What's Happening Now?

Once again, another two weeks have slipped by since we last shared our latest goings-on. Well, here it is again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current, or at least most recent, whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, guys, gals, and creatures! What have you done in the past two weeks? Voyaged to any wondrous places? Battled any disagreeable siblings? Made a new friend or two?

Feel free to spill any and all of your latest adventures, and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

The red sun balances on the highest ramparts of the mountains, and in its waning light, the foothills appear to be ablaze. A cool breeze blows down out of the sun and fans through the tall dry grass, which streams like waves of golden fire along the slopes toward the rich and shadowed valley...

Do you see what I see? Fall Colors

In America's northern states – on the planet Earth, for those not in the know – the fall equinox is upon us, and leaves everywhere are making their seasonal change, from the greens of summer to the reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn. Where I presently am, that's certainly the case, which got me wondering about everyone else here at Come In Character.

What do your hometowns or home planets look like? Do you experience different seasons, or does the climate – and, therefore, the landscape – rarely vary? Or, for that matter, do you move around a lot, encountering an assortment of settings on a regular basis?

Come on, authors and characters, paint a picture for us!

You Tell Me: Money!

Money. It's been said to be the root of all evil and yet we can't get on without it, can we?

What passes for money in your world, characters? How important is it to you? Are you rich, or do you long to be? Would you prefer to renounce money's corrupting influence and get along in whatever way you can? Do you think it's really true that a rich man can't get into Heaven, or is money whatever you make it out to be?

Let's talk about money!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from A Painted House by John Grisham.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

The night before he went to London, Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself...

What's Happening Now?

It's time again for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current, or at least most recent, whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, boys, girls, and beasties! What have you done over the past seven days? Found yourself in any strange, new places? Battled any relentless monsters? Smooched any secret lovers?

Feel free to spill any and all of your latest adventures, and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

You Tell Me: Superstition

Are you superstitious? Do you seek out four-leaf clovers or wear a lucky shirt? Do you avoid stepping on cracks in the sidewalk, and do you stay at home under the covers on Friday the Thirteenth?

Tell us about your superstitions! And if you're not superstitious, tell us why!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

The hill people and the Mexicans arrived on the same day. It was a Wednesday, early in September 1952. The Cardinals were five games behind the Dodgers with three weeks to go, and the season looked hopeless. The cotton, however, was waist-high to my father, over my head, and he and my grandfather could be heard before supper whispering words that were seldom heard...

What's Happening Now?

Once again, another two weeks have slipped by since we last shared our latest goings-on. Well, here it is again – time for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current, or at least most recent, whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, guys, gals, and creatures! What have you done in the past two weeks? Journeyed to any mystical places? Tussled with any disagreeable relatives? Found yourself in a spot of trouble, otherworldly or otherwise?

Feel free to spill any and all of your latest adventures, and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Remember, this is for characters only!

You Tell Me: Art!

Ah, the joys of art! Tell us, characters, what kind of art is prevalent in your world. What do you like best? Do you enjoy looking at sculpture or paintings? Is there a particular style or artist that speaks to you?

Do you do your own art? Tell us all about it, if you do. If you're not into sketching or painting, keep in mind there are other types of art as well. It's in our nature to be creative, so let everyone know how you feel about art!

First Line Challenge

Are you ready to get your creative juices flowing?

I'll give you the first sentence or passage of a famous novel, and your job is to turn it into a paragraph that is totally unique, and totally you!

Authors and characters are all welcome to attempt this little exercise. Let's see how many different perspectives we can create. As a bonus, try to guess the book that's being quoted.

(Incidentally, the last opener was from Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.)

Okay, are you ready? Here we go!

I haven't laid eyes on the island in several years. The last time was from a friend's boat that ventured into the outer harbor, and I could see it off in the distance, past the inner ring, shrouded in the summer haze, a careless smudge of paint against the sky...

Emote This: Laughter

Of all the emotions we've contemplated at Come In Character, it's hard to believe that we've never before considered laughter.

No matter how serious our lives might get at times – what with all the demon slayings, band management troubles, romantic conundrums, and other dilemmas – it's important to make some room for a good chuckle, snort, or guffaw every now and again.

So, what makes you laugh out loud or snicker deep within? A favorite joke? A funny memory? An amusing observation about the human condition? Come on, authors and characters, let it all out! I'm sure we could all use a good laugh or two...