A really true secret of character creation

I’ve discovered one of the secrets of creating an irresistible male character. It may be THE secret, but having only just discovered it, I can’t say for sure. However, it’s definitely A secret. If you do this one thing, you’re sure to have a complex, slightly dark, slightly troubled, brash but surprisingly sensitive, and quite probably beautiful character on your hands.

I know you’re dying to know what single act you can take that will lead to such a character. Well, I’m going to tell you. It’s quite simple actually. Easier than slogging through the Myers-Briggs personality type test, easier than painstakingly crafting a compelling backstory, easier, even, than stealing a character from real life.

All you have to do is name them Logan.

Yes, really. Watch as I prove my point.

Aside from having an emotional spectrum that ranges from cavalier to cocky and personalities with the intensity of the summerwe’re enjoying, these Logans all have three things in common: daddy issues, girl issues, and a casual disregard for their ownmortality. It’s a killer combo.

The case of Logan Echolls (of Veronica Mars) 
“And what is so great about living?"

• Daddy issues? His dad killed his girlfriend.
• Girl issues? He falls for his dead girlfriend’s best friend (who also used to be his best friend’s girlfriend).
• Casual disregard for mortality? Between his home life and the PCH Biker gang, it’s a miracle he survives.

The case of Logan Huntzberger (of Gilmore Girls)
“People can live a hundred years without really living for a minute.”

• Daddy issues? He’s destined to follow in his father’s overbearing footsteps.
• Girl issues? His family dismissing his girlfriend as “not good enough for the family.”
• Casual disregard for mortality? Um, Life & Death Brigade, anyone?

The case of Logan aka Wolverine (of X-Men)
“What I do best isn’t very nice.”

• Daddy issues? Erm. Well, SOMEone’s responsible for his memory loss…
• Girl issues? Ha! Haha! Does this require explanation? Because I don’t know that I have the time.
• CasualExtreme disregard for mortality? Only on his best days…

Alright, there you have it. One ofthe essential truths of character creation gifted from me to you. If you’re struggling to create a cocky, enigmatic, and surprisingly deep character, go ahead and name him Logan. Once a character has thusly been named, everything else will naturally, effortlessly fall into place.

 

Signs

It seems I've been traveling for all of June. It's not far from the truth. I've only spent 14 days of June in my own home. That's more than half the month spent in beds not my own. Which. Recently, isn't really such a bad thing if we're considering the spider invasion.

This past month, I've spent time in Washington, DC, New York City, Columbia, Missouri, and Norman, Oklahoma. And looking back through my photo album, I noticed a strange trend: signs. Everywhere I went, I took pictures of signs.

It all started in DC, when we came around a corner to cut through the drive of a hospital and discovered this:


Angel of Death? Grim Reaper with a bone saw? Icarus? I'm not entirely sure of anything other than its inherent awesomeness.

Next up, New York, with a sense of humor when it comes to its ice cream.

Maybe he's just super sensitive....

Then, it was a diner in Columbia, Missouri. We're best buds, now. Me and the diner. Because no other place of business has ever supported me like this: 

And finally, Norman, Oklahoma. Where we encountered enigmatic chalk signs...

 One required a Tessa-shaped being for scale:


But the clear winner of all the signs we encountered we found in our own B&B:

I can't imagine this one requires much comment.