Thumbnail Thursday : Behind the Character : Zora "Lucky" Groves

It's taken me a while, but I've finally figured out what exactly it is I wish to write about for my first Thumbnail Thursday post. Many of you probably don't know, but I'm starting a blog schedule. (somebody please become my accountability partner in this because Lord knows I am human and I am also a hardcore procrastinator). Thursdays, if you couldn't put together, are now Thumbnail Thursdays. That means I'll share something about my writing or latest projects or characters or world. 

And today is character day. Zora "Lucky" Groves. 

Oh, Zora. This girl is the secondary main character in my WIP Intention Man, but she doesn't come into the story until almost halfway through the novel. Naturally, I had her personality planned out and I knew exactly who Zora was (as much as I could at the time). Frankly, I had expectations for Zora that she didn't exactly approve of. And from the very first moment she appeared, to the first line of dialogue she spoke, I knew she was an entirely different person than I had created. But...this...she was better than anything I'd dreamed up. She still has her backstory and basics covered, but she morphed into this character that surprises me at every turn. Lev, the MC can't understand her and I'm in the same boat. One never knows what to expect with Zora.

Let's dive deeper, shall we?

Full name: Zora "Lucky" Groves. The nickname "Lucky" is often what she likes to go by. It's actually the nickname her protector Tobin gave her birthmark a few years back. As she grew up in a society that looked down upon "blemishes" and natural looks, she had to hide her birthmark for years of her life. Once people found out, things went sour. So once Tobin found her, her built her confidence back up. 

MBTI: ESFP -- this is so fun because Lev is an INFJ. They're nearly opposite and it's the most beautiful thing I can imagine. They drive each other nuts. 

Favorites: Strawberry Milk (she has a little carton--or three--with her at all times. The slurping through the straw gets on Lev's nerves like nothing else); dancing; skipping; meeting people where they are and helping them; hugs (she hugs more than anybody I've ever known); encouraging others; spontaneity; adventures.

"Lights illuminated the space--a small circular room. By the light source stood Zora. She was watching him and her face had a grand smile plastered on it. 'Forgive me for going about it this way, but you walked right past my front door and I couldn't help myself. My spontaneous nature got the best of me, you see.' She wrinkled her nose and rolled her shoulders. 'I don't enjoy thinking things through very much, I hope you can pardon me for that.'"

Dislikes: criticism, plans, being predictable, people who don't join in her fun, thinking about her past, sadness, loneliness, not knowing things.

Something surprising: She's a compulsive liar and a kleptomaniac. Whoops.  

What she does for a living: Finds people. She's sort of like a bounty hunter--er, private detective.

What I love about her: She's quick to admit some of her own faults and ask for forgiveness. But if somebody else points out something wrong with her, that's it. She's done. But at least she realizes she has some problems. 

What I don't like about her: She helps people and tries her best to help them and meet them where they're at, sure, but she is sort of rude sometimes. It's all to help people grow, but if somebody makes a mistake or needs help with something, she often will ignore them and leave them to solve the problem on their own. It helps Lev grow, but it drives me nuts!

Does Zora have everybody's best interests in mind? Is she using everybody for self gain? What will become of Zora and Lev's spiderweb fragile friendship? 

If you want to know more about Zora, you can begin reading Intention Man on my Wattpad (waterandpen) and read about up to chapter 12 (Undead) to get to her shining spotlight. 

disclaimer: all photos in today's post were found on Pinterest and are not my own.

10 Wordsmiths of Music

Oh my goose do I love music. Oh my goose do I love words. When these two loves of mine are carefully, skillfully entwined to create songs...I fall in love again and again. 

As a writer, I appreciate lyrics that make me think, that make me feel, that make me hope and dance and cry and laugh. 

Words have power, and when they're combined with music...it makes them all the more powerful.

Also, I'm giving you ten new artists to listen to and utilize for story/character playlists, so... 

Here are some of the wordsmiths of music that I listen to regularly:

1. Beautiful Eulogy

Wow, so when I was introduced to this group, I fell in love. Their music is so full of unique sounds and words that inspire such imagery and help me think about and understand God in ways I never have. Their music refreshes me, encourages me, and makes my limbs spazz in this thing that should be called "dancing".

Favorite: Lofty

2. Matthew Mole

This guy knows how to write. Shoot. His words are beautiful and refreshing. They carry a special lightweight depth that I go back to again and again--especially when writing. 

Favorite: Infinite Land

3. Sarah Sparks

Okay so this girl has a beautiful, pure voice that's so unique. And her album Into the Lantern Waste is based off of Narnia. She has songs for different characters and wow. Wow. It's a work of art that speaks into my life. 

Favorite: The Traveler

4. Jon Foreman

AKA lead singer guy of Switchfoot. But he has his own music. And it is so touching. The themes in his personal music tend to have starker messages about God and Christ and I relate to so much. 

Favorite: Run Free

5. The Arcadian Wild

It's been a while since I've listened to them, but they have a special, sweet sound that I adore. Their music is simultaneously deep and fun. Sort of more of a folky style. 

Favorite: If You're the Coffee

6. Brooke Fraser

First off, she's from New Zealand. My dream is to go to that island and hike it in a cloak and elf ears. Second, her music is so different. It's distinctly Brooke. She explores different topics in an intriguing way that I can't help but listen to more. 

Favorite: I really like The Dead Don't Dance. 

7. NF

Oh feathers. Dude. This guy. He doesn't hide his brokenness. But he doesn't deny that he is in need of a Savior. And somehow I relate to a lot of his music. It hits me hard.

Favorites: Mansion and Paralyzed

8. Josh Garrels

Pretty sure his music has made me cry. 

Favorite: Anchor (which is also done with Beautiful Eulogy, so...)

9. Strahan

Basically he sings about God and the Bible and stuff in such a beautiful way. 

Favorite: Help Me Believe

10 . Jonathan Thulin

I love his album Science Fiction. It's so different and keeps me hooked. I especially like it for story playlist inspiration.

Favorite: Mockingbird


I hope you enjoyed my first installment of Tuesday posts. (a lot of people do Top Ten Tuesday...I need to think of a new name ;)
Who are some of your favorite wordsmiths of music?