tighten. She makes a list of the supplies she needs to restore it before heading out to the hardware store with an excited bounce in her step as she imagines how lovely it will look once it’s restored.

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Character Sheet – Lexie Petrone Interview

LAYER THREE: INNER VALUES AND MANNERISMS

Why did you become a nurse?

I like helping people.

Why?

It feels right. Like an obligation almost.

Why?

I don’t know, because my parents killed so many during the wars, this is my chance to give back.

How do you feel about your parents, most people think of them as heroes.

Yep, big damn heroes that gave their lives to end the war, and left their little girl to grow up with their legend instead of their love.

How does that make you feel?

Abandoned, alone. Like I’m constantly walking in their shadow and all eyes are on me.

Why?

Growing up everyone would talk about them, we’d do assignments on the war at school, especially around Anniversary day. Tributes to my parents and the other heroes of the war. Then people would start to whisper, and watch me. Teachers would tell me how they expected such great things from me. Recruiters would pick me out at the job fares and ask if I was planning to sign up to military college, just like my parents had. I hated it.

Why?

I wanted to be my own person. Not some copy of my parents. And it was like people wanted to me to join the military, then there could be another war and I could fight and give my life like my parents so they could have a whole family of heroes, a collectors set.

And that bothers you?

War isn’t a game. Once enough time passes, people start to treat it like one, hell, the even make actual games that simulate the real deal. War should never be idolised and never should those who fought in it. It’s a tragic event that should never be forgotten, but it should never be repeated and worshiped either. War ruins lives. It’s why I became a nurse. It seemed like the furthest thing from what my parents did.

Why?

It helps to repair and save lives I guess.

Why a nurse, why not a doctor?

People don’t notice nurses as much.

Why don’t you want to be noticed?

I had enough of that at school. I prefer peace and quiet and anonymity.

Why?

Gives me the space to think.

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Character Sheet – Ed’s Chair

I’ve used the following image to inspire a very short scene, a reaction from three characters to a single object, an old chair. Next week I’ll post the character sheet, interview and chair reaction from Lexie (the female romantic lead) and the antagonist the following week.

Edsel Flemming

Ed looks at the beat up old chair and sees rubbish. Picking it up by the top rails he brings it crashing down to the floor, shattering it into a dozen pieces in one blow. Sweeping up the pieces he throws them into the fire grate before heading out to by something new, bigger, comfier. He steps into the street, blood still pumping rapidly through his veins after the rush of smashing the chair to pieces. His lips tilt up on one side in a grin.

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Character Sheet – Edsel Flemming Interview

LAYER THREE: INNER VALUES AND MANNERISMS

1.

Why are you a Securities Pilot?

It seemed like a good career choice.

Why?

Your always active, doing something. It’s an adrenaline rush every day.

Why?

Because you’re always on the edge of your seat, fighting the good fight.

Why?

Because we are trying to defend people against injustices.

Why?

Because everyone deserves to live their own life, as they choose too.

Why?

Because this is your only life, you get one chance to live it.

Why?

Because death is permanent.

Why?

Because we haven’t found a way to cure that particular illness.

2.

Why are you a Securities Pilot?

It seemed like a good career choice.

Why?

Your always active, doing something. It’s an adrenaline rush every day.

Why do you feel the need to keep moving?

I just hate sitting still

Why?

Sitting still gives you too much time to think.

Think about what?

Life, past, future, family

Why don’t you want to think about those things?

Don’t really want to talk about it.

Ok, Edsel, let’s talk about something else. Why did you become a Securities Pilot?

I already answered that.

Ok, why did you choose the military?

I was a military brat.

How so?

My dad was military, my parents friends were all military.

Your father died when you were young and your mum left didn’t she?

Yeah

But you still chose military, why?

My uncle, family friend really, brought me up. He was also military, I grew up my whole life on military bases.

Ok Edsel, why Securities Pilot and not something else?

It’s just Ed, okay. I was a good pilot, learnt to fly before I could drive, seemed a good fit.

Why don’t you want me to call you Edsel?

It’s not my name.

It says Edsel on your file.

It’s my fathers name. I prefer Ed.

Ok, Ed. Was your father a pilot too?

No, ground forces.

Tell me about your father.

Not much to tell. Everyone knows his story anyway.

Humour me.

Whatever. High ranking brass, killed before the end of the last war right before he was to be investigated under suspicion of being a collaborator.

And your mother.

She couldn’t take the shame. The sideways looks, the whispers. The way I look so much like him. So she left.

How did that make you feel?

How do you think it made me feel? Alone. Abandoned. That if maybe I looked different, or had been born a girl she would have stayed or taken me with her.

You said people whispered about your dad? How did you deal with that, growing up?

I ignored it. I got bigger then the other kids so nobody messed with me. And I worked my ass off to prove to everyone that I wasn’t my father. I followed the rules, put in my time and then some. I earned my place and peoples trust.

And your father?

Nobody talks about him, including me. Besides, Dave’s more my dad then anyone else could ever be. That old saying, blood’s thicker then water, bullshit. Your family are the people who raise you, look out for you, care about you and don’t abandon you when things get tough. Blood means nothing.

 

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More stories by Tracey Ambrose @ traceyambrose.com
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Character Sheet – Edsel Flemming

I’m currently using this character sheet formula to create my characters. Here’s the WIP for my scifi romantic lead.

Edsel Flemming

LAYER ONE: THE GAMESHOW INTRODUCTION.

An impetuous risk taker, determined to marry the woman he loves.

LAYER TWO: PICKING APART THE OVERVIEW

Impetuous

Risk taker

Determined

Marriage

Love of woman

Age: 32 (age 7 when his father dies, 8 when his mother leaves)

What motivates them: Proving that he’s not his father, that he’s worth sticking around for, worth caring about, generally worth something

Role in story: Male Romantic Lead

LAYER THREE: INNER VALUES AND MANNERISMS

(I’ll actually post this on Wednesday as an interview between Ed and a physiologist)

LAYER FOUR: ENRICHING DETAIL

Nickname: Ed

Occupation: Lyra space securities pilot (military)

Face: Rugged

Personality: a career in risk taking, embraces violence as a career and doesn’t see anything wrong with that. Rushes in, at the helm of the lead ship, analysing consequences later, he’s the fist of the military. Extrovert. Constantly in search of someone who will stay, for him and striving to prove that he is an honourable, trustworthy man.

Hair: Chestnut, military cut

Height & Weight: 6.3, muscled and fit.

Clothes: Clean, neat, casual and comfortable

Hands: Large, thick fingers, callused, working mans hands

Manner of speaking (accent, phrases etc): haven’t got this sorted for him yet.

Habits: Runs 15km everyday. Always a little tense around people he likes, like he’s waiting for them to leave.

Narrator’s Opinion: Rash, romantic, pained, emotional vulnerable, hero complex

How they react to strange situations, adversity:  He tackles everything head on, without thinking, he rushes forward

Obsessions: His career, adrenaline seeking

Hobbies: Running, gym junkie

Family situation: His father died when he was 7 and his mother left when he was 8.

Relationship situation: Dating Lexie

Nationality: Believes he’s Lyran

Flashbacks: Childhood without his family, carrying around the stain his father left behind

Contrasting with a different character: He’s fire, she’s water

LAYER FIVE: HISTORY

Write at least a paragraph about each of the following life stages of your character (until now – i.e. if they are a teenager, only do baby, child and teenager):

Baby: Happy fellow, creative, caring, constantly on the move. Walked before he was one.

Child: After his fathers death he began fighting other kids, reacting out against the whispers and teasing. Once his mother left he began trying to prove to everyone that he was reliable, his impetuous nature often got him into some trouble.

Teenager: Rebelled as a teen until he got heavily into sport and then guided into military training. He found himself here and began to try to prove himself as be better then everyone else, better then his father, trustworthy and reliable.

Young Adult: He excelled in his military training and joined the professional core as a young adult. Gaining rank and praise at fast speed.

 

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Flash Fiction Friday – Machine of death

It had been my intention this month to work on character development. I had a plan that would start with building a character sheet on Monday. Then I was going to write a letter from that character on Wednesday (why? I have no idea any more) and I was going to conclude that character’s contribution with a flash piece based on that character.

Well, I’m not going to do that now. Basically because last week and the first half of this week were, shall we say, compromised. So instead I’m going to just attempt to write a flash piece based on the follow prompts I gave to my Scribophile group – “The Projects”

 

 

The line: “I have no idea.”

The object: A pencil sharpener

Style: Nostalgic

My parents had split and the house was being sold. The upstairs bedrooms were still crammed with the belongings of my little sister Laura, now 25, and my own, now 28. You walked into those rooms, and it was like we had never left. Posters of hockey stars, my own artwork, flags and other bits of flotsam-and-jetsam littered the walls. Faded a little, but otherwise just exactly how I’d left them when I moved out ten years ago.

The bookshelves were a little bearer then when I’d occupied the room, I’d taken the best pics with me, leaving school text books and rubbish novels I’d never even finished. The desk under the window had draws packed full of stationary, trading cards, gum wrappers and who knows what else.

It was when I pulled open the bottom draw that I found it. A pink pencil sharpener in the shape of a butterfly.

“Whose is that?” Laura asked, leaning over my shoulder.

“It was a gift.”

“Who gives a guy a pink pencil sharpener, who gives anyone a pencil sharpener? Lame.”

“It wasn’t for me. It was from me. It meant something deep at the time.”

“Who was it for?”

“Just a girl I liked, you wouldn’t know her. Man, she was an amazing artist.” I walked over to the bookshelf, memories stirring. On the top shelf was an oversize atlas, the big A3, hardcopy type that nobody bothers to crack open now we have Google Earth at our fingertips.

Inside the heavy covers I found two images I hadn’t thought about in years. Both were city landscapes. The first was of a city in devastation. Giant waves crashed against buildings, trees bent in the wind or were scattered across roads. Like a hurricane had ripped the place apart, I’d drawn that one. The second picture was of a pristine city. Two thirds of the page was dominated by the cityscape, but in the left hand side of the image, where the sky was blank, floated an iridescent butterfly. Our prompt had been “chaos”.

“Those are very cool. Can I have them?”

I closed the cover of the atlas, sealing them away again.

“Not on your life.”

“What happened to her?”

I shrugged, “I have no idea.”

“Did you have a lovers tiff?”

“No, we never got that far. I was going to ask her out. We heard the ambulance during math but didn’t think much about it. When I got to art next period, she wasn’t there. Mr Higgins said she’d collapsed in PE. A few weeks passed and she didn’t show up. I heard a rumour that she had cancer or leukaemia or something and they moved to the city, to be closer to the children’s hospital.”

“Did you try calling her?”

“Didn’t have her contact details. We’d only started talking that term, when we were assigned as partners for our term project.”

“So that’s it, you just never saw her again?”

I nodded.

“You need closure. Google her.” I looked at my little sister dumbfounded and smiled, feeling a weight lifting that I’d never realised was there.

WORDS: 520

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More stories by Tracey Ambrose @ traceyambrose.com
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Female Warriors in Fantasy

This is a fantastic essay on female warrior characters and world building around them.

World Weaver Press

Fantasy writer and history buff Django Wexler kicks off our series of articles on writing epic fantasy warfare with his discussion of the societal conditions which likely would (and wouldn’t) produce a female warrior class:

This piece got its start in a Twitter exchange about the ridiculousness of the armor female warriors are forced to wear in fantasy movies, games, and artwork.  Eileen Wiedbrauk asked if I would write something about it for the World Weaver Press blog, but after a little bit of research I discovered the ground had already been well-covered by parodies and people with a lot more experience than I have. [see: Fantasy Armor and Lady Bits]

In any event, I’m a novelist, not an artist, and my background is in history.  So I thought I would try something a little broader.  Since we were discussing the realism of women’s armor in a fantasy context…

View original post 3,667 more words

Absent

Hi folks,

I’m crashing this week hence why I missed my usual Wednesday post and there will be no flash today either. I hope to be out of this crash in another few days. Just love having a chronic illness 😉

cheers.

What needs work?

 

Today’s journal post is about what I believe I need to work on, in regards to writing. Right now the two major issues that come up for me are
a) Finishing a piece of writing, and
b) Characters

I’m pretty good at coming up with scenes, first chapters or even several chapters (or 60,000 words of a novel) but I suck at actually pulling those initial ideas into a cohesive whole. I’ve written basically one short story in my life. It was around 7000 words, it was written in the last few months, it had a beginning  middle and end (mostly), but after the initial excitement they whole piece just sort of limped along.

Sometimes I have an idea where a story is going, but then I just can’t figure out how to get there, how to build an entire story with a believable plot and characters that are interesting and grow, along with figuring out what other characters I need and who the Dickens they are. Which leads to my B-side. I feel that I know how to write one character, that’s it, just one, and she’s based a great deal on myself (fact and fiction).

I’ve decided, or at least mostly decided, that I’d like to try and spend the next few weeks working on writing characters that are nothing like me. I’m possibly going to base them on Myer Briggs personality types to get a basis for the character. Perhaps even write a male and female version of each character, maybe even different age versions of the characters to try an develop them further.

I’m hoping this will also force me to write characters I don’t like, another area I tend to struggle with. If I read a book that has chapters from the bad guys POV, I may actually skim or skip the entire chapter. I just don’t like the bad guys. Oh crap… I think I may have to make my first character assignment a bad guy.

Ok, that’s it then. June is going to be character exploration month, usual blogging routines from this past month will be altered or suspended to accommodate.

*meep*

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