Thanks to everyone for reading along! These Six Sentence Sundays are fun—there are a lot of great writers participating!
Here’s another six from my first drawer novel—which is also my Nanowrimo novel. So you’ve been warned.
Today, we meet Charlie, who is Clyota’s partner at the reference desk.
(he might also be a bit of wish-fulfillment . . .)
Charlie looks like an overgrown Militia Scout, with a boyish face and brown hair that wants to flop down over his forehead whenever he’s late for his monthly buzzcut. He’s also one of the most well-read people on the planet and has an uncanny ability to track down information, from the number of feathers on the breastplate of a blue-footed booby to the very private number of the third Financial Undersecretary of the NeoCalifornia Collective.
My friend Christine once said it was like a 41-kilo nerd had discovered how to bulk himself out to the dimensions of a hazardball defensive lineman. She also said most Librarians strike her that way.
When I pointed out that I weigh in at 49, and can’t reach 175 centimeters without a ladder, she shook her head. “It isn’t the body,” she said, “it’s the presence .”
I know I switched tenses here, but first-person descriptions always sound better to me in present tense. Any opinions?
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It works for me. 🙂 Christine sounds cool. Nice six!
Thanks, Jessica!
Christine was fun to write, but she doesn’t appear on page for a couple chapters.
I didn’t see the switch to be a problem here. I just want more about Charlie: He really intrigues me already. Tell me some more details: How does he talk? Any unusual mannerisms? Is he small or stout? Old or young?
Just reading this makes me want to go back to the characters in my own ms and see how I introduce them. Thanks for the idea!
He’s got dimples and likes Fantasy Hazardball. And Clyota. He does not suffer fools, except professionally.
I hate accidentally hitting reply too soon!
There’s a bit more about Charlie surrounding these six—more showing, less telling. But these six fit best.
I love this line. “She also said most Librarians strike her that way.” That’s the kind of line that can close a chapter and make me want to start the next.
Wow, thanks MSB! 🙂
It isn’t the body…it’s the presence.
I love, love that line.
That might be a bit of wish-fulfillment for me, too . . . 😉
lol, love the description of him!
Thanks, Gayle!
Charlie is lovable from the moment he’s introduced. He’s just that kind of character and you’re just that kind of writer. The switching of tenses isn’t a problem; it’s an element of style (in your case) and it works. Well. I love your sixes, Sarah.
Thanks, Lisa. Charlie’s my favorite cuddly genius. Reynard, on the other hand . . . 😀