Beautiful People for Writers: July 2015 Edition

This is the first time I’ve participated in a “link-up” of this sort, so it’s super exciting. Although, I did create a link-up of my own. If ya’ll haven’t heard of this project, Beautiful People is a monthly list of questions writers can use to flesh out their characters, utilizing their blogs to do so. It’s pretty cool. So, again, I’m glad to be a part of this, and if you’d like to join up, you can find out more about Beautiful People here.

This month, I’d love to introduce you guys to Roland Naveau. He’s being a bit of a pill, which is hazardous during Camp NaNo, so getting to know him better is at the top of my agenda. Wouldn’t you like to meet him? I thought you would. Unfortunately, this is the only photo I have of him. He’s quite elusive. (*I also think he hides pictures.)

---

The Interview

1. What’s their favorite ice cream flavor/food?

Roland is partial to stews. They’re filling, relatively easy to make, and he can keep a bowl of it in the back and no one’s the wiser. Except his younger brother. Although, I expect he’d enjoy it a whole lot more if a certain young lady learned how to make it for him.

2. Your character is getting ready for a night out. Where are they going? What are they wearing? Who will they be with?

A little spot in the Wilderness (I haven’t thought of a clever name yet) is known as a Lovers’ Lane, of sorts. He’d get dressed in his clean clothes, whatever those are at the moment, and brush off his shoes. Of course, he’d take a little lady named Frida with him, but he’d never admit to taking her there to be alone with her.

3. Look at your character’s feet. Describe what you see there. Do they wear dress shoes, gym shoes, or none at all? Are they in socks that are ratty and full of holes? What do they consider comfortable and what do they consider agony?

He’s a bit lax when it comes to the feet department. Roland just doesn’t care. He tries not to wear out his socks and work shoes, since he needs them for work, and he hates wasting money on things he doesn’t need. His shoes aren’t in good condition, but he continues to take care of them. His socks have a few holes, so during the winter, he layers them. In the summer, however, he uses one pair to avoid feet blisters.

4. Do they have any birthmark or scars? Where are they and how did they get them?

Roland has a peculiar spot below his ear, where he got hit over the head while rescuing his brother from a street fight with some other boys.

5. What kind of music do they listen to? Does it change depending on their mood or is it always consistent? (Feel free to share samples!)

Roland enjoys listening to others play their music, although he can’t distinguish between the different types of songs. He does enjoy the happy-sounding ones more so than the others.

6. Do they have any musical talent? Play an instrument? How’s their singing voice?

Roland never learned how to play an instrument, but he’ll gladly listen to the other locals play their music. Vocals are rarely used in music where Roland is from, but his mother taught him a few tunes from her hometown. Not that he would ever make a fool of himself singing them. It’s that bad.

7. What kind of book would you catch them reading?

Roland never learned how to read. Frida, however, is remedying that. Roland prefers it when she reads to him, but he’s learning in order to keep her quiet. He enjoys listening to her read the history of the Valencian Realm, especially the Era of Discovery, which was before the Valencian rule.

8. How would they spend their summers (or their holidays)?

Roland, before emerging into adulthood, enjoyed spending time in the Wildnerness. He loved examining the various plants, and he taught himself how to sketch them so he kept track of which ones he saw before. When he’s able to leave work, he does the same thing.

9. It’s Saturday at noon. What is your character doing? Give details. Ex. If they’re eating breakfast, what’s on the menu? Are they hiking, shopping, lazing around?

During the story’s equivalent of a Saturday, Roland is in the store working. When everyone else gets off work, Roland is busier than ever.

10. Is there anything your character wants to be free of?

The store, and his village. He wants his own plot of land in order to start a farm. He’s worked tirelessly for years for that one piece of land, away from the village and its sickness. It’s the one thing he wants more than anything.

---

*I’m not crazy, but it’s funny to pretend my characters are living. Roland would definitely hide photographs.

Do you interview your characters? How do you get to know your characters?