Here's how it works: today I'll post a snippet of one of my characters, Keenan, with no physical description. You try to guess what he looks like, based solely on voice, action, and personality. Tomorrow I'll post a picture of him with a short description, and you can see how close your guess was. I'll also post whose description I thought was closest to correct. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? This snippet is from my epic fantasy, In the Seventeenth Year.
Keenan stormed away from the battlefield, heading north. He didn’t know where he was going, just that he had to get away…away from Nolan, from the elf, from all of them. He followed the river to Lake Dooley and kept going until the trees grew thick enough to offer privacy. He took off his wretched worn-out boot and soaked his bloody foot in the cool water. How can Nolan be so blind? he thought. He thinks because she is young and beautiful she can’t be dangerous. And why are we following him like blind sheep anyway? I didn't sign up for a dictatorship. I could turn around right now and go home. Not to the farm, but I could find work in Clifton…
"You're bleeding."
Keenan looked up. Brady stood over him, bow in hand. "What of it?" Keenan asked.
"Nothing. Just an observation."
"Brilliant," Keenan said. "Now you've made your observation and you can be on your way."
Brady held out Keenan's bow. "My father wants us to hunt."
Keenan gave a humorless chuckle as he accepted the bow. "Is he hoping I'll finish you off this time?"
Brady's eyes became solemn. "Perhaps."
"Do you do everything your father tells you?" Keenan asked.
"And you do not?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Brady shrugged. "You're still here, aren't you?"
"Maybe I won't be much longer."
* * *
Thanks for playing! You can check out the other entries out by clicking here.
And a sidenote: For those of you that read my last post, hubby did end up reading my blog. I got in trouble, but he passed the test! :)
47 comments:
Hmm! I liked this, Susan!
I'm going to say he's fairly slim, with brown hair and hazel eyes... not handsome but interesting-looking.
Keenan somehow brought to mind the face of Sam of the Lord of The Rings movie series. he is not as stout though, and probably has dark hair.
Will stop by for tomorrow's big reveal!
Now, I'm seeing Keenan as a young, petulant, not quite "of age" youngster, young, all testosterone and hormonal youngster, young creature not quite man - more man-boy! :-) But handsome and brave at heart but not able to be in control as yet -so yes, young thing!
:-)
Take care
x
I love that your hubby reads your blog!!! Sorry you got in trouble, but laughing my butt off that he passed the test!!!
Okay now back to this sexy Keenan guy (yes that is part of my observation) I wasn't sure what I was going to guess, guys are so hard for me, I put them all in my your-super-hot box because that's where they are supposed to be and I just pull and actor out that I like and use him in the story. So I had to be creative here!
My Guess: Keenan is tall, he has a good build, not muscular but there is forming of that six pack. I picture him having light brown hair a little messy with often some facial hair, mostly just the scruffy look. Let's just say in a white t-shirt and jeans I'd be all over that. Handsome, sarcastic, and witty... all the things I look for in a man.
Well thanks for that sex-on-a-stick Keenan... he's a keeper :) Thanks for playing!!! I'm already having so much fun!
I would say a strong build with wide shoulders. All muscle. Dark, maybe black, hair with brilliant eyes, maybe green or bright blue.
Oooo, and a permanent scowl.
This is the third blogfest entry I've read and I've come to the conclusion - I really suck at this!
He has a strong build. Dark,messy hair, blue eyes.
Great job!
I'm thinking darkish complexion, light eyes- hazel or dark blue with brownish/auburn hair thats kind of longish and wavy:) I really enjoyed this snippet though! Made me want to read more!
He's 16 or 17. But already chomping at the bit for full-fledged adulthood. He's smart, funny, and will make a great leader once he IS of age. Physically he's average build. His brains, determination, and courage make up for brawn. I see dark hair and green flashing eyes...kinda piercing that would give you pause when angry.
Nice snippet.
I see him as younger too, like Vicki. He's tall and a bit gangly with dark hair and blue eyes. I see him as being a bit impetuous, which gets him into trouble. And prone to brooding. :)
Whenever there's a bow involved, I always think of Orlando Bloom (Legolas). Can't help myself. The character sounds like he could fit the bill though.
Athletic, dark blonde, squared chin, light eyes! Two day beard! =D
hi miss susan! the first thing i saw in my head was a guy dressed like in the days of robin hood. i think hes kinda scruffy cause of fighting. hes got scruffy whiskers cause of not being where he could shave. hes got long blonde hair thats messy and hazel color eyes. hes maybe 18 or in his 20s and a sorta rebel.
...smiles from lenny
Hmm ... dark haired. A little straggly. Not very good looking, but has a charm about him one cannot quite pinpoint. A few ugly scars on his face. But he doesn't give a damn :o) He uses them to his advantage to get women to like him. It makes him seem tough, confident, fearless. But actually, he wishes, he could just hide away.
Guess my character correctly and win a prize!
I see him as a lanky not fully developed male teen. But he is strong. He is on the verge of being handsome. Dark blond hair, grey eyes.
this one is hard... i just keep picturing this kid who wants to please his dad even though he hates war... actor ollie barbieri comes to mind (shoot everyone i relate these things to is either from the disney channel or SKINS... i need to watch more tv)
I see him frowning a lot in thought. Seventeen, slim but muscular. Light brown hair, unshaven, stubble.
Great scene!
hmm this is a bit harder to decide, i want to say late twenties. Tan skin. Blue eyes and dark brown hair that isn't exactly short but kind of long for a guy, maybe down past his ears in uncontrolled waves?
I see a blond, sort of Wesley-ish from Princess Bride, with hair hanging in his eyes. Rebellious, but attractive in a quieter way than maybe other guys.
Can't wait to find out. This is so exciting!
Good piece!
I'd think he was tall, strong but not thick - more of a lanky athlete. I pictured brown hair and eyes - easier to blend in with the forest :)
Susan,
I'm going to guess that Keenan is between 5'10 and 6', athletic built, brown hair and hazel eyes. Tough looking, but with a soft spot.
Nicely written scene!
I'm feeling like he's sort of making up for not quite being a man yet with some attitude. So, maybe a little bit skinny--with wiry muscle--and facial hair that only grows in patches right now. Dark eyes. Olive skin. Tall. Unique-looking, but definitely cute. I like it!
Here goes: I think Keenan is seventeen, lean and strong (both physically and mentally), brash, but kind when he needs to be. He is observant, without seeming to be so, and has good reflexes. Also, does he have longish blond hair? :)
He's around 5'11" and quite muscular, not like Conan muscular, but like a guy who hits the gym to lift weights regularly. Deep brown, maybe black hair. Chisled face (bone structure defined), brown eyes and he doesn't smile much.
I pictured a slim, wiry, tall blonde guy with straight, longish hair. Nice bone structure but a little odd looking, not classically handsome.
Rugged and rough but a bit boyish in looks. Lighter hair? Lean in build. Gruff and stubborn.
Interesting!
In my mind, Keenan is rough-looking, with messy brown hair and brooding brown eyes. He's muscular from fighting and running. Tan from being in the sun. He always has a serious look about him, like he's permanently pissed off about something.
Okay, I happened to see the picture of Daniel Craig, and I'm afraid to say that biased me. Okay, so I know he can't be Craig, because Craig is your new character, but jeez!
Anyway, I get the sense that Keenan is younger. Sort of a rebel. Oh no, I just made another unwarranted association and now I have a picture of James Dean in my head. James Dean in warrior clothing. Interesting. I'm having way too much fun with this blogfest.
I got Heath Ledger from A Knight's Tale -- need I say more? Hot. Okay, well being more specific -- messy sandy hair, brown eyes, masculine jawline, fit body, and very sure of himself.
Love the excerpt. :D
Ooh he doesn't look like Daniel Craig by chance? Ahem, hehe.
I'm a total sucker for elves...even if Keenan was running away from one. I love the dialogue here. I imagine Keenan as dark-haired, lovely green eyes and solid built, tall. Deep thinker type, likes to brood - stands alone.
Thank you for commenting on my entry too and for the follow. :))
Okay, I could be totally off with this one, but I see him with longer hair tied in the back like a ponytail, but it's not very long and dark blonde, almost like a golden color. I also see him as very muscular and tall. Deep blue eyes and something about him feels almost untamed. I loved your excerpt on him!
Such a great snippet! I want to know more about this world, and about Keenan! I see him with light brown hair, tall, tanned skin, light blue eyes. He's got lean muscle and a difficult-to-get smile. Can't wait for the reveal!
I totally see the guy who played Prince Caspian in the Narnia movies so square jaw, chin length straight dark hair, brown eyes, muscular, and really stubborn.
Tall, lean, strong, brown hair, blue eyes, scruffy face in need of a shave. :)
Great excerpt! I see a young, strong man in his very early twenties, with golden brown, wavy hair that hangs almost to the top of his wide shoulders. His eyes are green, and his voice is deep and resonant.
Can't wait to see him tomorrow!!
Okay, I had Keenan in mind, and then I got distracted by Daniel Craig just below. Whoops.
Let's see if I can get back the image. Dark hair, very straight. At first I'm thinking it's hanging in his eyes, but that's no good for someone in a battle. He has it braided close to the head. Wouldn't want someone to grab it in battle. He's tall and slender at the hips, but broader across the shoulder. His nose was broken in a fight at some time, but the little crooked spot just makes him a little more handsome and adds to that sarcastic sneer on his face.
Great snippet, I really enjoyed reading it. I'm picturing him as the tall dark and rugged type. Very defined and rough features with black hair and dark brown eyes.
Can't wait to see the reveal tomorrow!
I enjoyed your writing, really! I see him with a strong jaw, clear blue eyes, long flowing auburn hair and well-built. :)
haha my first thought was Heath in Knights Tale too! But maybe Keenan has darker hair. He sounds like a spunk anyway :o)
Mmm, he's an old-fashioned chivalrous type which gets lots of brownie points in my book. I'm picturing someone like Johnny Whitworth. Yum.
A younger version of Henry from the movie Ever After. Dark, emotional, and brooding. Keenan comes from wealth and privilege, but rejects all of it. His features are lean and muscular, like a runner who also does a little weight work in the gym. His hair is long, but not past his shoulders. He is unkempt, but the ladies love him.
Hmmm...picturing blondish hair, a bit wavy and almost shoulder length. He has some facial hair grown in, but patchy. He's maybe 18, 20.
Looking forward to the reveal!
I'm not going to be a spoiler...But I loved reading everyone's take on Keenan. :)
Hey, Susan...Am I an Alpha reader or a Beta reader? I just learned what they both mean...
Ooh, yum! An archer with a bad attitude! Makes me think immediately of Bishop from Neverwinter Nights 2 (*coff* GEEK!). He's tallish, round 5,10", muscular in a lanky, sinewy way. Dark brown hair cut short, perpetual stubble over chiselled jaw, and amber eyes, predatory and mysterious like a wolf's.
*swoons*
To me, Keenan seems like a cute guy more on the average side with brown hair; but with the way he talks, I'd say he's got some decent muscle, maybe some facial fuzz.
I kind of think of a cross between a tall samwise gamgee and strider. Medium height, young but on the edge of manhood. Definitely brown hair (no idea why).
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