Tag Archives: character

“Man made madness and the romance of sadness.”

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Yes, another MS MR lyric – from ‘Bones‘ this time. THEY’RE SO GOOD, OKAY?! And the song was used in the GoT trailer, so there.

Challenge 64:  I want you to create a character this week, but specifically a villain. I love villains, and if they’re crafted well, I usually find them more interesting than the protagonist. So – give us some intricate back story, physical descriptions, relationships, and as much detail as you can. Maybe offer some present-tense context or an arch-nemesis for fun?

Cheers,

CM

“Don’t hold a glass over the flame, don’t let your heart grow cold.”

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These lyrics are from the always wonderful Mumford & Sons, WHO HAVE A NEW ALBUM OUT NOW SO GO BUY IT GO GO GO. It is absolutely amazing and better than I expected. I heard a bunch of the new ones live (a few times…) and this one, ‘Hopeless Wanderer,’ is still my favorite. (Although ‘Babel’ is putting in a good bid for my new most-played.)

Challenge 21: In this challenge, I want you to pick your favorite character. They can come from a book, movie, song, anything you want. Now, create a scene centered around that character. Make sure to keep the character’s personality and tendencies apparent. See ya Monday!

 Elizabeth Bennet gripped the door handle of the car as she stepped out onto the curb. It was still only her first week dealing with these “car” contraptions, and she was still wary of them. Her new friends assured her that she was perfectly safe; safer in fact than she might be walking to their destination in the city streets. Even though she had pleaded with them to let her walk, providing they would supply her with directions or a sufficient map, they simply refused.

They just laughed and pushed her toward the large, blue monstrosity sitting outside. “We’ll even let you have shotgun,” they had said, nearly unable to quiet their giggles. She decided to play along instead of giving in to the strong inclination she had to question what “shotgun” was. Thankfully, they had written off her ignorance to the excuse she gave of living most her life on what they deemed a “hippie compound.” Hardly any electricity, no cars, minimal plumbing, and farming or hunting for food. It sounded close enough to her actual previous life, so she allowed it.

“Lizzy! C’mon,” Charlotte, the kindest of her new friends here, beckoned her toward the brick staircase of the house before her. Charlotte had been there when Elizabeth woke up from her strange dream, only to find herself in an even stranger one. Elizabeth hadn’t even begun to explain the complexity of the situation and had been so overwhelmed by everything, yet Charlotte listened to all of her questions and mad ramblings patiently. Elizabeth immediately trusted her, perhaps because of her openness but probably because of the comfortable association with her name. In any case, Elizabeth trusted her instincts when it came to the character and disposition of others. She hadn’t really had any other choice, in any case.

She pulled at the hem of her dress, willing it to be longer. It had been the longest she could find at such short notice (since whatever or whoever had done this had neglected to pack her suitcase for the ride), and her friends had barely acquiesced to her request for plain shoes with no heels and a sweater that covered her shoulders and arms. She felt slightly more at ease when she saw what they were wearing themselves (but only just – how could people so ahead of her time logically feel that these large patches of visible skin were acceptable?!), but her discomfort hadn’t disappeared completely.

It had been an increasingly strange and confusing week, so when the girls suggested that they should “hangout at a friend’s house for a chill night,” she agreed. She thought it might do her some good to simply observe the party, perhaps learning a few new interesting things that could help her in this new life. The first few days had been very difficult; she didn’t understand anything and she missed her home and her family. But as the distance between those memories grew, she found her worries and longings fading. This place seemed to present so many new possibilities and exceedingly interesting people that she decided she may as well enjoy it while she can. Who knew how long it might last?

When the door opened, they were assaulted by a loud chorus of greetings coming from what looked like a large sitting area across from the main entrance. Two of the girls with them immediately walked in, embracing a few of the people inside. Charlotte stayed back by Elizabeth’s side, for which she was grateful.

“Everyone, this is Elizabeth,” she said to the large room. The introduction was returned by a new, louder chorus of greetings and a few startling questions shouted in her direction that she didn’t quite understand. Charlotte, picking up on her panicked disposition, took her arm gently and led her away.

“Interrogate her later, we’re gonna grab a drink first,” she shouted in the general direction of the party, taking Elizabeth down the hall to what looked like a kitchen. It was similar to the first modern kitchen Elizabeth had already seen in Charlotte’s house, so she wasn’t as taken back this time. What did alarm her though, was the large amount of what seemed to be alcohol in various shaped and colored bottles covering the kitchen surfaces. Elizabeth halted in her tracks, but Charlotte merely regarded her with a smile when she saw what had made Elizabeth frightened.

“Don’t worry about it, we’re splitting a bottle of wine tonight. You’re familiar with that, right?” Charlotte looked slightly unsure as she pulled the bottle out of her bag, but Elizabeth reassured her by returning the smile. It wasn’t entirely faked, especially since the green bottle full of dark, red liquid was commonplace to her. She took the glass Charlotte poured for her and donned her most confident expression as she took a sip. She was determined to succeed in this small endeavor (what was a glass of wine compared to what she had already faced?), even though she hadn’t had more than a few sips in her time at her old home. Charlotte didn’t need to know the particulars.

“Alright, then. Shall we?” Elizabeth asked her, emboldened by her new acceptance of this incredible experience placed before her. Or perhaps it was the strong wine she was now taking another generous sip of. Either way, Elizabeth was taking a step toward her new future with a broad smile upon  her face and determination in her countenance.

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Well, this may have gotten away from me a little bit. Honestly, my first thought was to do Sherlock Holmes. But damn I did not want to deal with figuring out a mystery for him or going through those intense deductions – not when I have actual school work of my own to attend to these days. And I’m only halfway through the ACD canon anyway. Now, Elizabeth Bennet I can honestly (I hope?) say I am familiar with. I’ve seen every adaptation and read the novel many times. I love her wit, I love her stubbornness, and I love her confidence.

I had no idea where to start, so I went for it: I gave in to the desire I have always had to see her deposited into our world. I know it must have taken a great amount of what we call “suspension of disbelief” to get through the logistics of her time-traveling and such which I glazed over… so I appreciate it if you were able to turn a blind eye to that and simply enjoy the story. I was worried  I wouldn’t have enough to say or the scene would be too sparse – but once I got into her thoughts, I couldn’t stop! I’ve only just begun here – I want to introduce Darcy, Caroline, and incorporate her sisters in this environment as well.

But alas, I felt I needed to stop myself at over 1,000 words. Perhaps another time?

Cheers,

CM

“And we’re not like them, baby. We will never be still.”

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Initially, I searched for songs relating to the challenge, but I couldn’t settle on anything without thinking I would freak everyone out (I was torn between Today by The Smashing Pumpkins and Hysteria by Muse). As I was flipping back and forth on YouTube, I saw River by Civil Twilight on the sidebar. I’m not sure of the actual meaning of the song, but I believe songs can have many interpretations for different people… so I used it regardless. I love this band so much, and this song was (still is) my absolute favorite from their new album. The quote I used just seemed to fit.

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Challenge 20: I want you to write about or create a character with a mental illness. It can be one you are familiar with or one you wish to learn more about. First, pick one mental illness and describe it briefly for our benefit. The next step you can go about two ways: either write a scene with that character that best exhibits the symptoms and issues they might face, or create a character outline. While the scene is self-explanatory, you have a little more room with the outline, should you choose – what are his/her tendencies? Are there specific challenges they face? Do they seek treatment or take medication? How are the people around him/her affected?

If it helps: this site in particular assisted me in creating this challenge.

Cheers,

CM

Alexa’s response is due Thursday, September 20

“You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for God’s sake!”

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The title is from The Holiday, which is one of my favorite chick flicks, both because it’s heart-warming and funny and because I really admire the character’s and their dialogue.

Challenge 6: Think about your character from last week. Write a monologue for them, whether it’s a speech they’ve been performing in front of the mirror, or a rant that unleashes itself on someone else during an argument. Describe the situation that prompts the monologue.

Cheers,

CM

Alexa’s response is due Monday, July 30

“People are strange, when you’re a stranger”

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I can credit my Dad for this awesome band choice. He loves The Doors. This is from their song “People are Strange”.

 

Challenge 2: Think about someone you saw today (someone you saw on the street, a co-worker, someone on tv, etc.) and create a character biography for them. Where they’re from, what their job is, if they have a family, things like that. If you do know them, you have to recreate their background from scratch. Keep it under 300 words.

  • Name: Anna Torres
  • Born: April 16th, 1970 Bedford, Indiana
  • Occupation: Software engineer
  • Physical Description: Blue eyes, sandy blond hair (dyed to a platinum oblivion). Plain in appearance. Nothing in particular makes her standout except for her genuine Polish nose. She can credit her father for that.
  • Marital status: Married, no kids
  • Family background: Both parents deceased. She has an older brother in Indiana whom she seldom speaks to.

Anna Torres led an exciting life, on the outside. She worked for a large company writing software for missiles.  She married a hispanic man with dark features, handsomely beautiful. No kids. Had plenty of money to spend on nice things. But truthfully, Anna’s life was meek. Dull. Easy. She followed in her father’s footsteps and became an engineer, married a coworker, and lived in a small town. Fifty Shades of Grey sat on her nightstand. Her friends read it, thinking they were daring. Anna read it because she wished for some glimpse of excitement in her life. She would sit at a table at happy hour with coworkers, making up stories of adventures her and her husband had been on. They would watch, laughing hysterically at her reenactments of past lovers while she drained her third margarita. She would go home and sit in bed while her husband slept next to her.Her brain working towards an escape. She had to quit this painfully boring life.

This character came from  a plain-looking woman sitting at a table next to ours at a mexican restaurant. She was clearly drunk and proceded to tell stories to her coworkers rather loudly the entire night while they listened on. She fascinated me. I am surrounded by engineers and have always been interested by their extreme intelligence and social skills. Hence, why “Anna” came about.

Laters,

AW

I challenge thee

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Alright Lexa, here you go.

Challenge 2: Think about someone you saw today (someone you saw on the street, a co-worker, someone on tv, etc.) and create a character biography for them. Where they’re from, what their job is, if they have a family, things like that. If you do know them, you have to recreate their background from scratch. Keep it under 300 words.

Cheers,

CM

Alexa’s response is due Monday, July 16