I’ve also recently realized that Rys needs more faults and character flaws. Specifically, he needs more that will make life rough for him until he faces it. This means that these character questions need to be answered both for his character and for my plot.

The Pen Olympics have announce Heat #1 today, which is a “Biothlon.” I thought it might be fun to post my exercise for the “competition” here. The assignment:

1. Choose a character you would like to know better. (For Team Nonfiction, choose an interview subject you’ve already interviewed at some length, or someone you know particularly well.)
2. If your character/subject could meet anyone in history, living or dead, who would they choose to meet?
3. Now here’s the twist. Imagine your character/subject through the eyes of this historical person. From the POV of this historical person, write a short piece describing the character/subject and what it was like to be interviewed by that character/subject. How did the character/subject behave in the presence of such an important person?

Did you learn anything new about your character or subject? Did you find it difficult to look at your character or subject through a different lens?

I discovered that the weaknesses that I am thinking about giving Rys do make his character more interesting. However, they do not work with part of the plot elements that I currently have in place. I need to decide whether to search for new character weaknesses for him, or whether to modify my plot. (I’m leading toward the later…more conflict and a stronger character arc that way.)

Here is what I wrote, although I don’t know how much of an interview it really was. Rys isn’t that interested in anyone else’s thoughts or opinions until after they’ve proven to him that they’re worthy of respect. But here it is anyway:

Marian and I were walking back from Nottingham one day when we met a youth who was new to us. He was tall and quiet, not quite a score in years, and singularly unimpressed with who I am–which was actually quite refreshing. He simply nodded at my introduction, gave my lady the bow that courtesy demands, and said his name was Rys.

When I asked why he found himself in Sherwood Forest, his only answer was that it seemed the safest place available.

“Do you wish to seek sanctuary with my band?” I asked.

His eyes narrowed. “I have no disagreement with your cause, but it is not my own, my good earl of Huntington.”

“Surely you know I have lost that title,” I said.

He nodded again and merely said that I was not the only one to have lost what was once held dear.

I took the opportunity of asking what his own cause was, but he would say nothing beyond the single word “Vengeance.” And yet, I had the impression that he would ask me questions, could he bring himself to trust me. I found myself wondering why he found no safety outside my outlawed forest, and why he felt at ease speaking with one whom he acknowledged as a peer of the realm. Perhaps he, too, was used to walk in similar circles.

I know nothing more of him, for he bid us good day and left. Yet the look in his eye, the confidence in his bearing, and the worn sword he carried made me feel that I should find myself quite glad not to be his enemy, were he older. As it is, I pray this lad’s cause is just, for I fear that nothing will stop him from gaining his goal, save his own death first. If he lives to manhood and my own mission has not changed, perhaps then I will seek him out and ask him to join my band. I feel he might be an asset, should he agree to follow my leadership. At the moment, I feel it would not be worthwhile to even ask for his allegiance—he would not give it.

*Note: Somehow I could not help writing this interview in the style of the Old English. This is NOT how the people of Jarentho talk, though.

Does anyone want to share their thoughts?

My favorite hero is Miach, from Lynn Kurland’s first Nine Kingdoms trilogy, which includes Star of the Morning, The Mage’s Daughter, and Princess of the Sword. When I asked myself why he’s such a perfect hero, I came to the conclusion that it’s not his power (which was extreme), his non-magical skills (which were many and formidable), or his looks (which really weren’t described all that well or that often). Rather it was for his never-ending patience with Morgan, his ever-present desire to understand her (even when it seemed impossible), and his humility. In fact, I think his humility was really what got me. He is the most un-arrogant character I’ve ever read, even though he had every reason in the world to be arrogant if he so chose.

Another favorite fictional hero of mine is Jeffery Lyman, from the old Grace Livingston Hill novel Crimson Roses. Lyman is a rich man’s son, yet he lacks the snobbery that keeps many rich men’s sons from being interested in a poor girl. He was able to see past Marian’s shabby gloves into the hands that were not ashamed to work, yet were still refined and cultured enough to sacrifice precious coins for symphony tickets. He proved himself still further by not only getting to know her, but exhibiting the patience necessary to take the romance at her pace, instead of his.

I see a common theme here. Patience and humility.

.~*~.

What about heroines? As a woman, liking a heroine means finding a character I’d like to be like…which is different than how/why I like heroes.

I just finished reading Courtney Milan’s Proof by Seduction (which has much less seduction than you’d think, given the title and cover art). This story actually had a lot of heart to it, and I liked that, even though I did skip over the few bedroom scenes. But I really liked the heroine of this story. Jenny was far from perfect, but she was compassionate and kind. Even better, she was able to see the good in people and bring it out. She made a difference in the lives around her.

Another heroine that many have loved throughout the last century is Anne from Anne of Green Gables. I’m talking about the Anne from the books, not the movies, for I don’t think the movies succeeded in portraying the parts of Anne’s character that I loved. The Anne in the books actually had a lot of the same character traits that Jenny had. She brought out the best in people. She was kind, forgiving, and she never gave up on people. On top of that, she brought joy to those around her.

.~*~.

As an aspiring author, though, how do I go about using this knowledge to make my own readers fall in love with my characters? Especially since different people probably fall in love with characters for different reasons?  Why do other people fall in love with their favorite characters?

Here’s a sunset view that you can’t appreciate in the same way in the other seasons. For then, the richness of fall’s colors, the darkness of summer’s, and vibrancy of spring’s all overwhelm the gentle colors of a sunset like this one. But here, in the winter, the white of the snow sets it off to perfection:

The Last Light, originally uploaded by Team Jenneson.

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This one is in the middle of Loch Tay:

Crannog, originally uploaded by Angus Clyne.

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I saw this photo (another of Scotland) this morning, and to me, it looks like something out of a fantasy story. This is somewhere in the wilds of the Highlands, where the snow and extra-cold temperatures have bathed everything in the colors of steel and white.

…, originally uploaded by Hee Haw But A Number.

This is a deceptively beautiful scene, though, for it is a dangerous one. Over the Holidays, they had three avalanches…one of which killed a blogger whom I’ve followed for two years.

Avalanches aren’t a problem here in Ohio, though. No mountains, unfortunately. But winter’s beauty still surrounds me. Here is what I was treated to on my way to church Sunday morning, courtesy of my camera phone:

Iced Trees

A Frosted Elm

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So I got this new story idea yesterday morning, also set in the fantasy world of Jarentho. Who knows…maybe this’ll be book #2 some day!

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Sixteen-year-old Solen longs for adventure. He wants to save the city, escape from danger, and rescue a beautiful girl. But there’s a problem. None of the girls–beautiful or not–need saving. And even if a raider did manage to kidnap one of them, they certainly wouldn’t want him for their rescuer.  They’d want someone handsome, someone tall, someone amazing. Someone else.

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Nelca watched Solen from her place in the shadows. On the surface, he appeared to be the most unremarkable of this very-ordinary-looking group of guys. Yet, thanks to the gift Malkior had bestowed upon her, she saw something more. Something that beckoned in his future. Something woven from the threads of destiny and power. Something that made him not so ordinary after all.

So…if anyone who attended the workshop (or anyone who didn’t but is interested anyway) would like me to email a copy of this note-filled handout, just let me know!

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Jarentho is an entire city, rather than a castle. Here’s a clip from my work-in-progress…

…

Rys followed her as she made twist after turn until the city walls loomed ahead. She led the way to a small door in them, murmured a word to the man guarding it, and soon he was traveling down a staircase that corkscrewed beneath the city.

She took several turns down intersecting passageways, through another door, and they stepped into the last rays of sunset onto a small, rocky beach that nestled beneath the city’s cliff-hugging walls.

…

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But the bulk of it is finally done, and I can’t wait to actually see it somewhere else other than my home computers!  So take a look!

http://www.KathleenMacIver.com