Inside the Character: Alex Staunton

"I'm sowwy, fewwas, but I can't wait any wonger!" –Elmer Fudd

IT'S FINALLY TIME FOR ALEX STAUNTON'S ItC!!!!

I've been waiting TOO LONG for this!!! AAAHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!

Sorry I am really obsessed with Alex. Dangerously.

So...we're still cool.

Be cool.

Alex is part of the Orion series 2, like Luke Vetti. He is the son of Nicholas Calhoun, who is in the FIRST Orion series. Just so you know. :-)

1. What actor would play Alex?

The closest person I've found to play Alex is Logan Lerman.

He is PRETTY close, but not PERFECT. You see, I didn't base Alex off any one actor (like I partially did with Luke Vetti), he just sorta popped into my head. But my sister claimed that Logan Lerman was the perfect Alex, and I've used him as his actor for a long time, and now he's sorta stuck in my head. Even is Alex's face isn't as round and babyish as Logan Lerman's. Here are some other pictures, for you to get a good grasp...or for my personal enjoyment, either way...

This is more how I imagine Alex (minus the piercings). This will always be one of the closest faces.

This is scarily close to Alex, but unfortunately his face is turned away so we will never experience true power.

Physical/Aesthetic Characteristics

1. What color is his hair?

Alex's hair is black, and straight with maybe the slightest wave to it. It's not like stick-straight, basically. He usually wears it longish over his forehead, but recently he's taken to swishing it up in a spiked sort of hairdo, and frankly no one can decide which they like better.

2. What color are his eyes?

Alex (along with the rest of the Staunton clan) has these amazing ice-blue eyes. Example: Alexandra Daddario's eyes.

3. What color is his skin?

He is fair-skinned, with a creamy complexion, and (embarrassment to him) he sunburns very easily. While everyone else is scorched, it is Alex who peels so much he scabs.

4. What is his body type?

Alex is not tall, about 5' 10"ish, but he is quite muscular for his age. He's involved in several sports, including baseball, football, and martial arts, in which he is reaching a third Dan black belt. In fact, he's a bit of a fitness/health nut when it comes down to it. Protein shakes and all. So think muscly. But not...TOO muscly. ;)

5. Does he have peircings? Tattoos?

Nope. Alex is tattoo/peircing free.

6. What is the most attractive thing about him?

His eyes are usually what gets you first, followed probably by his fit figure. Honestly he strikes quite an attractive image...to be totally frank.

7. What is the ugliest thing about him?

His slightly pokey-out ears. Which he keeps carefully in check via his haircut.

BONUS: What special aesthetic characteristics does he have?

A snub nose and a crooked grin.

8. What does he wear?

Alex isn't picky about his wardrobe, but he is partial to mismatched converse. So if he's wearing a red color scheme, he'll wear like neon yellow converse just for fun.

BONUS: Why does he wear this outfit?

It's just one of his quirks. Or maybe he likes to drive his twin sister a little nuts with his fashion sense...

Emotions

9. When he smiles, what does it look like?

Lopsided, in a nice way. Almost cocky. If it's at a girl it's probably one part awkward, one part trying to impress, if it's at a dude it's probably mostly cocky.

10. What does his laugh sound like?

He has a sort of cackle laugh, almost childish in sound.

11. What is his normal speech pattern?

He says what he means; in other words, he doesn't mask his meaning. Comes across as kinda funny at first, but can be very serious and focused.

BONUS: What are some memorable quotes?


12. How does he express/handle anger?
He broods and pouts. If he's angry at you, you'll know. He is the sort to resent you if you hurt him or make him angry.

13. Does he cry?
Everyone cries, and Alex is no exception. When he cries, though, he cries weird...like he doesn't sob hardly ever. Someone has to have died for him to sob. His face just gets really red, and the tears just stream out.

BONUS: What would make him cry?
Death of loved ones, extreme physical/mental torment, feelings of inadequacy, and extreme frustration are all things he has cried over before.

14. How easy is it for people to read his emotions?
Alex knows when to show emotions, so if he's readable, he's meaning to be. On the other hand, he knows exactly how to hide his feelings, as well.

Character Beliefs

15. Is he religious?

Alex is a strong Christian, and focuses mainly on the way Jesus led others and how he treated his followers. Jesus is definitely one of Alex's role models!

16. How does he view those of other faith?

With patience and respect. He does probably see himself as superior for knowing the one true God, though...

17. What are his core values?

Determination, strength, bravery, and intelligence.

18. How willing is he to fight for those values?

He would readily die for them.

Likes and Dislikes

19. Favorite food?

Muffins! Banana muffins, chocolate chip muffins, lemon poppy seed muffins, all the muffins! Alex just really likes food in general but muffins are his absolute favorite (especially when Willow makes them).

20. Favorite color?

Blue, like his, his sister, his brother, and his dad's eyes.

21. What is his sleeping preferences?

Alex sleeps on his side with one hand under his pillow, curled up in a sort of ball. He is a rough sleeper, though. He prefers a bed, of course, and doesn't sleep on the couch ever. He actually has been known to lie in the grass in the sun and snooze on a nice day.

22. What type of music does he like?

He likes acoustics, just raw unedited music, best. He listens to Capital Kings, Toby Mac, and Audio Adrenaline besides.

Character History

23. What is his birthday?

November 4th. I would give a year, but the Orion takes place in the future, sooo...

24. What family structure did you character have as a child?

Alex lives in a very tight-knit family, consisting of his immediate family and two (unrelated) aunts and uncles and their families. As of today, they all live in the big house Mr. Calhoun used to live in.

25. How well did your character get along with their family members?

Alex and his twin sister are very, very close, naturally. He is almost equally as close to his younger brother and tries to be a role model for him. Growing up, Alex went through a bit of a moody pre-teen stage around the ages of 10-13. He had some anger management issues (like real ones), since he believed that he was being compared to his twin all the time. Also, Will's eldest son, Darren, and Alex do not get along very well for some reason and have actually fought (under very pressuring circumstances). 

26. What is the worst thing your character has ever done?

Sent another boy to the hospital with bad injuries after fighting him in the street.

27. What is the best thing your character has ever done?

Best?! Ummmm...!!! So many!!!

28. What is the most significant romantic encounter of his past?

He never had a romantic interest other than Willow.

29. Has your character ever been in love?

Yes, with Luke's sister, Willow. It was a gradual thing, during the year Luke was missing.

30. What is his most embarrassing moment?

The one that comes to mind is when Willow beat him up with an electric rod. She beat him pretty bad, too.

Character Introspection

31. What is your character's biggest goal in life?

To achieve all he has dreamed (being an engineer, starting a family, defeating the Orion). His very biggest goal is probably to "Be the good [man] he always HAS to be!" (catch that Frozen reference?). He just wants to do what right, no matter what.

32. What does your character believe is his greatest vice?

His anger. He still has a bit of remnants of his anger problems; now, he controls it by training hard and working out.

33. What does your character believe is his greatest virtue?

His strength. He won't ever break under pressure.

34. What motivates him most?

His drive to do what's right, no matter the cost.

35. Is your character objective-oriented?

Sort of, I guess you could say that. They're long-term goals, though.

36. Would your character rather be a good person or a great person?

A great person. Alex strives for greatness in everything he does. It's a competitive thing; he is very competitive.

37. Would your character rather be hated for being who they are, or loved for pretending to be someone else?

Alex would rather be hated for being who he is.

38. Is your character an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert?

Alex is either an extrovert or an ambivert. Probably leaning more towards the extrovert side.

39. Is your character creatively expressive?

Yes! Alex is musically gifted. He plays piano, violin, a little cello, and guitar, and he also sings like an angel out of heaven. His voice is something in between Colton Dixon and the medium-range Anthem Lights member (not the deep guy, not the raspy guy, not the super high guy, the OTHER guy ;] ). He's not a horrible artist either; he draws a bit by sketching his ideas for inventions out. He also keeps a journal on the walls of his closet (which is very off-limits).

40. What's your character's disorder?

He has a past of anger issues. He'll hold grudges until an apology is given.

41. What is your character's standard emotional state?

Confident and free.

42. Is your character materialistic?

No.

43. What is your character's major learning style?

He is a visual learner. He likes reading over getting a lecture, or watching a video. He watches EVERYTHING....

44. I am a _____. How would he finish that sentence?

I am a warrior.

45. Life is an act of ________ing.

Life is an act of believing.

The Evolution of Written Stories

I guess it's time to make a new blogpost, Ana thought to herself as she sat down at her computer. But what about? She scrolled through her blogpost ideas, uninterested at the array of mostly randumb ideas in her brain. Then, she came across this one.

Comparing my first draft and my final draft? She scratched her head. I dunno...that leaves me up to exposing my terribly written work all over the internet. But the longer she thought this through, the more appealing it seemed.

Standing up and walking away from her desk, she moved towards her bedroom, and from her bedroom into her closet. She stepped into the slightly cluttered space and reached to the top shelf, bringing down her archives. She unzipped it, reached inside...

And brought out her first draft.

247 notebook pages of penciled, 9-year-old writing, all bound together with a tawny string. Mystified, she blew the imaginary dust off the top page, titled in ornate letters "HIDDEN HEROES: JOURNEY TO TAEBENGORDONJIN". She laughed deeply to herself, feeling like Gandalf with the ten-year-old papers in her hands. Brushing his beard from the page, Gandalf moved slowly, with an old-man like gait, to her large, wooden, ink-stained desk and sat down with a slight grunt, moving large, leather-bound books aside for this new and amazing discovery.

Then, Gandalf opened his computer, and began to read...

***********************

Chapter 1

Harvest

        "Dead." Irmese laughed as she swung her silver sword and stopped mid-air, centimeters from Custis's bare neck. She imitated the sound of a head being chopped off. She leaned on the hilt of her sword.

        "You're head is rolling in the dirt," she said matter-of-factly.

        Custis grinned, flashing white teeth showing under his lips. "I guess it is," he said, pretending to sulk. He threw his hands in the air and fell to the ground, clutching his chest, and screeched.

        Irmese strode over to where he lay, looking lifeless, and our her foot on his chest. "I, Irmese Migani Lestor, have defeated the great Custis!' She let out a loud, spine chilling, howling cackle.

        Custis's heart leapt as a voice said, "Not yet, Fowl Beast!"and he heard swords clang a few times, then Irmese screamed, a cross between a howl and a screech, unearthly and hair-lifting. A thump met Irmese's falling body. Then two hands lifted Custis's shoulders off the ground. "You are free, Young Hero. The Fowl Beast is dead."

*************************

Gandalf chuckled to himself, yet still he was slightly disturbed by the lack of grammar in his old writing. Turning to his final draft, he compared....

*************************

CHAPTER 1

SHROUDED

        Alli stood, transfixed, as she listened to Dirco’s low, captivating voice. His storytelling gift hypnotized people on a daily basis; a crowd had gathered around the seventeen-year-old boy, enraptured by the tale he told.

        Alli often wondered how Dirco did it; she had known him for a very long time—practically her whole life—and his voice never changed so dramatically as it did when he told a story. People stood and listened for hours as Dirco skillfully wove his tales of woe and of hope.

        In half an hour, Dirco finished his tale of the beginnings of Janiza bowed as the crowd applauded and threw small copper coins at him. Alli collected the coppers in her ragged skirt, smiling and thanking those who paid for his story.

        As the audience dispersed, Dirco approached Alli. “How much did we get?” he asked, his voice no longer low and smooth but boyish and somewhat hoarse. He grinned his twisted, cryptic, and creepily-charming grin.

        Alli counted silently. “I’d guess around six or seven coppers.”

        Dirco pushed his pale blonde hair back from his face, his strange whitish eyes wide. “With that crowd?” A frightening scowl replaced his grin. “I oughtta start making them pay to stand there like doltheads and wander off into la-la land!”

        Alli sighed as she tucked the money into her pocket. She would probably hear about this for the rest of the night. “At least we have something.”

        “Might as well have left squat!”

**********************

Not even the same characters. Interesting development. Gandalf stroked his beard, turning the pages of his first draft to the scene where his favorite character, Eadën, first appeared.

**********************

        Unexpectedly, Irmese whipped her head around, hair flying in all directions.

        "What's wrong?" Custis whispered, not doubting her superior elf hearing.

        (Ah, yes, Gandalf remembered. The girl was randomly transformed into an elf while they were randomly attacked by Jzän in the woods, which they were randomly playing in.)

        She didn't answer. She didn't have time to, really.

        A huge, groping Já'nän, walking on two legs, came hurrying towards them.

        Custis didn't have time to draw his sword, for when he looked again, it had transformed into a nimble black cat.

        The only thing that made Custis doubtful is that both of them had sparkling, sky-blue eyes.

        Irmese went into a panic and climbed a tree to the highest branch.

        The....Thing...transformed again into an agile sparrow, flying to Irmese and landing on her thin shoulder. She batted it away with a quick blow and it fell to the ground a cat once more.

        What is it? Custis asked himself.

        The moment he thought that, the Thing transformed into an elf.

CHAPTER 6

EADËN

        "What the..." Custis stammered, staring at the Thing, now a handsome young elf boy.

        Irmese spoke first, jumping out of the tree. "What kinda sick joke is this?!" She yelled, marching up to the tall elf. "What and who are you?! Some kind of freak, if you will, a weirdo, sicko, moron, maniac, WHAT?!" She poked a slender finger in his sharp-featured face. "Some demented, evil-spirit obsessed creature, right?!?!?!?! I say," she paused dramatically, then practically yelled, "YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ALL NATURE ITSELF!!! You creepy, shape-shifting, stinkin'—"

        "Okay, Irmese, let him speak for himself!" Custis interrupted, ruining her meaningful speech.

        "Well for one," the Thing-elf said. His voice surprised Custis. It was cool and clear and crisp, yet filled with an exotic and beautiful accent that was like music in his ears. "I applaud for the well thought of speech that was made up on the spot. That was incredible. And for two, I'm an elf. Whom or what other creature, I ask, is so attached to nature that is can literally change, inside and out, into nature itself?"

*******************

At this point Gandalf was forced to stop reading because his gag reflex had been acting up so badly. He choked away for another five minutes before finally getting a hold of himself, with the greatest of difficulty. "Did I really write that?!" he asked, reading ahead a bit, but reluctant to share how Eadën was born under a tree in a pit in the middle of nowhere, but he did not explain in the book why his queen mother was IN a pit in the middle of nowhere, thousands of miles away from her castle.

Gandalf cleared the bile from his throat with a swig of water and turned to his final draft. Hopefully, this one would be better...

*******************

        Dan didn’t answer. He had approached the door. He straightened his blood-soaked cloak, seemed to mentally prepare himself for...what? Then he knocked.

        For several minutes there was no sound, only the wind. Alli thought that maybe no one was home, until the door opened abruptly and there stood a young woman with long brown hair and large hazel eyes. She shrunk as she stared up at Dan, obviously frightened. Dan’s chest rose rapidly, as if he took a sharp breath upon seeing the woman.

        Alli and Firell glanced at Dan. The woman glanced at Alli and Firell.

        “Can I help you?” she said.

        Dan lifted an arm as if to reach out to her, then hesitated. He slowly touched her cheek with his fingertips, then caressed her face. When he spoke, his voice was no longer dark, whispery, or hoarse. Contrarily, his voice now sounded smooth, like velvet, with an unrecognizable lilt. He said, “Linnea.”

        Linnea, the woman’s, face paled. She swallowed, shook her head, and squinted closer at Dan. Reaching up slowly, as if Dan would attack her at any moment, she pushed his hood away from his face. Dan flinched as his face was revealed.

        Alli gasped the same moment Linnea did. Linnea fell back, crashing into the door. Then her face twisted, and she wrenched around, flung herself upon him, and twined her arms around his neck, shouting, “Eadën, Eadën! Oh, how—you—Eadën!”

*******************

Gandalf finally turned away from his first draft, unable to go on. Oh, how his story had evolved from such trash, to such acceptability! He was shocked at how much his entire PLOT had changed, now that he was flipping through the novel. He could not even believe how so many random scenes could make sense just three drafts later.

Re-arranging his original manuscript papers back into place and tying the string once again, Gandalf reflected how glad he was that he was done with that piece of trashy writing, and that he was now working with his final draft.

That first draft was fun to write, with all the freedom, Gandalf concluded, placing the archives back on Ana's closet shelf, But the final draft sure is worth all the work!

With this thought happy in her mind, along with the freeing thoughts of how bad her first draft was (that left her with all the freedom to make her other first drafts that bad!), Ana returned to her computer and opened the file labeled "Superior Race" to write until 4:00 pm, when she would have to help her mother with dinner.

The End.

Wrandom Writing Tip #8: First Drafts

First drafts! YAY!!!!

Really, this is what you should be saying. First drafts should be the best part of writing a book (besides finishing it of course). Why do we have so many problems doing this simple task of writing until our eyeballs fall out?


First Draft Tremors of Fear
Sometimes, writers freeze. Let's face it. We all have. Dag-nabbit, I certainly do. About EVERY TIME I SIT DOWN TO WRITE. But starting the first draft is most definitely the hardest thing in the world to do.

So don't worry. We all feel that way, hun.

Something about sitting down to write the horrific story of three or more precious, innocent children you have birthed in your brain, to bring them pain and glory and love and loss, to kill their best friend and watch them suffer for their wrongdoings in the midst of Mordor and Hades all put together...something about that simple little task is scary, you know? Just me?

The first thing to know is that the entire world feels this way when starting a book. As far as my research goes. Which is a poll of one person. Which is me. I hate starting a book, because I feel like I have to get it right the first time.

You don't.

Of all things you should NOT strive for in a first draft, it is perfection and "rightness". The first draft is for literally letting your brain throw up on the page and watch what happens. It's like putting ideas down so you can whittle it down later. Scenes will come and go, and that's okay. I bet we'd be shocked at how many scenes were cut from Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings. And that's the beauty of writing...whatever doesn't work in one book will certainly work in another. >:)

So get over those first draft tremors. In fact, don't even think of this as a first draft. Think of it as preliminary writing, to get the feel of the book, explore the characters, and explore the world. Because, um, cough, basically you will have to rewrite the whole book when the first draft is finished. <:)


Planning
I've done a million things on planning, and I can't express to you how important it is. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST A NEWBORN BABY'S GRIP ON HOW YOUR STORY IS GONNA GO. Knowing the characters is NOT ENOUGH. You have to at least know where you story is going, a few big plot points, and how it's going to end. As the bare minimum. It's best to have a sketchy outline done on paper of the entire book, or go chapter at a time and write them as you plan them. Both work, as I've tried both.


So you're in the middle of writing a first draft?
While you're in the middle of writing your book, everything seems lame. I know. It isn't. It's not a book, remember. It's just exploration of what your book could be. Of what it will be. You are exploring your options, figuring out what works and what doesn't. Don't worry about randomness, long dialogue, chunks of description...it doesn't matter. It's your writing, you're just feeling the ground so that you can dive into the story in the next draft.


Just remember...
First drafts are CAKE. All you have to do is write! How easy is that? No extensive worry on plot, structure, or anything! You have freedom to write what you want, no matter how random and boring it is. So go crazy!

Starting Books...and why it's so hard (for me)

This is really awkward for me.

I didn't used to have this problem. In fact, I always just pooped out whatever came to mind when writing.

So why now do I have this chronic fear of starting books?

As I'm sure you've picked up, I am a perfectionist. I have problems. And starting books is one of them.

I think it's because my whole life, up until last April, has revolved around finishing The Cycle of Time: The Journey. I've been revising that puppy for like, 4+ years. And when I finished and tried writing something else, it didn't come out all revised and perfect like The Journey is now. I've totally forgotten how horrible that book was when I first started it. And now I expect everything to come out looking all nice and neat and The Journey-y.

That is my main issue. I'm having editorial withdrawals.

Wow. Just talking about it is making me feel better, though. But seriously! I have gotten about zero significant writing done since last April. Last year. Other than the sorry beginnings of a few books and a few random short stories, I've written exactly squat. Maybe it's just a slow year. Maybe I've been busy with school. Either way, it's gonna change pretty soon.

I feel my brain booting up to inspiration mode after last night's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (I had an idea for a part in a book I haven't even planned out yet). I'm having ideas again! And inspiration is flowing! And I'm thinking!

I think it's also because school is slowing down, and I've been accepted into my dream college with all finances paid, so the weight's been lifted off my shoulders, as well. Wow...I just made my own day! :)

So, in short

But I guess that's what makes writers so AWESOME.

If we could get off our blogs long enough to actually do something with our lives.

Ana

Inside the Character: Lukas Vetti

February's ItC is focused on one of my favorite creations, Lukas Vetti. He is from the Orion series 2, which isn't started yet but has been through extensive planning. We already have all the characters figured out and everything. :)

Anyway.

Lukas Carlo Vetti is easily one of my most complex characters, as you will see below. I am going to try a different approach to ItCs. I will be asking many more specific questions...but you'll see. ;|

1. What actor would play Luke?

That's easy. Jake Abel!

He is 107% what Luke Vetti looks like.

UPDATE: Noooooo...it's more Hunter Parrish.

Just.....look.

Talking to Luke...

2. So, Luke. Tell us a little about yourself.

Luke: Okay. But you might want to get comfortable. I was born in Germany, my dad died when I was 13, I joined a gang, learned to shoot, became a sniper, joined a different gang, went through about seven gangs, lived in India for a while, etc. etc. without giving too much away for my author. *winks*

Me: *dies*

3. Do you have any family?

Luke: Since my dad died, it's just been me, my little sister Willow, and my best friend Kyle. But I'm not even supposed to mention him. *hateful glare*

Me: *<:D*

4. Who is your best friend and why?

Luke: That's easy! Nikolai is my BBBBB, BB, BB-B-B-B-B-BFF&E&E. He's the kind of mopey quiet guy I can bug all day and he doesn't even look at me. It's totally awesome. He just gives my this look...*imitates this flat sarcastic look*...and I'm sorry it's just so funny. I die.

Inside the Character

Physical Characteristics

1. What color is his hair?

Luke's hair is a dust blonde-y color. It's blonder than dirty blonde, but not quite like, golden. It's straight and usually chopped off short and spiky. However, he's open to hairdo possibilities now that he's actually making money so who knows what it will be.

2. What color are his eyes?

Luke's eyes are gray-blue, said to be dull unless in direct sunlight.

3. What color is his skin?

Luke's skin tone has varied throughout his life, depending on his current living conditions. He usually stays moderately tanned, but there was a point where he lived in India, so he was very dark from sun exposure. Mostly, though, he stays, like I said, moderately tanned. Though it should be noted that he is apparently capable of tanning very darkly.

4. How tall/heavy is he?

Luke is very tall, standing at about 6' 2-3". He looks even taller, for he was blessed with a slim, tight, runner's body.

5. Does he have any piercings, tattoos, etc.?

YAS ALL THE TATTOOS. But there are stories behind all of them. Most all of them are from various underground gangs/clubs/groups he was involved in, and any not from gangs I will specify the event. I will attempt to remember them all and their placement.

He has:

—a viper's head, poised to strike, on his bicep

—a fingernail-sized skull and crossbones behind his ear

—a small crescent moon behind his other ear

—the roman numeral thirteen (XIII) on the inside of his forearm (the age he was when his father died)

—a giant black chinese-themed dragon taking up the better part of his back, placed so that the head is on the back of his neck (the Orion's tattoo)

—a snarling wolf on the back of his shoulder, dated (his best friend's, who betrayed him, death)

—two small sparrows sitting on a tree limb with falling leaves, dated, near his heart (his first girlfriend's death)

He doesn't like the dragon one for obvious reasons, but doesn't know how to cover it up or change it. He also is interested in getting more, but only likes to get them if they are meaningful or just super super cool.

Scars:

His most prominent scars, the most unique ones, are on his face. He has a vertical scar on his upper lip, where he split his lip when he was young, and another curving at the right side of his mouth, so when he smiles it looks crooky. :) Other than that, I'm sure he has quite a few scars. A few brands from gangs, I'm sure.

6. What is the most attractive thing about him?

In my opinion, it would be his facial expressions. *swoon* He has such quirky expressions. Oh, and the way he talks. He's so very much a jerk in all the right ways, but if he likes you it's just like awesome. He calls his little sister 'beautiful' like it's her name.

7. What is the ugliest thing about him?

Ugliest? Erm...well, his face is kinda longish which can turn some people off, and the scar on his forehead is really ugly too.

8. What does Luke usually wear?

He usually wears sleeveless shirts and jeans, to show off his tattoos and his toned arms. *rolls eyes* Or lazy gym shorts/boxers and a t-shirt. Or just boxers. Or just underwear. Or nothing.

Emotional Characteristics

9. When he smiles, what does it look like?

Like he's trying to figure out if he likes you or is just amused by you. But happy. Definitely happy. Except when he's smiling at Willow, and it looks like the sun rose on the happiest day of his life.

10. What is his laugh like?

Hm...he does really laugh that much, despite all his sarcastic-not-serious-ness. When he does, though, I guess it's just a normal laugh.

11. What does he talk like?

He's very sarcastic, and very charming while he's at it. He's from Germany, but has very little trace of an accent (only certain words, like "school" and "schedule" which he apparently has issues with accenting properly). He's also fluent in Spanish, English, and German. He also sometimes has some issues figuring out certain english sayings/slang, but not usually. It's pretty rare. 

Memorable Quotes: (Is sacrificing his life to save everyone else, when another character won't leave him) "Dude! You got your whole life ahead of you, and a hot girlfriend to boot! Get out there and live it!" | (Just got in a fatal car crash while on the phone [p.s. it was not his fault]) "I get it, God. No texting and driving."

12. How does he act when he's angry?

He either starts insulting, being cynical, or *coughSAYINGBADWORDScough*. Of course I never write the bad words, I just know he's quite learned in them. QUITE. LEARNED.

13. Does he cry?

I can literally only think of two times he ever cried. Even when Kyle died, he didn't really cry.

BONUS: What makes him cry?

The only times he's ever cried is when those he trusts/loves leaves him.

Beliefs

14. Is he religious?

He was raised Catholic, but about the only thing he's done to hold to that faith is continue to cross himself and say his rosaries.

15. How does he view people of other faith?

He doesn't really care.

16. What are his core values?

Luke's core values....HMMM........Family. He'd do anything to make sure his little sister Willow is safe. He is always very insulted and hurt when someone he trusts betrays him, and ever since his first betrayal, Luke has not trusted very easily.

17. How willing is he to fight for those values?

Luke would die for those he really, really loves, but of course first he would seek every other option first.

Character Likes and Dislikes

18. What is his favorite food?

Luke is partial to curry and hot/spicy food. He is also fond of meatballs and cheese. Mostly cheese. He hates butterfingers, though. Like, with a passion. (However he will eat them just to bother Nik.)

19. What is his favorite color?

Luke's favorite color would probably be army green.

20. What is his sleeping preferences?

Luke could sleep pretty much anywhere, but he mostly sleeps on couches and armchairs. He's not much of a sleeper, anyway, he just kinda cat naps most of the time.

BONUS: What position does he usually sleep in?

On his back with his hands behind his head or on his stomach with his arms flopping off each side of the bed.

21. What type of music does Luke listen to?

Recently, country. Bluegrass, maybe.

Character Introspection

22. What is his birthday?

August 17. Not sure about the year because my book is in the future and I'm too lazy to figure it out. But he's 22-23 through the book.

23. What family structure did he have growing up?

Luke's father was a German agent. No one really knows who he worked for, but it was apparently James Bond, Men-in-Black type deal. He met a woman from Spain—it is unclear wether he even married her, but seeing as they had two children together Luke and Willow assume he did—and had Luke first. He doesn't remember seeing his mother much at all, as she wasn't around much. They had Willow six or seven years later, and she died soon after Willow was born. From then on, Luke grew up half-raising his little sister as his father left periodically for "work purposes". His father died when he was thirteen. P.S. In no way was Luke's father a bad dad. On the contrary, Luke and Willow miss their father very much. Also, he grew up with a boy named Kyle who ended up being his best friend. They joined gangs together and basically were brothers.

24. What is the worst thing he has ever done?

Luke has killed profusely throughout his life, but it doesn't really bother him, honestly. *shame on him!* What bothers him the most was misleading his friends into the enemy's hand while he was working with the Orion. He thought it would help them, but he ended up being crushed by a two-story building in the process. The look Willow gave him when he betrayed her has haunted him.

25. What is the best thing Luke has ever done?

In his opinion, work in the army. Even though he was technically spying for the Iranians, he ended up refusing to feed information.

26. What is the most significant romantic encounter of his past?

ELLIE.... :'(  Ellie was a girl in the army he fell pretty hard for (but she fell first! ;] ), but sadly she died. He was heartbroken as Luke could be, and it made him really think about losing the people he loved. It pretty much rocked his carefree world.

27. Has he ever been in love?

Yes, three times. Once with a random girl in middle school whom he never spoke with, once with Ellie, and in the not-so-distant future (after the Orion 2), he meets a girl named Mel who is pretty much his female counterpart and goes head-over-heels for her.

28. What is his biggest goal in life?

Hm...that's a toughie. I guess to be the truest guy he can be; to take care of his sister, to not be a phony, to always be himself.

29. What does he believe is his greatest virtue?

Truth and honesty.

30. What does he believe is his greatest vice?

His ability to kill without feeling anything. –my sister. i.e, If you hurt my best friend I can make your death look like an accident.

31. What motivates your character most?

His drive to keep those he cares for safe. Mostly Willow.

32. Is your character objective-oriented?

Not really; Luke likes to make his own choices, but he tends not to make actual goals.

33. Would Luke rather be a good person or a great person?

I think at this point in his life, Luke realizes that he will never really be a "great" person, and I almost think he's best that way. Frankly, I think he enjoys being merely a "good" person, because that gives him a little elbow room. No expectations, so he's free to be himself.

34. Would he rather be hated for who he is or loved for pretending to be someone else?

As I've stated several times now, Luke Vetti doesn't give a pinky finger for what others think of him. He could care less if someone hates him. As he would say, "You're missin' out on THIS, baby!"

35. Is Luke an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert?

Definitely an extrovert.

36. Is he creatively expressive?

Most definitely! Luke is a talented artist who loves to sketch whenever he gets his hands on a paper and a pencil. He likes to make funny cartoony sketches of people, but his real talent is quite noteworthy. He becomes a weapons designer.

37. What is Luke's disorder?

He holds grudges. If someone betrays his trust, he will probably never forgive them.

38. Is he materialistic?

Not really. He has been poor his whole life, so he never had much material to hold on to.

39. What is his learning style?

Luke learns best by listening and doing. He has to be holding the object while the instructor tells him how to use it.

40. I am a ______. How would Luke complete that sentence?

I am a weirdo. (He tends towards the deep end of things *rolls eyes*)

41. Life is an act of ________. How would he complete that sentence?

Life is an act of survival. The best way to win is to be who you are and reach for the top.

(credit for this idea of character profiles go to the Bree Holloway, author of the blog Tea & Bree)

READ MY WORK!

ATTENTION! I HAVE JOINED ANOTHER WEBSITE AND HAVE TAKEN THE NEXT STEP INTO THE BIG BAD WORLD!

Anastasia Cross is now on Wattpad!

My best friend Angelina Zoe (find her writing here, and her blog here) introduced me to this great website a few weeks ago and I have just gotten to actually joining and posting. Since I am very wary about letting the world see my awesome ideas and letting them have free reign of stealing it (ahem ahem wink wink) I have decided to only post things I am not planning on publishing. I did post the first chapter or two of every book I have finished and that I am working currently on, so CHECK IT OUT! Also, I have posted several short stories that pertain to my larger novels (i.e. include the characters and setting). So if you have the time or get bored or something, check out what I've done!

I may also begin posting random stuff like, stuff I will never finish or book beginnings that I scribbled down, if you're lucky... >:)

Thanks for reading!

Your faithful freak,

Links:
My watt pad page, where you can read some of my writing
http://www.wattpad.com/user/Anastasia_Cross