As part of the I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest, we are getting to know our characters. This is something that is difficult to do especially when we write everyday. We always figure we will figure it out later.
So, today, I'm going to interview my toughest character. Her name is Crystal and she's an incredibly smart coder, however, people view her as a second class citizen because she's deaf.
Crystal: I'm not sure I want to say. Doesn't that make me more vulnerable?
Clarissa: Well, who would know? Only the people who read this blog...and really, no one reads it.
Crystal: (eyes her suspiciously)
Clarissa: All right then, what do people believe about you that is false?
Crystal: That one's easy, it's that I'm stupid because I'm deaf. The truth is, I'm a great programer. In fact, I'm hacking into your iPad as we speak...
Clarissa: You are?
Crystal: No, of course not. You don't even own an iPad.
Clarissa: Oh, that's true. What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw?
Crystal: Sophia? I guess she would say I fall for the wrong men.
Clarissa: Why?
Crystal: Because I do. Really, any man who pays any attention to me, I'm there's. Well, in the past I was, not anymore.
Clarissa: What would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality?
Crystal: I will do anything to help out anyone, even if it means breaking the law.
Clarissa: Oh, I suppose that's a good thing. What do you want most?
Crystal: What do I want most? I want recognition. Not just for me but for all the deaf out there that work hard and get abused because of the fact we're deaf. I want people to realise that we're not stupid.
Fun interview Clarissa. Flawed yet interesting--sounds like a good character.
ReplyDeleteHilarious!
ReplyDeleteCrap, maybe she's hacking into my iPad instead...
I see a fighter in her. Hack away Crystal!
ReplyDeleteI'm ready to read this NOW!! I love her :)
ReplyDeleteGreat, and yes fun interview. Crystals not just smart, she sassy! And she has a great cause.
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ReplyDeleteHey, you won!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thinkingthelions.com/2012/02/now-to-really-actually-announce-winner.html
Great character. She has spunk!
ReplyDeleteTough lady!! I like her!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
I love this! And I don't own an iPad either, so at least I know she's not infiltrating it ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this! A deaf coder who's breaking into your iPad. Awesome. :D
ReplyDeletebut seriously, this is an awesome way to get to know your characters. And wow, it's almost like we posted about the same thing today. I feel like I should be in on the fest! ;p <3
Great interview, great character!
ReplyDeleteShe has a great voice...very strong...self assertive, confident.
ReplyDeleteI like her a lot! :D
ReplyDeleteA fighter! Nice interview.
ReplyDeleteThat was great, Clarissa! I loved the bit about the iPad. :)
ReplyDeleteDeaf people are very smart - they have to learn the complexities of sigh language. I used to know a little and it's very challenging to do it correctly.
ReplyDeleteCool interview. She seems smart...super smart.
ReplyDeleteThat cracked me up. Your blog is one of the blogs I hate reading for all the right reasons: I read it and it's so well-written that it makes me ashamed of my own paltry efforts.
ReplyDeleteLove the character! You can really tell when an author is invested in a character and has given her a lot of thought, as you've done here.
Such and interesting character, Clarissa. I love the idea of a strong character with a difference that the world sees as a weakness. I love it! Well done :)
ReplyDeleteI love the combo between a hacker and someone dealing with deafness. Sounds really interesting.
ReplyDeletenice interview
ReplyDeleteit is very interesting that your character is deaf, don't think I've came upon such characters before. We never have people with disabilities as characters in the books.
ReplyDeletespunky and smart! i like this girl dealing with her life on her terms. great voice!
ReplyDeleteFun interview, Clarissa. An awesome idea to get to know your characters. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI like how you have a character with a disability - it's not done enough. Got me thinking ...
Nice and original! Look forward to more ...
ReplyDeleteThis one is different! I like it. She is quite a character.
ReplyDeleteha, she's breaking into the iPad you don't own, LOL
ReplyDeleteI love her voice :)
Awesome idea - loved the interview. And it looks like plenty of people saw her answer...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun (and useful) exercise! Very entertaining. :)
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a very interesting character. A bit reminiscent of Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, who was also a brilliant programmer.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fighter she is. Smart is exactly right :)
ReplyDelete.......dhole
This was great! I love Crystal -- she's got a lot of personality, and I thought it was neat that her talent for hacking was balanced by the obstacles she faces with being deaf. Awesome interview!
ReplyDeleteClarissa - Very, very innovative idea to get to know your character! I just love it. But I'm changing my password ;-).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great interview. Crystal is a wonderful character. Can't wait to read more about her!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping your character away from my computer....
ReplyDeleteI love her. Great job!
ReplyDeleteGreat character, obviously very sensitive, but proud of her ability rather than worry about her 'disability'!
ReplyDeleteI love your character! My bf's parent's are deaf and people assume they're stupid. Makes me sooooo angry!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great character!
Liked this a lot. I have a friend that is deaf and ironically enough, she programs computers. Weird! I want to read more and find out how much my friend and Clarissa have in common. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I said Clarissa instead of Crystal. got my C' mixed up. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteGreat way of introducing us to your character, and I loved the one about your iPad :)
ReplyDeleteIf I were the interviewer, I'd be a little disturbed that she knows whether I have an ipad or not. Good job--I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteI love tough characters like her! Nice interview. :)
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