The Wonderland Giveaway Blogfest

This blogfest is hosted by Sylvia Ney at Writing in Wonderland.

You’re late.

Because you are late, you are going to have to suffer through me gushing over my favorite book characters. Also, I drank all the tea. Sorry.

There are some cookies left though. They’re a bit soggy. The March Hare flung his tea cup and it landed on the plate. You know how he gets. Well, I suppose you’re getting some tea after all. They’re not bad. Honestly.

Some characters stick with you long after you’ve finished the book. These characters may or may not be the main character, but oftentimes you will pick the book back up just to spend just a little more time with them. These characters are colorful, eccentric, funny, have a personality that you fully resonant with.

1. Lestat from Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles

I don’t know what it is about him. He’s sometimes over the top dramatic and he’s extremely vain, but he is just so… so awesome. He goes headlong into situations with little regard for the consequences or other people, and he cares little for anyone but himself. Yet, he’s probably led one of the mos interesting lives. He was a nobleman, an actor, a Wolf Killer, a rock star,  fell in love with a six thousand year old delusional Egyptian queen, and had his body stolen.

2. Howl from Dianna Wynne Jone’s Howl’s Moving Castle

I like Howl for pretty much the same reasons I love Lestat. Plus, he’s flamboyant and eccentric. I love eccentric characters.

3. Peregrine Took from Tolkien’s LOTR

Hah. I bet you thought I was going to say Legolas. Nope, it was this curious little hobbit that captured my heart. His antics kept me entertained throughout the series, and I suppose it was his inquisitive nature that spoke to my younger self.

4. Helen from the Iliad

She was the face that launched a thousand ships. Her love brought down kings and destroyed cities. She was the original and perhaps ultimate cougar. I don’t care what you say, I’m fully convinced she left with Paris out of her own volition. I mean, Menelaus… what a bore.

5. Inigo Montoya from William Goldman’s the Princess Bride

“You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

That has to be one of the greatest lines ever. Inigo’s tenacity for revenge is second only to Edmond Dantes. He is less conniving and far more colorful than the latter. His sole purpose in life is to revenge his father’s death. A noble cause.

6. Deryn Sharp from Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series

Deryn is awesome. She is a midshipman with swagger. She is brash, fearless, and swears like a sailor (which she is). From pretending to shave to constantly taking on death-defying tasks, her struggles to hide her sex are just plain hilarious.

In sticking with the character theme,  my giveaway will be not one, but TWO character sketches of a character(s) of your choosing. You will need to specify whether or not you want black and white or color, full body or a head shot.You can do one of each if you like, just not together. That would be weird. And quite impossible.

Here are some examples:

These two are from my comic Cryer. The first one is Shaye Bridgewater. He is the MCs sidekick. The second one is Amelia Sullivan, who is the other MCs little sister. And, she just so happens to be a space pirate. I know, she doesn’t look very space-piratey, but that’s because I originally sketched her out so my boss’ daughter could have something to color (I colored this one), and didn’t have much time to get all creative with the clothing because you know, I was at work. Never underestimate the destructive capabilities of a bored 9 year old.

Another headshot. This is Kazunari from TLF, who is the actual MC, despite what some of the other characters seem to think. This was done with drawing markers, which you could request, if that is what you happen to like.

While I realize this might not be the best example of what I can do, considering I was 12 (or something like that) when I did it, but it’s cute, and it shows a full body sketch. This is Minako from Sailor Moon, btw.

To enter, please leave a comment naming your favorite book characters, and why by 11:59 EST Thursday, August 18, 2011. I will announce the winner on Friday.