A List Of Books I Think Davey Really Likes (selected So That They Could Work For Both Modern Aus And

A list of books I think Davey really likes (selected so that they could work for both modern aus and 1899)

- Sherlock Holmes! Bro was Devastated by the Reichenbach Falls Incident, and gets every new book as it comes out

- Dracula - he really loves the epistolary format and he also just thinks vampires are Cool!

- Frankenstein - Moral dilemmas are this guys Jazz

- Austen (his favourites are Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility) - he likes the social commentary but he also just loves the romance, it makes him smile

When adaptations give Holmes and Watson a small child

it delights me

it's always funny to me whenever adaptations make sherlock holmes this brooding, edgy cynic, because in acd canon sherlock holmes has a fantastic sense of humor and is always so amused by everything. i mean, the sheer amount of times this man just bursts out laughing upon realizing something fundamental about a case is kind of iconic in the original stories. he really is just this funny little man who finds a special sort of joy in the macabre.

Humgry

Lenox; The Carousel Unicorn

Oh hell I’m doing this for Daisy because F Scott Fitzgerald is incapable at giving her a personality, and this makes my life easier:

1. Alcoholic: She’s a cocktail girl, partial to a mint Julip but not only that. Especially sweet ones, she will tolerate the taste of alcohol but it’s best if it’s masked in other flavours. Non-alcoholic I think she’s fond of a peach iced tea, or something similarly sweet and a little flowery - like elderflower cordials!

2. Elaborate. Everything *has* to be perfect, hair perfectly waved, makeup perfectly stylish, clothes fashion forward but not too daring. After all, what other worth does she have?

3. She has No idea, she is does not look at the price level rich, probably a dress or jewellery. It would be her piano or silverware but they were heirloom.

4. No. As with anything related to her appearance she’s dedicated to keeping it completely perfect. If she could I think she’d tattoo a daisy on her shoulder though.

5. She is a cryer, it was probably over a hangnail, or a missed appointment. BUT she cannot cry over the things that actually affect her deeply, like her relationship with Tom will elicit little emotional response but accidentally calling on someone twice in one day will have her sobbing.

6. Only child, only girl. She had all the family pressure of having to marry rich, and continue the familial line. That’s why the conditioning is baked in so deep, she truly believes that if she’s not the perfect paragon of femininity she has failed.

7. Nice, sensible, Mary-Jane esque heels that match her dress. Think Character Shoes in musical theatre but not necessarily in black or tan.

8. Meticulous, all soft hangings and blurred edges. Lilacs and buttercups, soft blush pinks, nothing darker than a light grey. Everything has its place, down to the perfumes on her dresser, and where each individual tube of lipstick should be. She collects porcelain figures, and they’re all neatly displayed on a shelf. But, hidden in the bottom drawer of her dresser is a collection of sentimental items, ranging from old letters to pictures, anything that’s too private to be displayed. Just for her.

9. Holidays mean parties, and parties mean performing the perfect hostess, (at one point)wife, and mother. Far too much trouble for what they’re worth. Though, deep down, she likes seeing how Pammy lights up on christmas morning. It’s a complicated relationship.

10. In her purse there is always: Powder, lipstick, and a compact mirror. She also will not leave the house without a pair of gloves, and at least one item of jewellery. And a hat, of course.

So my problem with most ‘get to know your character’ questioneers is that they’re full of questions that just aren’t that important (what color eyes do they have) too hard to answer right away (what is their greatest fear) or are just impossible to answer (what is their favorite movie.)  Like no one has one single favorite movie. And even if they do the answer changes.

If I’m doing this exercise, I want 7-10 questions to get the character feeling real in my head. So I thought I’d share the ones that get me (and my students) good results: 

What is the character’s go-to drink order? (this one gets into how do they like to be publicly perceived, because there is always some level of theatricality to ordering drinks at a bar/resturant)

What is their grooming routine? (how do they treat themselves in private)

What was their most expensive purchase/where does their disposable income go? (Gets you thinking about socio-economic class, values, and how they spend their leisure time)

Do they have any scars or tattoos? (good way to get into literal backstory) 

What was the last time they cried, and under what circumstances? (Good way to get some *emotional* backstory in.) 

Are they an oldest, middle, youngest or only child? (This one might be a me thing, because I LOVE writing/reading about family dynamics, but knowing what kinds of things were ‘normal’ for them growing up is important.)

Describe the shoes they’re wearing. (This is a big catch all, gets into money, taste, practicality, level of wear, level of repair, literally what kind of shoes they require to live their life.)

Describe the place where they sleep. (ie what does their safe space look like. How much (or how little) care / decoration / personal touch goes into it.)

What is their favorite holiday? (How do they relate to their culture/outside world. Also fun is least favorite holiday.) 

What objects do they always carry around with them? (What do they need for their normal, day-to-day routine? What does ‘normal’ even look like for them.)