Another duel for our writing prompt today. I love the intensity in this man’s face.
Writing prompt: Write a 20 minute sprint of a scene leading up to this moment or starting with this moment. Who are these men and what drove them to this fight? Which man is your viewpoint character? Or is your viewpoint from that of the onlooker? What senses can you involve in this scene? Dig deep, what emotions and visceral responses can you employ?
I found this fun prompt for character exploration several years ago over at the Nanowrimo boards. The idea is to get into the head of your character and complete the sentence the way he or she would answer. Try to answer briskly, without pondering too long.
There are two types of people in the world…
Time is not my…
The thing about icebergs is…
The last time I drank rum…
The most horrible feeling in the world is…
Everything tastes like…
Unicorns can only… (more…)
Well, since I did The Men a few weeks past, the women need their turn. Again, none of these lovely ladies are perfect matches for my characters as they are visualized in my mind, but each resonates nicely in some way. So, here are thirteen faces for some of my women:
1. Miranda Otto for Annie Doran. Definitely Annie's smile.
2. Cate Blanchett would be perfect for Queen Dairine of Snowmount
3. Kiera Knightly would be a perfect Princess Maeve, sister to King Marcan
4. Simmone Mackinnon would be lovely as songstress Talulla Murtaugh
5. Gwyneth Paltrow for Luisea, daughter of Lord Ailill Eremon
6. Uma Thurman for warrior Sabia, sister to Finn macc Liamor
7. Emma Thompson would make a lovely Cliona, wife of Lord Finntan
8. Angelina Jolie for Blathnat, Captain of the Guard for Princess Maeve
9. Liv Tyler would be a luminous Princess Zimka, half-sister of Anriaon and Anraban
10. Catherine Zeta Jones as Cat Lecuyer wondering just who (or what) is John Morris.
11. Olivia de Havilland, perfect for Healer Geileis. 'Yes, yes, dear boy, you are king, but you still must take your medicine.'
12. Thandie Newton might do nicely for sprite Fethnat
Anne Hathaway would be lovely as Inalina, when she meets Prince Meloric Andranneca for the second time
If you use photos for character inspiration, do you try to use photos that capture the mood of the character or their precise features? Does the costume matter?
One touch to her hand and one word in her ear,
When they reached the hall-door, and the charger stood near;
So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung,
So light to the saddle before her he sprung! 40
‘She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur;
They’ll have fleet steeds that follow,’ quoth young Lochinvar.
There was mounting ’mong Graemes of the Netherby clan;
Fosters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran:
There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee, 45
But the lost bride of Netherby ne’er did they see.
So daring in love and so dauntless in war,
Have ye e’er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?
Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) Lochinvar (1808)
Writing Prompt: Write an elopement scene, from any viewpoint, serious or humorous.
Consider the emotions involved. Our hero has claimed his love, possibly at the risk of his life and/or honor. Our heroine may have been rescued from a fate worse than . . . A father may be furious and a scorned suitor left standing at the altar. In Lochinvar fair Ellen eloped willingly, but in the exercise here, has the heroine been abducted by our hero and their love has yet to grow? What are our hero and heroine risking by running off together? Does this act automatically bind them as mates or must they still pursue a blessing on their union from an authority figure?
What is your favorite stolen bride/elopement story?
Photo: Andrew C.
Clear As Day is available now!
What's a girl to do when her summer lover wants forever?
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Haunted by dark memories of her parents’ volatile marriage, artist Kay Browning keeps her heart locked behind a free-spirit facade and contents herself with the comfortable affair she has every summer with easygoing photographer Nate Quinn.Come fall in love at the river
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