Y is for "You Look Marvelous"

When I create a character's physical appearance I always use an actor/actress as my model.  Lindz over at Rapturous Randomocity is hosting a the Now Starring... Blogfest today. 
 
Details:

The Now Starring... Blogfest! Have your cast list ready to share with the Blogiverse by April 25th, 2011. The premise is simple: 

1.       Choose 4-6 of your lead characters.   
2.       Let us know a little bit about what each of your characters looks like.
3.       Then, pick any actor or actress, they’re all at your disposal. 4.       Finally, apart from their appearance, what about this particular performer makes you think they’ll do your baby justice. What’s that special something that makes them perfect for the part? Their attitude? The way the walk? Their voice? Let us know.

In Courtly Scandals, I cast my main characters as follows:

• Mistress Mary Montgomery, my leading lady, will be played by Julia Roberts, cashing in on the way her smile lights up her face.  She will need to shrink two or three inches and go with the brunette look.
• Sir Charles Fitzjohn, my leading man, will be played by Simon Baker, also based on his smile and the way his eyes almost twinkle.  He's honorable but playful.   He will need to grow a few inches in height.
• Mistress Blanche Parry, the mentor/fairy godmother-esque character will be played by Fionnula Flanagan.  Classy, wise, always dressed with the utmost elegance.  
• Edward Da Vere, the Earl of Oxford, my villain, will be played by Rupert Everett.  He is entitled, debauched, shameless, and funny as all get out. 
• Anne Cecil, the Countess of Oxford is Mary's childhood friend, but is now married to Oxford and has shown herself to be conniving, malicious, and slightly unhinged.  When I picture her, I see a young Sally Field.  Anne seems so delicate and needy with those big eyes, but she has a vicious streak a mile wide.

They all look marvelous, and who would expect less in a romance novel?  In fact, in the first draft of my first book, I had my main character be fairly average in appearance.  This was not well received.  Why?  Because it's about the fantasy.  There's enough real life in our real lives.  So, my cast is full of fabulously beautiful people.

Just for fun, below is a clip from a SNL video and the inspiration for my blog title.