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 Snowmount3. Kiera Knightly would be a perfect Princess Maeve, sister to King Marcan4. Simmone Mackinnon would be lovely as songstress Talulla Murtaugh5. Gwyneth Paltrow for Luisea, daughter of Lord Ailill Eremon6. Uma Thurman for warrior Sabia, sister to Finn macc Liamor7. Emma Thompson would make a lovely Cliona, wife of Lord Finntan8. Angelina Jolie for Blathnat, Captain of the Guard for Princess Maeve9. Liv Tyler would be a luminous Princess Zimka, half-sister of Anriaon and Anraban10. 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 FethnatAnne 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?
I do use photos for character inspiration, but usually, the character comes first, so I find photos that suit the story and the mood. The costume doesn’t matter, usually.
Matching precisely to the features of the character doesn’t often happen, either. The hair and eye color correspond, but then I make the leap from there, more often than not. It’s interesting how when friends read my work, they can sometimes pinpoint exactly who I’m thinking of when I’ve written it.
The best part is after they’ve read it, and then look at pics (on the ‘net or wherever) and say something like, “Hey, that’s *exactly* how I pictured [insert character name here]!” after they see the pic I’d been using.
It happened with “Chiedimi se Sono Felice” and I’m hoping it’ll happen again. 😉
Very nice. I usually find the pictures of my characters after the book is written and sometimes it’s difficult to find the right match.
Mine are usually from Istock.
Great pictures.
Great post! Love the images and the names of your characters!
I do this to some extent as well, although I find I blend features and traits.
As a for instance, the main heroine (Jill) of my upcoming book, Soul of The Sea is an amalgam of Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, and Kate Beckinsale in both their dark coloring and in mannerisms and traits/personality. 🙂
I do try to find pictures with the right mood and attitude. Not just any photo will do. For instance that photo of Miranda Otto above is soo Annie, but another photo of Miranda Otto looks so different, she couldn’t be Annie as I wrote her at all.
I mostly picture models when I picture my characters, mainly because they don’t come with preconceived ideas, I think, but sometimes I’ll picture actors. Love the idea of the TT, though! Think I’ll do it! LOL!
babettejames.com 
I do use photos for character inspiration, but usually, the character comes first, so I find photos that suit the story and the mood. The costume doesn’t matter, usually.
Matching precisely to the features of the character doesn’t often happen, either. The hair and eye color correspond, but then I make the leap from there, more often than not. It’s interesting how when friends read my work, they can sometimes pinpoint exactly who I’m thinking of when I’ve written it.
The best part is after they’ve read it, and then look at pics (on the ‘net or wherever) and say something like, “Hey, that’s *exactly* how I pictured [insert character name here]!” after they see the pic I’d been using.
It happened with “Chiedimi se Sono Felice” and I’m hoping it’ll happen again. 😉
Happy TT!
Ciao!
They’re all beautiful. 🙂 Happy Thursday! *hugs*
Very nice. I usually find the pictures of my characters after the book is written and sometimes it’s difficult to find the right match.
Mine are usually from Istock.
Great pictures.
Same for me. The characters always come first and then I find the pictures.
Great post! Love the images and the names of your characters!
I do this to some extent as well, although I find I blend features and traits.
As a for instance, the main heroine (Jill) of my upcoming book, Soul of The Sea is an amalgam of Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, and Kate Beckinsale in both their dark coloring and in mannerisms and traits/personality. 🙂
I don’t do the photo thing. I’ve tried a couple of times, but it just doesn’t stick with me.
I notice you’ve got a lot of mood, or maybe attitude, going in these shots. Maybe that’s they way I should look at it if I try again.
I do try to find pictures with the right mood and attitude. Not just any photo will do. For instance that photo of Miranda Otto above is soo Annie, but another photo of Miranda Otto looks so different, she couldn’t be Annie as I wrote her at all.
I can’t really do pictures, it just doesn’t work for me.
Nice selection here though.
http://talesfromthecrit.wordpress.com/
I love this idea. I’m going to have to do this myself. Great idea. Happy T13!
I mostly picture models when I picture my characters, mainly because they don’t come with preconceived ideas, I think, but sometimes I’ll picture actors. Love the idea of the TT, though! Think I’ll do it! LOL!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com
You have a lovely selection of leading ladies. I never use pictures as inspiration. My characters pop into my head. 🙂
Wow, they’re all so beautiful. I almost never have a clear picture of my characters in my head. Only two of my heroes have lookalikes.
Nice! I do the same, choose pics to go with my chars.
This is awesome. In my writing program, I can -and do- have pics for the characters in my current WIP.
I don’t usually do the photo thing for the women. But I do love Cate, so any character with her as inspiration is a winner right out of the gate.
Some times I use photo of the guys but never the girls.
happy TT.
Janice~
I don’t do the picture thing, either, but it’s always interesting to see what inspires other people.