Interview Of Princess Celeise I Of Tresinta

Bongiorno! Today I'm here with Princess Celeise I of Tresinta, from Alomina. And without further ado, here is her interview. :)

***

Belle. Hello, Celeise - er - Your Highness! Would you please answer some questions for me today?

Celeise. Like the question you just asked?

Belle. Eh... yes... *smiles sheepishly* Alright, so these questions are all from my audience, a bunch of people I tell about you and Montefore and all the other people in this story.

Celeise. *raises eyebrow* Who's Montefore?

Belle. Oops... uh, you won't find out for a while. Don't mind him. In fact, forget that because you don't even meet him until chapter thirty or so. Anyways... uh, what was I doing...?

Celeise. You had certain queries you wished me to answer.

Belle. *nods* Yes, that's right. So, the first ones are from Hope, who is one of my lovely Inkling readers of your story. What is your favorite thing about being a princess?

Celeise. *smiles a little* Being able to learn. To read and to memorize whatever beautiful thing strikes me or whatever I have trouble wrapping my mind around - that is the thing I love best about being a princess. The ability to learn and the means to do so is really all I need to happily occupy myself.

Belle. What is your least favorite thing about being a princess?

Celeise. *frowns slightly* Politics. I get wind of this and that ever and always, every single day. Lord Something did this - Peasant Someone did that - and it's all so ridiculous. What a lot of half-witted pigeons the kingdom is composed of. My father tires of it often as well, and I try to ease his mind of it when I can.

Belle. Speaking of King Edarian, what do you admire most about your father?

Celeise. *gazes off distantly for a moment* I don't know... there are so many things... I only hope that one day I can be as great a leader - and as great a friend - as he is. Maybe what I admire most is that I never even needed - much less desired - a friend as a child because he was everything to me. I never thought I would need anybody else, and I never have even now. He's so good, and he loves me so. There's nobody like him in the world. If... *blushes slightly* If my future husband has even half of what my father has - if he is even like my father in the least; as good, as loving, or as gentle - then I shall be content forever with him.

Belle. *snickers*

Celeise. *snaps back into reality and glances quizzically at Belle* What is it? Do you think this wish comical?

Belle. *shakes head, holding back a laugh* Nope, I just... nothing. *clears throat* Anyways, Do you spend time with your younger siblings? What do you typically do together?

Celeise. *smiles almost gently* Oh, yes, I do very often. Generally I'm found in the evenings lulling Alfonso to sleep myself instead of letting the nurses do it. I know it's perhaps a bit silly, but it gives me a sense that I really am doing something for him.

Not quite the right ages for Celeise's siblings, but they look enough like them.

Belle. *nods* I know how it is. If you find yourself with free time, what is the first thing you want to do?

Celeise. *cocks head thoughtfully* Go and read poetry. Or maybe even memorize some verse. I love doing it. Right now I'm working on memorizing The Ballad of Ellian.

Belle. *snickers and then raises eyebrow quizzically* Wait, you really are?

Celeise. *looks puzzled* Why is that poem of particular import?

Belle. *shakes head and shrugs* Oh, nothing. Nevermind. Anyways, next question! How do you personally feel about the betrothal?

Celeise. *gazes off distantly* I don't know... I suppose I really don't mind it, and I even helped arrange it to some extent. Maybe I was afraid for so long that I would never have someone that I rushed into saying yes... But, it doesn't matter now. And the matter really doesn't disturb me in the least. Although... *smiles a bit sadly* Sometimes I am a bit silly, and I daydream to myself about what he's like. I don't care if he's good-looking or anything like most other girls, but I want him to be a good man - just like my father, if he can be.

Belle. *nods* I can understand that. You know, I feel the exact same way. Just wish there was someone out there that was good enough.

Celeise. *smiles* Well, I suppose I'd better stop daydreaming, though, if I'm ever to get anywhere. It is absolutely ridiculous - but it's not bad to be ridiculous every so often - just so long as I can keep to myself usually.

Belle. *laughs* Well, I'm ridiculous all the time, so I can't really sympathize with that statement. If your life had been different and you weren't a princess, what would you want to be instead?

Celeise. *expression turns unreadable* I - I don't know... If I weren't a princess...? I'm not sure...

Belle. Not at all?

Celeise. *furrows brow* Well, maybe a knight's daughter. Then I could still have the opportunity of learning much and having good company without being exactly like a princess. In my kingdom, to be a knight's daughter is like the bridge between being a commoner and a noblewoman. You're still a lady, and you are in the same society as though you were a titled woman, but no scandal would arrive were you to marry someone below your rank, and no one would fret if you lived in the village instead of the city or such things.

Belle. *writing it down* Hmm... I see... very interesting! *looks back up at Celeise* Okay, what would happen if, say, you fell in love with a stranger before your betrothal was fulfilled?

Celeise. *raises brow rather cynically* I don't believe that will happen.

Belle. *swallows hard to keep from laughing* But what if it does?

Celeise. A heart is a thing that may not be controlled, Miss Belle. If it is already cold, it will remain cold. I shall never fall in love except when I am ready to. I already - in my heart - feel that I could never fall in love, therefore I will not.

Belle. That's rather flawed logic...

Celeise. *inclines head slightly* Perhaps so. But, I won't let any such thing happen. *takes breath* Any man that even tries to win my favor shall be met only with civility and no more.

Belle. But what if you fall in love with him?

Celeise. I shall take care to do no such thing. But... if it were to happen, I should merely leave it, and pretend it never happened. I don't believe that I could fall in love frankly. My own mind is far too set to ever be changed.

Belle. *shrugs* Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.

Celeise. What?

Belle. *laughs* It means 'perhaps'. Anyways, the next set of questions are from Miss Lucy Agnes. Firstly, how do you feel about animals?

Celeise. *inclines head slightly* I like them well enough. I have a fawn which roams around the palace grounds that is tame, and I sometimes go out to it. It's a sweet enough creature. I never really was a person for many animals, but I don't mind them.

Belle. Do you enjoy reading?

Celeise. *raises brow* My Lady Belle, I don't believe you have listened very well. But I shall repeat myself nonetheless. No pastime gives me greater pleasure or fulfillment than reading, especially that of poetry and verse reading.

Belle. What's your education like?

Celeise. *looks out thoughtfully* Well, until I was about four years old, my mother and father taught me by themselves, and then I had a tutor until I was sixteen, and for the past two years my father and my own interest have been the initiators of my learning.

Belle. I see. Next question: what kind of dreams do you usually tend to have? Good, bad, scary, realistic, weird, instantly fading?

Celeise. Usually fairly unmemorable, and generally concerning whatever I was thinking about when I fell asleep, I suppose. Often they fade come daybreak, but I sometimes remember them.

Belle. How would you describe your personality?

Celeise. Cold, haughty, imperious, and words of the like would be my own description. I am not known for particular sentiment or tenderness in the court.

Belle. *under breath* Yes, quite the contrary...

Celeise. What is that?

Belle. Oh, nothing. *clears throat* Alright, last question. Who did you play with growing up, and how is your relationship with him/her/them now?

Celeise. Well, when I was littler, my father and mother, and then when I was a bit older, my siblings. I would say my relationship hasn't changed much with any of those parties, except that I don't hide behind tapestries for my father to act like a bear and find me anymore.

Belle. *laughs* That's a funny mental image. *nods to Celeise* Well, that's all, Celeise. Thank you very much for cooperating!... it's more than Montefore does...

Celeise. Montefore again?

Belle. *winces* Um, like I said, Celeise, just forget anything about Montefore. You're not even supposed to know he exists yet. *waves* Bye!

Celeise. Wait, who -?

Belle. *leaves*

End Interview.

What did you think of Celeise? Did you enjoy her interview? Perhaps you are so bored that you have fallen asleep and are not even reading this question...?

I am now setting forth for vote amongst commenters the next candidates for a character interview on this blog:

Alagna Arleine, the heroine of my book, Alagna, and an independent (and rather nosy) socialite noblewoman of the royal court who seems determined not to mind her own business, even unto accidentally hearing word of a conspiracy in the court.
Jim Stevens, a rather grouchy and brooding member of  The Top-Hat Gang in the 1950's who is very rarely cooperative with anyone (...especially not me).
Captain Owain Lontrey, a knight of the realm of Elliar (from The Second Brother) who wishes to be left alone but all the same reluctantly does the right thing - even when it involves chasing over hill and dale his troublesome half-brother, Feotheire.
Sir "Echo" Torriven from The Pain of a Memory, a dutiful but sometimes child-like lesser knight who enjoys nothing more than the simplest, most commonplace delights of life, but has memories that are not so joyful or simple.
Ultimately, whichever story's character is chosen is the story I'll be steering character interviews into for a little while. The links in the characters' short descriptions are links to their stories' introductions and - in Echo's case - Beautiful People posts on them, in case you want more info before deciding. Put your vote in the comments and soon enough I will post a bio of whoever is chosen! :)



A Writers' Call To Arms - Bring Back Real Men!

Today, I'm here to protest. No wishy-washy protesting today, no sir. However, I will nonetheless try to be as fair as possible. I have a problem - so do you - so does everyone in this world! The US especially has partaken in this horrid trend. What is it? Making men into monsters. The only reason so many horrific immoralities take place nowadays is because men aren't men. Women can do a lot, yes, but what about when we too have become debased? And even if we weren't, we're still only half the battle.
When jokingly speaking with my friend, Lucy Agnes, we got into a kind-of agreeing debate. She remarked that women had no high standards, but really ought to. And I said in agreement this: if Juliet has no balcony for Romeo to climb, then how does she know he loves her enough to climb it if she did? And at the time, I didn't think much about it. But now, as I ponder the subject more, I think how terribly true it is. We don't have any balconies. We don't even have any garden steps. Some of us have even sunk so low as to not even have a door in the way. And it's so sad. See, really, my protest here is about men, but I have to begin with someone else. The ones allowing it to happen - women. Everywhere I look in the world, women are debasing themselves for no reason. What happened to the days where a romance wen like this:
Lady is high above gentleman. He loves her and wants to make her know. So he tries. And fails. And tries again. And again. And again. And again. He does everything in his power to make her come down to him. But then he realizes that he must not let her stoop down - he must come up. So he climbs, and climbs, and climbs - up to her. And finally, he is admitted.

Now, some may think this sounds stuffy, but it's a whole lot better than this:

Lady is high above gentleman. He just says "Hey, get down here, I don't deserve having to climb all that way, and you don't deserve being up there". She comes down to him... only for him to then run away to a different girl's balcony.  
It's very sad. I hope in this comparison I have made my case concerning the part of women. Now to tackle the main subject.
Writers, ask yourself this: have I ever described men in a debasing way in my stories? Made a supposed to be sympathetic male character with no backbone, or who is effeminate? Made my leading man whiny, unintelligent, angry, or unsteady, while my villain was masculine and clever? Have I ever made my leading lady throw herself away in the hope of getting said leading man without ever regretting it? Have I viewed or described a childish leading man in my story as a good or ideal man?
If you answer yes to any of these questions without good reason, then I'm afraid you too may have fallen to the trend. What is it with us writers, then? Why is it that in the movies and books we get heroes like Harry Potter, Captain Jack Sparrow, and Iron Man? People who could care less about anyone other than themselves, even though they (with the exception of Captain Sparrow) make pretense of being heroic? They care about nothing  but their own acclaimed heroism, glory, and good name (and sometimes not even that). If somebody despises them, they don't just get over it. They despise the person back; insulting them and tricking them in whatever way possible (examples: Harry Potter always making fun of his unpleasant cousin Dudley; Captain Jack trying to double-cross Barbossa, Will, and Elizabeth constantly; Iron Man making crude jokes about whatever villain he's facing, not to mention Cap as well).

And not only that, but if they ever 'reform', it's only half way. And the writer sticks with them. Rowling often supports Harry in his poking fun at Dudley by agreeing that Dudley is fat, not so good-looking, and not incredibly clever. And what do we see in Jack's friends but people who not only deserve to be tricked, but also would backstab Jack as well on the turn of a dime? And how many Marvel fans and even Marvel makers out there are saying that Cap just needs to 'loosen up' about Iron Man? Loosen up on what? Loosen up on being a hero, on being a real man? The type that would give his life for even the random, villainous henchman who most heroes would say doesn't deserve to live? The type that would put his all into even the smallest acts, and never let go of what he believed if he knew it was good, true, or beautiful? The type that never disrespected boundaries that other people set unless said boundaries endangered someone? The type that could possibly want to remain true to the same girl for 70 years, and even afterwards, when she's dead, take her over anyone else were she still there?
And then there's Iron Man. The only heroism in him is the instinct to take glory and save lives because it makes him look like a hero. The only manhood in him is the cold definition of manhood - simply being an adult male. Iron Man doesn't even make pretense of giving up his life for people who have hurt him. He would be the one saying that the villain doesn't deserve to live. Iron Man even fights to save the world haphazardly, without plan and on whatever impulse or clever notion he thinks he has. And Iron Man only sticks to his beliefs (what beliefs he has) when they involve his oh-so precious ego. Not even to mention his habits of being a terribly unfaithful jerk.

So what is it with writers then? Why do we write these things? Well, it's a simple answer. It's because that's how things really are in real life. So we write what we see. It's another symptom of modern times - that realisticism in writing that is obsessed with making things out right down to the speck of dust realistic. No goodness, no beauty, just the singled-out dirtiest and most horrific facts. No art to writing anymore is there because of this. However, while I do have quite the bone to pick with realisticist writers (and I know 'realisticist' is not a real word, ironically enough), I shall deal with them another day. But they have helped cause this problem. The problem in society is caused by the fact that we don't want it to change. Obviously we don't, because we just write about what we see and think that's totally okay. We write these anti-heroes who never really change, these playboys who never really reform, and these male feminist wimps we would like to call men. We need to write not as things are - for that is a terrible, mottled thing in these days - but as things should be. A problem will never be solved if we are willing to just live with it.

So today, I have a challenge - a call to arms for all courageous writers out there. Today, just write one hero - a real hero. A man who knows himself, and - even despite struggles - can win over his dark side. A man who is true, good, and beautiful in the truest sense of those words. A man who is willing to climb those balconies and mount those obstacles. A man who is willing to stand strong like a mountain in the midst of a raging blizzard. A man who protects those he loves, and even those who don't love him, without credit or reward or glory. A man who does not give way to women in strength. A man who doesn't speak words of poison. A man who doesn't pitch temper-tantrums or whine or brood. A man who is not some macho braggart either. A man who takes full responsibility, uncomplaining, for all his actions, even when he knows he was wrong. A man who is just doing the right thing. Don't write the Duke of Mantua. Don't write Iron Man. Write instead Nemerino, or Captain America. A hero. Today, writers, write a man who is really a man.
What do you think? Will you respond to my call to arms? Please, take up your pen and respond to this call, much needed in these times! Every hero, no matter how small, will help in this quest. Just remember that, in artfully writing virtue - though the world is against you - you are never alone. Stand with me, writers.

The All-Time Best Writing Music Ever

Hi! I'm here today to share a list of my favorite songs to write to. I will warn you, there are very few strictly modern songs on this list, because writing music is generally supposed to inspire thought or emotion, and modern music inspires no thought and little emotion besides anger or irritation (at least In my own case), and I personally just don't like it. I have rare heard a modern song that I liked unless it was of a more classic genre (such as Il Divo!). But, anyways, that being said, I do intend to list ones that not only obscurity-fans like me will enjoy. So here you are, the best writing songs of all time not listed in any particular order (ones with an * are instrumental, and I noted the ones I use as character themes):
1. Once Upon a Time. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams (Echo Torriven from The Pain of a Memory's theme).
2. My Heart Will Go On, also known as Il Mio Cuore Va, or the theme of Titanic. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Sarah Brightman (if you prefer it wholly in English, Celine Dion's original is not my personal favorite, but it's not bad).
3. I Will Always Love You. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Katherine Jenkins (and Whitney Houston's isn't bad).
4. Sempre Sempre, translated as Always, Always. Best version(s) by: Il Divo (just so you know, they have the best version of most songs). ;)
5. What Now, My Love?. Best version(s) by: Vic Damone; Andy Williams.
6. My Own True Love, also known as the theme of Gone With The Wind. Best version(s) by: Original movie soundtrack*; Jose Carreras (his is the only good one with lyrics I've heard).
7. The Stag. Best version(s) by: Patrick Doyle*.
8. Adagio, also known as Anytime, Anywhere. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Sarah Brightman.
9. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again (from Phantom of the Opera). Best version(s) by: Sarah Brightman.
10. Anthem (from Chess). Best version(s) by: Josh Groban.

11. If I Loved You (from Carousel). Best version(s) by: Josh Groban and Audra Macdonald.
12. Time To Say Goodbye, also known as Con Te Partiro. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Il Divo and Lea Salonga; David and Sarah Joy Miller; Katherine Jenkins (I personally don't care for the rather overrated original by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, but if you like it, then it's plenty good for writing as well. It's just that I don't like Bocelli).
13. Hooked On A Feeling. Best version(s) by: Blue Swede.
14. Remember When It Rained. Best version(s) by: Josh Groban. (Percy and Celeise from Alomina's theme).
15. La Traviata Prelude/Overture. Best version(s): Any version true to the original music is good*.
16. What I Did For Love (from A Chorus Line). Best version(s) by: Josh Groban.
17. An Old-Fashioned Walk. Best version(s) by: Doris Day and Frank Sinatra.
18.A Time For Us, also known as Un Giorno Per Noi, or the theme to Romeo and Juliet. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams; Vic Damone; Josh Groban.
19. If I Can't Love Her (from Beauty and the Beast). Best version(s) by: Thomas Hampson!!!; Josh Groban.
20. Bring Him Home (from Les Miserables). Best version(s) by: David Miller (I regret to say that his version is even better than Il Divo's, actually); Il Divo; Thomas Hampson.
21. Old-Fashioned Wedding (from Annie get Your Gun). Best version(s) by: 1992 Revival Cast; Thomas Hampson and Kathleen Battle; (warning - this song has a high comedy content!). :)
22. Ten Minutes Ago (from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella). Best version(s) by: Santino Fontana and Laura Osnes.
23. All I Ask of You (from Phantom of the Opera). Best version(s) by: Il Divo and Kristen Chenoweth; Michael Ball and Sarah Brightman.
24. Who Can I Turn To?. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Andy Williams.
25. Can't Help Falling In Love. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Chris Isaac; Elvis Presley; Andy Williams.
26. The World Will Know (from Newsies). Best version(s) by: Original movie soundtrack; Original Broadway cast.
27. La Valse L'Amour, translated as The Waltz of Love. Best version(s) by: Patrick Doyle*.
28. She'll Never Know. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams (you're going to see a lot of Andy Williams, because - while Il Divo has the best music of all time - Andy Williams has the best writing music of all time).
29. When I Look In Your Eyes. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams (surprisingly dramatic considering both the cheesy title and the fact that it came from the movie Doctor Doolittle).
30. Solitaire. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams (oh man, I listened to that song like a dozen times a day - actually... I don't think that's an exaggeration, sadly - during Camp NaNoWriMo. Captain Orlando Rogan from The Pain of a Memory's unofficial theme).

31. Just Show Me How To Love You. Best version(s) by: Jose Cura and Sarah Brightman (Charles and Mina from Alomina's theme).
32. The Flower Duet (from the opera Lakme). Best version(s) by: Anybody that can sing it. The only specific version that comes to mind presently is Anna Netrebko's, which is very good (trust me, this song is so good, even a non-opera lover won't be disappointed, and might even still recognize it - it's one of the best known duets in the opera world).
33. I Won't Dance. Best version(s) by: Frank Sinatra; Fred Astaire (make sure it's Fred Astaire alone! - the duet with Ginger Rogers is terrible).
34. When The Band Goes By (from Sweethearts... which you really must check out). Best version(s) by: Nelson Eddy.
35. Sweet Surrender. Best version(s) by: Thomas Hampson.
36. Alone, also known as Solo. Best version(s) by: Il Divo (the still quite enjoyable original is by Heart, but if you don't like 80's music, then that's okay).
37. What a Wonderful World. Best version(s) by: David Miller (ha! I bet you thought I was going to list the Louis Armstrong original, didn't you? Well I threw ya for a loop. I wasn't ever a fan of that song - especially not that version - until I heard Mr. Miller's rendition. Now... I LOVE THAT SONG!).
38. Empty Chairs at Empty Tables (from Les Miserables). Best version(s) by: Michael Ball; Josh Groban; Carlos Marin (just warning you so you won't have a shock attack when you look up Mr. Marin's version; it has some of the best voice inflection and voice-acting I've ever heard in any version, but it is in Spanish, because it's from the Madrid performance).
39. Red Roses For a Blue Lady. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams (I have never heard anyone else sing it, though).
40. Without You. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Andy Williams.

41. As Time Goes By, also known as the theme of Casablanca. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams.
42. Stranger on the Shore. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams.
43. Roses and Roses. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams.
44. Sway, also known as Quien Sera. Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Rosemary Clooney.
45. Fly By Night. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams.
46. Senza Parole. Best version(s) by: Il Divo.
47. Caruso (a song dedicated to the great tenor, Caruso, but the lyrics would work for a character as well, seeing as they don't mention Caruso by name specifically in it). Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Katherine Jenkins; Josh Groban.
48. More. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams (Blakely from Alagna's official theme).
49. It's Impossible. Best version(s) by: Andy Williams; Vic Damone (Blakely from Alagna's original but unofficial theme, as I love the song but rather disagree with one particular line of lyrics from it).
50. Beautiful Dreamer. Best version(s) by: Thomas Hampson.
51. The Grande Hall. Best version(s) by: Nox Arcana*.
52. Belladonna. Best version(s) by: Nox Arcana*.
53. Music Box. Best version(s) by: Nox Arcana* (these three Nox Arcana songs are good for really sad or scary writing, because they are very haunting and even come from an album of music meant to be a soundtrack to a haunted house).
54. Shenendoah. Best version(s) by: Thomas Hampson.
55. Don't Cry For Me Argentina (from Evita). Best version(s) by: Il Divo; Sarah Brightman.
And that about wraps it up! There were many others I could have mentioned, but I think that fifty-five is quite enough. ;)
What did you think? Are you interested in any of the above songs? Will you check them out? Any questions concerning their genre, where to find them, or how I found them? I would love to chat! :D Also, I am back to blogging now!... hopefully! ;)

Bio Of Princess Celeise I Of Tresinta

Hello! Today I am here to continue (finally) the long-abandoned feature that maybe one or two audience members may remember - character interviews. As we stood with the last interview, the vote for this next one fell to Celeise from Alomina. So here is her bio. Put any questions for her in the comments, and I will ask her them in the next character interview post. :)

Name: Crown Princess Celeise Anatria De-Vistrina Ellette I of Tresinta (what a mouthful!). Age: 18. Nationality: Tresintan. Height: Roughly five seven. Hair Color: Goldeny blond. Eye Color: Bright blue. Title(s): Princess; Crown Princess. Family: Her father, King Edarian; her mother, Queen Constantia; four younger siblings.

Bio:
Princess Celeise was born crown heir to Tresinta, being the firstborn to King Edarian. She has been mentored by her father all her life, and is deeply devoted to him and what he's taught her. She has been prepared even more than most royalty, though, because not only will she be queen one day, but has been betrothed to the younger prince of Vellethia, Lothaire, for two years at the beginning of the story. Two years before the story, the older prince of Vellethia, Lucellus, was finally crowned king, and immediately upon gaining the throne expressed a desire to Edarian to have an alliance with Tresinta. Thus, because Lucellus's younger brother, Lothaire, was unmarried and Celeise was similarly so, the alliance was decided to be a marital one.

Celeise has nothing against her training or this arrangement - she has always been so devoted to her father that she never even thought a second time about the decision except to desire that she carried it out as well as her father wished. And Edarian - lest any dumb readers eager to hate mentoring parent characters come along - has never ordered Celeise to do anything. Anything she does on his advice is completely by her own choice - Edarian even asked her when he first made the betrothal arrangement. Really, King Edarian is the only real friend Celeise has ever had - she's never desired any other. She had gained however, before the beginning of the story, a reputation in the court for being cold and haughty, because this was her way of' shooing away' gentlemen who sought her already-taken hand. This is one behavior of hers that her father does not approve of, but he has never said anything very large on the matter to Celeise. So she has gone along treating any man who tries to get close to her this way. Perhaps it is because of this reputation that no one has ever really sought out her friendship to any great degree. So at the beginning of the story, Celeise is just fine being left alone to do her duties, until a ball one night...

Anyways, that about covers Celeise. Her bio isn't incredibly interesting, but her life before the story is really very easily summed up, so that's why this is so short. She's had a very calm, peaceful life (well.. that it, until I came along to take over her life upon paper. Mwahahahaha!). ;) Anyways, though, just leave any and all questions you can think of for her in the comments, and she'll answer every one of them when I post her interview.
What do you think of her? I know she may seem boring, but there's more to her than meets the eye, though she herself doesn't know it. Also, I have a surprise after her interview! :D This time, instead of characters strictly from Alomina in the voting polls for the next interview subject, I am going to put three different characters up for vote in a completely different story, just to shake things up (plus, I don't know about you guys, but I'm terribly bored of the characters in this story taking the spotlight!). :P Anways, though, for now, just ask plenty of questions! I look forward to seeing all the lovely questions you guys always dream up. :) Also, sometimes this month, my regular blogging will return, including the comeback of Catholicism Explained, more regular character interviews, possibly book/movie/show reviews, Beautiful People, and Meet The Books!.

An Ode To The Unsung Characters

You know, sometimes it frustrates me how much I want everybody to love the same characters I love, when they can't. Why not? Because a great deal of my beloved story characters are in that land between lands, the Realm Of Unpublished Stories. So many friends, cohorts, and other fellow writers write the most loveable characters, and yet all I can do is give a minimal praise of them because nobody else knows them as I and a few other readers do. So, today, I'm going to change that. I'm going to praise some very memorable characters (and their writers, of course), relentless of whether anybody else understands me. I need to sing of these unknown miracle-people! It is a crime that any ink-and-paper person should ever be unknown if they are of worth, and so I shall attempt to amend that so often-occurring crime. Let's hop to it! :)

Dar Beauregard, of The Prince's Pendant, or Mercury's Wings by Lucy Agnes.

He's the Space Fox. He's a Shakespearian actor (uh, kind-of) who is secretly a rebellion fighter. He's the most daring thief, rebel, pilot, and anything else you can think of in the galaxy. Not to mention, he's incredibly handsome and unspoken for currently. ;) Frankly, if he wasn't a good three-thousand years in the future, I'd have my eye on him. Who doesn't want a guy who can shoot any target, rob any ship, fly any flier, accomplish any mission, and act any play that is humanly possible. I mean, really? Why am I not seeing this guy's name everywhere in big lights?! Now that's an unsung character. Not to mention his bravery and (eventually) virtue. After all, once his head's in the right place, he is one of the sweetest, most loveable young gents in the intergalactic ink-and-paper world. And even before then, he's definitely the most charming man in the story.

Looks: Hazel eyes; lovely brown hair; a face that could soften any heart.

Trademarks: a pistol holster at his side; a blue pilot suit; a cocked stance.

Some particular qualities: His amazing daring and skill; his dashing grin; those eyes (oh, those eyes!); his tendency to consider the odds very minimally and jump right into something super dangerous, coming out perfectly successful.

Something I loved about him: The way he thinks and speaks. Once his head's straight, his thoughts go from slightly-off but amazingly charming to sweet and amazingly charming. Really, with Dar's POV around, I'm surprised that girl characters haven't flocked to the story. And almost everything he says sounds like a hotshot movie line, or else it's heart-meltingly sweet/deep.





Chase Williams, of Dreaming Reality by Anna Deubell.

There are three words I can say about Chase that will all describe him. Sweet. Amazing. Dork. I love, love, love those guys that are so intelligent, but so sweet and occasionally funny or dorky, and they just capture your heart. Such is the type that Chase is. He is that book character that seems unassuming for the first two sentences of meeting him, and then he captures your heart. Piece by piece. Line by line. Paragraph by paragraph. Until, after maybe two chapters of knowing him at the most, you being to wonder what anyone in the whole story's world does without Chase. It's such a beautifully thought-out book, with thrilling action, and practically flawless writing, and Chase is that extra touch that just makes you explode with excitement at the mere thought of the story. Except that he's definitely not extra. Seriously, I super loved the story before I met Chase, but once Chase entered... HEART ATTACK ALERT!!! How did I ever live without him?! He saved my life, along with others... ;) Everything about him was just something that added to my ever-growing love of him. Every time he spoke, I either laughed or cried, or bent on the edge of my seat to see if he spoke again soon (and no, that's seriously not an exaggeration). And my favorite parts in the entire book, I'd guarantee that at least 9 out of 10 of them had Chase or something to do with him. And if I had more time to praise this book, I definitely would. But, as of now, I will have to give all its praise to Mr. Chase Williams.

According to Anna's blog, this is what Chase looks like.

Looks: Blue eyes; brown hair; fairly young.

Trademarks: His devotion to his best friend, Carmen; his wonderful taste in meals (haha, that was a reference to certain scene with brownies, btw, if Anna happens to be reading this and needs a laugh).

Some particular qualities: His tendency to do the right thing without a second thought; his courage; his humility; his sweet dorky side which made me love him from day 1.

Something I loved about him: His way of saying something completely ordinary or expectable, but somehow making me laugh by saying it. Even just saying something like "That hurt", I laughed and laughed and laughed (and also cried, due to the occasion for it). Seriously. Best character in the already brilliant story, people. Why hasn't this been published yet?!

Matthew Hart, of The Orb Of Unlimited Power, by Hope Macpherson.

With Space-thieves and life-savers, you'd think I'd have some kind of ninja-assassin or something of the like next. Well, not exactly. Someone better. Who? Matthew Hart, that's who. Who? Okay, I'll elaborate. A sweet boy, and one of the best friends a girl could ask for, not to mention a very funny and pleasant personage. Another type where you hang on everything he says, even if it's just a remark on the weather. Even just him being surprised and almost spitting his drink out near the beginning of the story was enough to make me like him. ;) *sighs* Some people, once they come into the story, you just sit on the edge of your seat bouncing in glee until their next scene. I think that Mr. Matthew is one of these. :) I haven't even finished reading his story yet, but I know that - if it's anything like what's already come - then readers like me (along with the publishing world) are in for a delight.

Looks: Brown hair; an amazing smile (uh, sorry to Hope if that was an inaccurate description, but he smiles a lot, and I always imagined him really vividly doing so); brown eyes.

Trademarks: His friendship with Alaine Turner (the MC of the story); his brilliant reactions (haha, maybe I'm getting a little too reference-y to story here with character trademarks. Okay, I'll try to behave more). ;)

Some particular qualities: His good humor; his easiness in character.

Something I loved about him: Um, how about like every scene he's been in so far...? Haha, I guess that won't work. :) Okay, then his friendship with Alaine. It's so cute and banter-y, and it reminds me of a friendlier version of the song Anything You Can Do from Annie Get Your Gun. ;)

And these are only a select few of the many, many, many that I would love to mention! It's truly a crime that any characters of such a caliber of genius and lovability should go unpublished!

Oh, let it not be e'er said,

Lest with sayer I take strife,

That a character unpublished is dead,

Til a press brings it to life

And if one among you should doubt

The value of these ones,

Then I say 'I could not live without

These people and their fun!'

Oh, let the skeptics have their say

To prove I am but off,

And at their silly, clos-ed way,

I'll shake my head and scoff.

Those poor souls, they never knew

All readers' greatest lark -

The characters, characters who

would for our joy embark.

And what does make a person penned

Lesser than one sold?

'Naught!', I say and say again,

'Such claims are false and old!'

For no published one gives me pleasure

As those just struggling through

And if you read them, I am sure

That you will love them too.

Thus is my little bit of verse in honor of all those ink-and-paper people out there with only a few to praise their names. Let us drink a toast to them - and to the day when they be published for all skeptic readers to see! :D Votre toast! - to Dar, Chase, Matthew, and all the other unpublished characters just waiting to hear the well-deserved applause of the world! :D

What did you think? Do you agree? Are there any honorable unpublished characters you would like to add to the list? Any to recommend to me? Did you enjoy the little poem for them? Perhaps hast thou now been converted, thou skeptic readers? Have I inspired anybody else to a love of these particular three? Talk to me! :D (Also, can I have a vote perhaps on a subject? See, I'm rather in debate with myself of whether to next introduce my sci-fi contemporary book, In Greater Hands, on the next Meet The Books! post or not. It's been spoken of on this blog before, but that was a long time ago, and to a different audience, so my present audience is still mostly unacquainted with it. What do you think?)

Meet The Books! - The Second Brother

Wow, has it been a while! And man, oh, man, is it great to be back with Meet The Books!. Anyways, today, the featured book is an unusual one for me. However, before I continue, for those who are not familiar with Meet The Books!, I shall explain. I invented Meet The Books! as a way to introduce my own writing on my blog - as I am terrible with technology and cannot for the life of me figure out how to display it naturally - but it is meant ideally as a way for anyone to do so on their own blog. Anyone can join up! Just answer the questions and ramble on a bit about your work in progress - I mean, how hard can that be? ;) The only rule is to link your post back here so I can see it if you do join! :D Anyways. Now that that's said and done, I'll continue.

What is the genre?

Well, though I consider myself a fantasy writer, ironically enough, this is my only Fantasy. Yep. Only one. I started another prospective one about a week ago, but I'm not keeping it (it was going to be based off of The Laidly Worm, an old English fairy tale). This, however, though I despise it among my works with all my being, I am keeping. But only due to popular demand and the fact that a really awesome character I don't want to delete is laced into it. Plus it's a series, and who deletes a whole series?!

What is the title? Time period?
The title is The Second Brother, after the main character, who I will speak of shortly. The time period - as is my specialty - is medieval.
How is it written (point of view, MC, etc.)?

It's written in my favorite POV: third person (limited), except - again, unusual for me - with only one POV character. That character is the MC, Captain Owain Lontrey.

Who are the characters?
Captain Owain Lontrey is a rather irritable knight (if you're wondering why he's not 'Sir' rather than 'Captain', it's because he's the captain of a King's Century, which is a band of a hundred fighting men for times of especial need). He is he person whom the title is after, being the second brother after Rheovan the eldest (see below) and before their half-siblings, Feotheire and Claria. Owain likes to mind his own business and let others mind theirs, but often this is not how it ends up. See, he has a bit of a problem with a very troublesome half-brother named

Sir Feotheire Lontrey, or Feo to some of his siblings (and yes, Owain sometimes calls him this, but it is not a title of endearment in that case). You see, Feo has - due to his own temperament - been not only disowned by their father, but unofficially exiled from their home, and become a self-made wanderer. Owain often wonders if Feo even cares about anything - and the only particularly apparent answer to that question is Feo's sister - Owain's half sister - Maid Claria. Feo, being her only full sibling, is deeply devoted to her, and often she seems to be the only thing Feo even cares a fig about. Don't ask how he got his title. Owain has asked before several times, but isn't really sure himself how or where on earth Feo could have possibly gotten knighted. Though he was originally based off of neither of these characters, one could explain him as an approximate mix of Faramir and Loki (to make a very odd combo).

Okay, while I never intended him to be anything like Faramir, I had always thought of him as looking like Faramir.

Rheovan Lontrey, called the MirrorGazer for his magical mirror of his own invention, which allows him to look upon anything - anything he has connection to in his mind, that is. He cannot see anything that he has not already known or has no relevant connection to. However, it is useful for looking upon things he did not see before (for instance, when he was present, but did not pay attention to the things going on around him). It's a little like a mix of those memory-mirror things in Harry Potter - what are they called again? - and the famous mirror in Snow White. See, Rheovan is a wizard. Not in the sense that he practices any sort of conjuring or witchcraft, but in the sense that he comes by great mental powers naturally. See, his magic is controlled by his mind - if he went insane, as would his magic. Rheovan inherited it somehow... Owain assumes by their long-deceased mother (Rheovan is Owain's older brother), as their father has absolutely no trace of it, but no one is sure. However, the puzzling factor of that is that Owain himself has absolutely no powers to speak of, despite being a full sibling to Rheovan.
Maid Claria Lontrey is the half-sister of Owain, and the older sister of Feotheire. She was half-crippled from birth, and unfortunately needs constant care to even be able to walk at all, so did not go with Feo (as he offered) when he left the family estate after being disowned. She has been the only link holding Feotheire to his family ever since he left, and she is the only reason he ever comes back. Even had she not needed care, she would not have gone with Feo, though, because she has long wished that her brothers stop being a broken family. Rheovan and Owain do love Claria, though not as much as Feo does, and treat her well, even though their father does not. She has always been the support of the family - in every way except physically, since she cannot be that. She has long harbored hopes to bring her family back together, though it is only just barely keeping from shattering - due to Feotheire's disowning and their father's prejudice.

General Fredich Lontrey is the father of Rheovan, Owain, Feotheire, and Claria (he and Claria aren't actually super huge characters, but I decided to introduce the whole Lontrey family all in one swipe so it's not confusing). He has always been very prejudiced against Feo and Claria, however, for being from a different mother than his favorites, Rheovan and Owain (especially Rheovan). See, he was married once - to Rheovan and Owain's mother - but she died when Owain was a toddler. Her death grieved him so much that he became despondent and stopped working. He became in debt, and to clear himself out of it he was forced to marry a rich knight's daughter, who was Feotheire and Claria's mother. Unfortunately, at the time of the story, she too is deceased. Gen. Lontrey has always fought with Feotheire, and even disowned him. And, though he gives her servants to provide her necessary care, Gen. Lontrey has always scorned Claria as a great disappointment - even more than Feo because she was born semi-crippled. However, also because of this, he cannot send her away or marry her off.
Finn, Ferdie, and Fabian Trillione are a set of dark-haired triplets who - ahem - intercept Owain and Feotheire on their quest (see plot below). Unfortunately for Owain - who took an immediate irritation with them -he and Feo were in need of their assistance in navigation. So they came along. And I believe Owain is now seriously regretting it... ;)
Lady Lucyth is an exiled fairy, forced to have the appearance of a human and now only able to do magic with the aid of others. She has a deep dislike - more than Owain - for the triplets, as frequently they are purposefully trespassing on what she deems her land. She is also called the Lady of the Woods, because her abode is a small forest where many unusual things happen due to mostly uncontrollable spurts of her no longer intact magic. Don't ask what she got exiled for - she doesn't like to talk about it and might even try to make a magic plant eat you if you ask (as Owain full well knows from experience). She's kind-of an antagonist, but - with payment, of course - has helped Owain and the questers.

Gwendolyn Trillione  actually isn't a very big character either in the first book, but she'll be comin' around a lot in the second, so be ready! ;) She is the triplets' younger sister, and for fear of spoilers I'm not going to say another word about her. :) (the triplets have another sibling, but and older brother, but he won't come in a whole lot.)

Ursan the Distant is my personal favorite character in the story. Named 'The Distant', and 'The Wanderer' by people of the small villages around the moors, he is a mysterious figure to be sure. He is a traveling bard whose songs are chilling and beautiful, but no one knows what they mean. He wanders from village to village around the moors, playing for you if you pay him. He will do most things if you offer him money, but he never spends it... Owain's guess is merely that Ursan is a deserting soldier who went mercenary. He speaks very little if at all, and if you ask too many questions about him then he remains silent and is gone the next morning. He never leaves villages by day, but only by night, and never stays in the same village too long. He knows the moors better than any other man alive perhaps, and no one's really sure if he lives there - or really if he lives anywhere at all. He always keeps a lyre and a tiny satchel with him everywhere - surely not enough to carry many belongings, but they must be his only ones, Owain supposes. Ursan will play in villages, but - though his skill and mystery exceeds any other minstrel  - he will not play anywhere near the great cities or courts. He avoids anybody from cities or courts as well, and often is gone a long time before returning to the same village again. neither Owain or Feo are quite sure what to think of him, but as they need his help when as certain rather catastrophic event happens to the triplets, he agrees to help them for pay.

Mr. Buhler of Il Divo... This isn't the pic I wanted to use, but it's the only one that doesn't make it obvious that he isn't wearing historical clothes. :P

Lady Dulcilla is not in the first book at all... but will be in the second. She is a court lady - or was once, so she's told. She has for some odd reason no memory at all of her past life any past a dream she's been having for five years now - which is about the point when she can't remember anything. She can only remember the past five years, and any before that - not a thing. She has been living in a castle that she's told was once hers and a one of her friend's. Her friend, Ambrose, is the only person she can remember from before the last five years. He remembers much of her past and tells her but has no idea himself why she can't remember.  She has relayed the dream to him, but he knows it's only a dream and can't make much out of it.

Lord Ambrose is Lady Dulcilla's friend who has been taking care of her for the last five years when he found her faint on the ground outside his castle without a single memory of why. He - recognizing her - took her in of course, but cannot restore her memory...

And I think that sums everybody up! :)
What does the plot consist of?
Alright, here goes my attempt at a pitch.... :P
Captain Owain just wants to mind his own business... unless that entails running after his troublesome half-brother, Feotheire. So when Feotheire is accused of treason, and Owain has to go on a hopeless-seeming quest to prove Feo innocent, he's not happy. But, as the quest goes on, there seems to be more than meets the eye, and from the example of others, Owain and Feotheire soon begin to embrace their breaking brotherhood...
See, the theme of the story is brotherhood, and so thus the constant conflicting between Owain and Feotheire is the main storyline, but the main action going on is the quest to prove Feo innocent, which is going on at the same time as Owain and Feo's reconciling.

What is the setting?

The setting is a medieval fantasy world (actually, it's the same world I write all my stories in - I could show you on a map if I had the picture of it with me - only it has magic and fantastical creatures). The main country in it is Owain's homeland, Elliar, but during the course of the quest, they travel all over the map (the country in which they find the triplets is Uriett, I think, and the country in which is Ursan is Morgania, the country that they were questing to).

Who are the favorite characters in it?
Well... actually it's matter of debate between readers currently whether to be on Owain's side or Feo's, and it levels out to about half and half in the favorite of the two. See, I have two readers who - though one only on brief explanation - favor Feo's side in the arguments, and then I have one reader and myself (as Owain's the MC, I have to be on his side, because you're supposed to be) for Cap. Owain.

Lady Lucyth.

What is the favorite scene?
Only one of my readers has even mentioned favoring a particular scene, and I myself loathe the entire work, so it appears it is the favorite. It is a scene where Owain and Rheovan sneak Feotheire into their house, and then within it they run into their father (and shortly after that Claria). It wasn't pretty, I can tell you. The General was furious. I still haven't finished it though, yet, so I can't really say much about it... :P
Any themes of music for this work?
Um... kind-of. I generally listen to the opera Carmen when writing it, but that's not its theme. Unofficially (not official because I don't actually know what the lyrics mean, as they are in another language, so do not know if they fit him or not) the song Adagio (best version by Il Divo) is Ursan's theme. And The Last Words You Said by Sarah Brightman is currently being considered as a theme for Claria.

Any drawings?
Um... Not really. I think I drew Lady Lucyth at one point, but I'm not quite sure where the drawing is right now. Seeing as most of the characters are guys, and I'm not so good at drawing guys, I don't think it's likely I'll have any drawings anytime soon. :P Plus I always have trouble deciding what Owain even looks like.
Strong point in story?
Um, I would say the action. The action keeps up at a pretty fast pace, actually... which is one of the many reasons I hate the story - see, I can't stand intense stuff (unless it's just emotionally intense, which I actually love - it's intense action that bugs me). but, according to most writers, that's a strong point.
Weak point in story?
Well, for one thing, its own writer deplores it among all her works. But, an even bigger problem, in the actual writing, description is almost nonexistent. Because it was begun in an age of my writing where I had realized that I had too much description - so did forego every description period. And... that's another reason I hate the thing. :P

What are your plans for it?
Well, I'm going to finish the first book, The Second Brother, and then continue on to the rest of the series, The Distant Wanderer; The Ever-Three; The Mirror Gazer; and The Sylvan Lady. As you may notice, each one of the books is named for an important character: first for Owain, second for Ursan, third for the triplets (I guess that's technically three important characters), the fourth for Rheovan (or is it...?*mysterious smile*), and the last for Lucyth.
Any particular writing habits for it?
I listen to Carmen a lot writing it, I suppose. And I also like to eat pretzels while writing it, but that's something I kinda tend to do with all my stories. I also generally display it as soon as a new part's finished (I'm still not sure why, 'cuz it's terrible!).
If it were made into a movie, what would be your ideal cast for it?

Um, any old Joe who had rusty auburn-ish hair and looked okay in medieval clothes could play Owain. I really don't know much of what he looks like besides being tall and having rusty auburn-colored hair. As for Feotheire, I have always imagined him looking a lot like Faramir, so the guy who played Faramir in LotR could do him. As for Claria, I can see Lily James playing her(?). And Rheovan... uh, get Basil Rathbone for him (except with black hair). I can see whoever played Eowyn doing Gwendolyn, and Urs Buhler  - yes, I know he's not a movie star! - being Ursan (haha, their names even match!). ;D I can see a black-haired Vivian Leigh as Lucyth, and an also black-haired no-mustache Errol Flynn as the triplets. Perhaps Sebastian Stan as Ambrose, and Anne Hathaway as Dulcilla. I don't know for the General.

Anyways, though, that's the end of this session of Meet The Books!. Remember, if you want to join up, just answer the questions in your own post and link back here! I love reading it when other people participate, so don't hesitate if you want to! :) And feel free to take the pic with you!

What did you think? Would you read it? Who would be your favorite character? Would you be with Feotheire's side, or Owain? Are you agreeing with my own sentiments on the horrid work? (Trust me, if you had read it, you would!) By the way, Alomina is currently having its 3rd anniversary! I've been working on it for three years now... and still not finished it, haha. :P Is anybody else here a Fantasy writer who only has like one Fantasy story...? (Nope... probably just me...) :P Does anybody else think Mr. Buhler is incredibly handsome?

10 Tips On How To Make Your Main Character NOT Boring

So, you're sitting there at your computer, staring at the screen. On the screen is your newly typed-up little project, and you like it, yes, but... there's something wrong. All you can think is 'Man, my main character is boring...' Well, friend, I'm here to help. Mainly because I realize that I have cheaped out, so to speak, on giving writing tips on this blog (which is suppose to be a writing blog anyways), and never really done a writing tips post of any kind. So I went and researched carefully, looked at what was a stronger point in my own writing, and then looked at what subjects in writing aren't as often covered by other people. So, by process of elimination by one or more of those three factors, I ended up choosing the topic of MCS (Main Character Studies). ;) But, I do find that the main character being boring or predictable is highly becoming a problem in the fiction world today. And while I generally don't stick my nose into the ridiculous issues of the fiction world, today I'll make an exception. So let's dig right in. ;) (P.S. Right about now I should be doing Beautiful People, but I am on unofficial hiatus, and so only publish selectively in my current state. And, as this BP centers around talking about you - why on earth would I want to do something so boring for a whole post, haha?! This is one of the many reasons why I don't write in In Greater Hands, btw, because the heroine is self-based, which is just boring to write, I mean.)

Tip #1: Have more than one POV

Now, I find that when my MC is the only point of view, that MC tends to be boring, typical, predictable, and even bores me so that I don't want to write the story. While you may only have one big MC, you can still have more than one POV, and it really refreshes the scene. For instance, when I compare writing In Greater Hands to writing Alomina, I almost always will want to write the latter first, because the MC does not bore me. Why is this? Because, unlike with Leta (my sole MC) from In Greater Hands, I take a break from Alomina (my MC in the so-titled novel) every so often, that's why! With other POVs, you can really get more perspective on your MC, making them better thought-out, and helping to get an idea of what other characters in the story think of him/her. Not only this, but your other characters get better coverage too this way. When you're stuck in one head constantly, you just kind-of tend to naturally go over the same sentiments and thoughts in that head over and over again - unless there is new perspective. And then readers will get bored if the one head you're staying in is unrefreshed. Having one POV is not a bad thing, but it makes it harder to avoid making the person a) just like yourself, or b) the same exact MC you've been writing in every project. So a creative MC deserves a bigger chance - give them some POV friends. :)

Tip #2: Don't just give them fears - give them hopes!

Another thing I've noticed about popular MCs today in fiction is that all they think about is what bad thing could happen, or what shouldn't happen, and they never have any considerable amount of hope. The most hope you get out of them is 'I hope this bad thing doesn't happen'! And it's unrealistic, unpoetic, and inhuman. Every person has fears, yes, but every person also has hopes! Even the most Negative Nancy character has some hopes, and I'm finding a lot of so-called 'cheery' characters that don't even have any! There are far too many gray characters in fiction, and I think a majority of them are MCs. The fiction world needs hopeful, bright, beautiful characters who will find hope in there somewhere, and actually trust both themselves and their comrades. They need to have some kind of optimism within them, or else readers will just pass them up boredly as an Eeyore character.

Tip #3: Know what they look like

Seriously, if you can't even pinpoint what rough hair color your MC has, then I think you need to sit down and think. If you only see them with no face, no hair, no eyes, and no particular look at all, then that's how the readers will see them. It bugs me SO MUCH in books when the main character isn't described even once. Even if somebody else than the MC does it, just pleeeeeeeeeeeease describe them. And I always love it when the MC does get described. Ani from The Goose Girl is a prime example, as her looks are even relevant to the story (very much!). Percy Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel is also a very good example. Whereas Taran from The Prydain Chronicles, I am rather ashamed to say, was not even described in detail until the third-to-last book (however, nonetheless, just from the sheer brilliance of the character himself, I still loved him). Just note some characteristic features. No need to be a verbal DaVinci. ;) For example (and please don't be offended if it seems like I'm trying to one-up anyone with this example or just talk about my own writing), in my own book, In Greater Hands, my character Vic Vance is almost always described with three (debatably four) characteristic features:

Leta expected to see the face of one of the secret sergeants pop into view, or the commanding countenance of Lady Lecta, but instead she saw the recently-familiar lime-green eyes and swept-back dark-brown hair of someone else entirely.

***

"Come on, please!" Leta let loose a desperate sigh. "He's really tall - like six foot seven or something - his hair looks like he stood behind a wind-jet, he's got lime-ish green eyes - have you seen him?!"

***

Suddenly Katanya's eye caught upon something in the mirror. A very tall, dark-haired figure, getting slowly closer and closer. He had a pistol.

"No!", Katanya shouted. She kicked the girl down and pointed her gun at the doorway. The man did not cower, and his bright green eyes seemed to be scrutinizing her. Who in the world was he?

***

"Where are you?!", Tsonja shouted. "Gospodin Vance, I cannot help you unless I know where you are!"

Then Bertie gestured to Tsonja silently.

"What... what is it...?", asked Tsonja almost fearfully.

Bertie lifted some debris. A scratched up face was revealed, with coffee-colored hair almost violently swept back in its messy fashion. One lime-green eye was slightly open, the other closed. It was Vance.

Vance smiled a bit. "Thanks...", he murmured, both eyes closing now.

Bertie frantically dug the rock away, and Tsonja joined him, trying to uncover the tall form from the crushing debris.

***

You see? I always note

-Vance's eyes; they are specifically lime-green, but depending on the POV, they may be interpreted as other shades of green.

-Vance's height; Vance is exactly six foot six and three quarters, making height a particularly noticeable trait of his.

-Vance's hair; it's very messily swept back. To put it in Leta's words, it looks like he stood behind a wind jet. It's also very dark-brown, almost (uncreamed) coffee-colored.

And the reason why I gave examples of my own work was because I don't know if I'd be infringing on copyrights by posting a published book's excerpts. I admit that the third one is a bit on the cheesy side, but hey, it's still first draft. :P So just remember their main traits look-wise. Get creative with it! It doesn't have to be their hair or their eyes, it could be a scar, something they always wear, or a certain expression they make often (for instance, were I to describe Rhett Butler after this fashion, I would note that sarcastically-amused face he always does at Scarlett, his dark eyes, and his firm profile). Always describe your character to some extent in the actual story, and know what they look like even more exactly and beyond that.

Tip #4: Background, background, background
Background. Give them as much background as is needed, and preferably a lot (except in the case where they are supposed to be a very commonplace/simple/inexperienced character, in which case a little less background is totally fine). Know where they're from. Know what they've done. Know their grandmother's first name, just to be really thorough (fyi, you do not have to put the information of their grandmother's first name in the book, though, lol). Know what they're proud of and what they regret. Know what has been on their mind and what they've forgotten by now. Know what's important to them and what's not. What was the last thing they worried about? What were they doing right before the story began? Who was the last person they were with? What kind of a mood were they in?
You need to know both the immediate background (that happening right before the story, or directly relevant to the story), and the hidden background (things which happened a long time before, or will only become relevant to the story). You need to research your characters.
Tip #5: Physical reactions
Okay, if you're taking all the physical reactions for your MC from a website or dictionary of some sort, then something's slightly wrong here. While I am all for website and dictionary aid, as well as variety in reactions, I believe that a character should have a sort-of consistency in how they react to different emotions/moods/messages/people/etc. For instance, blushing when they feel as though they are getting too much attention (if your character is an introvert). Or laughing when they succeed at something (if your character is a more playful sort). Generally, this shouldn't be a problem, because the writer himself/herself will have their own 'programmed' physical responses to things, which will leak into their characters (whether directly or indirectly). However, with the rise of the writing sites and emotion dictionaries, it's getting harder and harder to find a consistent character in a MC when it comes to physical reactions.

Tip #6 Give them a theme song
What? No, I'm not joking! I'm serious! Give them a theme song! If they have a romance, it could be a romantic theme for them - for instance, Percy and Celeise from Alomina have as a romantic theme the song Remember When It Rained by Josh Groban. Or, if the character has some kind-of a serious past conflict, then it could be off of that - for instance, the usage of the song Solitaire by Andy Williams for my character Lan from The Pain Of A Memory, or the instrumental use of The Stag by Patrick Doyle for Montefore from Alomina (again, I apologize if it seems like I'm trying to one-up anyone at all by using examples from my own works, but not only do I have very little a notion of copyright violations, but I don't really know many authors who give their characters theme-songs and publicize it). Any theme song works. Just let it incorporate their character. I always wanted to use Unexpected Song by Sarah Brightman for my title heroine in Alomina, but the style didn't quite fit her. The words - almost perfectly fitting. But the style didn't match her character, so I moved on (now she has two themes, one of which was a different Sarah Brightman song). Or the song My Way by Il Divo or Frank Sinatra (both versions are okay) for Alagna from her self-titled story. I wanted to use it, but the words didn't fit. So, again, give your character a theme, but one that matched their character well. I personally suggest the genres of 30's/40's pop and classical crossover, as they have the most applicable and varying settings, but whatever genre fits your character is the one you should choose.
Tip #7 Make up phrases
Okay, so what sticks in a reader's memory better than that one thing that the character is always saying. Mammy from Gone With The Wind is constantly saying "It ain't fittin'" about various things (I apologize if I am infringing on copyright or anything, but I couldn't resist referencing that, especially Mammy). My own character Vic Vance has a habit of calling Leta, the MC, 'Miss Leta'. And everybody's heard good old Sherlock Holmes' infamous "Elementary, my dear Watson". So make up a phrase or two. Take one from your own personal dialogue habits if you need to. Just examine the things you say, and think if there's a particular characteristic term or phrase you use often. Or - with permission - use one from someone else. Or just make one up out of the blue! You never realize how often people actually have characteristic phrases until you write and you start looking for them.

Tip #8 Try writing them in different scenarios
So in your story, you have an MC who is boring. Try developing them by putting them into totally different situations from what's in the story. So it's an Action/Adventure story. Put them in a café, eating brownies and chatting with a friend. So it's a Sci-Fi. Put them in a romantic date. So it's a Comedy. Put them in a dramatic climax, where their best friend just died, and they have to fight for their life and those of their loved ones. Just shake things up! You don't have to put the scene you write in the actual story, but it helps you to know and develop your own character better. It really does help! A writer friend of mine has been writing a space-setting Action/Adventure for about a year now, and has had to re-start the story twice due to plot issues. But what kept her - and her characters - going was the fact that she kept writing these random scenes with them that developed them wonderfully (frankly, her characters are stunningly memorable, and better than most published books I've read... perhaps it is because she does this?). When she got stuck in the plot, she picked out one of the MCs and wrote his proposal scene. Just out of the blue. And for another guy, a scene where he was just messing around and singing opera goofily (I loved both of those scenes, fyi, but they're not an actual part of the story so much as development exercises). Just write your MC in a totally abnormal situation for them. How would they react when watching Gone With The Wind for the first time? How about if they were suddenly transported to Narnia? What if they had just lived through an earthquake? (And yes, watching Gone With The Wind for the first time is about equal emotional impact as being suddenly transported to another world or living through an earthquake.) ;)


Tip #9 Dress them up
I know this is a bit similar to Tip #3, but I had to include it. What does your MC generally wear? Does he/she dress normally for their time? Or are they rather old-fashioned - or just plain-out weirdly dressed? Or, are they a mix of a lot of things, like hippy- 40's and 50's retro-Victorian-gangster-couture style? (And no, I suppose that's not a thing unless you're me, haha...) :P For example - and if my dear friend Anna would prefer that I didn't use this example, then please let her say so and I will use another one - Carmen Moore from Miss Anna Deubell's novel, Dreaming Reality, is always described as wearing a beanie-cap. I describe Echo Torriven in The Pain Of A Memory as wearing two rings (both of which are actually pretty relevant to the plot). And Robin Hood is always described as wearing a tunic of lincoln green. Really, describing what they wear can help a lot in giving them character. Everybody remembers Sherlock Holmes for his deerstalker hat and cape-coat (even though - bit of trivia for you - he was never actually directly described wearing either of them in the original books. It was only ever implied that he even had a deerstalker hat specifically). Just like Hercule Poirot and his bowties. And my beloved Jim Stevens from The Top-Hat Gang and his tilted fedora.  So give your MC something to wear! Making them wear something can tell us a lot about their character - like how much they care about dressing and making themselves up, and how much regard they have for wherever they're going or whatever they're doing at that time.

Tip #10 Call them names
How would your MC react if given a nickname? What about if they were insulted? What if they had to change their name? Not only do you need to think about the character's real name, but also what other people call them too. Often, there's a lot of power in a name (to quote Cinderella), and writers don't use it to their advantage. Names - and what your MC thinks of theirs - can show a lot about their character. What other people call them can show a lot of what other people think of them. Even when the character is insulted, the insult itself, its basis, and their reaction to it can tell much more than you think. One of my all-time favorite insults is a part in the Oscar-winning African Queen when Humphrey Bogart's character calls the lady a "crazy, song-singin', skinny old maid". And it does say a lot. At that moment, Bogart is drunk, and you can see what's been turning about in his head now that he is openly saying it. He thinks her idea is crazy. He has no idea what to make of her other than what he saw - a singing, frail, middle-aged woman who is unmarried. And her reaction speaks volumes too. She takes it very calmly lying down (the only part that even ruffles her a slight is the "old maid" part, and she doesn't get upset about it, but is only surprised ever-so-slightly). In fact, the only thing she does in reaction is to - come morning - dump all the alcohol off the boat so he doesn't get drunk again. Her calm attitude towards it speaks very much of how steady and hard to ruffle she is, and how determined - no matter what opposition or question - she is to complete her mission. And then there's nicknames. In the movie It Happened One Night (another award winner), Peter half-insultingly, half-affectionate calls Ellie "brat". Why? Because she is a brat. She's been spoiled all her life, and is used to getting her way. Even Peter is doing what she says, though reluctantly. It reveals what he so very openly thinks of her - that she's just plain spoiled. And soon enough, she realizes it too. And eventually, she stops being a brat. See, that's how much a name can tell you! It really does help. Not to mention their real name, which can tell a lot about what whoever named them was like and what they might've hoped or feared for the MC.

Uh... this lady looks almost disturbingly like a friend of mine...

Anyways, that about sums it up. I hope my first real writing tip post wasn't too bad... And reading it over, it's super filled with my boring ramblings... :P Sowwy! Also, I told myself I wouldn't reference too many things, but I think I broke my word to myself. :P
What did you think? Was this helpful at all? Is it too obvious that this is an amateur's post? Is anyone scorning my advice because I am unpublished? (Psst! I do not blame them!) ;) Is anyone thinking that I better just mind my own business and worry about my own MCs? :D Is anyone else now in the mood to write? I totally am! In fact, I'm ending this post now to, you know... ;)