The 4-Part Writing Special // Questions on Characters

Today we are going to talk about the characters in Words of Gold.  As much as I would love to talk about all the characters in the entire trilogy, I shall (attempt to) restrain myself and keep this post only on those appearing in the first book.

Let's see how well that goes...

Who is the main character?  (Bonus points for description or picture.)

Marywyn, a villager.  She is around twenty years old (funny, how I've never pin-pointed her exact age...), and loves gardening, goats, and good grub (er, food...).  She has red hair, freckles, light blue eyes, and a nice smile.

Marywyn loves her little village - with lots of gardens and flowers!

 What is the goal of the protagonist?  The antagonist?  (No spoilers!)

Marywyn would like to return home alive.  She believes she's only in this mess (mess as in - people trying to kill her, the princess hating her, and her family being far away) for a brief time before she goes back to the village. 

Of course, that's want she wants, but God has a different plan.

The antagonist...well, I actually have a couple.  None have world domination (mwahaha) in plan, though.  I don't want to tell who they are, or else the "Betrayal" part of the trilogy won't be as exciting.  :)  But just know that while some villains are obvious enough throughout the story...more lurk in the shadows...  *cues creepy music*  And their motives...well, you will have to read and find out.  (How's that for a sales pitch??)

  

Is there a possession or memory the MC keeps close?

Marywyn has one memory of her father, and while it has faded, she still remembers his bright blue eyes, his deep, kind voice, and the comfort his embrace gives her.  She prays that someday she will see him again, and get more memories with him. 

What is the MC's greatest fear?

Well, Marywyn is not a brave soul (not in the slightest), so she actually has quite a lot of fears.  Essentially: she's afraid of everything.  Horses.  Strangers.  New things.  Shadows.  People who don't smile. 

But I suppose she fears most that she'll never see her family together again.  With a brother taken prisoner, parents out of the picture, and all sorts of havoc running around the world, they may never be a happy little family.  She fears she'll be alone and on her own.

Like Marywyn has no interest in seeing what may lie over the mountains.  Most likely whatever is over there is dangerous, and should not be messed with or bothered.

 Who is your favorite character?

It's a very close three-way tie.  *smug grin*

I love Marywyn, as she's the MC and I spend a lot of time in her head.  Despite our differences, I think we could get along quite well, and I have loved watching (or reading)(or writing)(however you would like to put it) her learn.

I also love Wisdom Ravencroft, a woman who spends her time helping others with no thought of gain for herself.  I would just love to spend an afternoon with her - singing songs while going on little mercy missions.  She also has a big draft horse I would love to take a ride on.

Lastly, I love the Captain of the West Band, who is noble and chivalrous - sometimes.  Can I please just sit and eat a snack with him, maybe have him teach me how to shoot a bow, and then play a song or two together?

List some of the more prominent characters, and then provide a line that describes them (from your WIP).

 Marywyn the Villager

“What makes you so special that Rayn Hetherin feels the need for you to take his favor?”

I shrugged. “Nothing.”

Princess Connaven

Conn found every excuse to complain. I did my best to amuse her, but she refused to be amused.

Rayn Hetherin

He removed the hood from his face to display dark eyes, hard to make out in the shadows of his long hair. “Have no fear. I’m a warrior, bound to protect the people of Raybir.”

Wisdom Ravencroft

Everyone was Wisdom's friend, be they servant, captain, or castle-goer.

Duren Blackburn

“He knows he’s supposed to be here, but can’t remember why.”

Who is the funniest character? Smartest character? Creepiest character? Most reckless character? Quirkiest character?

Argh!!!  The funniest (imo) character arrives in the second book....but in the first one, I would have to say Jaran.  He loves to make people laugh, and is a bit of a show-off.  His quick wit gives him the ability to produce loads of quick retorts and sarcastic remarks.  He is the standard-bearer of the West Band, and it's his job to keep up morale and encourage the warriors, so it's a perfect fit.  :)

The smartest would be...Rayn Hetherin.  He has a fast calculating mind, and his position in the West Band is one of strategy.

Creepiest...ahh....perhaps Landin.  The Crown Warrior to the Queen Moreno herself.  He was trained from birth to be a great warrior, and he suspects everyone of attempting to kill her.  At least, that's what he seems to be thinking when he looks at you.

Reckless is Jaran again, since he tends not to think before he acts.  He just sees something that "must" be done and goes off and does it, whatever the consequences might be.

My quirkiest character would probably be the Princess Connaven.  Sometimes she's a mirror image of her mother - cold and regal; other times she's just a young girl with loads of curiosity and innocence.  Deep down, I think she's a sweetheart, but being a princess has changed her to someone else.

I mean, if I lived in a castle, I would probably become a different person.
KNEEL!!!!

How do you come up with names?

Oy.  A number of names I have made myself; some are other names I've tweaked a bit.  Other names I just come across in my life and decide to use them.  My characters tend to go through many name changes (except Wisdom...she has always been Wisdom) until I find one that fits them.

I have a note on my phone where I save names I find that are interesting.  So whenever I need a name, I just grab one from there.  Then the name might get changed or tweaked as the story and the character grows.

What is the Myer's Brigg type of your MC?  (Bonus points for side characters!)

My dear MC, Marywyn, is an ESFJ.

Wisdom // ENFP

Connaven // INTP

Rayn // ISTJ

Jaran // ENTJ

Duren // ISFJ

Are any characters influenced by someone in your life?

Not in this trilogy, no.  I have based characters of real people in other stories, but all three books in Betrayal and Bravery are free from such things.  I do have a few scenes that spring-boarded off of events in my life, and I have a few characters that remind me of people that I know (but were not influenced by them intentionally).

So - still interested in my trilogy?  Please check out the other bloggers and see their answers to these questions!

Links as they are accessible: 

Ivie

Sarah

Jem

Lila

Faith

Lisa

Evangeline

Carol