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Patricia Reding
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Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Artistic Temptations
It's a temptation that is difficult to resist: the desire to make characters who are morally lacking, also appear physically unattractive. Of course, there are times in real life when physical attributes can tell us about character. Sometimes they tell of positive things. A person with clear and lovely skin is likely someone who takes care of herself. One with huge biceps probably works out a lot and--in that regard at least--is disciplined. In this scene though, we meet a man who is short, has unhealthy looking skin, broken veins on his nose, and dark puffy circles under his eyes. Translation: here is someone who takes little care of himself and who leads a life of . . . excess. Is it unreasonable then to conclude that he might care little for others? So maybe my inclination (at least from time to time) to mold an unsavory character into one who is also physically unattractive, is not wholly off the mark. Of course, this discussion begs a question: is beauty more apt to follow moral strength or is moral strength more likely to be found where there is beauty (or vice versa)? What do you think? I'd love to know your thoughts.
Book Excerpt
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Having arrived at Darth, Chiran, the previous day, Marshall and Jerrett stood in line behind a long string of unsavory characters, all seeking to serve in the guard.
An officer sat behind a paperwork-laden table that evidenced his short stature, meeting him at mid-chest. His yellowed skin tattled on his history of excessive drinking, as did small broken veins on his broad bulbous nose that appeared too large for his face. Dark puffy circles hung below his yellow-brown eyes. His scant gray hair, parted nearly to his ear, did little to cover his bald crown. Overall, he appeared cadaverous.
Marshall hated the man at first sight. Having watched him for several continuous hours while awaiting his turn for processing, he witnessed the officer’s pettiness and dishonesty. From what he’d seen since arriving in Chiran, he concluded that the man was typical of most of the Chiranian guard.
The recruit standing just in front of Jerrett and next in line, stepped up to a scratch drawn on the wooden floor a few feet before the table. The officer did not look up. He reached to his side, where stood his assistant. The aide approached the next recruit, took his application from him, and then handed it to the officer.
The officer put the paperwork down, looked it over quickly and scribbled something on it. He motioned toward the recruit as he handed the paper back to his assistant, all without looking at either of the men or otherwise acknowledging them.
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