Writers Weekend: Character Quirks

Back at it again with another Writers Weekend, a link-up conceived by Coffee and Literary Rage. 

The last Writers Weekend I completed was my current work in progress post.

This week, Writers Weekend focuses on characters. And though we were only supposed to pick one, I…couldn’t and decided to do an interview with my three main characters from the newest book I’m working on. Their names: Ulric, Surya, and Luna. I think highlighting all three will be a great exercise in showcasing how different they are.

Questions

What movement gives away that your character is lying?

“Does it look like I’d lie to you?” Ulric asked.

Luna: Ulric is stoic. It’s hard. He does have a few tells, which I can’t share with you here.

Surya: Seriously? Like what?

Luna: While Surya can’t help but scratch the back of his left leg. He fidgets, generally, but that scratching completely gives him away.

Surya: Well, Luna does this thing with her eyebrows where she’ll scrunch them up, but only a little. You have to pay really good attention.

What word or phrase does your character most overuse?

Ulric: Luna uses at least followed by some unrealistic optimistic viewpoint.

Luna: Ulric uses fair enough a lot. Also, an abundance of intellectual words and phrases.

Ulric: That’s because my riposte is perfect and needs the sharpest of vocabulary.

Surya: Ugh. *pretends to gag*

Luna: Surya likes using hells or The Five as exclamations.

Ulric: I CAN appreciate his colorful curses.

What one thing can your character not stand the sight and/or smell of?

Ulric: I have an uncanny sense of smell and often find that if there’s too much of something–perfume, sewage, body odor–I have to leave the room.

Surya: Why are you looking at me?

Ulric: No reason.

Surya: I’m not as aware of smells, okay? *sniffs* I smell fine. I bathe! Hells. Stop trying to get inside my head.

Ulric: Dear Surya, but that’s what I do.

Surya: *glares at Ulric* I’m more focused on sight. I can’t stand the sight of poorly constructed vehicles. Oh! Or oddly paired clothing.

Luna: I don’t care for extremely disjointed sounds. I’ve played many instruments, so that makes me much more sensitive. As for sights and smells, I try to appreciate as much as I can. I can’t stand the sight of abuse on any level.

What’s your character’s pet peeve?

Ulric: Stupidity. Bascially, anything that Surya says.

Surya: Hey! Well, my pet peeve is dealing with arrogant librarian assistants. (Ulric=librarian assistant)

Luna: Mine is selfishness. Not being able to see anyone else’s problems but yours.

Surya: Way to make us sound petty.

What faces does your character make most often?

(Luna smiling, which she does 90% of the time.)

Ulric: Luna’s typically smiling. Surya will most often smirk.

Surya: I’m a lovely smirker.

Ulric: He also crinkles his forehead whenever he’s in class.

Luna: Ulric usually has his eyebrow raised in disbelief.

Ulric: Yeah, mostly disbelief at the human race in general. I also scowl a lot.

What does/would a significant other find most annoying about your character?

Ulric: I’m difficult to get along with, have a particular way of speaking, and use a tremendous amount of sarcasm.

Luna: I’m too optimsitic for my own good…

Surya: Eh, not quite ready to settle down yet.

Luna: Surya’s a menace to young men and women everywhere.

What about most endearing?

Luna: Though Ulric doesn’t always share his feelings–

Surya: Never shares his feelings.

Luna: Never shares his feelings, he deeply cares about the ones he loves. Would do anything.

Ulric: Luna, you’re going to make me look like a decent human being. Stop that.

Luna: *smiles* And Surya is fun to be around and always has something to talk about. Need an idea about what to do today? Ask Surya. He’s also been quite thoughtful in gift giving.

Ulric: Luna’s understanding and always listens…she, she is the most kind, most genuine person I know. And that’s saying something for a pessimist.

What quirk does this character have that’s unique from any other character you’ve written?

(Surya)

Surya: I’ll be the first to admit that I hunch too much.

Luna: You’re always sitting too.

Surya: I guess I am a bit lazy.

Ulric: A bit? Let’s see. I like to play with my piercings. I also have a habit of stressing over being right, to the point that I research, research research. Especially when I can’t sleep.

Luna: The thing I most remember about someone is his or her voice. And I will usually tap on something or unknowingly hum at random times.

What does your character do, consciously or unconsciously, when s/he’s nervous?

Luna: My humming and tapping get worse…which could, in some situations, be dangerous.

Ulric: I never get nervous.

Luna: He gets restless and usually stands up, walks circles around the area, and sometimes taps his foot.

Surya: Hm. I chew on the inside of my lip.

Luna: Did you get the salve I sent you? Have you been using it?

Find a reaction gif that most accurately sums up people’s responses to your character.

Surya: 

Oh, Surya. 

Luna: 

I’m so sorry. Come here, you.

Ulric: 

Wait. What?

Thanks for reading! What did you think of my babies?

Writers Weekend: Work In Progress

One of my talented friends, Kristin (Coffee and Literary Rage), has started a link-up called Writers Weekend, which involves writing prompts or thought provoking questions twice a month. Who doesn’t like creative writing prompts? It’s a fantastic opportunity to virtually share and flesh out ideas.

The very first series of questions is about work in progress (WIP).

At the moment, I’m writing a fantasy novel about three teens who unexpectedly meet up in Zentra, the bustling capital of Sebenan. They’re inducted into a magic academy and must overcome unusual circumstances that follow.

Question Time!

(source)

What are you calling it? Does it have a title yet? 

Currently, the blasted thing is called That’s Unfortunate as a placeholder, due to how the magic operates. I tend to wait until the end to decide on a title, since I want it to take on multiple meanings. It may be called something like Upon Tilted Stars, for undisclosed reasons. We’ll see.

What’s the genre? 

It’s definitely dark fantasy, especially with how magic is used in this world. In fact, one of the characters uses his bones and blood in combat. And just, overall, there’s a steep cost for using magic, so the decision to use it can be a truly dark and twisty complication.

Describe your setting. 

As mentioned above, this mainly takes place in Zentra, the city of knowledge. It has a fusion of elegant, nostalgic old things threaded with buzzing, fresh new things. The main characters all attend a famous magic institute called Aldusk Academy.

The academy has a dusty and dismal mood to it amidst an air of innovation and scholarly conversation. There’s this flavor of old versus new that’s prevalent throughout the story and the setting overall.

Who’s your protagonist? 

I have three! Ulric, who uses mind magic, is from Zentra and is calm, collected, and the overly stoic, overly analytical one.

Surya hails from the country bordering Sebenan and possesses body magic. He’s determined, brave, and a tad bit reckless.

While Luna has traveled the farthest and given up the most. She uses magic spooled from energy or soul. She’s energetic, compassionate, and clumsy.

Who’s your antagonist? 

Like the protagonists, there are several. And they aren’t always who you think. Though, I will say that there are a few students who push our protagonists to their wits’ end…and especially push Surya. I mean, come on. We’re basically talking about high school here. Of course there will be antagonists.

Where did the idea come from?

My desire to write a novel about growing up, about friendship, and about sacrifice. I wanted a story that was true to life, more muddled gray than simple black and sparkling white.

How long have you been working on it?

It’s absolutely, positively new. Mmm. Smell that freshly baked idea? Yeah, it’s still doughy and sticks to your fingers if you mess with it, but it’ll rise. The idea is littered with dismal raisins, wholesome oats, and action-packed seeds.

What do you love most about it?

The friendship aspect. Close relationships are extremely important to me and being able to thread that throughout a story, whether the tale be dismal or delightful, is a treat. Not to mention that I’m excited about the magic system and fantasy setting. I’ve let it simmer for a bit now and have just started to write it down.

What’s giving you the most trouble? 

Reeling in the intricacies of the magic system. I need to remind myself that the system has to be clearly understood, maybe not all at once, but I want there to be a natural understanding of it. So, I’ve taken my time and will continue to do so.

Sum your WIP up in three words or three gifs. 

Mind

Body

Soul

Do you like dark fantasy? What are YOU writing?