Into The Void Of Good Intentions: The To-Be-Read Pile

I've been pretty specific (and pretty dang sporadic) in the content of my posts lately. It's been a bit of an interesting time, getting back to uni and stepping into two new committee roles, trying to reconfigure my system after so long at home. A bit of a year-long creative slump hasn't really helped, either, but I hope that with a little help from some fresh intellectual stimulation I'll be able to claw my way out of that pit before too much longer.

Today, however, I'm going to do something I haven't done in a very long time - a tag post.

And, fittingly enough, it's a tag about my To Be Read pile. Nothing like a look to the future to improve a day, eh?

Thanks to Miriam Joy for pushing this little doozie in my direction - let's begin!

The To-Be-Read Tag

1. How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I thank God and genetics for my freakishly good memory . . . well, good for remembering the names of books that people have told me I should read, at least. It probably puts them where the timings of my lectures and seminars should be kept.

2. Is your TBR pile mostly print or e-books?

A bit of both? If it's a book belonging to a series I've already started, or by an author I know I like, I will usually hold out for a print copy (whether or not I'll succeed in appeasing my inner nitpickers and find one of an edition that matches the others is an entirely different kettle of fish). 

However, if I'm going into it completely blind, I'll usually get the e-book to save money. Because I might need that extra £2 for a can of baked beans in the very near future. Like my dinner.

3. How do you determine which TBR to read next?

It will depend on what I want to read. If I'm feeling bereft of a particular genre or writing style, I'll reach for the nearest one that fits the bill. 

Most of the books on my TBR are things I want to read for myself, not things I feel like I should or ought to read (though there are exceptions). So it's a bit like a bag of mixed sweets at the cinema; I have a rummage about until I find something I fancy, munch through it, then follow whatever subsequent craving comes next.

4. A book that's been on your TBR the longest?

Probably a book that I've long-since forgotten about by now. That said, people have been pestering me to get back into the Percy Jackson series for just over three years now, and it's flared up again in light of the fact the last book is due to appear some time next month. I only ever read the first book, and never felt inspired enough to pick them up again of my own volition.

5. A book you recently added to your TBR?

The next book in John Gwynne's The Faithful and The Fallen series. 

I wrote a whole blog post about how unexpectedly invested I had found myself in this series. Luckily, Mr Gwynne writes a good deal faster than most of the other authors of the same genre who occupy this list, so hopefully I won't be left to climb the walls for too many years.

6. A book on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover?

Veronica Roth's Divergent series. The story holds little to no attraction for me in any greatly inspiring sense, but I've been told it's interesting, has a good main character etc etc.

That, and I'm fond enough of both Harry Potter and The Hunger Games that I think I'll give their lovechild a chance.

Also, I have a thing for enigmatic symbolic covers. Sue me.

7. A book on your TBR pile that you never plan on reading?

Atonement, by Ian MacEwan. I've told myself over and over again I'll read it for its cultural impact / scale / setting / kicks and giggles . . . but I have such unreserved and unashamed hatred for Mr McEwan's writing style and narrative tendencies (looking at you, Enduring Love) that I doubt I will ever muster the willpower to actually pick it up unless my only other choice is to cut off my own hands with a spanner made of bees.

8. An unpublished book in your TBR pile that you're excited for?

The Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss. While I have my suspicions that this trilogy will have to go the Paolini route and extend itself to cover all it may need to, I am dementedly excited for the continuation of this series. Luckily, there's a newly-released novella set in the same world that I can chew on for a little while to lessen the pain of waiting.

9. A book in your TBR that everyone recommends to you?

I'm pretty sure most people recommend me this book on the grounds that they want to watch me tear it to shreds in some manner or other. I seem to have something of a reputation for being very amusing as I brutally vivisect a book, no matter how popular or beloved, in front of horrified fellows and university professors alike.

It's Evermore, by Alyson Noel. People told me it was worse than The House of Night . . . well. I could hardly resist a challenge like that. Onto the list it went, to await its execution date.

10. Number of books in your TBR?

There are fewer fish in the sea, stars in the sky, and ways in which the word "infinite" can be used in pretentious teenage hipster novels than there are books that have, at some point or other, found their way onto my list.

I'm not even joking.

-*-

Well, well, well, wasn't that fun? Now then, the tagging business - I think I'll tag Cait and Mime of The Notebook Sisters, because they're extremely good at these sorts of things, and Liam at Inside Liam's Brain, because I know it will annoy him. In the best possible way.

Or, if you want to do this post at all, dear readers, consider yourselves tagged by proxy. Have fun!

~ Charley R

Beautiful People, May 2012 - Evil Edition!

My villains are my favourites. As much as I come to feel affection for my delightful bands of heroes, heroines, and gods know what else they are, it's always the villain I'll love the best. 


Of course, this gave me something of a dichotomy when it came to choosing one for this post.


Should I find you a villain from the Aeserion Trilogy?  Can't - they're all in the middle of reworking, and thus everything I write here is probably incorrect. Besides, spoilers!


What about a villain from the new novel I started last week? Sadly, that won't work either - you guys would have no idea who I was on about.


A villain from a past NaNo, then? Now that got me thinking.


Of course, I couldn't settle for just any old villain - I wanted to find one that would be impressive. Terrifying. Skin-tingling. And not eat me when I dragged him out of his lair to answer the questions.


I half succeeded. It may have cost an arm and a leg - quite literally, I'm typing this with my nose, 'cause I'm so talented - but you lovely people will have an insight into the most terrifying entity who currently inhabits my head.


You all know the lovely Vidal. Meet his many-times-great-grandson.


Sephirax; "Sixknives", "The Shadow", "The Bane of Tanelorn". Murderer and madman.
Even the Stormlord bloodline, notorious murderers, liars, thieves and worse, have disowned him. And you're about to see why.


1. What is their motive? 
It depends what he's doing. Sometimes it's part of a long-term plan. Sometimes it's a spurr of the moment necessity. Sometimes there's a personal grudge involved. Sometimes it's a red herring to throw his enemies off the scent. Sometimes it's for kicks and giggles.

2. What are they prepared to do to get what they want? 
Anything. Sephirax has all the morals of a rock. And a good deal less sensitivity. The fact he's dancing dangerously close to insanity doesn't really help his moral compass.

3. Are they evil to the core, or simply misunderstood? 
In the beginning, he did what he did because he had no choice - it was that, or starve and die, taking the one person he cared about, and who cared about him, with him. Now, though? There's no doubt he's lost his mind - or some of it, at least. But whether it's the madness, or Sephirax's own twisted soul that drives him now, no one knows. Depends who you ask. And if they'll tell you anything. 

4. What was their past like? What about their childhood? Was there one defining moment that made them embrace their evil ways?
Sephirax started out in the world much the same way Vidal did - a bastard to a high-born lady, who died not long after his birth, and whose father never claimed him. He grew up fairly wild in the custody of the midwife's family, but they kicked him out the moment they could. He was strange. Very very strange. But sweet enough beneath that - he had a knack for mischief, and a distinct lack of any sort of conscience, but he never meant to cause harm. Not at first.


Unfortunately, the development of his exceedingly powerful mentalist abilities soon lead him towards darker and darker acts, drawn by a strange morbid curiosity with pushing the limits of his power. His friends, who were all he had in the world, started to fear him. And so did everyone else. This seemingly inexplicable rejection twisted like a knife in Sephirax, and he went south when he was still scarce more than a child, looking for something nobody is sure of. No one knows what happened to him, but when he came back, Tanelorn had no idea what it had created. Or what a bloodstained nightmare his madness would wreak upon them.


5. Now that they’re evil, have they turned their back on everyone, or is there still someone in their life that they care for? (Brother? Daughter? Love interest? Mother? Someone who is just as evil as they are?)
Love is a word Sephirax regards with the worst sort of scorn. The world's rejection of him made him bitter, and he'll happily use the loved ones of others to get what he wants - whether it be crucial to his job, or just because he feels the urge to destroy something. 


But there is one tiny little corner of his rotten heart that beats for someone else. His deafblind, crippled half-sister, Eli, rescued from the clutches of their mother's family who sought to exploit her Stormlord blood and use her as a political pawn. Her protection and welfare is all that stands between her brother's descent into lunacy and death. 


And, despite his bitterness towards them, Sephirax still agonises over actions concerning his old friends. Sometimes his old memories inspire a strange act of mercy. Sometimes they drive him to atrocities.

6. Do they like hugs?
Only from Eli. She sleeps curled up in his arms every night.


*aside* In his heart of hearts, he loves them. But don't try. He'll do something horrible to you.

7. Are they plagued by something? (Nightmares, terrible thoughts?) 
Enemies. Shifting webs of treachery. Lies. Deceit. Bitter memories. Fear. His own mental demons. And a new foe, stalking in his shadow, disappearing every time he looks. But he knows it's there. And he knows it's coming for him.

8. Who are they more similar to: Gollum or Maleficent?
Sephirax is a Malificent from the outset, but inside he's just as lost as Gollum ever was. He's both terrified of and intrigued by the power he has at his disposal, though his concern for Eli and his occasional fits of doubt and agony over the wreck of his life torment him near constantly. But he has made his choice, and he pays the price. Great power has, quite literally, lead to madness. 

9. If your villain could have their choice of transportation what would it be?
He would love to be able to teleport. There are thousands of stories that he can - though according to these stories he's also able to fly, steals souls just by making eye-contact, can walk through walls, and his father was a dragon. Teleportation would be a wonderful compliment to his job, and would cover up several of his somewhat limiting physical and mental weaknesses nicely. Even he can't kill a foe from halfway across the city, however much he would want to.

10. If you met your villain in the street, how afraid would you be? Are they evil enough to kill their creator?
I would just stand there and hope he killed me quickly. I couldn't outrun him - stubby-legged human vs nine and a half feet of muscle and malice is hardly a fair match. I couldn't outfight him - brittle-boned and physically deteriorating or no, if he kicked me hard enough most of my organs would explode. And, at close range, he could tear me apart from the inside out, literally or using his mentalism, depending what mood he was in. Heck, he'd probably hunt me down with the intention of killing me if he was bored. He's that nasty. And has that little regard for life.


Thankfully, I've given him a "squeaky toy" list of other characters he's allowed to maim to his heart's content. That seems to be keeping him happy ... for now.

***

Now ... who's up for a scary story?

- Charley R

Beautiful People, April 2012

Forsooth, my dear friends, I live yet!

Though the foe circles ever closer, I hope to thrust this small token of my existence into your hands before it is too late. I feel I must needs cheer myself, and keep my inner obsessive compulsive reigned in by completing a blog meme that remains close to my heart, even in these dark times. Though snow, sleet and storm delayed my posting, I hope my efforts shall bring some small cheer to you in my long absence.

And so, dear friends, I leave you in the charge of my companion Rin, for April's (late) Beautiful People.

1. What is their favourite type of shoes?
Rin only owns one pair of shoes - tough brown leather boots that have been through battles, cross-country treks, and a million and one other misadventures. He doesn't often have enough money to replace them, and his current pair are beginning to fall apart a little, but they are, genuinely, almost as much a part of him as his feet.

2. Do they journal? 
Rin can hardly write his own name in a straight line, let alone form a coherent sentence! He could probably struggle through reading one, but he's not a very well educated man.  Books and all that palaver are left to Florien.

3. What’s their favorite animal? 
Rin's always had a soft spot for the village dogs, but other than that, as long as it doesn't try and eat and / or maim him, he doesn't really pay that much attention to local fauna.

4. What does their average day look like?
Wake before dawn. Snarl and go back to sleep again. Bludgeon Florien has he draws the short straw and is sent in to "rouse the beast". If he's at home between jobs, he'll usually go out and see his betrothed Hilde, or chase up any small tasks that need seeing to before he goes on campaign. If he's on a job, however, he'll be reporting to his employer to get on with whatever he's been tasked to do. Only the morning ritual of attempting to murder Florien with whatever object is closest to the bed remains the same.

5. Night owl or morning person? (Optional: What time do they usually wake up? Go to bed?) 
See Question Four for Rin's view on mornings. He likes the dark, though, and he'll finish off any small tasks that are nagging him before he'll go to sleep. He's usually the man who chooses to take the late-night and early-morning watches when he and his men are sleeping in the open on campaign. So yeah, he's probably a "night owl."

6. Do they have a sweet tooth? 
Not really - Rin's not much one for fancy flavours. As long as it's edible, filling and isn't cooked by Hilde's father, he'll eat just about anything.

7. What colors are their bedroom? 
Can't really answer that - Rin doesn't have a bedroom! If he did, though, I reckon he'd prefer some sort of muted greens, browns, possibly a bit of blue here and there. Nothing loud or drastic.

8. Can they cook? 
When he has to - he can skin and cook most forms of game meat, knows what to do with a potato, and he taught himself all the edible plants and fungi he could find if he was in a really desperate situation when he was very young. I wouldn't ask him for a lasagne, or soufle, though. That might end badly.

9. What is their favorite household chore? 
As Rin spends most of his time fighting Skathains, he's never really had to do any "household chores". Though, when he is around for extended periods of time, he'll often end up doing lifting jobs and such for Hilde's family - her father's getting older, and her younger brother isn't big enough to do most of them yet. He's a bit of a packhorse, though he's not really all that strong compared to most men.
His favourite sort of job involving his men, though, has to be sparring practice. Rin loves a good tussle, and licking new recruits into shape - especially when he's already picked them for their talents - gives him a real sense of satisfaction.

10. Favorite kind of tea?
Rin hates tea with a vengeance - probably because his mother used to make him drink it as a boy when he got ill, and the stuff was revolting. I suspect he'd be more of a coffee person, if coffee was available in his homeland. Gods know he could probably use the caffiene sometimes!


- Charley R

Dark Wings, Dark Words

In the east, a grey sun rises. Sightings of ghosts and worse come in from every quarter, and in the night the smallfolk bolt their doors in fear. Even the guard dogs bark little as the silent threats come down out of the high places, hungering for prey. 

The shadows are rising. 

Cold, pale eyes watch from every corner. 

No one is safe.

My friends, these are black tidings indeed. My home, my future, and all I love lies under threat from this faceless menace. I feel the fear of my people pressing in around me, while my own terror lies coiled like a serpent, threatening to swallow me whole the moment I lower my guard. We know not from whence this threat came, or why it has chosen us for its prey. The day's shadows seem to grow darker about our heels with every step, and some swear their dreams are haunted by terrible screams from unknown voices.

What hope we have is dim as a flickering candle in the middle of a midnight sea. Even those scarce old enough to lift a blade are being called forth to muster beneath our tattered banners. We know not when, but we feel our foe drawing closer with the closing of every day.

This may be the last you hear of me, my brave friends. Though I arm myself with bow and sword and spear, I fear it will be of no use. 

I will call to you when I can, but in times like these, none can be sure which day will be our last.

Keep your watch fires burning for me.

The nights grow colder.

The winds cry higher.

The dark comes closer.

Brace yourselves.

Exams are coming.

"Of Chairs, Cataclysms and Character Abuse": Teens Can Write Too! Blog Chain, April 2012

Yes, yes, I know I'm not supposed to post today, but as I'm not going to be around over the weekend, I think I'm allowed to break my rules just once. Especially for something as cool as this.

I've been a follower of the awesome Teens Can Write Too! blog for some time and, though nowadays I find it hard to comment due to overwork, funky internet connection and frequent distraction-by-shiny-object, I have finally taken it upon myself to join in one of their famous blog chains! The theme this month is...

“What are your writers’ habits and eccentricities?”

Let’s face it, we all have them. Maybe you have a certain article of clothing you like to wear when you write, a la Jo March. Perhaps there’s a certain kind of character or situation that you strongly love or dislike to write. Is there a particular way that you must go about editing? Tell us about it!

Writing eccentricities? You's-a talking mah language! As if writers weren't weird enough from the outset, it turns out some of us can take our sometimes-strange behavior to whole new heights by decorating it, like a three-year-old's creatively constructive Christmas confection, with a delightful range of eccentricities and personal quirks.

And now, dear readers, for your enjoyment, I give you ... mine.

Number One: Death By Biscuits!
When writing, I find I often come up with my most dastardly ideas when I am licking the crumbs of a particularly delicious snack off my fingers. But, weirdly, only when it's a very specific type of biscuit. Unless I have my daily fix of these three-part tickets to sugar-and-raisin-based utopia, there ain't much evil in the barn tonight! So, rather than pelting me with rotten fruit for being such a little sadist, you can - literally - blame it on the biscuits. It's like a sugar high for my inner evil genius.

Number Two: If I Fits, I Sits.
Fun fact of the day: Charley hates chairs. Due to a combination of bony backside, long legs and an incurable fidgeting habit, I find sitting still for any period longer than about fifteen minutes to be a very uncomfortable experience. Cushions help a little, but, overall, the physical discomfort chairs cause me is enough to sometimes put me off writing.

To fix this, I have taken to sitting in / on / around anything that isn't a chair. At school, I like to sit on my bed, with my pillows propped up to make a sort of mini throne (half these pillows aren't necessary, but I like my throne shape). At home, I substitute my pillow throne for a specifically-shaped beanbag. I can literally spend ten minutes wriggling it into the correct shape for Writing Mode after I've slouched downwards while reading or browsing the internet. Edges of tables, comfortable wall niches and even a cupboard have also been locations in which some innate force has told me that writing is a good idea.

Number Three: The Dragonborn Comes!
Not only is the song one of the most awesome pieces of gameplay accompaniment I have ever heard, but my little buddy Llewellyn has been my constant companion through many of my most epic typing phases. Thus far he's invigilated two NaNoWriMos, a trilogy, multiple short works and, most recently, chapters of St Mallory's Forever! 

In fact, he's sitting with me right now. I wubs my widduw buddy! I always feel like something's missing when his head doesn't slightly obstruct my right wrist while typing.

Number Four: Author's Darlings.
This one is probably a little obvious, but I don't like "normal" characters very often. I just can't stand writing about those typical "so-and-so is an average guy/girl/being-of-indefinite-gender" premises. Even if it is only unusual taste in takeaway and a penchant for fluffy scarves, I feel I have to make my character engaging and interesting to the reader. The fact that I mostly write high fantasy and dystopian-style stories may or may not be related to this need for excitement and escapism beyond the hum-drum. This doesn't, of course, mean I take overdoing the original-ness of a character as a good thing. Trust me, you don't want to get me started on those.

On a similar note, I am a terrible offender when it comes to over-indulging my favourite characters - the nasty ones. Rin could give you a spectacular account of the horrors I allowed his various foes to get away with; from ridiculing his background and vicious name-calling to mass homicide and sadistically-driven maiming that left him with more than his fair share of battlescars, he had the lot. Of course, not all the characters I indulge are neccessarily villains - many of them are just nastily-inclined anti-heroes, or even unintentional allies in the end - but they're genuinely always two things: one - unpleasant by name and nature and two - able to convince me it's okay to let them get away with anything and everything.

No wonder I never know how to let the hero win anymore...

Number Five: Earthquakes! Wars! Plagues! Lumpy Custard!
Inevitably, an author who fawns on her nastier creations is more likely to be inclined to inciting disaster at every turn. But, I hear you cry, is that not the point? Stories need conflict, otherwise there's no point! This isn't an eccentricity, you cheater! Also, to most who know me, I'm a very friendly, upbeat person whose aversion to conflict and sensitivity to the sadness of others would indicate I'm probably no worse - and probably less inclined to - than your average author when it comes to sticking in nasties. 

Hehehehe. You know nothing, dear readers. Where most people would settle for one or two major conflict points in a story, I have more. A friend of mine once asked if I was some sort of repressed megalomaniac in my past life, because of how gruesomely I once described a battle scene. During the Aeserion Trilogy, said friend said she very nearly had to stop reading because the story was getting too dark and depressing for her to cope with much more. 

Call me evil at its worst, but I feel that I'm not doing my duty as an author if everything is running smoothly. I probably overdo it at times, but I am not ashamed to admit it. My characters no sooner have to poke their heads above the parapet before I'll send a panopoly of bullets, knives, arrows and flaming tribbles flying towards them. Nothing delights me more than orchestrating wars and disasters, and watching people battle like stink to get out of it again.

And if you think this is bad, you should see what happens when I play The Sims ... Mwua ha ha ha ha ha ha!

And, last of all, on a less psychotic note:
Number Six: Remember My Name!
I'm one of those people who takes great care over naming their characters, and I won't rest until I've got the right one for them - even if it means running an intensive "Search and Replace" through my 300-page Word document at multiple points in the story. I have to check it matches up with their nationality and background (though I'm less often inclined to check the name's meaning, unless I'm really in a corner about a name). Baby name websites are frequent raiding spots - especially those that have names from unusual cultures. Seriously, if the name does not fit, the story will not go. Thus is the unspoken Law of Charley's Brain.

Overcomplicated names are not a problem for me either - blame my good linguistic skills - so, unfortunately, I'm going to be one of those authors who has to put a pronounciation guide in the back of her books, and provides copious amounts of nicknames, to avoid tying my readers' tongues in knots.
Advance apologies to Lywellen, Caiafal, Triskaedekaphobia, Deladier and Erinestionavarial. Especially the last one ... sorry fella. It's a good thing you're cute with a name like that.

***

What about you lot? Got any eccentricities you want to share? Tell us all about them in the comments or, if you're feeling particularly inspired, write your own blog post about it!

The rest of the blog chain can be found here:

April 5– http://correctingpenswelcome.wordpress.com–Comfy Sweaters, Writing, and Fish

April 6– http://towerofplot.blogspot.com — The Leaning Tower of Plot

April 7–http://lilyjenness.blogspot.com–Lily’s Notes in the Margins

April 8–http://weirdalocity.wordpress.com– From My Head

April 9–http://insideliamsbrain.wordpress.com–This Page Intentionally Left Blank

April 10–http://thewordasylum.wordpress.com–The Word Asylum

April 11–http://rachelsbookreviews.com–Rachel’s Book Reviews

April 12–http://noveljourneys.wordpress.com–Novel Journeys

April 13–http://delorfinde.wordpress.com–A Farewell to Sanity

April 14–http://swordofink.com–Sword of Ink

April 15–http://thedreamersadventures.blogspot.com–The Dreamers Adventures

April 16–http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com–The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer

April 17–http://herestous.wordpress.com–Here’s To Us

April 18–http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com–Teens Can Write Too! (We will be announcing the topic for next month’s chain)

- Charley R

Beautiful People - March 2012

Because this is Beautiful People's one-year anniversary, Georgie and Skye have decided to do something special this month. It's an optional challenge focusing on … relationships! Not normally my cup of tea, but, you know what, I think it could be very good fun.

However, here I came across a slight hitch. Though the questions don’t state this specifically, I get the feeling this month’s questions are aimed at a romantic couple, rather than just a random pair of characters. Though I am working hard to sort out the romance factor of my Aeserion Trilogy rewrite, Rin’s sweetheart hasn’t got much more than a name at this stage, and it wouldn’t be much fun if I went and set their relationship down here only to have it eaten and sicked up on the carpet by a plot bunny overnight.

So, instead, I’ve decided to find the most interesting couple I have. You lot have met Vidal before, of course – he’s taken to haunting this blog, it seems. And today, with the aid of bribery, begging and a large pack of biscuits, the Bastard of Tanelorn has agreed to grace us all with his presence. With him, you’ll meet Lady Arystel Greysong – a classy, high-society Kinswoman. A bored, classy high-society Kinswoman.

Now then – let’s see what they’ve got to say for themselves:


1. Do they believe in anything that most people think is impossible?

Vidal: I’ve seen ice burn, kings wear rags and fools lead armies. I’ll not discount the truth in anything nowadays.

Arystel: I’d say there were plenty of impossible things in this world. I’m not half the conspiracy theorist Vidal is.


2. Are they strong, or the "damsel/knight in distress" sort?

Vidal: *raises an eyebrow* Does the fact that people call me “The Bastard” not say enough?

Arystel: I doubt I’ll ever need to be rescued. I’m not stupid enough to get myself into distress in the first place.


3. Do they have a special place? (e.g. a corner in his/her bedroom, under a tree...)

Vidal: Please excuse me while I go and cough up a hairball. All this whimsical nonsense is upsetting my stomach.

Arystel: *rolls her eyes at Vidal* I’m fond of the riverside, but there’s a particular peace about the Bonegrounds. I sometimes go and sit with my sisters of an afternoon. They don’t talk much, but, well, I like to think they’d enjoy catching up on the gossip.


4. What occupation do they have, or plan on having?

Arystel: Ha, as if I have any choice in the matter! I’ll be married and settle down to the job of trying to squeeze out a squalling heir for whichever manner of respectable man I’m given to. *she sticks her tongue out in disgust*

Vidal: Occupation? Well, I wouldn’t call it that, but I do have something to do with my time. The pay isn’t fantastic, but there are certain perks to the job. *he yawns* Pity about the death-threats, really.


5. Explain their last crisis. How had they changed when they came out of it?

Vidal: *bark-laughs* Crisis?! I’m a crisis on legs!

Arystel: And as if he wasn’t bad enough, there’s the small matter of a civil war … oh, you mean personally? Oh, I don’t do those. Not at all.


6. If they could drive any kind of car they wanted, what would it be?

*Vidal and Arystel both stare blankly.*


7. How do they deal with change?

Vidal: I don’t “deal with it”. It deals with me.

Arystel: There’s no point in arguing with things one can’t alter. Much easier to sit and watch and work around it if necessary.


8. If they had to amputate one body part, which one would they choose?

Arystel: What sort of bizarre question is that? Oh, I suppose it would have to be the middle finger on my left hand. It’s a pretty useless appendage really.

Vidal: It might also help with your incurable swearing problem.

Arystel: *looking affronted* Look who’s talking! What about you then?

Vidal: The idiot who thinks he’s removing my limbs has another thing coming. Perhaps he’ll learn a lesson or two about sociable behaviour while he’s scraping his entrails off the walls.


9. What would their favorite be at the local coffee shop? 

Vidal: Coffee? You mean that vile smelly drink the traders have started importing from the lowlands?

Arystel: It’s for drinking? And here I was thinking it was some sort of lotion or cure for chest infections.

Vidal: Really? Ah … perhaps I ought to apologise to Asphodel after all … I thought it was my uncle making another piss-poor attempt to poison me.


And here are the extra 5:

1. How did they meet?

Arystel: We met at one of my brother’s dinner parties – he’d spoken so much about Vidal I thought I had to come and see this infamous creature for myself.

Vidal: A very scintillating discussion we had too – I think it was something about the origins of the bloodlines?

Arystel: Yes. I think it all started when Yallar Fairwind started rambling on about blood superiority and we had to correct him …

Vidal: Oh, I remember now. Strange, for such a talkative fellow he didn’t talk much after that …


2. How do these two deal with conflict?

Arystel: I don’t do conflict. It gets rather tiresome after a time.

Vidal: Conflict and I have a special arrangement. He scratches my back, I scratch his. *He smiles, showing off a set of glittering sharp teeth*


3. Do they have a special song, phrase, item, or place? 

Arystel: Well, there’s my family motto … oh, you mean between the two of us?

*She looks at Vidal. He looks back. Both of them snort with mirth*


4. What kind of things do they like to do together?

Arystel: *in a mocking, sighing tone* Oh, romantic strolls in the forest, dancing at high society balls, buying trinkets in the marketplace, dining with our friends –

Vidal: *smirking* Gazing at the stars in each other’s embrace.

Arystel: Yes. Sometimes Vidal comes and serenades me outside my window –

Vidal: When I’m not writing ardent love poetry.

Arystel: Oh, *she clasps her hand to her heart* how could I ever forget!

*The two burst out laughing again*


5. Describe their relationship as a whole in 3 words or less.

Vidal: *picking up a note that Charley has shoved to him across the table* Errr … “Bonnie and Clyde”?

Arystel: Fascinating. As much as I’d love to sit about and ponder the immense improbabilities of our author’s brain, I’m afraid I have more pressing needs to attend to. Imladris Noonlight wants me to come and join her for supper – apparently she’s had a deer bought in especially for the occasion.

Vidal: Oh, enjoy that. If you see her father, tell him I send my condolences.

Arystel: Whatever for?

Vidal: *cackles* You’ll see. You’ll see.

Beautiful People - February 2012

It's that time again! Although I've had very little time for writing recently - what with plotting my extended essay, doing all my required and extra reading and keeping on top of my ever-mounting pile of homework - but, be warned, there is a good deal of plotting going on. This summer will be a wordy one, one way or another!


Not in the least because the Aeserion Trilogy rewrite will begin. And, in honour of that, Rin - whom you may remember from last month's post - has been dragged out from his hiding place happily returned to answer this second load of questions!


Now, without further ado, here we go!


1. If your character could be played by any actor, who would it be?
Without a doubt, I'd love to see Viggo Mortensen (better known as Aragorn, from Lord of the Rings) playing Rin. From what I know of his off-camera antics, he'd have the perfect mentality for the role, and - this may or may not be the result of my fangirl-ness - I think he looks rather like him. Unfortunately, as he's probably too old by now (and might not take well to having to dye his hair bright ginger!) Ah well, I can dream, can't I?


2. Does your character have a specific theme song?
Not really - unlike many of my characters, Rin's creation as a character wasn't influenced by any particular song. A couple that do make me think of him when I'm writing though, are Disturbed's "I'm Alive" and "Hero" by Heather Dale.


3. What’s their worst childhood memory?
When he was about fifteen, Rin decided to present himself to his local lord and ask to be hired as one of his household company. Unfortunately, taking one look at his narrow frame and unorthodox fighting style, Lord Bragan laughed in his face and told him he would eat his boot if he ever saw the day when a "skinny bag of maggots" like Rin ever lifted a sword. However well he's done for himself since, Rin still can't stand attacks on his honour like that - people who make them tend to end up with several bruises and a broken rib or two ... if they say sorry fast enough to avoid further injury!

4. If your character had a superpower, what would it be?
His personal choice would probably be flight - his advantage in a battle lies in his speed, and being able to take off into the air at any moment would definitely compliment that nicely. From my perspective, looking at him as a person, I'd say he would probably be some sort of pyromancer - a manipulator of fire. Not only does it match his general temperament nicely, but it would probably come in very useful for those long cold nights he's had to spend sleeping up trees!

5. If your character crashed on an island with a bunch of other people, how would your character help the group survive?
Probably by seeing off any nasty critters in the vicinity, and, most likely, by taking the lead and organising immediate survival strategies. And giving any weepy-waily fools a good dunking in cold water. He can't stand hypochondriacs.

6. Are they married? If not, do they someday wish to be?
Ah, now THIS is a complicated question. In book one, Rin is engaged to marry his long-term girlfriend. Not to give any spoilers, but we all know I'm too mean to let that work out. From then on out, it all gets a lot more complicated. Rin would love to settle down with a woman and have kids ... it's all down as to whether I'm going to let him! *cackles*

7. What is a cause they would die for?
Rin would sooner impale himself on a spoon than let anyone take away his freedom, or that of people he cares about - whether that be his friends, his family, or his homeland. Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to persuade him to do a William Wallace and yell "freedom!" on a battlefield.

8. Would they rather die fighting valiantly, or quietly at home?
He would definitely like the latter better, but even he knows in his heart of hearts that there's a snowball's chance in hell of that ever happening. Hazards of the job, and all.

9. If someone walked up to them and told them they were the child of the prophecy, would they believe them?
Rin would give them a confused look and walk off. Unless he's clutching at the nearest tree, trying not to asphyxiate from laughing.

10. Do they prefer the country or the city?
It depends - he was born and raised in the country, and I like to think he has a certain attachment to it. He certainly likes the simplicity of life there. But, the city is where he's likely to find employers, and he and his men do need to stock up on gear, weapons and food fairly regularly, and they can't always find everything they need in the countryside. And who can resist a little fun and havoc in a city bar every now and again?

***

Phew! Another month of questions over already!

This month's questions - as well as those from ages past, links to the blogs of other participants, and the answers of the creators themselves can be found at Further Up and Further In.

- Charley R

Beautiful People - January 2012

I love this challenge. Devised by the wonderful people over at Further Up and Further In, it's a clear, simple and very enjoyable exercise that is a massive help in thrashing out and fleshing up characters in one's work. I did the full 2011 series of questions back in late October last year, just before NaNoWriMo, and let me tell you, it is probably half the reason I hit 50,000 words at all.

And, this month, our lucky victim is ... Rin! 

To those of you from Protagonize - or have read my blogposts griping on the subject - you will doubtless be familiar with my brain-breaking fantasy, the Aeserion trilogy (the original draft of Warrior, the first book, was once thought to be the longest solo work on Protagonize, before I took it down and edited it to half the length. Links to each of the stories can be found in The Plots!). Well, of late, I have finally decided that it needs a rewrite - for obvious reasons, if you know the stories, and not in the least because the characters are awfully generic. So the unfortunate Rin (formerly Gwythryn, thought technically he still is ... long story) has kindly "volunteered" to be put through this first round of questions!

Heeeeeeere we go!

1. If your character’s house burned down, and they were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, what would they do? Where would they go?

Well, as Rin doesn't own a house, he wouldn't really have that problem. However, if such a situation did arise, I reckon he'd probably end up salvaging what he could from the wreckage and moving in with the local warlord - heck knows he hires him often enough. If that didn't work, he'd probably head to the nearest tavern and invade the cheapest rooms they had on offer.

2. Are they happy with where they are in life, or would they like to move on?

At the start of the trilogy, Rin's a happy man - he's the leader of a band of well-trained (and very expensive) mercenaries, and up in their native northern lands, they're much liked. His men love him, despite his eccentricities, and his best friend's sister, and his longtime sweetheart, has decided it's time they were properly engaged.

But, as often happens in stories like this, it all goes down the drain ...

3. Are they well-paid?

Very. Rin's very particular about hiring himself and his company out only to those he's sure will pay their price, and if they won't, he'll take them off somewhere else without a backward glance. His second-in-command has a quick mind for figures too, so they're rarely ripped off!

4. Can they read?

Not terribly well, but he can plough through simple prose. Shakespeare might be a wee bit beyond him though!

5. What languages do they speak?

Just his native Errion, though he does manage to become passable in a second through the course of the second and third books of the trilogy.

6. What is their biggest mistake? 

Errr ... there's a very big list. Good thing he has the devil's own luck really - bit prone to misadventure is Rin.

7. What did they play with most as a child?

He and his best friend Florien would often play at fighting with long sticks, but as they grew up in a working village I'd reckon they spent most of their time helping their parents. Though they probably found enough time for messing about with whatever they could get their hands on.

8. What are their thoughts on politics?

Rin's from a fairly rustic background, so his knowledge of politics is pretty sparse. Not that it really matters - there's a war on, and he knows which way to point the sword. Leave the plotting and wheedling to the people who have time for it.

9. What is their expected life time?

As the story's a medieval fantasy, I'd say the average life expectancy for a fit, healthy man like Rin would be somewhere between fifty and sixty. Though, as there's a war on and, as mercenaries, he and his men could be dead at any time they're fighting, either from disease or infected wounds or the ever-deadly axe to the skull. It all depends if Rin's uncanny luck and speed with a sword hold out.

10. If they were falsely accused of murder, what would they do? How would they react?

Not well. Never one to take a slight against him lightly, Rin would probably demand to know who had the nerve to accuse him, then find them and kick them into the middle of next week. Especially as it's likely he could be proved innocent by his men - you'd have to be a bit of a fool to accuse him, unless he actually DID kill someone. And that is a whole different kettle of fish...

***

I'll be back again soon with more posts on writerly tips, exciting news on the publishing front, snippets from my non-writerly life, complete with all the daftness you've come to expect of me.

In the meantime, have a go at the Beautiful People challenge yourself, and feel free to leave me a link to your post in the comments and tell everyone how you found it! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

- Charley R