She ain't into wine and roses
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is she heavyset, thin, short, rangy? Roslyn is about 5'4". She's thin and limber, but definitely not weak.
2. How old is she? Roslyn was born in the 1830s, so she is around 180 years old. She appears to be in her late teens or early twenties.
3. Describe her posture. Does she carry herself well or does she slouch? Roslyn stands tall. She has no reason to slouch or cower, and so she stands proud. Decades of riding have taught her to keep her spine straight and her shoulders relaxed.
4. How is her health? Is she fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities? She keeps herself in very good shape because she wants independence, and she certainly can't work for that without being in good shape. Roslyn is in very good health, thanks to her father's influence of working hard physically. She catches colds or the flu sometimes, but overall is in excellent health.
5. How does she move? Is she clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid? She isn't perfectly graceful, but she tends to be fluid (unless very stressed). When she feels stressed, or ill, she gets very clumsy.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does she perceive herself in the mirror? She knows she is attractive, but doesn't really care. She has a delicate facial structure and build. She's too tomboyish to obsess over a freckle pimple or scars. Her father calls her beautiful, and that's good enough for her.
7. Describe her complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred? She is much lighter-skinned than her father or mother, due to most of her 'people' being of European descent.
8. Describe her hair: color, texture, style. Her hair is brown, wavy, and long. It falls to around her waist. At night she keeps it in a braid to keep it off her neck, and during the summer it's always in a ponytail.
9. What color are her eyes? She has blue eyes, just like her father.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features? She has a scar on her right chin, from falling out of her tree house when she was young. She has another one on her lower back from falling off a horse around the same age. She has a tattoo on the skin above her heart. Of course it's hidden by her clothes.
11. What are her chief tension centers? Her shoulders and lower back.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does she have six of the same suit? She wears casual clothing most of the time - t-shirts, jeans and tennis shoes. In the summer its tank tops, shorts and sandals. When she has to do something related to secession or look professional she has a few pant suits to wear. She does not like skirts. She's fondest of bright colors and has a pretty varied wardrobe. Any outfits have to have a pocket that she can keep her cell phone in, though.
13. Do her clothes fit well? Does she seem comfortable in them? Her casual clothes fit pretty well, just because she can't stand loose pieces. Her dress clothes are tailored and fit her very well. She seems comfortable in both, though most of the time she would rather be in her jeans.
14. Does she dress the same on the job as she does in her free time? If not, what are the differences? She dresses formally for her work, pant suits, button-down dress shirts, high heels, etc.
15. You knew it was coming: what kind of underwear? Her lucky set of underwear is an orange bra and matching orange panties. She often wears a sports bra and boy shorts, especially during the summer.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse? Her voice is high-pitched and generally smooth.
2. How does she normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does she talk easily, or does she hesitate? She talks at a medium speed and volume. When she's agitated she'll speed up and get loud, but generally she keeps her voice easy-going.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics? She has a Texan accent. She doesn't try to hide it, but in general it's not thick.
4. What language/s does she speak, and with how much fluency? English, Spanish, some Caddo. She is fluent in English and Spanish, but generally more comfortable with English. Her father taught her some Caddo, which is the first language he learned.
5. Does she switch languages or dialects in certain situations? No, English is her primary language. If she's trying to speak to her father about something she generally wouldn't want overheard, she'll switch to Spanish, but the effort is wasted if there are any Spanish speakers around.
6. Is she a good impromptu speaker, or does she have to think about her words? She can handle most situations that require an impromptu speech without a problem. She rarely thinks before she speaks, she's much too impulsive for that.
7. Is she eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change? She gets her point across. It might not always be eloquent, but the job gets done. When she is cornered she might stumble over words, but generally it wouldn't change.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is she book-smart or street-smart? She has a combination of both, but generally she follows her instinct.
2. Does she think on her feet, or does she need time to deliberate? She is very impulsive, and always is thinking on her feet.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is she more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical? She knows it would be better to use a more logical thought process, but she rarely takes the time to get through it. She is very idealistic about some things (independence, justice, liberty, and people's motives) but practical about others (romance, animals, clothing, etc).
4. What kind of education has the character had? Her father taught her basic math and reading at home until she was sent to school. She attended public schools throughout elementary and high school, and is now attending the University of Texas, Austin campus.
5. What are her areas of expertise? What, if anything, is she interested in learning more about? She's very skilled at handling animals, treating injuries, climbing trees, cleaning weapons, getting stains out of clothing, mending clothing, gardening...tons of stuff, really. She knows Texas' history very well since she was around for 98% of it. She's always willing to learn new skills - she even knows how to run an oil rig (in theory).
6. Is she an introvert or an extrovert? Extrovert. So much an extrovert.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is she even-tempered or does she have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven? Even-tempered except when provoked. She's generally a cheerful person who knows what she wants.
8. How does she respond to new people or situations? Is she suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic? She would greet new situations and strangers with curiosity and enthusiasm (at least until she decides she doesn't like them).
9. Is she more likely to act, or to react? Act, but she'll react if she has to.
10. Which is her default: fight or flight? Flight to her father if he's around. She can take care of herself though.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does she appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks? She didn't inherit her father's love of puns, but she likes most jokes and pranks. Bathroom humor isn't her style.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does she deal with them? No.
13. What moments in this character's life have defined her as a person? When she was young she only saw her father when he returned from war to heal from wounds. She hated seeing it, and so she is quite adamant about taking care of him and others. Seeing him taken over by America twice and how it's changed him has made her determined to gain independence so he can relax. The great cattle drives in the 1880s when she was younger taught her to run a business and stand her ground when negotiating with others. When oil was discovered in Texas she was certain that everything would be perfect, but the Great Depression came along and sent her father back into survival mode again. That really sent her reeling for a decade, but she adjusted and things got better. She was in Dallas when JFK was shot, and for two decades she jumped whenever she heard a gunshot. She got sick of that and spent the summer of '83 at a firing range.
14. What does she fear? Failure. Never gaining independence. Being alone for too long. Small, enclosed spaces. Something happening to her father. Disappointing her father.
15. What are her hopes or aspirations? To secede from America without bloodshed. To find a Cadillac V-16 to restore. Graduating from college.
16. What is something she doesn't want anyone to find out about her? She sleeps with a stuffed black horse, in one of her father's old shirts. Not even he knows that she has it. When she goes to visit him and sleeps in her old room, she has a different outfit to sleep in so he doesn't find out. Also her crush on JFK.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with her parents. Roslyn never knew her mother. She is very curious about her, but rarely asks her father about them because she realizes it is a…very sore spot for him. She is very, very close to her father. She doesn't tell him everything, such as when she goes out with her friends or Houston, and she is sure that there are things he doesn't tell her, but they are still very honest with each other.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like? No, she's an only child.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom she is close? Are there ones she can't stand? No.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom she considers part of her family? What are her relationships with them? She considers the state of Oklahoma her uncle, and a second father figure. Houston is like her big brother.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet? Her father. Although she made friends in elementary and high school, she spent most of her time outside of school with her father and Bernard, her favorite pony.
6. Does she have other close friends? Houston is her closest friend.
7. Does she make friends easily, or does she have trouble getting along with people? She makes friends easily, however she just as easily can have trouble getting along with people. Like Yankees.
8. Which does she consider more important: family or friends? Family.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has she been married more than once? She is single, and has never been married.
10. Is she currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse? No. She's very picky about boyfriends and rarely goes on more than two dates with the same person unless the sex is amazing.
11. Who was her first crush? Who is her latest? Her first crush was Temple Houston, the youngest child of Sam Houston. He was a lawyer, and tall like her father. Her latest is one Dean Winchester, and it makes her sad that he is a fictional character.
12. What does she look for in a romantic partner? Someone a lot like her father. She wants someone strong-willed, but who can agree with her on what's important - a free Texas. The guy will have to be able to take care of himself and support her when she needs it, and the bravery to make her rest when she needs it.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does she relate to them? If no, does she want any? She does not have any children. She would consider having children once she has gained her independence, but not before.
14. Does she have any rivals or enemies? America. Any Yankees. Anyone who would fight against her or her father.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does she fall on the Kinsey scale? She is probably a 1 on the Kinsey scale.
16. How does she feel about sex? How important is it to her? She enjoys it. She could go without it without a problem, but it's a wonderful stress reliever.
17. What are her turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits? Turn-ons: Leather, being in charge (in most situations), strength, other than that she doesn't really know. Turn-offs: Being bitten, blondes, violence, not being able to move. Weird habits: Leaving her shoes/socks on?
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does she fit type? Western - Libra: Some traits fit her very well (sociable, idealistic, flirtatious) but others definitely do not (indecisive, gullible, shallow, gossipy).
Chinese - I don't even know how to go about figuring that out.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in her life? She is slightly religious. She says her prayers every night, and there's a rosary on her nightstand, but she doesn't attend Mass often.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it? Yes, she inherited her father's. She believes in justice and equality for all. She treats people as they treat her (except Yankees, who she dislikes). She believes that people should get what they earn, but if someone she knows falls ill or becomes injured she will try to take care of them.
4. How does she regard beliefs that differ from hers? Is she tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent? She tends to be indifferent, though some religions and beliefs make her very uncomfortable.
5. What prejudices does she hold? Are they irrational or does she have a good reason for them? Blondes. America is blonde, enough said.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is she rich, poor, comfortable, in debt? Her father is rich. She has a house in Austin, and attends college without needing a job. She does not require much, but Texas gives her a very large allowance.
2. What is her social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected her? She is technically of a higher class now than when she was young, but it hasn't changed her. She would still rather have a good hamburger than anything more 'fancy'.
3. Where does she live? House, apartment, trailer? Is her home her castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does she share it with others? Her father purchased a small house for her when she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas. She keeps it in very good shape - she's never been able to stand dirty or worn-down places for long. She doesn't have anyone living with her.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does she spend her money on? She collects old books, particularly law texts. And almost everything Texas/ University of Texas related.
5. What does she do for a living? Is she good at it? Does she enjoy it, or would she rather be doing something else? She is a student, so she doesn't work, but she does volunteer on free weekends and during breaks.
6. What are her interests or hobbies? How does she spend her free time? Constitutional law and history. Also, she greatly enjoys cooking, football and horse riding.
7. What are her eating habits? Does she skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods? She cooks breakfast and supper at home, but during the day when she's on campus for classes she usually eats at one of the cafeterias. She only goes out for special occasions, and drinks only when she's home or with someone she absolutely trusts. She'll eat anything though.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is her favorite:
1. Color? Orange
2. Smell? Citrus
3. Time of day? Evening
4. Season? Fall
5. Book? Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
6. Music? Country
7. Place? Tree house
8. Substance? Mud/dirt/chili
9. Plant? Orange trees.
10. Animal? Pony
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