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What a Carry On! The character who organizes the Safari Supper is central to my story.

Although she may not be the main character, she’s important to me. Her husband is also a key player, as a foil to her and for the role he plays in the distribution of wine to the hostesses. I might need the poison to be delivered via the wine – haven’t decided yet!

While other characters are still fuzzy, this couple is coming into focus.  I have chosen Hattie Jacques to play the SS Organiser, and Eric Sykes to be her husband. She is a battle axe and he is a long-suffering man who adores her from afar. The added bonus of this choice of casting is that faced with a photo of these two actors. I hope to be inspired to introduce humour, ‘Carry On style’ while writing my scenes.

As with all my characters, using Scrivener, I can pull in a headshot of the actor I envisage playing the role. How do I do this?

• First, locate an image on the Internet. Searching on Google using the actor’s name works.
• Check any copyright issues – you cannot profit from using an image that belongs to someone else without paying a license fee and/or acknowledging your source.
• Download the image and save it somewhere safe.
• In Scrivener, open your character sketch.
• Select Edit / Insert / Image From File.

You then need to browse to find the file – the one you put somewhere safe! – and click on Open.

As you can see, I’ve also added lots of detail.

Come November, when I’m writing a scene about the SS Organiser, Marjorie, or her husband, Hugh, I’ll arrange to have their character sketch on view as well – using a split screen. How? We’ll come to that in a later post – once we start writing our novels. When? November! 5 weeks and 5 days and counting …

Your turn!

Have you written your character sketches yet? Who have you cast to play your leading role?

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