Hullo, one & all!  How was your Thursday?

It's been quite a rainy one here---perfect for NaNo'ing & getting some words in.  I'm rather proud of myself for writing every day so far (with the exception of one).  Today marked Day 7 of NaNoWriMo, y'all!  If you're taking part, how's your writing coming along?

Alas, I missed this week's Name post, but I've a good excuse!  I was helping out on a catering job both Monday AND Tuesday, and put in about 21 hours total of on-your-feet-cooking-and-cleaning-and-serving work.  I managed to get in a little over 300 words on Monday night, but when Tuesday evening came around, I was exhausted & literally had NO WORDS.  So that was my grace day for the week! ;D  I'm back on track and have written a good 1k today, and hope to add another 500-1,000 words before bed---if I can. . . My current count is 7,712!  Whoo!  That's really good for this gal.  ;D

Below, I'm sharing a character spotlight of one of mah boys!!
Read on to meet my dear Brom.

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CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT

Brom Enlow

AGE:  about 23

HAIR:  dark brown (almost black)

EYES:  green-blue

HEIGHT:  6' 1"

WEIGHT:  180 lbs

MOST MEMORABLE FEATURE:  good sense of humor, stark green-blue eyes

PERSONALITY

He has a charming smile and a positive attitude regardless the situation.  A dry sense of humor fills in the cracks of his fun personality.  Along with his sister Noya's sweetness and servant heart, it's Brom that holds his family together through the trials and difficult circumstances.  He has a leader's heart, a mind for business, and a love for the sea.

OCCUPATION

Formerly, he was training alongside his older brother, Lezak, as an apprentice under his father, a well-known merchant & shipbuilder.  It was his plan to expand the family business, and possibly run their merchant ships with Lezak after their father "retired."  But with the loss of their fleet & entire fortune, plans changed, and while he was more than capable of staying in the big city of Meyrn & finding his own way in life, he opted to move to the countryside to help care for his family.  Currently, he works as a carpenter & handy man around the countryside of their new hometown, Lakeside village.  (But. . . he still has a heart for the sea. . .)

SKILLS/TALENTS

He can do ANYTHING, he can fix anything.  He works well with his hands, and can accomplish or improve just about anything he sets his mind to.  He's an excellent archer and phenomenal marksmen.  He fairs well with the sword or quarterstaff, but his weapon on choice would be the bow & arrow.

WORST FEAR

Failing his family.  Letting them down.  He cares nothing for himself or his reputation, but when it comes to his brothers & sister & father, he'll fight with everything he has.

QUOTES + SNIPPETS

Not a lot of action going on in these snippets.  But hopefully you get of sense of who Brom is.  :]
(DISCLAIMER: these are pieces of the first draft! So any & all mistakes/typos made are totally my fault as the writer.  However, I'm also trying my HARDEST not to reread & fix everything---GAHHHH xD)

          As Father gave the reins a gentle flick, Brom noticed the relief evident in the older man’s features. He had seemed to age many years these last couple months. A small hand found his, and Brom glanced down to meet Noya’s soft brown eyes.

          When she smiled knowingly, he returned it, marveling at her perception. Sometimes he wondered if she possessed any magic, as easily as she could read people. In the growing dusk, he caught sight of a gentle glow to the east.

          “That must be the township Lezak mentioned,” he said, gesturing toward the direction of the eastern glow that could only be from many houses filled with light in the closing of day. “It’s near a massive lake, from where it gets its name, Lakeside,” he chuckled, adding, “Fitting, yes?”

          Noya answered with a giggle, and Father cut in with a smile, “Come the morrow, we can all make a trip to the village for supplies. Perhaps a friendly neighbor or two will show us the place. It will be good to establish ourselves, I think. This is where our home will be for the foreseeable future.”

          Brom caught the uncomfortable silence, but it was Noya who broke it. “It’s a lovely place, Papa. This is our own kind of adventure, and we shall make the most of it, yes?” she said, jutting a sharp little elbow into his side.

          “Ow,” he murmured, but he agreed, wishing to portray a sense of enthusiasm on his father’s behalf. He didn’t want the man blaming himself for the loss of their wealth. He had never cared all that much for the stuffy old mansion in any way.

          They rattled up the little drive to the cottage and a young man stepped out of the door to greet them. With his honey-colored hair hanging a little longer around his face and his clothing that of an independent, but successful farmer, rather than the tailored young businessman, Brom nearly didn’t recognize his older brother.

          “Welcome!” greeted Lezak. He met them as Father pulled the wagon to a stop. Brom clasped his hand and hopped down, allowing Lezak to help Noya. She hugged their brother as Lezak explained how the generous ladies of Lakeside had left a grand feast for them all.

          Brom grinned, shaking his head, as he tugged the ropes loose to uncover the trunks in the wagon bed. Leave it to Lezak to woo all the old ladies to his side. Father laughed at something that was said and asked that they unload their belongings before the light faded completely, then he demanded an official tour of the house, and at last the feast. His siblings hurried to help him and before long, they were at last seated around a quaint dining table sharing cold slices of meat, sourdough bread, a casserole of rice and root vegetables, large rounds of goat cheese, and even a plate of the nutty pinnar cookies. Brom hadn’t realized just how hungry he was. And the lay of humble food before him looked like the richest feast ever served at Enlow Estate.

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          Brom watched his little sister bumping along beside him, sandwiched in between their father and himself in the borrowed wagon. Just behind them on the well-worn road with its occasional hole and livestock droppings, Jonavan followed on the two horses they had kept from the Enlow stables. He rode the pretty grey mare and led the larger chestnut, packed with the few belongings that would not fit into the wagon bed.

          Even with his peripheral view, he could tell she was exhausted. Not one of them had made such a long journey as this in naught but a wagon and horseback. Onboard ship was distinctly different. What he wouldn’t give to be back on the open sea.

          It was closing in on three and a half weeks they had been on the road, alternating turns on horseback, and sleeping under the stars when no village was in range. Papa had lifted their spirits that morning when he estimated by Lezak’s direction that they would arrive at their new home by evening. But the hours had passed in silence and still no sign of a quaint cottage with white-washed walls and a high thatched roof. The darkening sky held little hope for reaching the homestead before dark.

          He nudged Noya with an impish grin. “Wake up, Nosie. You’re gonna miss our first glimpse of country life.”

          She gently elbowed him back, earning a smile from their father beside her. “I’m awake, you big griff. I believe it was you snoozing.”

          Jonavan trotted up by the wagon’s side, ready to hear whatever conversation had begun—the first in an hour or so. “I think she’s right, Brom. I thought I heard a bit of a snore a while back, and you’re supposed to be driving!”

          “Pah. No proof have you, dear brother.”

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          "Daydreaming, sister?"

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          "Ha!  If I live to see the day, I'll take that as the highest of compliments."

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          Noya wondered at the owner’s humor, whether it reflected on his personality or if that was truly what he thought of his shop. Either way, it was—

          “Amusing, yes?”

          “Exactly my thoughts,” Noya concluded. She narrowed her gaze at her brother in mock suspicion. “However did you know?”

          “Ah, dear sister. Your lovely face is an open book,” he replied without missing a beat, his step more of a swagger as he went for the door.

          She felt the slight blaze of heat redden her cheeks once again. Confounded blush is what gave her away. Every time.

          She sighed, “Don’t I know it.”

          As he opened the door, causing a tiny bell to jingle, he turned to her, more serious in demeanor than usual, “Believe me, sister. To see such openness is like a refreshing wind in one’s sails. Of all the race of Men, you stand out as among the most trustworthy. People see that. It is so very different from the other maidens who primp and preen and say what people expect of them—they forget who they are.”

          His compliment made her pause. And she didn’t mind the blush this time. “Thank you, Brom.”

ROLE IN NOYA

Brom has a starring part in this tale!  And I just LOVE him.  He's the typical, protective older brother I never had, and ya just gotta love his fun humor.  He's personable, a born leader, a total cinnamon roll, and I'm so excited to have as one of the three POVs featured in this story.  I love strong sibling relationships (something you don't find all that often in YA---or any genre, for that matter), and in this retelling, it is the brother, instead of "Beauty's" father who first meets the Beast.  He's one I hope my readers fall hopelessly in love with---and also a character I could SOOOO see as having his own story. *??????*

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Talk to me!  Who are the top characters with star roles in your WIP?  Are you tackling NaNo this year?  And if so, ARE YOU MY BUDDY??