Character Tag Part Four - My Villains

I apologize for the lateness of this post. I posted the first three parts of this tag back at the beginning of August, and then part four kinda faded into the background as I got busy with the EDBP. And then it got further postponed when I couldn't find pictures to fit my characters. Character casting, IMHO, is harder to do than the actual writing. Is it just me? Please tell me it's not just me... And please note that I do not choose characters due to the movies they are in... I find it slightly easier to cast characters that I've never seen before so I can give them my own personalities. 

Well, let's get into the fourth and last part of this fun character tag. You can read the other parts here:

Part One - Fictional Favorites

Part Two - Valued Villains

Part Three - My Favorites

Mal Sorcell

Even though most people think of this character as Vizinni, every time I write about Mal Sorcell, this is all I can imagine. Mal Sorcell is bald, hunchbacked (except when he wants to walk straight), self-proclaimed miracle man that appears in Children of a Legend, and he's not the sort of character that you'd want to trust. He wears long purple robes and always tries to present himself as the amazing and the mysterious. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants, and he works indirectly for Lord Vernd. His right hand man is a mute giant named Sordin, who basically serves as the muscle behind Mal Sorcell's brains. Mal Sorcell's name I created with a French basis (I use French words as a foundation for most of my names), and Mal Sorcell literally means "bad sorcerer." 

Lord Vernd

Now I'm sure you all know who Lord Vernd is. And I'm not saying Vernd is this guy in the picture. This is a little unsatisfying because Vernd has a bit of gray in his otherwise pitch black hair as he's much older than this guy, and he most certainly does *not* wear earrings. Ugh. And he never, ever smiles. At least, not in the way that we would smile. Anywho, Lord Vernd is my big bad guy in Children of a Legend. He hates the name of the Dragon Tamer, rejects the authority of Père, the One True God of Dron, and doesn't care what his actions might cause to others so long as he benefits. His entire life has been dictated by defending his rule from the attacks of the Dragon Tamer and ruthlessly searching out that same Tamer to destroy him. His reign will be unopposed, of that he is certain, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. If you want to read my Beautiful People post about Lord Vernd, click here. 

Randbec

Now here's a guy you probably haven't heard about before. Randbec appears as King Jakken's royal advisor in The Twelfth Kingdom. Randbec's name was also taken from a French foundation, and it means "grand beak" or "large nose." For good reason. Did you see the schnoz on this guy? Yep, Randbec sports a profile that an eagle would envy. He's not what you might call a true villain from reading what I've written so far in TK, but you're prone to dislike him due to his stern aloofness and indifference to the princesses. As King Jakken's right hand man, Randbec serves whatever purpose the the king desires of him. 

Mistress Severamer

Please excuse the fact that this lady's garb does not match the medieval/fantasy garb of the preceding pictures. This is the perfect face for Mistress Severamer, and I could see no one else being her. For those of you who don't recognize this picture, it's Prunella from Eloise at Chirstmastime. Mistress Severamer, again, is not what I can truthfully describe as a real villain, just someone that nobody likes. The closeness of her name to the word severe is no coincidence. She is the head governess, in a sense, over all the princesses, and it is her job to see that they all perform their respected princess-y tasks, whether it be related to education, etiquette, or edibles. And she tends to use alliteration a lot when she speaks. 

Hope you enjoyed this! I had a lot of fun putting these four parts of the tag together! 

And now for the end: I'm to tag three people to continue this tag. So, without further adieu, I tag:

Miss Dashwood
Beth Grace
The Mad Elvish Poet

Rules:
1. State the rules!
2. Post four posts about your sixteen favorite fictional characters, including four good and four bad each from novels you have read and stories you have written/are writing.
3. Tag three new people when you are finished and comment to let them know that you've tagged them.

If you want to participate in this tag, but I neglected to tag you, feel free to go ahead and snatch it to put on your own blog!

So long!

A Conveniently Placed Mirror

Jenny of The Penslayer has all of us writers on a character description rush. How do we describe our characters? The thought is exciting... and alarming.

For me, well... I'll admit it just as everyone else on blogger is admitting it: I've never thought description my strong point. No, rather I've been told and I believe that my strongest point is dialogue. Making people talk is a whole lot easier than saying what they look like.

But every good writer must describe her characters, so I got out my handy-dandy, 126-page-long (that's 126 printed computer pages from Open Office Writer, by the way, not 126 pages the size of a Boxcar Children book), work-in-progress manuscript for Children of a Legend from which I hoped to pull swell descriptions with which to amaze you all. I mean, surely there must be some character description in 126 pages, right? Right! (cue John Lawless) Wrong! Sort of.

I discovered that I really don't describe my main characters. At least, not like most authors do with a conveniently placed mirror right at the beginning of the story. In fact, I'm more of the person who detests describing her characters right in the first paragraph of the story with the before mentioned mirror. For characters that are a big part of the story, I tend to drop little descriptions here and there, and not a whole lot at once, so it's awful hard to give you all a paragraph of what I say they all look like. However, here are some of my favorite descriptions of minor characters:

A beefy boy of about ten had his feet propped up on the counter, which despite its many holes, surprisingly held his weight. Crumbs littered his tunic and were scattered beneath his chair. On his broad stomach sat a jar of jelly and a half eaten biscuit. A large straw hat covered his face, and Davin wasn't sure if the boy was sleeping or watching them through the woven fibers. 

Children of a Legend

This here is Hawend Horradiff Humjaspoke, son of Mistress Henriah Hillaborthy Humjaspoke (yeah, I had fun coming up with those names) who owns (according to the sign) the neW Bonnie In Ov MArRDiD.

When, at last, Davin thought he would burst from the waiting, Rodnal walked around the corner of the barn, leading a young woman by the hand. She was slender, and her long brown hair hung in waves around her shoulders, partially covering the bodice of the plain blue dress she wore. Her face was lit with a beautiful smile, and nothing could disguise the happiness in her expression.

Children of a Legend

This is Rayne... She's actually more of a main character, so I guess this could be counted as a main character description, not a minor character description. Anywho... 

Standing in the designated doorway was a young man wearing a sleeveless leather tunic. His body glistened with sweat, and he routinely reached up to push his thick brown hair out of his face. But it was the eyes that caught Davin's attention. They were deep blue and looked exactly like... Father's eyes. 

Children of a Legend

This nameless young man is a fighter in the barracks of East Delt and happens to be someone whom Davin and Brice run across on their journeys. Actually, he has a name. And it's a boy's name, too. :) Okay, fine! His name's Grant. 

Alright, let's switch and go to The Twelfth Kingdom for a bit. This story, I found, I actually did a bit more of main character description in paragraphs, so here you go:

The rain mixed with the tears on J's face as she started for home. As she crossed over an intersection of streets, she stopped at the edge of a large puddle. Though raindrops scarred the image, J could see her own face mirrored in the puddle. The blue eyes that B said she had memorized gazed back at J sadly. Dirty, brown hair tumbled around her shoulders in an undignified way, framing a face that hadn't had a good washing in weeks. A ripped and stained dress clung to J's skinny body, and her unraveling sweater did little to fend off the cold.

The Twelfth Kingdom 

This, my friends, is my main character, J, and how she sees herself. Puddles can work the same as mirrors, no? However, unlike your conveniently placed mirror, this puddle doesn't show up until the end of chapter three. Actually, this description was a harder one for me to pen, as J's hair color keeps changing on me. Sometimes it's brown, other times it's a dirty blonde. And I cannot find a real, live pic of someone else to cast as J because I myself am not really certain what she looks like. *sigh* This is what happens to writers, folks.

Josette had often heard Princess Simeanna called the most beautiful of all the princesses, and now with Simeanna standing in front of her, she could hardly doubt the opinion of so many in Tellorn. Although she was just barely younger than Reuthellen, Simeanna carried herself with a graceful power that was impossible to mistake. Golden hair cascaded down over her shoulders, complemented perfectly by the gold trim on her simply, but elegantly, styled gown. Her hands were delicate, but firm, and at the moment, as she surveyed Josette, they were folded resolutely across her chest.

Beside her, slightly shorter, but no less commanding, was Princess Aleevity. Her hair, the darkest shade of black that Josette had ever seen, was wrapped into a thick bun on her head, and her eyes darted about like those of a cat, blue green and sharp. She looked down at Josette over the end of her prim nose.

The Twelfth Kingdom

Simeanna and Aleevity are two of the princesses in TK, and I find myself, while writing about them, seeing Lavinia and Jesse from A Little Princess. So, you can just imagine what this pair is like.

God bless!

Giveaway At Accordion To Kellie!

Accordion To Kellie is hosting a giveaway, and the prize is to be $50 gift certificate to Shabby Apple! What fun! Be sure to stop by Kellie's blog and check it out! 

My sisters and I had a lot of fun going through the Shabby Apple website and looking at all the dresses. Here are some of our favorites:

I love the raspberry color of this one. It's altogether fun, comfortable, and elegant looking.

 This dress is part of the Mad Hatter collection, which is a lovely collection. I love the lace sleeves!

This dress is called Bon Voyage. Even though I would wish it just a tick longer (I'm rather tall), I think I could wear this dress without even being on a boat! 

Roamin' Holiday: Piazza Navona. Love, love, love the full length, twirly skirt!!

August Snippets

And we're back with August Snippets of Story, many thanks to our lovely hostess Katie of Whisperings of the Pen!! Sorry it took so long for me to get this month's snippets posted. I was *ahem* distracted with the EDBP. :)

These snippets I've taken all from The Twelfth Kingdom, one of my favorite stories that I'm working on. I felt it was high time the wonderful world of blogger was perhaps more properly acquainted with this story. 

Just yesterday, King Jakken Fierté had ridden through these very streets. In her mind's eye, J could still see him, proud and regal in blue robes, sitting straight atop his magnificent steed. His royal advisor and a single guard had accompanied him into the dirty, sorrow ridden parts of town, seeking the newest recipient of the king's kindness. 

***


“Ladies and gentlemen, people of Tellorn, and all Findenland!” The man yelled. J was instantly glad that B had suggested they get closer. Otherwise, they would never have been able to hear him, and they would have to resign themselves to waiting for the gossip to reach them and learn the new princess's name. 
A real name. J licked her lips in anticipation. This was the part that excited her the most. Each of the orphan girls the king had adopted were given names suitable for princesses. The days of being labeled a solitary letter were over. Only people from the upper classes and royalty had real names. People of the street, like J, were not allowed to have names, only letter labels that they could use to refer to themselves.

***


J tried to reason with her, but the woman wouldn't listen. When J wouldn't obey her and leave, the woman snatched up the spoon she had used to stir the soup and smacked J in the face.
Cheek smarting, eyes tearing, J hurried down the street away from the woman. She asked others for help, but everyone was concerned with his or her own affairs. No one wanted to give aid to a dirty fifteen year old. Not even when another girl's life was dependent on that aid.

***

Vases filled with colorful flowers decorated table tops, and polished suits of armor stood guard with sword and spear over the foliage. One small pink vase, almost hidden by the towering stems and fan-like leaves of the other flowers, held a nosegay of white bethjasmine. The delicate blossoms, although considered by many in Findenland to be plain and simple, were elegantly arranged, so alive and resting against the background of their dark green leaves. In a way, it reminded J of B. Her friend was small and sickly, but J hoped that once B had settled into her new princess life, she would look as elegant and healthy.

***


“Step forward, girl.”
J tentatively obeyed. 
“What's your label?” 
Her voice came out in a squeak. “My label?”
“Yes, girl! Your letter label! What else did you think I meant? I need to know your label so I can give you a proper princess name!” Jakken slammed his fist down on the desk. Papers fluttered briefly at the impact. 
J's heart constricted and her breathing came heavily. “J,” she managed meekly.
The king groaned. “Another J. I hate coming up with J names. Randbec?”
Randbec bowed. “I will draw up some suggestions for Your Majesty. You shall have a list of proper princess J names within the hour.” He turned to leave.
J hardly knew what she was doing, but the exclamation was out of her mouth before she could stop it. “Wait!”
Both men paused, looking astonished at her outburst.
“Could you, I mean...” When she hesitated, Jakken growled, “Spit it out, girl!”
J's words came out in a rush. “Can my name be Josette?”
Randbec's eyebrows lifted. The king's hand froze with a pen in his grasp, before he composed himself and asked, “Josette?” 
J thought that she had been too bold in her request. Words fled from her, and she could only nod at the king's question.
Jakken turned to Randbec. “Josette?” He echoed.

Au revoir, m'dears!

EDBP: Announcing Answers and Awards

Well, here we are at the end of the EDBP. I've posted all my games and all my film reviews, so now the time has come to wrap everything up. Below I've posted all the answers to the games (just click on the game title if you want to see the original game post), as well as the Epic Disney Champion. I had so much fun with this party and I really hope you did, too! I'm sorry to see it ending! 

Unfortunately, I received no entries for the Disney Photo and Quote Contest, so I cannot post any results for that. However, I had many people participate in the other games!

Paraphrased Titles

1. Elegance and a Monster

Beauty and the Beast

2. Quite Beloved of My Soul

So Dear to My Heart

3. Bird Cowl

Robin Hood

4. A Blade in a Rock

The Sword in the Stone

5. Aged Bellower

Old Yeller

6. Tale of a Child's Plaything

Toy Story

7. Missile

Bolt

8. Knotted

Tangled

9. An Excellent Rodent Investigator

The Great Mouse Detective

10. The Unbelievables

The Incredibles

11. In Inquiry of the Outcasts

In Search of the Castaways

12. Rise

Up

13. An Affectionate Vehicle

The Love Bug

14. Slumbering Attraction

Sleeping Beauty

15. Entranced

Enchanted

16. The Fruit Dessert Group

The Apple Dumpling Gang

17. Beasts, United

Monsters, Inc.

18. Come After Me, Boys!

Follow Me, Boys!

19. Reappearance in No Area

Return to Neverland

20. Countrywide Valuables

National Treasure

What Song Is That?

(For space reasons, I'm only including a small snippet of the song from Wednesday's game; to see the full snippet that I shared in the game, click here)

1. "I've been bit on my finger! It could have been my leg!"

What's Wrong With That?, The Happiest Millionaire

2. "He sits alone on a giant throne, pretendin' he's the king."

The Phony King of England, Robin Hood

3. "We'll keep singing without fail, otherwise we'd spoil it."

Happy Working Song, Enchanted

4. "She's _ _ _ _, from her prissy pink nose, to her custard complexion..."

The Pink of Perfection, Summer Magic

5. "Who invented music? We'd like to shake his hand."

Ten Feet Off the Ground, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

6. "If you want this choice position, have a cherry disposition."

The Perfect Nanny, Mary Poppins

7. "Sergeant Riley said there's a fight to win."

Follow Me, Boys!, Follow Me, Boys!

8. "Drip, drip, drop when the sky is cloudy."

Little April Shower, Bambi

9. "I've a girl back home who's unlike any other."

A Girl Worth Fighting For, Mulan

10. "Tee dum, tee dee, a teedle ee do tee day."

Following the Leader, Peter Pan

11. "Life is so unnerving for a servant who's not serving."

Be Our Guest, Beauty and the Beast

12. "I've got scars and lumps and bruises, plus something here that oozes."

 I've Got a Dream, Tangled

13. "When there's a complication, _ _!"

Enjoy It!, In Search of the Castaways

14. "Because I was afraid to speak when I was just a lad..."

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, Mary Poppins

15. "I'm never gonna catch my breath. Say goodbye to those who knew me!"

I'll Make a Man Out of You, Mulan

16. "Yeah, if it's weird, I say let's go and find it!"

Something Better, Muppet Treasure Island

17. "Don't rock the boat! Give him your vote!"

Let's Put It Over With Grover, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

18. "R-E-S-C-U-E. _ _ _. Heads held high, touch the sky."

Rescue Aid Society, The Rescuers

19. "She glanced this way, I though I saw."

Something There, Beauty and the Beast

20. "A robin feathering his nest has very little time to rest..."

A Spoonful of Sugar, Mary Poppins

21. "I know you, I walked with you _ _ _ _."

Once Upon a Dream, Sleeping Beauty

22. "If I went to Paris for the rest of me days, and ate bread and cheese in sidewalk cafes..."

I'll Always Be Irish, The Happiest Millionaire

23. "I feel it there beyond those trees or right behind these waterfalls."

Just Around the Riverbend, Pocahontas

24. "I was born to cheat and lie, I'm a mean, rotten guy."

Petey's King of France, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy: The Three Musketeers

25. "Sloppy, under dressed, immature, clumsy. Please, they'll eat you up alive!"

Mother Knows Best, Tangled

Pieces of Pictures

1. 101 Dalmatians

2. Mary Poppins

3. Monsters, Inc

4. National Treasure

5. Pocahontas

6. Ratatouille

7. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

8. Swiss Family Robinson

9. The Fox and the Hound

10. The Love Bug

11. Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers

12. Beauty and the Beast

13. Bolt

14. Dumbo

15. The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

16. Lady and the Tramp

17. Meet the Robinsons

18. Mulan

19. Peter Pan

20. Pooh's Heffalump Movie

21. Bambi

22. So Dear to My Heart

23. The Apple Dumpling Gang

24. The Incredibles

25. The Sword in the Stone

26. Toy Story 3

27. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

28. Cars

29. Eloise at the Plaza

30. Finding Nemo

Who Said That?

1. Grandpa Bower, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band

2. Arliss, Savage Sam

3. Gonzo, Muppet Treasure Island

4. Mushu, Mulan

5. Peter Pevensie, Prince Caspian

6. Mrs. Potato Head, Toy Story 2

7. Riley Poole, National Treasure

8. Trusty, The Lady and the Tramp

9. Robin Hood, Robin Hood 

10. Dash Parr, The Incredibles

11. Prince Edward, Enchanted

12. Donald Duck, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy: The Three Musketeers

13. Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland

14. Winnie the Pooh, Pooh's Heffalump Movie

15. Thumper, Bambi 

16. Peter Carey, Summer Magic

17. Lucy Pevensie, The Lion, the Witch, and the the Wardrobe

18. Francis, Swiss Family Robinson

19. T-Rex, Meet the Robinsons

20. Prince Philip, Sleeping Beauty

21. Dug, Up

22. Mater, Cars

23. Mr. Biddle, The Happiest Millionaire

24. Tennessee, The Love Bug

25. Flynn Rider, Tangled

And of course, the epic ending moment where I announce the Epic Disney Champion (you can review the point info here). This award goes to the person who collected the most points throughout the week by participating in games, filling out tag questions, and leaving lovely comments on my film reviews. Here are the top scorers:

Beth Grace - 151 points

Miss Laurie - 107 points

Jessa Bri - 88 points

Kendra E. Ardenk - 77 points

Miss Dashwood - 50 points

Beth Grace is Lianne Taimenlore's EDBP Epic Disney Champion! Congratulations, Beth! Here's your winning button:

If anyone wishes to know what their final EDBP score was, just drop me a comment and I can let you know! Thanks to all who participated in the games and the tag questions and leaving comments on my film reviews! I really enjoyed hosting this EDBP!

Until next time,