in which erin actually does a writerly thing

So I truly hardly ever post about my novel on here, so I thought I'd link up using the Beautiful People tag that Sky from Further Up and Further In runs, and introduce you to one of my characters. 

Blogging world, meet Jed.

Jed, meet blogging world.

1. What first inspired this character? Is there a person/actor you based them off?

Jed started out as a melded-together version of Logan Lerman and someone I know in person. But since beginning the writing of this novel nearly eight years ago, Jed has evolved and changed to encompass many traits from friends, strangers, and celebrities. He's kind of a mutt in that way.

I'll pause right here and let you know it feels so odd talking to real people about a person I invented. Obviously my characters are very personal to me, so actually posting this is going to take some guts.

2. Describe their daily routine.

My book takes place in the summertime. At the start of June, Jed has already decided he's going to spend his entire summer break holed up in his local library. So his routine is, at the beginning of the book: wake, eat, walk, read. In that order. It's not healthy!

Yep, I'm feeling really silly writing this.

3. If they joined your local high school, what clique would they fit into?

No clique. I was actually just writing about this.

"Jedidiah Whitley belonged to no place. Instead, he kept so much to himself that he was the recipient of neither a label nor an invitation. This feat was harrowing on his lonely days, and a respite on his good ones."

4. Write a list of things they merely tolerate.

Classmates; loneliness; pain.

5. How do they react in awkward silences?

As a pianist who has given up his passion, Jed used to dwell in silences. They were the canvases upon which he used to splash his songs. But ever since the music died, he drowns in silences, gets lost in them. Silence for Jed is not so much awkward as it is a part of his daily life. What is more difficult is speaking.

6. Can they swim? If so, how did they learn?

I've never thought about it. I think he can swim, yes. Perhaps his father taught him?

7. What is one major event that helped shape who they are?

His father teaching him to play the piano at a very early age.
Though he tries to suppress it, music will always, always, always be an integral part of Jed's soul.

8. What things do they value most in life?

Obviously music. But also, his mother, father, and older brother Peter; the library and its kindly librarian; literature; the ability to learn; creativity.

9. Do they believe in giving other people second chances? Do they have any trust issues?

TRUST ISSUES FOR DAYS, SON. Jed tends to blame himself when things go wrong, so I feel like he's constantly giving people second chances. He doesn't have a very high estimation of himself. Though sometimes, he can hold a pretty mean grudge. At the same time, this grudge may be buried so deep down that he might not realize he's holding it.

10. Your character is having a rough day. What things do they do to make them happy again? 
Is there anyone they talk with to get in a better mood?

In the days when he was still playing music, Jed would go to the piano right away. He's a very shy and to-himself individual, so talking with people outside of his family about his feelings is impossible. He communicates better through music, anyway.

Yep, I definitely feel weird about posting this.

Thanks again to Sky and the others who run this link-up! It was nerve-wrecking but fun to write about my character a little more in-depth on my blog. 

+ Are you writing anything at the moment? Or reading anything special? 
Tell me about a character that has caught your fancy in literature lately.