Thursday, August 19, 2010

Guess that Character Blogfest!

Today Jen Daiker (unedited) is hosting a rather clever blogfest.  The idea is this: each participant provides a short snippet from a story they've written--without including any physical description of their character--and then everyone makes guesses at what that character looks like, based solely on voice and action.  Yeah, like I said: clever.  So, I've opted to participate with a snippet from BEAUTIFUL MONSTER.  If you already know what Yseult looks like, just play dumb.  Or guess, and act like you didn't know before. 

*
The fresh night air rushes at me the moment I am through the doors.  I sink onto the grass beneath a tree in the gardens where I am confident I’ll not be seen and lean against its trunk.  The moon is full tonight: a brilliant, glowing orb in the endless sky.  I have read that the night of the full moon is a night of magic.
       
It will take something like magic to save me from the Marquis, I expect.

There is a lilac bush growing beside me, and its heady fragrance makes me lightheaded.  I plunge my face into the blossoms and inhale deeply, wheeling back with eyes closed in a sudden ecstasy of hope. 

“I wish to be free of this,” I whisper as a breeze brushes my cheek with the lightest of kisses. “I wish to be seen for who I am, as a person—not as a decoration.  I wish...”  I open my eyes and look up at the brilliant moon, shimmering with power and enchantment.  Up there, in the vast darkness, it is free.  My hands tingle strangely and I am seized by a wave of grim determination.  I clench my fingernails into my palms until a sharp pain shoots up my arm. 

My voice is low.  I have never been more serious.  “I wish for a way out.”
 *

Okie-doke.  Come back tomorrow, and "find out who is right... and who is dead."*  Er, that is, find out who is right, and who is... not.  And please, pretty-please go check out the other entries, because they are awe-some-poss-um.

*Author's Note: Please be aware that often the writer has virtually no control over the amount of The Princess Bride in her system.  Often quotes will ooze into her life and posts without her approving--or even knowing about--it, and in such cases, it is best simply to let them have their way.

19 comments:

  1. Thank you for your insanely awesome entry! I'm dying to know more about your character, she was addictive and so warm and inviting! Don't worry that's not my guess!

    My Guess: Long sandy blonde hair, wavy locks falling down to the small of her back. Deep blue sea eyes, soft pink lips, beautiful freckled skin. Thin and insanely tall, almost willowy.

    Can't wait to see the big reveal!!! Thanks for joining in on the fun!

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  2. Oh, I am so wishing for her! Pulled me right into her emotions.

    I kind of picture her as Drew Barrymoore from Ever After, you know that scene where she enters the ball, and takes a deep breath. (yeah, that movie was like 10 years ago, but I'll never forget that scene)

    So she's sort of a dark blonde, very striking eyes, beautiful smile, and strong enough to fight for herself.

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  3. this is quite ambiguous. for some reason Bridgit Mendler popped into my mind... so I'll go with her (although I suspect my kids' avid disney channel habits are to blame!)

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  4. Beautiful snippet - very lyrical.

    I'm guessing slender, with pale skin and sandy hair. Kind of an English Rose.

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  5. oh I liked this. she is engaging. I think long brown hair but always pinned up, high cheek bones with a light blush and dazzling green eyes. She has a small waist but is tall

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  6. I love this. Love the voice and the scene - everything feels so magical. I'm picturing flowing blond hair and blue eyes. She's small and graceful. Maybe it's from all the flower talk, but I picture her to be like pale pink flower. Pretty, but not showy.

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  7. Firstly, I love the feel of this piece, you have a real knack for creating atmosphere. I think Yseult has waist-length ash-blonde hair, almost silvery, which is partly wound up on the top of her head. She's tall and slender, with pale skin. Her eyes are blue or green, she has very long eyelashes and a small mouth.

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  8. Oh my! What a fantastic excerpt it makes me crave more.

    Small almost fairy like stature. Pixie haircut, sandy in color. Light green eyes and a pale complexion with a hint of pink at her cheeks.

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  9. Uh, I suppose I'll just sit here and play dumb...she's pretty...

    (hee hee)

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  10. Long golden locks, blue eyes and a smile that lights up the room. But she doesn't smile much anymore because of the Marquis. A little on the tall side but very small boned, ivory complexion.

    Lovely writing:)

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  11. I'm getting the sense of long, straight black hair. A beautiful girl, often judged by her appearance. Sad, thoughtful eyes. Delicate and willowy.

    Very pretty scene :)

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  12. Great snippet! I'm guessing pale and petite, long wavy dark hair and sparkling blue eyes.

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  13. Somebody already alluded to my choice....Drew Barrymore. That makes two of us...so we're right...right? :)

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  14. I will third the choice, Drew Barrymore lookalike for me too, though probably much thinner than she is now, curly brown hair and dark eyes.

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  15. Some of you are killing me with your snippets. Cutting it off before I'm done. What happens to her? Does she turn into a man? Something else? What? I must know!

    sigh

    Okay, she's beautiful--and probably rich because a Marquis is chasing after her. Blonde hair, pulled up into an elaborate updo... blue-gray eyes.

    I'm kinda stumped....I just wanna know what happens to her!

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  16. Wonderful snippet! I see her having long, whitish-blonde hair, clear blue eyes, and a perfect porcelain complexion.

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  17. I'd say she has strawberry blond hair that she wears partly up, silvery blue eyes, pink pouty lips, a long neck and a small waist. She's a lady and she has a graceful air.

    I hope I get something right. Can't wait to see her tomorrow. :D

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  18. Hi Hanna!

    She is petite, and curvy. She has a beautiful face with light green eyes--which tilt up at the outer corners like a cat's. She has soft blonde hair to her shoulders and has a creamy complexion and dark, long lashes! :)

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  19. Soft, flowing chestnut hair, green eyes, sharp regal features, light complexion. Petite and slender with smooth curves.

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