Here's how it works: I post a snippet from one of my stories. You read it and try to guess what my character LOOKS LIKE. Come back tomorrow for my reveal.
Easy peasy, right? So here goes.
This is from my current YA ghost story called HAUNTED MELODY. My protagonist Melody, lost her best friend Paige, to a suicide and has a tough phone call to make.
*********“I’ll call… Paul.” A sigh escaped my lips. Not a call I looked forward to making. It was tough when someone grieved just as hard as you. Paige’s boyfriend, Paul, was a good guy. Really good. Sure, he and Paige had their ups and downs, but didn’t all couples?
The awkward thing about Paul was that we sort of had a history. Paul liked me all sophomore year. But I kept my distance because I knew Paige was crushing on him, hard. Friends didn’t go after the same guys. It was an unspoken rule. And if it had to be spoken, it got ugly.
I dialed Paul’s number and my heart picked up its pace. I hung in for four rings before he finally answered.
“Paul?”
I heard a large intake of breath before he said, “Hi Mel.”
I counted the silence with two beats of my heart and said, “Paige’s mom wants us to go to the summer house.”
“Why?”
“To help pack Paige’s things.”
There was silence. I could hear his uneven breathing.
I felt a stirring in my chest. I thought about that party sophomore year, when Paul asked me out. My pulse pounded in my ears while I explained the delicate situation. I half-heartedly told him to give Paige a chance.
I remembered like it was yesterday how Paul looked across the room to where Paige shared a chair with Laney and without skipping a beat said, “Yeah, she’s pretty.” Of course she was. And confident. And brilliant. Much more exciting than I could ever be.
Then Paul turned back to me, stared straight into my eyes, and said, “But you… you’re beautiful.” Goose bumps rose all over my body and made me shiver. No way had anyone ever thought I was better than Paige. She was the beacon of light in our foursome.
*******
There you have it. So what do you think Melody looks like?
31 comments:
Great job, Christina. I can already tell that I'd love this story. I want to know, do Melody and Paul end up together?
I think Melody has understated beauty. Maybe mousy blond hair and pale blue eyes. If her deceased friend was the popular one then Melody must somehow pale in comparison to her.
Oh very good job! I think I picture her mainly as a counter-balance to Paige, who I picture as blonde with pink lips and a great smile. So I picture Melody as dark haired, dark eyed, maybe a bit on the tall side, but not gangly. :) I may be totally wrong though.
I could see Paige so well, she's blond, red lips, perky nose. Melody I think is in between, red haired, dark eyes. This was great!
I'm picturing the actress Jena Malone (from Into the Wild, The Messenger, etc.) Sort of lovely in an understated way but also shy-looking, even if she isn't really shy.
Hmm, I'm thinking Melody has red hair, with green eyes. She's got an understated look about her which makes people think she's shy, like Matt said, but she's not.
Can't wait to see tomorrow :)
I like this voice - great scene - I want to read more. Your character makes me think of Clare Danes in My So Called Life.
I imagine Paige would have been the blonde one and Mel the mousy long brown hair one. She has green eyes and an olive complexion. (Hugs)Indigo
Wait a minute-so if Paul liked Melody how did he end up with Paige? So intriguing, I need to know more. NOW! =)
Melody has auburn hair, freckles and hazel eyes.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, Traverse City is a great place to be during the summer....winter if you ski.
I love this story...Great work. Thanks for sharing.
Wow what a delicate piece you gave us, I loved it. Strong, powerful, and now after all that awesome I must guess.
My Guess: Beautiful, possibly even gorgeous. With Paul already wanting her even before Paige she had something to offer. A small frame, petite and cute with blonde locks (shoulder length) and piercing blue eyes, pale pink cheeks, and perfect pink lips,complete with a round face.
Can't wait to see how close I am!
dah! i'm torn on this one... because melody seems so insecure i feel like she should be a unique beauty... but then EVERY single melody i have ever met has been blonde, skinny, and traditionally gorgeous...
so... ummm. i'm guessing she looks like... ummm... i'll go with Lily Loveless... I'm SO wrong on this one!
Melody has dark, dark hair with just enough wave to make it shine in the sunlight. Her complexion is fair, and her eyes are blue -- or maybe a brilliant brown.
She has no idea how beautiful she is, because she always hates herself in pictures. No static photo can capture her liveliness, her grace, or her natural, un-posed smile.
WOW, what great guesses guys!
I'm totally picturing Blake Lively--goregous, blond, blue eyed, great body, and with an inner spark of fun and compassion. Probably doesn't recognize her own beauty and doesn't really dress to impress. Maybe used to be a bit of a tom boy.
Dark hair, straight, maybe chin length. Chiseled nose, deep blue eyes. A smile that could melt hearts. But she doesn't know how lovely she is because she always compared herself to the more outwardly, glamourous Paige.
Loved this!
Wow, a great scene. I'm trying to picture Paige and Melody both. Okay, focus. Trying to come up with a description, but what I'm getting is Camilla Belle - dark hair and striking face, unsual eyes. I have no idea how these mental images form, but it's fun.
hmmm a girl living in the shadow of another. I'm going to say she's got medium brown hair, cut into long layers but not reaching her shoulders. She's stylish in her own way, not trendy...though she thinks she'd like to be. She's got big, brown eyes with long dark lashes. She's pretty, but unappreciative of her assets.
I envision someone like Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls). Not classically beautiful, but an eye catcher none-the-less. :)
I see dark brown hair, brown eyes, full cheeks and mouth. She's pretty, but not in a glaringly obvious way.
Hi,
The name Melody and content of snippet conjurs a lythe young thing, keen dancer maybe, even ballet, dark hair in a ponytail, dark eyes, dreamy nature, loves life, hates conflicts, sees love before hurt but often on the receiving end of latter.
bst
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I think Mel has short blonde or red hair, with a delicate, pixie-like face. Maybe her nose turns up slightly at the end. I think she has grey eyes, and a petite, boy-ish figure. I think she's much prettier than she realises.
Oh wow Christina, great voice. Melody gave up Paul for her best friend? mmm she's got a big heart. I would say she's slim and very beautiful although not as confident in herself as she should be. Tall, strawberry blonde thick curly hair with dark brown eyes and a dazzling smile. ;)))
Ooh, I really liked this! I'm gonna go with a brunette, creamy skin- maybe some freckles and blue eyes. Tall and lanky. Great snippit!
I think she's one of those rare finds. The kind of diamond that doesn't realize how shiny she is. I see mousy brown hair and glasses, but underneath the plain-janeness, she's gorgeous.
Oh wow, I can already tell I'll love this book. Melody sounds like a girl a lot of girls can relate to. I think she has straight brown hair, freckles, big, dark eyes. She's on the taller side and willowy. She wears clothes that are a little too big for her and doesn't realize how pretty she is.
Hi Christina!!
I imagine her with a round face and freckles. Her hair is auburn, soft and bobbed to her chin. She is slender, but has big, beautiful blue eyes. :)
Please let me know what you think of mine! :)
I'd say she has brown hair, clear skin, pink plump lips, green eyes, she's not the popular blond but she has a deeper beauty that shines in her face, eyes and compassion or something.
Really like the scene and love ghost stories. Love the title! Can't wait to meet her tomorrow! :D
I think she's has beautiful chocolate brown hair and brown eyes. She's not overly chatty, she's a thinker and that may be why she didn't stand out as much as Paige.
Loved this! Melody is medium-sized, through and through. Her height, weight, hair-length, fingernail length, all medium. Her hair is mousy brown and bobbed, and she has big, gorgeous chocolate brown eyes.
Looking forward to tomorrow's reveal!
This was really good! I'm guessing classic beauty, long dark hair and blue eyes petite.
Can't wait for the reveal!
Oh, I really enjoyed this. And I want more!
I'm going to say she's a bit on the skinny side, with long thick dirty-blonde hair and a thin but pretty face.
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