I believe that I mentioned James Scott Bell's book on revising and editing in my last IWSG post. He makes many suggestions in order for you to know your characters better. One is casting them with real people. Want to make your character come alive? Give them a face and a voice. If you really want to have fun cast them with someone of the opposite sex. Today we are going with same sex casting. What a fun experiment this was. I encourage you to do it!
Real Name: Georgina Haig |
Hello. My name is Gigi. I am the main character in this story. When I was six years old I discovered that touching anything with an emotional fingerprint attached would launch me into a vision of the inciting incident. It was horrifying and scary and I avoid touching anything whenever possible. And still, visions are ruining my life.
Real Name: Michelle Pfeiffer |
This is my my mother, Eileen. Yeah, I call her that and have since my father died. She didn't want me to call her "Mom" anymore. She is not the warmest person I have ever met.
Real Name: Emma Stone |
This is my best friend, Franny. She was also my neighbor for most of my life and was there the first time I had a vision. She is one of the only people who even knows I get visions. She is spunky and fun and I wish I could be more like her.
Real Name: Susan Sarandon |
This is Franny's mom. I call her Mimi, just like her grand kids do. She is the only other person who knows about my visions. Sometimes I pretend she is REALLY my mom. I would be lost without her.
Real Name: Ellen Burstyn |
This is Grandma. She is a force of nature. She is my paternal grandmother and the strongest woman I know. Sometimes she scares me with her determination. She wants a lot of things for me. How can I ever measure up?
Real Name: Ian Somerhalder |
This is my ex-boyfriend, Leo. He broke my heart back when I was in college. He has now come back into my life and wants another shot. I don't know how I feel about that. Has he changed at all or will he just break my heart again?
Real Name: Cam Gigandet |
This is Alex. He works for Grandma and being around him scrambles my brain. He is all questions and no answers. The thing is that I really want to know those answers. He makes it difficult for me to even concentrate on Leo and what we might or might not have...
Real Name: Emma Watson |
This is Megan. She also works for Grandma and is way more than what she seems. Would you be surprised to know that she started working for Grandma after picking the lock on her store and disabling the alarm when she was only twelve? Grandma admires a person will skills. She hired Megan immediately.
Real Name: Logan Lerman |
This is Chance. He stole Grandma's car. Turns out he is a computer hacking genius and he might be the one person who can provide the key to saving us all. He also talks non-stop and can't keep his mind off of Megan, who doesn't seem aware that he is breathing, let alone interested.
Now for the DSCP part of this post. Desperately Seeking Critique Partners. If you are interested, please email me: rarichards68 at gmail dot com.
One quick note before I end this post. Mary Chapin Carpenter stomped all over Lucinda Williams in Battle of the Bands. Your votes left it 19-5. I really like both versions but have to go with the majority on this one. I simply cannot vote against MCC. So, make it 20-5 and we will see you again on the 15th for Battle of the Bands!
Thank you for visiting this episode of the IWSG. Do these people seem more real to you with a face? Have you considered casting your novel? Looking for a CP? Did you vote in Battle of the Bands? If you want to come back on the 15th of this month!
I look just like your Alex. Add about twenty years. Well, maybe I don't...
ReplyDeleteI can never find anyone who looks like what I've envisioned.
There was a blog hop back in February called WIP: The Movie that required casting your characters, and it was a lot of fun. I don't really try and seek out actors who would play my characters, but if I realize my character looks like a certain actor, then I just go with it!
ReplyDeleteSarah Foster
August IWSG Co-host
Alex ~ Casting some of these were so easy and others... well, I was undecided right up until I posted this blog. Aacchhh.
ReplyDeleteSarah ~ I am so glad you stopped in. I missed that blog hop in February. I wouldn't have been ready for it even if I'd known about it, though. So much has come together with this WiP in the last four months. It was a very rough draft up until then. No, I don't hate it every time I read it... but I think it could be better, too. I am "in like' with it right now. I want to be "in love."
I enjoyed that casting call, Robin. I should try it sometimes. My lead guy in my scifi is a combo of hubs and Neil Gaiman. A casual, super-smart guy with heart.
ReplyDeleteYour WIP story sounds interesting. I've made note of your email.
Good idea when your characters have not only names, but faces. I've put my characters on a Pinterest board. I look at it when I need to 'feel' them. :)
ReplyDeleteI like that you have a wide range of ages in your characters.
ReplyDeleteI had that in The Eighth Day. It is missing from my current WIP.
I am thinking that in the next draft, some of my characters are going to undergo major changes in their demographics. It can only help. They are a lifeless bunch right now. :(
D.G. ~ I can't say that my cast is a perfect match to how I have them pictured... but it isn't TOO bad.
DeleteJ.L. ~ I think visual aids are good, too. You aren't the first person who has mentioned having a board.
Dianne ~ I like the age range in this book. It is actually one of the things I like best. I know you will rein your characters in soon!
Great casting call, Robin! It really helps bring your story to life. I like your wide array of talent.
ReplyDeleteJulie
This is the best cast of characters ever! I enjoyed reading about each one. I always pick actors to play my characters. It's so much fun. :D
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could even begin to cast my own characters, so good job!
ReplyDeleteJulie, Chrys, Steven ~ Thank you for dropping by and leaving comment:)
DeleteI can't cast my characters like this, but you've chosen some interesting people to represent yours. Should be a great story.
ReplyDeleteI did this once! And it did marvels. Characters that have a face become more alive. Good cast by the way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! I may have to try something like this with my next book. My mother and her sisters used to like to argue over who should play my characters in a movie, but since they're all gone now, I reckon the task will fall to me.
ReplyDeleteC. Lee ~ It was fun.
DeleteAl ~ It is amazing how doing this has changed my process.
Susan ~ Do try it. It can't hurt.
Your casting is fun! I like to put faces to my characters too :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I read your first page at Marcy's before I got here. I already felt like I knew your MC. Yeah to you for putting it out there! I love Gigi's hidden talent. I've put faces to my characters too, it does help me feel I know them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to have a casting call on your characters. I have no idea who I'd pick though. :)
ReplyDeleteGenissa ~ :)
DeleteLiza ~ Yay. That says the voice is the ONE thing I have down.
Kimberly ~ I struggled with it, too.
Robin, what a fantastic, fun post!! And a great idea to cast your characters!
ReplyDeleteAwesome awesome awesome!! I would totally read your book and watch that movie. Ian Somerhalder always ends up being my lead when I read a story *swoon* I do the same thing with my characters - I create a complete character profile with pictures!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Robin!!
Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
I've been doing this since I began writing in 1983. I was shocked when the internet came and I discovered not all writers did this. I kept thinking, But why? It makes casting so much easier. Great Post, Robin.
ReplyDeleteCathrina ~ Not my idea, but it has worked well.
DeleteChene ~ Ian is hot hot hot. *Good choice*
Joylene ~ You are a mind before your time. Ha!
See my dilemma with this is, I love to see this when other people do it, but can never do it for my characters. I did try once for Elemental, but it was hard and only barely there for me.
ReplyDeleteHow goes the search for CPs?
WOW! That sure is some 'fantasy cast'. Certainly would make for an incredible movie if it were ever made. I've heard this suggestion before, but every time I try to do it, I come up short. I guess I wouldn't make a very good casting director.
ReplyDeleteThat's fun attaching the characters to people. Love the Sarandon / Stone match up! They would make a great on-screen mother/daughter duo.
ReplyDeleteBrandon ~ I still need CPs... Interested????
DeleteFAE ~ Yeah, I don't think this will actually materialize. I just wanted people who looked (more or less) like I saw them in my head.
rosey ~ Emma Stone was easy. Casting someone who liked her mother... harder.
Your cast is the best! They're all awesome, and I hope they inspire you. (My gosh, Ian is even more gorgeous than I remember him!)
ReplyDeleteI'd have a difficult time with this casting experiment because I have a hard time remembering actors names and faces. Guess that's why it's difficult for me to remember people I meet in real life. Got to work on that.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
Hi Robin, I've got a blog tour nomination for ya.
ReplyDeleteLexa ~ Thanks! I know... ::fans self::
DeleteArlee ~ If you can't remember the actor's names it makes casting tough.
Sandra ~ Oh... cool!
I've done the casting thing for blog posts for my books but I really love your characters. I sometimes keep pictures around my desk of real people that I think look like the people in my head. It works for me.
ReplyDeleteYou are not the first person who has mentioned keeping pictures around to stay focused!
DeleteGIRL WONDER ~
ReplyDeleteI just now read this and I have 2 things to say, and then you can color me "GONE!":
First of all, Rules #1, #2, #3, up through Rule #69 is... NEVER cast Susan Sarandon in ANYTHING unless you're prepared to lose me forever.
Secondly, the fact that you did NOT cast ME in any of those male roles means that... you have LOST ME FOREVER!!!
Check your 'Follower' count and you will find that... I'M GONE!
~ d-fENSdOGG
'Loyal Un-American Underpants!'
Hahahaha. Okey dokey Mr. Underpants!
DeleteSusan Sarandon drives me crazy IRL too. But she looks like she could be Emma Stone's mother AND that was what I was looking for in that character.
I cannot cast you because I have not seen a current picture. Besides, I don't have anyone (right now) in your age range. However,if you email me a picture I will keep you in mind! (Did that sound like every casting director you've ever met????)
What cool way to "cast" your story..... I generally envision my characters. I have a very vivid idea being the visual artist that I am.... But for those who aren't, this is certainly a great way to bring your characters to life....
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I am supposed to do, so I just keep drawing Michelle Pfeiffer on top of a piano.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you do, do NOT go back to Leo. Sure he's hot, really beautiful in fact. But those are the heartbreakers. Clearly, he's ready to cause pain. Send him over here.
ReplyDeleteI've been writing my book with Sarah Jessica Parker in the leading role. I might offer Leo a part...if you don't mind.
Cheers, Robin. Have a great weekend.
I absolutely LOVE this post because I do the same thing with ALL my characters! Glad to know I'm not insane. Or at least that I am in good company :) It's easier to "work" with characters when you have some idea of what they look like. Even if they change over time, giving them a face helps make them more real to me while I write their story. Great post! ~ Jen PS: I missed Battle of the Bands but I would have voted for MCC. LOVE her!
ReplyDeleteCrap, the main character of my newest novel is a killer robot. It's essentially a big lug with a gun that has the personality and charm of a toaster. So... Vin Diesel, I guess?
ReplyDeleteI love these characters and the way you fleshed them out for us! Sounds like a stunning story! I did a couple of movie hops and chose actors for my characters - it's fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd I look forward to being here tomorrow. Thanks again for hosting me! (let me know if you didn't get my email! taratylertalks@gmail.com)