March Character Studies

 In Kell's Blog

Morgan Dusky at Studies in Character, a wonderful blog written almost entirely by the author’s fictitious characters, hosts a monthly character study. You can find out more about it here. This month’s theme is Introductions.
And yes. I do realize that it’s April. I’ve been having a crazy week … actually, I’ve been having several crazy weeks … and there’s a lot of stuff I need to catch up on, this included!

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Today I’ll be interviewing Miss Christina Chattoway, Alice’s aunt from The Dressmaker’s Secret. I’ll be using the questions from both part 1 and part 2, as I might never get around to doing part 2 if I don’t do it now.

Now, for the questions! šŸ™‚

What’s your name? Ā Do you have a nickname? Ā Is there any meaning behind your name or your nickname?
My name is Christina Chattoway. My friends and family call me Christy most of the time; Mama calls – calledĀ – me her ‘rosebud.’ I loved that nickname.
How old do you look? Ā Is that your real age? Ā How old are you, actually?
I’m always being told I look younger than I am; I’m twenty-four. Recently, I’ve been told I look about eighteen.
What’s your gender?
Female! Goodness, couldn’t you tell by my name? Who names boys “Christina”?
What’s your eye color? Ā How easy is to tell your eye color from a distance?
I have brown eyes. I think it’s pretty easy to tell my eye color from a distance. After all, they’re just brown. Rather dull, I know. They’re not specially dark or light; just normal brown eyes. Like mud. I don’t like my eyes. But who’s looking at me at all, even from a distance?
What’s your ethnicity? Ā Does anybody ever get it wrong?
I’m English, naturally. I was born and raised in Yorkshire, but I’ve lived in London since I was sixteen. Nobody ever gets it wrong as I never go out of country. And even if I did, I imagine they could tell. I have a nice, English school-girl look about me.
What’s your build? Ā How tall are you? Ā Are you strong?
My build is small and shapeless. And I mean it! I’m inches taller than Claire, my big sister, who stands about five foot seven inches. Maybe more like eight. And, no. I don’t think I’m strong. Why would a lady need to be strong?
What’s your foremost physical trait—the first thing someone will notice about your appearance?
My plainness? Well, really, I’m not plain. But Claire is gorgeous, and no one notices me next to her. So … let’s just say people wouldn’t really notice me in the first place.
What’s your favorite outfit, or what do you wear the most? Ā Why is that your favorite?
Bright clothes! They make me look and feel happy! I particularly like pink. Or maybe blue. Or maybe purple. Oh, but green is a pretty color, too! Ooh, peach-colored … who can resist peach-colored? As far as cut, I prefer stylish but simple. Unlike Claire, I don’t care to wear those ridiculous bustles (what are they for?), and I don’t know why people invented them in the first place!
Ā How do you usually introduce yourself to new people?
Walk up to them and say “Hello, I’m Christina Chattoway; who are you?” It’s a dreadful habit of mine which I’m trying to break. I’m too informal, and I have a bad habit of forgetting etiquette. And of gossiping. Though what would the world be without a little gossip? Dull as dishwater, that’s what!
What would you do if you were a pirate?
I don’t know if I could manage that! But I’d certainly like to try. I don’t think I’d be able to kill people, though. Or even make them walk the plank. And I know I’d be a terrible hand at swabbing.
How do you usuallyĀ enter a room?
Behind Claire. If I enter a room, I try to make a dramatic entrance, of course. I’ve got to do something to make myself noticeable. If being immature and show-offish is the only way, well, that I must be. Not that anyone notices anyway.
How would you describe yourself in one word?
Vivacious? No, that isn’t quite fair. Ridiculous, maybe? Yes, I suppose that one works. Or maybe just “babyish.”
Three words?
Can we count of and the as one word? Thanks! “Baby of the Family.” I think that describes me pretty well. Yes, I get pampered, but I’m never allowed to do anything for myself and no one really trusts me. For instance, I’ve asked and asked for Claire to confide in me, but she won’t. I don’t think she ever will. And it hurts.
What kind of first-impression do you usually make? Ā Do you think it’s a good first-impression?
They probably think of me as a mindless, silly gossip. And, no, it’s not a good impression, though likely a million girls make it.
What kind of first-impression do youĀ want to make?
I want people to value me forĀ who I am. I’m no wit – I never was very intelligent, actually; that I’ll freely admit – and I’m not beautiful. I can’t evenĀ be perceived as such when always compared with my sister. But I know I have some stellarĀ quality, and if people would only take aĀ second glance, they’d see it! I hope.
How would your best friend describe you?
I don’t think I’ve ever had a best friend, really. Oh, don’t pity me! I have friends. But I just wouldn’t call any of them my “best friend.” I stayed at my parent’s estate, Starboard Hall, in Yorkshire, until I was sixteen, and I never really knew girls my age. I was close to my mother, though. She was a lot like a best friend. And I know she would have described me as the most perfect creature in all creation, false as that may be.
How would your enemy describe you?
Probably as “Miss Chattoway’s little sister.” Assuming they took that much notice of me. As I’ve said before, I don’t attract much attention, which is both a blessing and a curse. To be truthful, the blessing side outweighs a lot of the curse part.
Do you agree with either of those descriptions? Ā Why?
I agree with my “enemy’s” description. I am Miss Chattoway’s little sister. And that’s all I’ll ever be to the world. There are reasons I love God; one of those reasons is because I know He knows whoĀ I really am, even if no one else – including myself – does.
How do you usually exit a room?
Dramatically, when I can. How else?
If you were a flower, what kind of flower would you be?
A rosebud, of course. Perhaps I’d even bloom someday. That remains to be seen.


What do you think of my interview? Lovely, wasn’t it? I’dĀ love to hear from you in the comments! šŸ˜€
~Kellyn Roth

Showing 25 comments
  • Lily
    Reply

    That was a very nice interview!
    Just a question, do you think that sometime you could do a review of ‘The Dressmaker’s Secret’? I’d love to know more about it! šŸ™‚
    -Lily

    • Kellyn Roth
      Reply

      Well, it might not be a good idea for me to do a review of my own book … after all, I’m likely to be prejudiced for it. šŸ™‚

      • Lily
        Reply

        Hmm…That’s true!
        When I typed review, I was actually thinking summary! I just saw that now.
        I don’t mean to be annoying, it’s just that your book interests me!

        • Kellyn Roth
          Reply

          Well, the summary’s on the novel info page for The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy … and on Amazon … and on Goodreads. šŸ™‚

  • jackthejellyfish
    Reply

    Rosebud. Did you take that from Citizen Kane, or did you come up with it?
    Anyway, this is a very interesting interview. It makes me think about what makes a good character, and how to develop one.
    -Jack

    • Kellyn Roth
      Reply

      I don’t know who Citizen Kane is, so I guess I came up with it myself! šŸ™‚

      • jackthejellyfish
        Reply

        Ah. It’s the greatest movie of all time, according to AFI’s top 100 movies list.

        • Kellyn Roth
          Reply

          The greatest movie of all time is Gone with the Wind. šŸ˜‰

          • jackthejellyfish
            Reply

            Hah. Nope. Not a bad story, but I can’t stand long movies.
            I’m not claiming that Citizen Kane the best or greatest movie of all time, but it does have great ‘cultural significance.’
            -Jack

            • Kellyn Roth
              Reply

              BUT THE LONGNESS MAKES THE AWESOMENESS LAST!!! šŸ˜‰
              Actually, I’ve been saying recently the Vertigo is my favorite movie … it’s very good. But every time I watch a new Alfred Hitchcock, I end up calling it my favorite movie for a while. šŸ˜›

              • jackthejellyfish
                Reply

                Maybe for you. It just gets painful for me. I can’t sit still forever.
                That is a pretty enjoyable movie. Although my favorite would have to be Back to the Future.
                -Jack

                • Kellyn Roth
                  Reply

                  Oh, yeah! I like Back to the Future, too. I haven’t watched that in too long … XD

  • Lana
    Reply

    Ooh, I really like the choice of character for this interview. It was really interesting to learn more about Miss Christina, especially since she has somewhat of a minor role in TDS. I really liked hearing her point of view.

    • Kellyn Roth
      Reply

      Yep. It’s a sadish point of view, but I don’t think she really minds. She loves her big sis … though she may sound resentful, she’s just a hopeless dramatic/romantic. šŸ˜‰

      • Lana
        Reply

        Yeah, I can see that she’s pretty optimistic and has a good view on life, even despite being sisters with Claire. (I always want to call her Miss Chattoway…)

        • Kellyn Roth
          Reply

          I still call her Miss Chattoway … and that’s not even her name now. XD

          • Lana
            Reply

            Hehe, that’s kind of funny, but it kind of makes sense at the same time. I changed a character’s name once, and I still call him by the wrong name in my head sometimes…

  • BayRay
    Reply

    Aw man, great interview!!;) I always did like Christy!! She does sound kinda sad…makes me feel sorry for her…and hate Claire…but I always did hate Claire…either way I like Christy!! And I love this new theme!!!!! Mercy me it’s gorge!!! Lol:)

    • Kellyn Roth
      Reply

      I still love Claire … just because I feel so sorry for her. And she’s kind of like me, y’know. Only cold. I’m not usually cold. But, then, she’s emotionally scarred. And I’m not … y’know, except for a wee bit ’cause of Bambi. šŸ˜‰

  • BayRay
    Reply

    I LOVE the last answer to the last question!!! A Roseburg of course, perhaps die even bloom someday. That remains to be seen. Love it!!_

    • Kellyn Roth
      Reply

      šŸ˜€ You should make a banner … and I should write a book … šŸ˜‰

  • Reply

    Nice!

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