Well hello followers mine. Today is the 19th of June, which means that Camp NaNo starts in twelve days ... if I participate. I started my current WIP in July last year, writing the first 20 000 words for Camp NaNo, but since then I've experienced prolonged periods of not writing at all. Like, months at a time. Now I'm back on it but I'm handwriting .... so I'm not sure if want to switch to word processing for Camp. We shall see.
Anyway, the point is, though I've been writing this novel for a year now I've told you guys nothing about it, and for this reason, and also to get to know my characters better, and because fun questions are fun, I'm participating in Beautiful People this month!
Can we have a round of applause please? |
As you can see, this meme is hosted by The Notebook Sisters and Further up and Further In. Check them out!
This month I'm going to be answering questions about my MC, Corrie. But before we go any further, who'd like a little insight into Emily's Untitled Novel?
I knew you'd say yes.
Every seven years in the country of Ivaria, a process known as the Gleaning takes place. Basically it's a jumped-up talent show for thirteen to eighteen year olds, and three from each village are Selected to be taken to the capital city of Teyvanidan, where they are trained and educated to become members of the royal court. My character, Corrie, is a writer (and totally not a self-insert), and .... I am sure you can guess what happens to her. So she toddles of to Teyvanidan and, um, exciting things happen. I hope. We'll see ....
Basically I'm rubbish at synopsises (is that even a word?) Sorry about that.
But anyway, question time!
1. What is their full name and is there a story behind why they got it?
Her full name is Corisande Thrace (not sure about a middle name), but for obvious reasons she calls herself Corrie. The beauty of writing fantasy is that you can call your characters names you know you can't give to your real-life children .... but even I'm not going to make her go around bearing Corisande. I mean I love it. But really.
As for a story ... no, there isn't. I just like the name!
2. How old are they, and when were they born?
She is fifteen when the book begins and she was born .... fifteen years before the story was set, I guess. I've not really thought about dates. It's a fantasy world. I'll cross that bridge if and when I come to it.
3. Describe their physical appearance. (Bonus questions: 1. What is their race/nationality/ethnicity? 2. Do you have a picture of them? If so, include it!)
Though I still hold to it that Corrie is totally not a self-insert .... she looks a lot like me. Quite short, longish brown hair. Her eyes are green-grey though (unlike mine). Her race is Ivarian, I suppose - which means she is white. And speaks with an English accent (except, in the story it would of course be considered an Ivarian accent). I do not have a picture of her!
4. Describe your character's personality first in one word, and then elaborate with a few sentences.
This is a veeery hard question ... I don't really think I can, because she's so multi-dimensional in my hard I can't really reduce her to a one word blurb. I am now trying to think of a group of words, but all that comes to mind is shy, introverted, self-conscious, awkward ... but I know she's a lot more than that.
5. What theme song(s) fit their personality and story arc?
This I really have no idea about!
6. Which one of the seven deadly sins describes your character?
Great question. I'd say definitely envy. Corrie has two older sisters (that is, one older sister and an older stepsister) who, direct quote from le novel, "were always better friends with each other than they were with me". She's never been her mother's favourite, and growing up has always felt alone and as if everyone is comparing her to them.
Fun fact: her older sister Varissa is actually named after one of them seven deadly sins: her name is 'avarice' with the first syllable taken off and put on the end!
The stepsister, Aurelle, would also be best described by avarice. She is quite materialistic, but she also desires status and popularity (which she has, hence Corrie's envy).
7. If they were an element (fire, water, earth, air), which one would they be?
I'm not really sure what the connotations of each of the elements are meant to be .... fire is obviously someone who's hot-headed and high-tempered, but what's water meant to be?? Corrie's often away in her own world (of course she is, she's a writer!) so maybe air, but I also feel like she could be earth.
8. What is their favourite word?
Ooh I'm not sure. Long words. Clandestine. Magniloquent. Ambiguous. Iridescent. Obsolete.
9. Who’s one person they really miss? (It could be someone who’s passed away, or someone they’re not close to anymore, or someone who’s moved away.)
Corrie's father died when she was four, but she doesn't really remember him at all. When she comes to Teyvanidan, though, she does miss her stepfather George, who she respects a lot and who is the only member of her family who understands her at home. She also misses Varissa (her sister), because though she was often not nice to Corrie and went off with Aurelle, underneath she is a damaged person who lives tortured by jealousy for the stepsister who her own mother seems to prefer over her. Also, she was seven when their father died, so she remembers him more than Corrie does. Corrie does love Varissa, despite the way they've treated each other.
10. What sights, sounds, and smells remind them of that person?
Corrie's fountain pen reminds her of George because it was a present from him ... so do her books and her general writing. Her father was a writer himself before he died, but it is George who has been there throughout Corrie's life to quietly encourage her.
And that, my friends, is a bit of a look into the life of Corrie Thrace. If any of you have participated in this meme, let me know!
Emily x