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Introducing the Characters of Beyond Her Calling

by Kellyn Roth |
November 1, 2017

Beyond Her Calling, characters

Hello ladies and gents!
Now that we’ve actually begun NaNoWriMo,* I decided it was time to actually introduce you to my NaNo novel & my NaNo-prep process. Even though we’ve already begun so technically that’s all over. Just … ignore me tardiness. Pretend it’s two weeks ago.
*(I WAS SICK OKAY!?!?)
I thought I’d just dash up a post and give a brief introduction to both, but you already know the basic plot (or you can just by reading the blurb on NaNoWriMo or my WIP page) and my basic outlining process, so either I’m going to have to do something slightly more complicated, or I’m going to have to be #lame.
Weeeeell, I’m lame in enough areas of my life. Allow me to introduce you to the characters of Beyond Her Calling and how they came to be.

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Above is my basic outlining equipment. The red notebook is sacred. Nothing except information about Beyond Her Calling can go into it.
I don’t let water drip on it.
I don’t scribble in the margins.
I don’t let the pages get ripped or wrinkled.
I guard it with my very life.
This may not be your thing, but I like making things special. If something’s special, I like it better. Partially because it’s different and original (even though it’s just a boring ol’ 70-page college-rule notebook) and partially because then I can’t get distracted quite so easily. 😛

KODAK Digital Still Camera

The first thing I do when I begin working on my characters – or outlining, for that matter – is making a list of every character that will appear in the book. It’s almost an entire page, and some of it is just “The Jamesons.” Imagine if I were to list out every Jameson? Granted, there’s only five of them, but still.
I have too many characters.
It doesn’t really confuse me, though. The more, the merrier, I say. If I’m not confused, my readers shouldn’t be either. Right? I said, right?

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Second, I list the characters again, this time adding three things about their personality. For Ivy’s stepbrother Ned, it was “serious, sedate, and strong” (I don’t know why I did all S’s; it was unintentional). It helps me remember their basic personality and writing it out again makes me remember their names, too (which is … something a person with so many characters is inclined to struggle with).
(Note that none of this is set in stone. I know of at least two characters whose personalities I had to change, and several characters were re-dubbed as I found better names for them.)
I also color-coded my list. As you can see in the above picture, I used red for Jordy/related to Jordy, blue for the inhabits of Keefmore. I used green for Ivy, but I was forced to crop that out of the picture because otherwise you’d have gotten some #spoilers for At Her Fingertips.

KODAK Digital Still Camera

This is a closer view of the notebook. And yes, yes I did take out a lot of it. That’s for your own protection. No AFOP spoilers, y’all. 😉
I know a lot about my characters already, so knowing who they all are is the most important thing – and having the basics of their personality.
Except for the characters who actually have an arc.
The characters I’m concentrating on for this particular book are Ivy Knight and Jordy McAllen.

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|Introducing …|

Ivy

I think most of you probably know who Ivy is (the heroine of Ivy Introspective, for one), but because some of you won’t, I’ll introduce her.
Ivy is a quiet, dependent young woman with a slight mental disability that leads people to call her ‘simple.’ With her family constantly smothering and overprotecting her, she’s never really had to do much for herself, despite the peace of mind she gained from learning to live with herself (during Ivy Introspective) However, little does she know, she is perfectly capable of managing her own life.
She is an INFP. *is too lazy to explain her personality* *especially since you know her so well*

Jordy

Jordy was Dr. McCale’s protege and assistant in Ivy Introspective. He’s very much an Entertainer (ESFP) (which, by the way, is Bailey’s personality type … something I only realized AFTER I’d decided he was ESFP, bad friend that I am).
In Beyond Her Calling, he’s twenty-four years old, has gone through three years of college and four years working at a hospital in London, and is seeking a position as a country doctor.
I think Jordy is going to be a lot of fun to write. This is, overall, going to be a fun story (with some sadness … there’s one particular thing I’m excited to make people cry with, haha), and he is one of the best parts.

Jordy & Ivy, Kirk & Ivy*, Jordy & Violet?

*WHAT EVEN!? YOU ALL ARE CRAZY. I mean, Kirk and Ivy really do get along well, but … it’s just a friendship! #mythbusted
In various conversation with internet friends, a lot of ships were suggested for this book. (And for At Her Fingertips, for that matter.)
Those were only three of them – random names I hadn’t even thought of were thrown around, too – but those are the ones that was actually feasible.
What do you think? I made a mood graphic for Ivy/Jordy (something I never did for Kirk/Alice, by the way, because … well, I won’t explain why), and I think it’s pretty.

Ivy
All images taken from Pinterest

Sweet, right? Super pretty.

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However, you know those two. And I’d like to introduce you to some of the other characters. Because I don’t want to make you sit through pages and pages, I’ve decided to focus on the people of Keefmore.
Also, I have pictures of many of them on my Pinterest board. Which is fun.
Mr. Albert and Mrs. Annis McAllen
Jordy’s parents. They’re sheep/cow farmers (I don’t say “cattle” because that sounds wrong for Scotland … I know, I’m weird). Anyway, I think I need to figure out these two’s personalities as I write. Because I need to leave myself a couple things to figure out and stress over.
Edi (22), Benji (18), Mick (17), Alby (13), and Tas (8)
Jordy’s siblings. Edi is awesome; she’s pretty much in charge of all her brothers, including Jordy. Benji is the tall, dark, silent type (only all the McAllens are carrot-tops, soooo?). Mick is the impulsive one. Alby is dreamy and poetic. Tas is probably a little spoiled and babyish (’cause youngests … y’know).
Tristan Kendrick
Jordy’s best friend; Edi’s fiance. Is the polar opposite of Jordy; quiet, stoic, steady, keeps to himself, never takes risks. Took forever to propose to Edi, despite her somewhat obviously waiting for him for years.
Ena Owen
A young widow of a couple months. She’s going to have a baby. And she lost two small children to the same fever that took her husband. *weeps* This is actually a recent plot development … I think I figured it out Sunday night. Before, her husband was actually going to be alive …
Keira* Owen
Ena’s six-year-old daughter. She’s really cute. Breaks her wrist or something like that. *needs to figure out the details* *probably has by now, but scheduled the post Monday night* *shrugs*
*I don’t know how realistic this is for 1880s Scotland, but … but … *can’t resist*
Calvin Blakely
A banker/accountant/lawyer who travels a lot. His wife died (but is perfectly fine with being alone because he’s #tough and #totallyunfeeling). Probably spends most of his time in Edinburgh.
Ella Blakely
Calvin’s daughter; Delia’s best friend. A little proper miss and towngirl who no one quite understands. Considers herself the mistress of her household, which she usually lives alone in except for her ancient great-grandmother and great-aunt (whose names are Granny Mairi and Auntie Thomasina #justmadethatup).
Agnes and Blaire Dunmore
The local midwife and her sixteen-year-old daughter who are outcasts and yet kind of necessary, so everyone deals with them. Really dislike Jordy. #competition
And … there are a few others, but those are the main players (as of Monday, October 30th … things keep changing up in this house!).

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As you know, the first day of NaNoWriMo is today. I’ll give you an update Saturday, but since I’m scheduling ahead of time, I won’t be able to give you my Day 1 wordcount right now.
However, I’m sure it’s amazing. 😉
Thanks for reading and may your November be profitable however you choose to spend it!

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

What do you think of the characters of Beyond Her Calling? How’s your first day of NaNo going? If you’re participating or if you’re not! What would be a good ship name for Jordy/Ivy? Or your preferred ship, though you’re setting yourself up for disappointment, mate.

What do you think of my thoughts?

24 Responses

  1. Quick, Kellyn, write Beyond Her Calling, so I can read it! 😉 Since Ivy and Jordy are probably my favorite characters, I can’t imagine how I won’t like it. Also, I don’t like the Jordy/Violet combination. What I think is that if you’re going to add new characters, you have drop some old ones. (How well I follow that pattern is yet to be determined… :P) As for Kirk and Ivy… well, you’re right. They’re just friends. If Kirk really likes Ivy, than he’d seem a little wishy-washy. 😛
    CutePolarBear

    1. I’ve written 2K already!
      Well, then you’ll be happy! 😀 Nope, I don’t particularly like Jordy/Violet either … except as friends. I guess they can be friends. 😉 Yes, exactly … he can’t hop from Alice to Ivy like that! It would be terrible.

  2. That’s great! I guess you don’t have to spend all morning doing schoolwork… 😛
    Oh, sure, anyone can be friends. But their personalities are so different, it wouldn’t work in marriage.
    CutePolarBear

      1. OH. 4:30? Are you even sane? I would never want to be seen with my eyes open at 4:30, or even three hours later than that. 😀

  3. YAYYYYY JORDY AND IVY JORDY AND IVY I’M SO HAPPYYYY *dances in circles* I mean, I knew it was coming, but still–having you say it was so fantastic. *grins* 😀
    *tries to think of a ship name* Jordivy. Ivordy. Ivory? I dunno if that works, but…. Jorvy? Hehe. Ijor. Ivydy. Vyjor. Um…I think Ivory is the best one, if it’s okay to take out a letter of someone’s name when making a ship name… If not, I also like Ivordy. Your thoughts?
    Also, your characters sound cool! Although I’m a little bit confused about who they all are, so it will be interesting to see how you pull it all together! Ena sounds so awesome and tragic, and also Edi sounds super cool. What is Edi short for?
    ALSO WAIT. You’re going to make me cry with Jordy? How dare you. (Although…is it awful that I get kind of excited about tragic characters?) OH and I like your mood board! 😀 Especially the picture with the hands almost touching…it’s so cute!
    And I like your image for the post! (Sorry, I’m really scattered in this comment…I’m just so excited! Also I get excited every time AFOP is used, hehehe.)
    As far as NaNo goes, I haven’t done anything yet so far, but I am planning on doing something soon! Hopefully after I finish this comment, ’cause I already got all my homework done.
    Anyway, one more time…YAYYAYAYYYAYYYY!

    1. Yeah, I’m glad to get it out there, too! I really love them as a couple. Even though people have been telling me lately that people of their personality types wouldn’t work out easily … but oh, well. They can’t rain on my parade. 😉
      Maybe Ivordy. Ivory would be cool, though, too. Ivordy makes sense, but Ivory is actually a word and ivory = pianos which is just … cool because Ivy and music … I don’t know. 🙂
      Yeah, no one could understand it based on those descriptions. 😉 Ena is awesome! I love her. She’s so common sense and awesome. Edi is short for Edith. 🙂
      (Nah, not awful at all! So do I!) Thanks! I really like how it turned out. (And the image for the post, too.)
      Well, good luck! I hope you’re able to accomplish lots of planning this month! 🙂

      1. I don’t care. I think Jordy and Ivy will work out fantastically together.
        Yeah, I like both of them!
        Haha, that’s quite possibly true…. Ooh, cool! I like Edi as a nickname.
        (Oh, good….)
        Thank you. I hope so too! 🙂

        1. Yes, same! They’re great together. And Ivy is a little different from your average INFP in that she does have some mental disabilities which alter her personality slightly. She simplifies things a lot more than your average INFP, for instance.
          I think I’ve going with Jorvy. Nice and neat and it makes sense. *feels guilty over not taking your suggestions* *hides* You named AFOP, though …
          Yes, it’s fun. 🙂 I actually wanted to use the name of Keira Knightley’s daughter and then I just like … took the E off and decided it was gonna be short for Edith. (Her daughter’s name is Edie …) I don’t know why my brain does these kinds of things …

          1. All right, all right… 😛 Just kidding, I’d way rather have named AFOP because PETERRRRR. 😀
            Nice, haha. Now I know the true origins of the name mwahahaha. (I’m in a very odd mood today.)

  4. I’m so excited to read this!!
    I don’t think I will be doing NaNo unless I can get an outline and at least 5000 words before the middle of the month. XD #procrastination

  5. I think Jorvy would be a really cute ship name — or maybe Jivy? Irdy? ? And WHOA YOU HAVE SO MANY CHARACTERS HOW DO YOU DO IT. I suck at remembering characters, both the ones I write and the ones I read about. 😛 And I LOVE the aesthetic for their ship haha!! I also really like that your setting is in Scotland — how cool is that??? We need less American settings so we can explore the many other beautiful places in the world! ?
    I’m doing pretty good for NaNo so far! So now I think I’m actually going for the full 50K instead of just 25K?! So that requires me to stay up later but whatever. ?

    1. Ooh, Jorvy! Love it! Too many options, though … I’ve got to decide. One of my other “couples” it Kalice. But I never decided on the Jordy/Ivy ship name.
      Thanks, it was fun to do! And yeah, Scotland is a super fun Scotland. I’m part Scottish on my mom’s side (and Norwegian and Swiss, haha). I’ve done England and Scotland now … I’m planning on writing a book set in Italy soon. Honestly, America isn’t fun enough for me. 😛
      Yay, that’s awesome! You can do it! Challenge yourself, girl … you know, within reason, of course. 🙂

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