Imagining your characters

[MelissaBaby]

When I was a beginning writer, I did cast lists for my characters, as sort of a shortcut not just to imagining how they looked, but keeping track of their appearance for continuity sake. As I became more experienced I have done so less and less, although I am still often inspired by celebrities or, on occasion, people I know. For example, the Gold Dollar Girls and the two main characters in The House on Hippie Hill are based, at least in appearance and demeanor, on people I've known personally.

And anyone who caught enough of my Easter Eggs would know that Mary and Alvin are played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ewan McGregor.

 

[ElectricBlue]

And anyone who caught enough of my Easter Eggs would know that Mary and Alvin are played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Ewan McGregor.

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I'd never have picked Ewan McGregor as the physical role model for Alvin. Mainly because my first introduction to him was playing Renton the smack addict in Trainspotting, then a very lame young version of Alec Guinness in the prequels to Star Wars.

Winstead for Mary, I can see that influence.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I'd never have picked Ewan McGregor as the physical role model for Alvin. Mainly because my first introduction to him was playing Renton the smack addict in Trainspotting, then a very lame young version of Alec Guinness in the prequels to Star Wars.

Winstead for Mary, I can see that influence.

Well, I started the series when their relationship was a big gossip item. She was a no brainer (I named the character Mary Winslow, for crying out loud), so Ewan sort of followed.