Character descriptions!

Matt was saying not 20 minutes ago that I should do character descriptions for everyone, and as I'm really having trouble finding Uncle James' voice, I think it would help to put them all into their physical bodies. And of course I have to describe their personalities, since personality and thought is really all I care about as a writer. Though I'm getting better at describing things; I must read more of the poetry of the day as it's helping immensely. Wind-swept moors and a wood standing lonely on a hill...makes my inner romantic swoon a bit. But anyway, the (rough) main cast of Earthshaker (or something. First novel may be Earthcrafter since she doesn't do much shaking. Also cannot call it shaking since that makes me think of Franny shaking her bustle as she sweeps out the yard. Tee hee.)

Franny (Francesca) Hurst (last name up for debate): My dearest, darling, impossible, sensible, stubborn child. Bookish, slightly prissy, moral, quietly pretty, with a sharp tongue that is fortunately rarely unleashed. Although she is frank and fearless among those she loves, she is a bit reserved in the world at large, as her upbringing did not really provide her with much socialization. She adores reading about the latest fashions and loves pretty things, but as she's been raised by an Earthshaker and taught how to do sendings, she can stomach no little amount of dirt (as long as she gets a nice hot bath to herself afterward). She loves to learn, and has a vast trove of random knowledge (since she hopped from interest to interest as a child), and nothing is better to her than sitting in the study with a fresh book, immaculate attire, and a perfectly brewed pot of tea.

Physically, she is is a classic child of that era in that she has a thin build, almost birdlike, and moves gracefully. Spending time out in the arena has caused her to have a smattering of freckles on her cheeks and across her nose, which she hates, and has caused her skin to have a darker appearance than the fashionable lily-white ladies of the the period. This isn't helped by the more olive skin tone she inherited from her half-Spanish mother, though it gives her a bit of an exotic look in her more disheveled moments. She has glossy, straight, light brown hair, which she usually keeps up in a bun or other sensible hairstyle, though she does curl the stray wispy bits and her bangs as a nod to fashion. Her eyes are large and slightly doe-like, giving her an innocent air when open fully, but are usually narrowed in concentration, her nose straight and aristocratic, and her mouth a pretty cupid's-bow pout, lips full and curved slightly up at the corners. She generally looks like an innocent, happy child, but that can quickly change with one of her fierce black frowns.

As she loves fashion, she is always dressed in true Victorian (steampunk!) style. She looks good in darker colors, especially forest greens, and gold, and loves the trinkets her uncle makes for her out of spare cogs and mechanical parts. As she lives out in the country, footwear is generally leather horsewoman boots, sturdy but with a large enough heel to accentuate her figure when walking. Dresses are fashionable but sensible (Terry Pratchett once had a character description that went something like "She had a small fashionable hat, which perched quietly on her head for no discernible purpose, and her only other concession to fashion was a small bum-roll, which achieved a certain perkiness in the rear without the need to wear several layers of dangerously spring-loaded underwear," and that is exactly what I think Franny would be like). She does have a weakness for jewelry, however, and is constantly trying new variations on the various necklaces, rings, and bracelets her cousin brings from London and her uncle makes for her in his workshop. The only piece she has on her at all times is her mother's pocketwatch, dainty and ladylike with its intricate gold filigree on the front and its face open to show the inner workings. Also, she loves intricately beaded or embroidered corsets but rarely gets to wear them as she is a country girl.

Actually, looks like Franny is it for the moment since it's now 1:15 and I've been up since 8 this morning. Stay tuned for James, Edward, Richard, and Mr. Pimms!