I am a sucker for finding images for characters. I admit, it is heaps of fun looking, but it’s not just about procrastination, I swear! Once I have an image in mind, it grounds my characters, perhaps because I am not all that visual myself.
So what do I look for? I am incredibly picky about who is right. The basics are a start – height, body type, eye and hair colour – but it goes beyond that. Most important is that the candidate captures the essence of my character – in that photo, at least.
Miss Lily Aldridge? Meet Miss Lily Schofield.
So what is it about Lily A. that makes her a perfect Lily S.?
It’s not that Lily Aldridge doesn’t seem nice – she does! – but there is also something a little aloof and ethereal about her. She strikes me as boho and unconventional, but also as a lovely, gentle soul. Just like Lily Schofield.
Who’s this handsome chap? Channing Tatum, my Josh Farrell. Why Channing? It’s the solidness. That down-to-earth solidness that for me captures the essence of Josh.
Also it doesn’t hurt that Channing is exceedingly uxorious – a word that you might think means ‘hot’ but actually means ‘wife-loving’ (lucky Jenna!). I only learnt that one recently, but what an awesome word it is!
Okay, for bonus points…
These two make an appearance in No Place Like You.
Care to hazard a guess as to who they might be?