Character Breakdown: Lila & Ramsey

I’m working on edits for Crimson Dahlia this week and going through old notes to make sure I don’t change anything critical.

I thought I’d share these character breakdowns with you for fun. These days – after taking an awesome workshop by Anna Stewart and Mel Curtis – I do a character breakdown before I start writing. I  use a great book (The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines: 16 Master Archetypes) as a tool.

Crimson Dahlia is the 3rd book in the series, and is Lila and Ramsey’s story.

Lila Jenner – Crusader

As we start the book, we know Lila is Alex and Adelaide’s little sister. She’s bolder than Adelaide, but also harder to read.

• Tenacious
• Confident
• Headstrong
• Never backs down from a confrontation
• No faith in intrinsic human goodness
• Virtues
  • Courageous
  • Resolute
  • Persuasive
• Flaws
  • Obstinate
  • Rash
  • Opinionated
• Rescuer
  • Out to save the piece of the universe that belongs to her
  • Has a right and obligation to go after what she wants

 

Ramsey Pierce – Lost Soul

As we start the book we know Ramsey is a firestarter – a volatile gift that most don’t survive because they blow themselves up.

• Tormented, filled with angst & passion
• Quiet – not a talker, tends to be alone a lot
• Virtues
  • Devoted
  • Vulnerable
  • Discerning
• Flaws
  • Brooding
  • Unforgiving
  • Fatalistic

Together

We know Lila and Ramsey have a long (50-100 year) history. We’re just not sure what that history is as he’s determined to stay away from her.

• Clash
  • Her first instinct is to do something
  • His first instinct is to retreat, or sit back and watch
  • He worries about her having to give up her dreams because he’s seen that happen before
  • She sees him as bitter
• Mesh
  • Admire each other’s decisiveness
  • Share an honorable stoicism
• Change
  • She won’t let him hide or withdraw, revives his idealism
  • He proves that his heart is good, helps her learn to choose her battles

 

For previous Svatura series readers, I wonder if you’ll see these characteristics. For new readers – the series will be released by my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, as a series (1 book a week for 4 weeks) soon – date TBD – you’ll have to tell me if you can see this. 🙂