Euyleia's character construction thread

[Mad Lews]

There seems to be two types of fiction stories out there, plot driven and character driven. In the later version you build a few characters and set them loose. The story follows their whims. These tend to be long ones, lots of trilogies, huge novels, and endless series are there result of an Author falling in love with the characters he/she created.

So for your next trick I want you to build three main characters, (protagonists). You will include at least two genders and three sexual orientations later we'll set them loose on each other.

here is what we need for now.

1)Name and nickname
2) Age
3) Gender
3a) orientation
4)Ethnicity
5) social class/time period
6) Occupation
7) Education
8) Hobbies
9) Musical tastes
10) favorite books/TV shows
11)Favorite food
12)Favorite drink
13) living arrangements
14 marital/relationship status
15) dress style
16) peculiar habits and mannerisms (at least 6)
17) strengths (4 prioritized)
18) weaknesses (3 prioritized can overlap with strengths should be compatible)
19) what does he/she want most?
20) what is keeping him/her from getting it?

As always
Best of Luck
Mad Lews
__________________

[Mad Lews]

nudge
nudge

[Euryleia]

Sorry, Mad Lews. I'm not ignoring you but my sister has been in town for the last ten days (with five more to go) and I haven't had time to do much creative stuff while she's been around. I'll try to get on this after the weekend.

[H Dean]

I am touching myself in anticipation.

[Euryleia]

Gracious, Dean. I had no idea you were so excited by my prose.

Here is my character construction:

Character One
1) Name and nickname – unknown, called Bura by her rescuers as it means an unpredictable wind that blows from the north. It is an allusion to the storm that brought her unconscious body to shore along with the detritus of her small boat.
2) Age – unknown, thought to be late 20’s
3) Gender - female
3a) Orientation – unknown, appears afraid of men so possibly lesbian
4) Ethnicity – unknown, her skin is darker and her hair is curlier than the Carians
5) Social class/time period – unknown social class, far past time period
6) Occupation – unknown, she has intermittent knowledge of herbs and plants so perhaps a healer or a cook
7) Education – unknown, she doesn’t speak the same language as the Carians
8) Hobbies – unknown, during her recovery she was unfit and, once the slavers arrived, there was no time for leisure
9) Musical tastes – unknown, she does have persistent headaches from the head injury, so she avoids loud noises
10) Favorite books/TV shows – unknown, language barrier in place
11) Favorite food – unknown, many foods and spices seem to be new to her
12) Favorite drink – unknown, she avoids the fermented milk favored by the Carians.
13) Living arrangements – initially living in the healer’s tent, as she recovered from her wounds, then in a slave coffle with the other captured slaves, now as a companion to the princess
14) Marital/relationship status – unknown, her previous life is a blank
15) Dress style – her clothes were in tatters when she washed ashore, she only has what was given to her by charity.
16) Peculiar habits and mannerisms (at least 6)
a) She tends to pinch the bridge of her nose a lot because of the constant head pain.
b) Chronic insomnia
c) She squints in sunlight, as bright light intensifies the ache in her skull
d) She refuses to put on the skirts of the women and only wears the trousers of the men
e) She is afraid of dogs that wander around the village
f) She picks up things she doesn’t recognize and puts them in her mouth to taste
17) Strengths (4 prioritized)
a) Physically strong. Even freshly fished from the ocean, she is taller and stronger than her rescuers.
b) Smart. Without a common language, she manages to get her point across
c) Swims like a fish
d) Resiliency—despite being in a strange land with no memory, doesn’t give up hope
18) Weaknesses (3 prioritized can overlap with strengths should be compatible)
a) Impatience. She is very frustrated by the pace of her recovery.
b) Arrogance. Even not knowing who she is, she does not show respect for position, title or status.
c) Bored. She wanders off when people talk to her because she doesn’t understand the language.
19) What does he/she want most? To regain her memory and return to her home.
20) What is keeping him/her from getting it? Amnesia from the injury and being sold into slavery.

Character Two
1) Name and nickname – Temisia, called Missy by her brother
2) Age - 37
3) Gender - female
3a) Orientation - bisexual
4) Ethnicity – typical Persian with long, dark hair, a straight nose, and flawless, creamy skin
5) Social class/time period – Princess by birth and Queen by marriage to her brother
6) Occupation – secondary ruler of the Kingdom of Caria
7) Education – highest possible and in all subjects from astronomy to architecture to dancing and war craft
8) Hobbies – horseback riding and sailing
9) Musical tastes - prefers single instruments (flute, harp, drum) to large band productions
10) Favorite books/TV shows – she likes myths and hero sagas
11) Favorite food – figs eaten with a little sweetened milk
12) Favorite drink – loves wine
13) Living arrangements – lives with her brother, who is also her husband
14) Marital/relationship status - married
15) Dress style – generally formal, as she is royalty
16) Peculiar habits and mannerisms (at least 6)
a) bathes at least twice a day when possible
b) chews on her hair when she thinks
c) doesn’t like eating the same thing twice, regularly fires the chefs
d) likes to wander the markets and bazaars icognito
e) requires daily massages
f) loves the feel of silk against her skin
17) Strengths (4 prioritized)
a) Ability to think strategically
b) Sailing expertise/knowledge of naval warfare
c) Very smart
d) Love of her brother
18) Weaknesses (3 prioritized can overlap with strengths should be compatible)
a) Possible infertility
b) Has a soft heart for slaves and is constantly trying to free them
c) No patience for fools
19) What does he/she want most? True love
20) What is keeping him/her from getting it? The responsibilities of her position

Character Three
1) Name and nickname - Solus
2) Age - 40
3) Gender - male
3a) Orientation - straight
4) Ethnicity – typical Persian
5) Social class/time period – royalty, far past
6) Occupation – King and ruler of Caria
7) Education – while given the highest possible in statecraft, he was not a good student
8) Hobbies – hunting and model making
9) Musical tastes – doesn’t so much care for musicians but for the nubile dancers that perform with them.
10) Favorite books/TV shows – enjoys reading histories, especially the ones about his family
11) Favorite food – lamb, cooked in any possible way
12) Favorite drink – pomegranate juice
13) Living arrangements – lives with his sister, who is also his wife
14) Marital/relationship status – married to his sister
15) Dress style – very formal, as befitting royalty
16) Peculiar habits and mannerisms (at least 6)
a) Builds models of buildings, cities, and armies
b) Likes to smoke hashish before sex
c) Is very vain and admires himself in any piece of polished metal he passes
d) Always wears purple
e) Sleeps in as often as possible
f) Constantly strokes his beard
17) Strengths (4 prioritized)
a) Listens and takes advice from sister and councilors
b) Warrior skills—swordplay, archery, riding, fighting, etc
c) Self confidence
d) Highly honorable
18) Weaknesses (3 prioritized can overlap with strengths should be compatible)
a) Gets seasick easily
b) Elevated sense of his own importance
c) Short temper
19) What does he/she want most? An heir
20) What is keeping him/her from getting it? His sister isn’t getting pregnant and the bastard children of his affairs seem to die with astounding regularity

[Mad Lews]

My dear Euryleia,

OK, this was supposed to be about characters leading the creative process, and you seem to have the setting and plot well under way already. No matter, we'll just try to make the characters lead the way from here.
It seems almost wasteful not to develop a rather twisted triangle from this group, but consider the dynamics of how it might arise given the characteristics of the protagonist. Keep mulling that over as you begin with an introductory little bit of mystery. The peculiar and sudden appearance of Bura will give you a chance to paint a little background as to the setting, time, and place. avoid the cliches of ‘dark stormy night’ and reed baskets, but use them both with your own unique spin. Her presentation to the happy Royal couple should subtly lay the foundation of how the dynamics of the relations will develop. That should do it for now.
Remember, Mr. Dean is panting on the sidelines.
yours
Mad Lews

[Euryleia]

Standing at the entrance to the bazaar, Temisia Halicarnassus adjusted the hood of her cape to better cover her thick dark hair. She rubbed the coarse cloth between her fingers, reveling in the difference between it and usual fabrics that surrounded her in the royal palace.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw her three bodyguards trying to blend in with the merchants filling the large square. Raising one thick eyebrow, she tried to keep the smile off her full lips. They looked so very awkward out of their uniforms but she insisted on making her visits to the market as incognito as possible.

Deciding that they were not going to get any more inconspicuous standing there, Temisia walked forward into the teeming mass. She wandered from stall to stall, fingering the woven rugs and smelling the imported spices.

Tempted by the scent of grilling meat, she headed toward the food tents along the East wall. Halfway there, she spotted a crowd gathering near one of the entrances to auction houses. Temisia changed direction and headed toward them.

Behind her back, her primary guard pinched the bridge of his nose and mouthed, “Get backup.”

Temisia watched a chain of slaves climb out of high-sided cart. She felt a burning anger against involuntary slavery as she watched the poor unfortunates stumble out while linked by the neck to each other. They were the very models of despair with their shoulders slumped and heads hanging down.

That was, all except the last one in line.

She was taller than the rest of the chain and there was an empty neck ring between her and the next slave in the coffle. Besides her height, her curly hair and bright green eyes distinguished her from everyone else.

Gazing around with open curiosity, the entire line came to a halt when she stopped moving.

The slaver nearest the cart yelled, “Keep up, bitch. I won’t tell you again.”

The woman did not react to his words or tone. She continued to stare in wonder at the throngs milling about her.

Furious, the slaver strode over to her and brought his dog whip down on her shoulder.

She yelped and turned toward him. Holding her shoulder, she spoke to him in a high, clear voice that.

The words were foreign to Temisia’s ears and she had an urge to hear more of the lyrical language. Pushing her way closer, she worked her way to the front of the crowd.

“Enough talk. Move,” the slaver shouted.

Unfazed, the woman turned away from him to continue her study of the bazaar.

Incensed, he brought his whip up again. Temisia moved without conscious thought. She grabbed hold of the leather shaft and jerked it out of the hand.

The slaver whirled around and backhanded her.

Temisia stumbled backwards and her hood flew off. The slaver and most of the crowd gasped in shock.

Before anyone else moved, her primary guard drew his sword and severed the slaver’s head.

Glancing down at the arterial spray coating her cape, Temisia shook her head sadly. “My cleaner is going to be very mad at me. She already felt it was beneath her to wash such common things.”

“My apologies, Your Highness. I could not let him live after touching you.”

She shrugged dismissively. “No matter.”

Waving her hand at the other slaver, he was propelled forward by the guards holding his arms.

“Majesty,” he croaked as he was forced to his knees. “I’m so sorry. Malek did not mean to touch you.”

“True. But he did and so he died. That is not the issue, though. Are our laws unclear?”

“Pardon?”

“You are familiar with the laws on the treatment of human merchandise?”

The slaver paled. “Mercy, please. I beg you.”

“This should be interesting. By all means, explain.”

“This slave has been a problem since she came into our possession. My partner reacted from a place of frustration. Look at her. You can see that he did not damage it.”

Temisia stepped over to the woman and smiled. Cocking her head, the woman smiled back and spoke a brief phrase.

“What did she say?”

“I have no idea. The tongue is strange to us.”

“Do the other slaves speak it?”

“Not that we could tell.”

“So, you’ve no idea what she was saying when your man struck her. It seems to me that the assault was unprovoked. I, therefore, confiscate the entire shipment.”

“Slavery is legal!”

“Assault is not. Perhaps you’ll learn that lesson before you next visit our fine city.”

Two of her soldiers jerked the man to his feet and pulled him from her sight. Other soldiers carried off the body.

Temisia’s bodyguard took up his post behind her. “What are we to do with them?” he asked.

“Take them to palace infirmary. Once they’ve been given a clean bill of health, offer them the standard deal. Five years service for their freedom.”

Temisia eyes strayed again to the tall woman.

“And her?”

“Bring her to our private rooms. I think my brother would like to meet her.”

“Of course, Your Highness. It will be done.”

[Mad Lews]

Hi Eury,

Can I call you Eury? No? OK Euryleia...

Damn, I thought she was gonna be freshly fished from the ocean.
Well so far everyone is staying in character and you’re just teasing us with a little development here and there. Always a good plan for a longer piece to sketch the character out over time, but you need to get the important characteristics out there fast.
Still nice start, you've begun to introduce two of the three characters and one is a mystery. Some do claim the two keys to a good story telling are (Ready, this is a secret so don’t tell) 1, a character to root for, and 2, a compelling mystery to challenge said character.
But enough of that, back to the story at hand. Would you care to introduce the crown prince? Maybe you could or offer a few tantalizing hints to help us delve into the mystery. Not that I want to hurry you along, I'll savor this bit for a while.

Mad Lews

[Euryleia]

ER works fine for me, if you want an abbreviation.

Well, when I was thinking about it, I did have her fished from the ocean. However, their first meeting seemed like a better start. I working on the introduction of the prince now.

[H Dean]

A quick poke at style...

She glanced over her shoulder and saw her three bodyguards trying to blend in with the merchants filling the large square. Raising one thick eyebrow, she tried to keep the smile off her full lips. They looked so very awkward out of their uniforms but she insisted on making her visits to the market as incognito as possible.

I would start this with a more active word - you know, like "glancing".

I would also get rid of "incognito" as it is used. It's a little off to the ear.

The most important thing I would change in this is the bit with the eyebrow. See, she is amused by them so you should amuse your reader with the way you put it. I am not suggesting it is bad, poor form or anything of a negative nature - it works. I just think it could be said with a bit more amusement - hey...the word amuse comes to mind. Also, "cocking" her eyebrow would be good. Little words like that to give the reader the little smile that she was displaying at her guard's discomfort.

Know wut I mean?

[Mad Lews]

ER works fine for me, if you want an abbreviation.

OK, Its just that ER sounds so clinical, and Eury is sort of exotic and dangerous in a far eastern kind of way...

Well, when I was thinking about it, I did have her fished from the ocean. However, their first meeting seemed like a better start. I working on the introduction of the prince now.

Slave market works for me and you are the writer so you can change the facts, as long as you keep everyone in character. Speaking of which, not to jump the gun, those characters are of course going to change over the course of the story. That is very obvious in the case of Bura, as she becomes less of a mystery but the other two will change as well, if the story is going to have any meaning. It's up to you to do that in a believable and compelling way that readers can follow and relate to. But that comes later.

As for Mr. Deans' comments yup Glancing would be better, and incognito could be saved by switching from ...making her visits to the market as incognito as possible. to a simpler ... making her visits to the market incognito .


I'll let you two arm wrestle over the cocked eyebrow.

yours
Mad & Lews

[Euryleia]

Sorry for the great passage of time since I've checked in on this. I've managed to move across country and fry a hard drive since I was last here, so things have been a little crazy.

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't know when I'll be able to continue work on this one. My muse has sort of flown the coop.