Beautiful People - Heskith Cealnoor

Beautiful People! It's back. I love answering random questions about my characters. You would be amazed how much you learn about them in just ten questions!

This month I'll be answering the questions for the main character in the novel I'm working on outlining at the moment. His name is Heskith Cealnoor, and he fights to keep the royal family alive, while his brother seeks to destroy it.

1. If his house burned down, and he was left with nothing but the clothes on his back, what would he do? Where would he go? 

Well, the entire capitol and castle would have to burn down before it really affected him to the point of doing something drastic. If it was just his house though, he would move into the castle until he could get things sorted out.

2. Is he happy with where he is in life, or would he like to move on? 
He's pretty happy with where he is, but he doesn't complain when change comes his way.

3. Is he well-paid?
That he is. He's body guard to a king, and then a princess. They pay well.

4. Can he read? 
Yes, but he's never really enjoyed it.

5. What languages does he speak? 
English... that's it, although he later learns to pick up at least a few phrases in other languages.

6. What is his biggest mistake?
In his eyes? Letting his brother slip from his life and become evil.

7. What did he play with most as a child? 
Miany, his best friend. Their most used "toy," were their horses.

8. What are his thoughts on politics? 
He believes Miany should be on the thrown, not Dugan. He would die to defend this belief.... actually, it's his job to defend this belief.

9. What is his expected life-time? 
He's expected to life for awhile... I still haven't actually decided if he will, or not.

10. If he was falsely accused of murder, what would he do? How would he react? 
He would probably laugh, and then once he realized everyone was seriously, he would attempt to find all the flaws in their theory. If they still wouldn't believe him, he'd get angry as the escorted him to the dungeon, where he would stew in his cell until his death. Yep. He would.

If you're a writer, feel free to answer the questions for a character of your own!

The Author's Giveaway Winners

Yes, we are finally announcing the winners of the giveaway! Thank you so much for entering, it has been one marvelous time. I've discovered many of you wish to meet Agatha Christie. Who knew, right? 

Winners! 
Anna Mittower - Choice of print from Anna Delores Photography. Three sizes to choose from. 8x8, 8x10, or 8x12. 
Keaghan - Shakespeare Inspiration Dice from Palimpsestic.
*Charity* - The Pride and Prejudice Ornament from Inspirations by Faith. 
Ashley - Author Postage Note Card set of four. You're choice of author. Robert Penn Warren, Steven Vincent Benet, or Thornton Wilder. Donated from Piccadilly Post.
Melody - Your choice of author and color silhouette from Hello Grey Day. 
Please email Kylie with your mailing address and such so we can get that information to the kind people who have donated the prizes. Also, Anna, Ashley, and Melody, please be sure to include the details of your prize, as far as, the choices you've made, in that email as well. 
mountainfireflower{at}gmail{dot}com
Thank you so much to the wonderful sponsors of this giveaway! Please feel free to stop by their shops and check out some of the other neat things they have to offer. 

We Tried the Vlog Thing

The Penn is Mightier Then the Sword
Further Up and Further In

Beautiful People - January

**Be sure to check out The Author's Giveaway. There are only a few more days to enter!**

And we're back! If you've forgotten about Beautiful People, don't feel to bad, because I did too. Sam had to remind me we needed to get the next set of questions out there.

For those who don't know what Beautiful People's about, check out the guidelines on Sam's blog, HERE.

Also, if you're interested in reading over the past questions we've used for Beautiful People, you can view the archives HERE.

With a new year of Beautiful People, we thought we might try a new kind of question, based on a comment left by The Director.

"I think more than "what is their favorite (blank)," perhaps questions concerning how the character would react to certain circumstances or situations would be even more helpful :-) Just my humble suggestion."

Great idea Abigail! Thanks for the suggestion. We threw a few of those questions into the mix this month.


1. If character's house burned down, and they were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, what would they do? Where would they go? 
 2. Are they happy with where they are in life, or would they like to move on? 
 3. Are they well-paid? 
 4. Can they read? 
 5. What languages do they speak? 
 6. What is their biggest mistake? 
 7. What did they play with most as a child? 
 8. What are their thoughts on politics? 
 9. What is their expected life time? 
 10. If they were falsely accused of murder, what would they do? How would they react? 

Enjoy the questions, and please feel free to leave feedback! Don't forget to sign the linky! 

Which Author Would You Meet?

If you haven't gotten the chance to read over the details of The Author's Giveaway, you can check it out HERE. Fin, Sam, and I are will be giving away some pretty awesome stuff, generously donated by Esty shop owners. 

So, to gain an entry in the giveaway, answer the following question. You can either leave a comment with your answer, or write about it in a blog post of your own, and then leave a comment with the link to your post. 

If you could meet any author from any time period, who would it be?

Ah, what a question. So many authors, so many time periods. This question is actually pretty easy for me though. Charles Dickens, without a doubt. I think that man would be awesome to chat with, and I'd love to hear some of his thoughts on writing. Somehow I get the feeling it wouldn't be the structured plot points, with character arcs and a diagramed outline posted on his wall. Yes, I think chatting with Dickens would be glorious. 

To gain two more entries in the giveaway, be sure to visit Fin, and Sky's blog to answer the questions posted there! 

The Author's Giveaway

I love classic literature. I love old books I can find for a dollar at the thrift store, and I love the smell of musty pages. The look of words printed on a faded page thrills me. I love to fill notebook after notebook with scribbles from my imagination. I love to put words together so that they tell a story.

Combine that with my love of awesome blog giveaways, and throw in two of my best friends, and you get an author's giveaway!

What can you win by entering? Let me show you.

Emily from Anna Delores Photography has offered to donate one beautiful print from her Etsy shop! While she has a stunning collection of typewriter prints bound to please any writer, you can also find almost anything to suit your taste. The winner can choose any print from the shop and can get it in one of three sizes; 8x8", 8x10", or 8x12". Be sure to check out Emily's blog as well!

Marguerite from Piccadilly Post will be giving away an Author Postage Note Card set of four. Winners choice of three different authors. Robert Penn Warren, Steven Vincent Benet, or Thornton Wilder. Each set comes with four lined note cards printed with "write your own story" and a thermographed vintage typewriter image. The entire set includes; four note cards, four envelopes, four envelope wraps, four postage stamps, and is packaged in an envelope folder tied with twine.

One winner will receive their choice of author silhouette from Hello Grey Day. Winner will be able to choose author, and color of the silhouette. This would make a beautiful display in any writer, or book lovers bedroom, or library. Kirsten also has a facebook page for her shop.

Don't we all wish some of the great authors were still alive, to push us in the right direction when we come across writer's block? I guess we'll have to settle for the second best thing. These are a set of Shakespeare Inspiration Dice. Made by Jennifer at Palimpsestic, these dice were created to inspire the beginning, the middle, or the end of any story. 

This beautiful ornament has been donated by Faith from Inspirations by Faith. It will make a lovely addition to any writer's Christmas tree next year! Filled phrases from Pride and Prejudice makes it perfect for any literary lover! 

How do I enter?
Entering will be simple. Fin, Sky, and myself will all be posting questions on our blogs tomorrow. Each blog will have one question posted. Each question you answer will gain you one entry. You can answer by either commenting on each post, or post all three answers on your own blog. We would also be grateful if you included a link back to the giveaway. If you decide to do this, comment with the link to the post so we are able to read your answers!

While not mandatory to share the giveaway, we would appreciate any advertisement you felt like sharing.

Deadline for entering is January 23rd. Winner's will be chosen randomly and announced shortly after the 23rd, on all three blogs.

Have fun, and good luck!

The Troublesome Ones

Part of the reason, actually, probably the biggest reason, My Sam and I started Beautiful People was to have a way for writer's to get to know their characters. I would say it's worked wonderfully for at least the majority of those who have taken part. I know it's certainly helped me out a lot.

However, I'm beginning to wonder if there are some characters out there who just won't... come to life. I really don't know how else to put it. Let me try and explain.

When I'm writing, and I create a new character, I can see them in my minds eye. A lot of the time, they are just a name, or a vague image I can't quiet see yet. The character seems to be almost 2D, and as I discover more about them and their story, details begin to come clear. Colors are filled in, the fog is lifted. Last of all, when they really seem to come to life, it's almost as if someone has blown them up like a balloon. They become 3D. Real. That's what happens most the time at least.

Meet Miany Love Cealnoor. Her maiden name is Kingly. I could tell you the stories of her Father, husband, brother in law, and children. I could even tell you the story of her nurse maid from when she was a child. In telling you their stories, you would get the idea of her own. You would figure out where she stands in, and the parts she plays, but she would still be just a drawing on the page. She would never step out of the story and grab you by the throat.

I can't really classify her as a mary sue character. I can affirm that by saying I took The Writer's Mary Sue Test. They called her healthy with a great future ahead of her. Why am I not feeling the same way?

I've been struggling with Miany for around five years now. I've started writing her novel several times, but it never turns out. Why? I think it's her fault. So, today, I said this has to stop.

In my attempt to bring this character to life I'm writing a series of short stories about her, and I'm convinced I shall discover her story. If I fail in this mission I shall see about changing her to someone else entirely. I would get rid of the character, but someone's got to fill that space. I guess that's my biggest worry, I don't want a character to fill in the blanks. I want a character who will remove the blanks.

If you've made it to the end of this writer's rant, I salute you.