Early Cast of Characters

So, here's who I have in the book and who I'm thinking of adding at this moment. I'll update the list as it goes on. Updated on 6/21/11

Calista (main character) - the book is mainly from her perspective. She's 18 and an only child. She's sort of a loner, because she doesn't seem to "fit in" with her peers. She has an affinity for nature, so she spends a lot of her time outside or gardening. She has a temper (she's a redhead, so it's expected! LOL) and is experiencing a lot of upheaval with her parents' relationship deteriorating. She experiences some really weird things that she can't explain. She's about 5'7" - 5'8", light "coppery" red hair that goes to her mid-back in loose curls, and dark blue eyes. She has a heart-shaped face and dimples in both cheeks.

Mother (Calista's mother, thinking name is Meredith) - she tends to be a bit more on the cold side. Calista will eventually find out that this is because she knows so much and sees what's going on that she feels she needs to protect herself. She also is a perfectionist, and uses this form of control as a way of protecting herself as well. Calista has a rocky relationship with her and tries to avoid confrontations with her. She has blonde hair (I call it honey-colored at one point) and also has dark blue eyes.


Dad (Calista's father, named him Derrick so far but I'm not loving it) - her father won't have a lot of active participation at the beginning of the book. The book will start with him disappearing, so he'll only show up in memories/flashbacks. He's gentler than her mother, and she has a much closer relationship with him. He shares her affinity for nature. He's a doctor and encourages Calista to major in a health-related field in college. He has darker brownish-red hair and bright spring green eyes.

Lucas - Calista's love interest. He's tall with hair so dark that it's almost black and "mesmerizing" blue eyes. While gentle and kind, he's also a fierce protector.

Andy - this man will help Calista and have a romantic interest in her. Chestnut colored hair (brown with a slight tinge of red to it) and light green eyes. Very friendly and light-hearted.

Extended Family Members - will eventually be introduced to some of Calista's extended family, that she wasn't even told existed (for a reason, of course!)

The Council - will be explained later as I write this part

Characters in 1800's
There will be a story going on from the 1800's Ireland (and then coming to the US). As of right now, I don't think there will be time-travel going on, per say. Yet, Calista will be interacting with Eliza, who I would call like a secondary main character (she's the main character of her time). The best way I can explain it right now is, Calista and Eliza have a certain connection (besides Eliza being her ancestor) and their stories sort of unfold parallel to each other in ways. I'm even throwing around the idea that Eliza's sections might even be told in 1st person from her perspective.

Eliza - she sort of grows along side Calista, even though they are separated in time by almost 200 years. So, for much of the story, she will be in her late teens/early 20's. She's been sort of ostracized from her family and has grown to be fairly independent because of that. She's strong-willed, stubborn, and has a temper worse than Calista's. Yet, she's also compassionate and courageous. She has red hair a few shades darker than Calista's and green eyes that are near the shade of Calista's dad's eyes.

Mum (Eliza's mother, name TBD) - she tries to be Eliza's champion, but there's only so much that she can do. Circumstances hold her captive and she greatly resents that. She loves her children deeply, though.

Da (Eliza's dad, name TBD) - this is actually Eliza's step-dad, although that is a secret and is only discovered later in Eliza's childhood. He's always been a bit more of a gruff man, and when the secret is let out he turns on Eliza and their relationship (rocky at the start) disintegrates.

Michael (Eliza's brother) - he is only shy of 2 years younger than Eliza. They are very close, and he is the one person in her family that she feels she can confide in.

William (Will) - Eliza's love interest

The Council (in Eliza's time) - will explain later

That's all I have as of right now, but like I said I will update this as I add more characters or figure out a bit more what the characters are like.

I'm hoping to get some more writing done and share an excerpt soon. I was trying to write a bit of scene between Eliza and Will, but it's hard without having the historical background I need. I'm thinking I will have to delve into Gaelic too. So, I won't share that for some time yet. I'll probably go back and write some more from the beginning and post that. In case you haven't noticed, I write like I paint/do other arts. I write a bit piece by piece here and there. When I get bored with something or stuck, I just go to another part of the story. I've been told everything can be pieced together as I go. I held back on writing a novel because I figured this wasn't the "correct" way to write. But I've heard from authors that many do do this. :) So we shall see!