tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post7628102062230004099..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: Character Crafting Games for NaNoWriMo: "Sherlock Holmes" Your CharactersStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-2815014896100141262014-11-21T04:06:58.167-06:002014-11-21T04:06:58.167-06:00Yep, it was a general problem. But there are a lot...Yep, it was a general problem. But there are a lot of ways I can make Lim more sympathetic...<br />1) She has to make the choice- to marry or to save the kingdom- without knowing if the groom will forgive her for running away on their wedding.<br />2) She is forced to do something completely against her scruples (REALLY sad scene. I almost cried.)<br />3) Her best friend, "father," and protector is brutally murdersd because of her.<br /><br />It seems like almost EVERYTHING bad happens to Lim.<br /><br />Thanks for the advice!!! I am definitely using it.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-59376517937993540472014-11-20T21:52:10.492-06:002014-11-20T21:52:10.492-06:00Thanks for the great post, Gillian--it got my crea...Thanks for the great post, Gillian--it got my creative brain juices flowing! If Sherlock Holmes met my heroine, here are a few things he would notice and the conclusions he might draw:<br />1) Cropped hair - unusual in the cultural context of 1940s Germany (long braids standard), indicates her slightly defiant streak<br />2) Wears a wristwatch, delicate earrings and fringed socks - the Nazi League of German Girls discouraged jewelry and accessories; again, demonstrates her individualism and also good aesthetic sense<br />3) Extremely short fingernails - the unmistakable mark of a serious pianist!<br />4) Hunched posture - self-conscious and insecure<br />5) Charcoal smudges on pads of fingers - loves to draw<br />6) She's smuggled fashion magazines into her apartment (also discouraged by the Nazi leadership) - although she is beautiful, is starved for love and craves affirmation Sophia Zervasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-73766569852357880042014-11-20T11:17:53.254-06:002014-11-20T11:17:53.254-06:00Thanks, Gillian! :) He's a lot of fun to write...Thanks, Gillian! :) He's a lot of fun to write about.Catsi Eceerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08332529011525703394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-50930930977802525292014-11-19T22:54:49.371-06:002014-11-19T22:54:49.371-06:00Glad it was helpful, Melody!Glad it was helpful, Melody!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-82166028133516836182014-11-19T22:54:20.932-06:002014-11-19T22:54:20.932-06:00Very nice, Catsi! Jack Hamilton sounds like quite ...Very nice, Catsi! Jack Hamilton sounds like quite the interesting character. I especially like the detail about the frostbitten fingertips.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-41025649046619839402014-11-19T22:53:18.987-06:002014-11-19T22:53:18.987-06:00Well this has me quite intrigued! I'm so happy...Well this has me quite intrigued! I'm so happy you wrote out the scene. I could practically hear Sherlock spouting all of that glorious information from his wealth of knowledge ... only to completely gloss over the queen beckoning from the corner...<br /><br />Where would Sherlock be without John?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-78915693471768188272014-11-19T22:49:45.134-06:002014-11-19T22:49:45.134-06:00Oh, a winged warrior? Sounds fascinating! That mig...Oh, a winged warrior? Sounds fascinating! That might put Sherlock aback a bit... though he's done a bit of "flying" himself...<br /><br />Without really knowing the background of your story, there are just a couple things that come to mind. But they may or may not be helpful to your specific story, so feel free to take what's useful and ignore the rest! :)<br /><br />If it's a scene problem, where you notice Gloria is taking over the scene through calling attention to herself, you might try removing her from the forefront by having a distraction that calls her to the side or giving your main character something that pulls her away with the other characters she needs to be interacting with.<br /><br />Or it's just a general problem, I'd suggest trying to really dig deep into Lim's character and figure out what makes her sympathetic (just going off your description, it could be the fact that she was a slave and has been mistreated) and focus on writing her in such a way that readers will connect with her. Sure Gloria may be bright and bold and quick to catch the eye, but if the readers connect with Lim and invest in her goals, she won't lose her place as the main character.<br /><br />Just a thought!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-88619033668962520432014-11-19T22:40:37.396-06:002014-11-19T22:40:37.396-06:00Wow, I can tell you've given this character a ...Wow, I can tell you've given this character a lot of thought! Awesome.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-40358840154380721882014-11-19T21:07:39.413-06:002014-11-19T21:07:39.413-06:00Sherlock gives Mora the once over. He sees the ric...Sherlock gives Mora the once over. He sees the rich fabric of her tunic, the traces of many wrinkles in it, and the uncomfortable way she wears it. From this he deduces that she wears it every day she can further deduces that it is not something she would have picked out for herself. Gift. Now if the person who gave it to her was a woman she would have gotten a girl's tunic not a married woman's one, that says gift from a man, but not a romantic gift. "Not a romantic gift?" She can't take her eyes off the body guard with the grumpy face. He isn't the sort of fellow to give a girl clothes. Father then or other close male relation. <br /><br />Now look at the way she walks. She kicks her feet too much, she's used to a fuller skirt, there are green staines on her thumb, Rockweed. She's used to being with the Tibiri people and she's a healer, or was in training to be one. <br /><br />She's got a body guard and her hands are relatively soft but there are traces of old calluses. She is used to hard work such as scrubbing and gathering wood but has not had to do it in recent months. But there are fresh pricks on her finger, the positioning says darning not embroidery, she's a servant then in a fancy place.<br /><br />"Sherlock, you said body guard?"<br /><br />The man? He's a body guard. he stands stiff and straight while she looks at the wares in the stalls and despite their disgustingly obvious attraction to each other he doesn't offer her his arm when they walk. But when there was a sudden noise his hand went to his hip but there was no weapon. He's a body guard but he's undercover.<br /><br />That isn't a hairpin in her hair by the way, it's a tiny ornate dagger. They are not only under cover but they expect danger. Those sulfer burns on the heel over her hand and the iron rust on her elbow? She's been working at an alchemists table recently but very awkward at it. <br /><br /> Conclusion. She's the daughter of that foolish looking man over there who is fingering his money in front of the sandle makers. His hands have many burns but they are old and his tunic has iron rust on it from where he's carefully wiped his hands. <br /><br />Now a body guard a tibiri raised girl and a weak looking man out undercover preparing for danger. What does that fit?<br /><br />"Part of the team spotted spiriting the prince out of Cunn."<br /><br />Correct John. <br /><br />"That and the fact that that's the queen beckoning them from the corner."<br /> Anne-girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14879811254464226204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-12337406927380970112014-11-19T12:04:05.204-06:002014-11-19T12:04:05.204-06:00If Sherlock Holmes met Jack Hamilton, he would not...If Sherlock Holmes met Jack Hamilton, he would notice:<br />Expensive but worn clothing<br />Coat is old, but just the right size<br />Scar over nose<br />Seemingly permanent frown and lowered eyebrows<br />Keeps feet spread shoulder-width and his hands tend to be in fists, or in his coat pockets<br />Because of these things, Sherlock would deduce that Jack has a rich benefactor, though he has not seen this person for some time (the clothing is about three years out of fashion). The clothing must have been hand-me-downs, as the coat, though three years old, now fits Jack perfectly. It would have been too large for him three years ago.<br />The scar on his nose was done intentionally by a left-handed man with a knife. It slides over the bridge of his nose to Jack’s right--the knife-wielder’s left--obviously being held with the left hand. (Ever tried sliding a knife in the opposite direction than your wrist wants to go in?) The scar appears to be about five years old, so putting Jack’s age around thirteen, means that this left-handed man knew him as a young child. The way Jack avoids conversation about the scar points to the conclusion that he still speaks to this man.<br />The lowered eyebrows and evidently unchanging frown Jack has shows that he’s had an unhappy childhood and is unused to smiling. He frequently lapses into silence, and though he appears to be very bright, he takes his time speaking. Conclusion: He is an introverted fellow who feels it necessary to think out what he is about to say before saying it.<br />He keeps his feet spread shoulder-length and his hands in fists. It’s a fighter’s stance--Jack is a street rat, and is used to resorting to fistfights to keep others from taking his street corners. Sometimes he keeps his hands in his pockets. His hands are cold. The winter isn’t fully on yet, so he must have sensitive fingers, or perhaps he’s worried about his fingers getting cold. May have a history with frostbitten fingertips.<br /><br />Ha, that was long. XD Great exercise! Thanks so much!Catsi Eceerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08332529011525703394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-19456827803923929302014-11-19T01:45:44.966-06:002014-11-19T01:45:44.966-06:00Sherlock Holmes meeting Lim, the Ganorian servant ...Sherlock Holmes meeting Lim, the Ganorian servant girl... hm, not likely. But if he did, this is what he would notice:<br /><br />1. She is a thin, somewhat short girl who keeps her eyes on the ground. She says "sir," and "my lord" a lot. She is also barefoot.<br /><br /> From this, he could deduce that 1) she eats very little, and 2) she has been raised a slave.<br /><br />2. She has a deep red scar from theboutside corner of her right eye down to her mouth and a look of fear in her eyes.<br /><br /> He could deduce that she has been mistreated at some point in her life.<br /><br />3. Her modest servant's garments have grass stains on the knees, which she constantly tries to hide. She often returns home witb leaves and pieces of bird's-nests in her hair.<br /><br /> Holmes could guess (and rightly!) that she is hiding something and going out somewhere she shouldn't go.<br /><br />But for her friend, the princess Gloria, Holmes would see:<br /><br />1. She has glowing white wings and carries a bow and full quiver with her everywhere. Her face is constantly defiant.<br /> <br /> He would deduce that 1) she is of a different nationality than Lim, 2) she is trained in combat, and 3) she is trying to prove hrrself to others.<br /><br />2. Her long blond hair is often tangled from the shoulders down.<br /> <br /> He might deduce thst she spends much time flying, tangling her hair in her wings.<br /><br />3. She walks with a military carriage, but only when she is being watched.<br /><br /> She does many things because of others' expecations.<br /><br />Wow!!! I should do this for ALL my characters!<br /><br />Quick question: Lim is my MC, and absolutely essential to the plot, but she seems to be overshadowed by Gloria as the more vibrant character. How do I keep Gloria from taking over????<br /><br />Thanks!! GREAT exercise!!!!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-78289550517529081072014-11-18T20:09:57.794-06:002014-11-18T20:09:57.794-06:00If November McNabb and Sherlock were to meet he’d ...If November McNabb and Sherlock were to meet he’d notice the following things:<br />1. Her hair, which has never been dyed, is perfectly styled in waves that fall around her shoulders.<br />2. She’s wearing a white crop top and tight jeans with flats.<br />3. She has a worn reddening green clover-shaped silver ring on her right hand on her ring finger<br />4. Her clothes smell faintly of smoke<br />5. Her eyes wander during conversations and she seems distant at times<br />6. She spins pens and pencils around in her fingers<br />7. Her arms are slightly muscular.<br />8. There’s a slight indent on one side of her mouth<br />In which he’d infer she (1) has a specific image she must uphold to the public which is being well put together and problem free, she stays true to herself as well having never changed her hair color. He also infer that she is (2) comfortable in her skin to the point of not minding showing off her figure to the world and is also not overly dramatic as she keeps to flats. The (3) worn ring on her right ring finger indicates that she still holds dear the person who originally gave it to her although it was a while ago and she has not taken it off either. It was mostly likely a boy as well going from its location. She also (4) spends a lot of time around someone who smokes or smokes herself but considering there are no burns on her fingers nor does her breath smell foul it is most likely the former option as opposed to the later. Her (5) wandering eyes dictate that she’s easily distracted and curious and often ends up lost in thought. Her (6) spinning pen/pencil habits stems from her being a baton twirler and she is subconsciously keeping up her practice. Her (7) femininely muscular arms indicate that she is particular fit and does a sport that requires strong arms, however going by the way she holds herself she is a tennis player and not a softball player. And (8) the slight indent in on one side of her mouth shows that she smirk often as opposed to genuinely smiling which means she has recently becomes rarely happy and that she’s often prone to smug and insolent behavior.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11881323297366779812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-19191817676305783492014-11-18T18:36:51.486-06:002014-11-18T18:36:51.486-06:00Fun idea, Gillian! Fun idea, Gillian! Jill Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11943570354349667196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-48381894788154481002014-11-18T17:58:31.905-06:002014-11-18T17:58:31.905-06:00Love this. I'm afraid this is how Sherlock wou...Love this. I'm afraid this is how Sherlock would respond to most of us if we ever happened to engage him in conversation. Characters like him are so much fun to watch, but I feel like they would be terribly difficult to get along with...<br /><br />And Sherlock probably could learn a thing or two from getting a black eye now and then!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-33467266292107379272014-11-18T17:33:10.452-06:002014-11-18T17:33:10.452-06:00Amazing idea!! Thank you so much!Amazing idea!! Thank you so much!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-3217068601647522462014-11-18T16:46:53.975-06:002014-11-18T16:46:53.975-06:00This is such a cool idea! The problem is that if I...This is such a cool idea! The problem is that if I even tried to imitate Sherlock, he'd suggest that I lower the IQ of the entire street and perhaps I ought to stick to something more up my alley, like pretending I am an amoeba. Plot twist: Sherlock ends up with a black eye at the end of my scene just because I can't deal with his criticism. Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16797485444727976121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-25018633340473573362014-11-18T16:00:49.520-06:002014-11-18T16:00:49.520-06:00The books ... well ... the books are just amazing!...The books ... well ... the books are just amazing! The TV series is brilliant too, but I shall always love those books.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-75746122493438197352014-11-18T15:59:55.451-06:002014-11-18T15:59:55.451-06:00I love the detail about immediately supporting thi...I love the detail about immediately supporting things on one hip when she picks them up. My mind instantly jumped to someone who is used to holding a toddler, so it's a great detail in that it's unusual and unexpected but it's something readers can instantly recognize!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-34742098822735839072014-11-18T15:57:55.189-06:002014-11-18T15:57:55.189-06:00That's awesome, Jonathan! I love really gettin...That's awesome, Jonathan! I love really getting to know my characters before I venture deep into the story, since so much of what they decide and how they act and respond depends upon who they are. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-78884647814451292352014-11-18T15:55:58.356-06:002014-11-18T15:55:58.356-06:00I would love to see how that meeting turned out, K...I would love to see how that meeting turned out, Kelsey! Sounds like it would be a fascinating one.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-80261009277274750302014-11-18T15:54:28.094-06:002014-11-18T15:54:28.094-06:00Ooh, a wizard? Very cool. And I love the name Shad...Ooh, a wizard? Very cool. And I love the name Shadow!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-72804275980251869652014-11-18T15:53:28.115-06:002014-11-18T15:53:28.115-06:00Mind palaces are awesome, aren't they? I'm...Mind palaces are awesome, aren't they? I'm certainly no Sherlock Holmes so I guess rather than deduce and sometimes my guessing are totally off the wall, but from this I'm catching hints of scientific experimentation? Maybe? :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-14050650865396299292014-11-18T15:50:31.491-06:002014-11-18T15:50:31.491-06:00Nice job, Emily! It is fun, isn't it? The deer...Nice job, Emily! It is fun, isn't it? The deer-stalker, yes, that's what is now more commonly known as a Sherlock Holmes hat.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-12347730849076536132014-11-18T15:48:11.590-06:002014-11-18T15:48:11.590-06:00Ooh, this is awesome, Michaella! Tory does sound l...Ooh, this is awesome, Michaella! Tory does sound like one of those fascinating characters.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00204802545454891530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-36491328667647345932014-11-18T15:20:14.063-06:002014-11-18T15:20:14.063-06:00sounds like a cool character theresounds like a cool character thereBluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08760994961683034493noreply@blogger.com