Casting characters
March 26, 2009
I’ve been indulging myself by ‘casting’ the two main male characters in the current wip. There was only one ‘ hero’ at the start – Dominic – and I thought I knew him but he’s changed over the course of the book. I think the closest image of Dominic is Michael Fassbender (from the Devil’s Whore and the new Wuthering Heights.) Dominic is a brooding, restless character who likes to be in control at all times. He hates having to stand by and watch things happening. Not being in control of his own emotions is driving him mad.
Then there’s Harry. Ah, Harry. He wasn’t going to be a hero at all until about two-thirds of the way through the book when he took on a powerful life of his own. In fact, I had to go back and rewrite his role as he just wouldn’t be kept out of the limelight (which is very appropriate.) Harry is laid back and laissez faire, almost to the point of amorality but he undergoes a big change. I think of him as Mark Umbers from Mistresses – for the way he looks and just as important, for his voice. The heroine, Olivia, first hears Harry before she sees him. His voice is his fortune…
And I have just realised that is the first time I’ve written anything ‘formal’ down about the characters! I can’t do those lists and charts first, I have to get to know them as I write, no matter how many words I waste along the way.
Posted by Phillipa @ 8:47 am | Leave a Comment
Charlotte Says:
Yum yum!
Debs Says:
We have a scarily similar taste in men! Loving your heros. I especially loved Michael F in The Devils Whore, brilliant.
Phillipa Says:
Charlotte – why aren’t you revising… LOL.
Debs – Not scarily. We both have excellent taste, I think. Two fantastic actors – did you know mark Umbers can sign too? He was Freddie in the 2001 My Fair Lady stage show. I downloaded him singing On The Street Where You Live.
liz Says:
I’m like you – I only truly know the characters as I write them 🙂
lx