As part of a Characters in Costume Challenge, I chose to do the three main characters from Orphan’s Song, book one of the Song of Leira Trilogy. It’s the story of an orphan girl whose song contains far greater power than she ever could have imagined—a power some would give anything to possess. It’s the story of her guardian, a man who wrestles with a shadowed past that refuses to stay in the shadows. It’s the story of a young thief who longs for peace and safety only to find himself on a dangerous mission to steal a priceless treasure. Come and meet the characters …
Birdie is a sweet orphan girl of twelve who lives the life of a servant at the Sylvan Swan Inn. Ever since she can remember, she has heard a mysterious melody that no one else seems to hear. It is beautiful, achingly beautiful, and yet, somehow incomplete—five notes without any resolution. Though others scoff at her “madness,” Birdie cannot help believing that there is something behind the Song, something truer, deeper, more real than anything she can imagine.
This is the sort of outfit Birdie wears—a simple peasant’s dress, sturdy, homespun, made to endure, but well worn, though her dress would be more blue than green. She is small and of a petite build and has blue eyes and long dark hair that hangs down to the middle of her back. Her Guardian
Amos McElhenny is a traveling peddler with a shadowed past, and Birdie’s oldest and dearest friend. He always stops off at the Sylvan Swan when he travels through Hardale to check in on her and make sure that Master Dalton and his wife, Madame, are treating her well. Famous for his love for creative insults and inventive phrases like “Boggswoggle!” and “Flibbersticks and roughnash!” and “Slime-lickin’ scumgullions.”
Even sharper and more deadly than his tongue is his weapon of choice, a long dirk with a carved wooden grip, crowned with a bronze pommel in the shape of a hawk’s head with emerald eyes. A weapon with a past as shadowed and secretive as its owner.
Amos McElhenny is in his forties, of average height and stocky build. He has rather wild red hair, now sprinkled with grey, and wears a fine feathered cap. Replace the leather saddle bags (a little too Old West for a medieval fantasy) with burlap sacks that tie onto his little donkey’s pack saddle and you have a fairly accurate picture.
Ky Huntyr is a street wise thief and a member of the Underground – a group of orphans who have banded together to survive in a city under enemy occupation. He is thirteen and a little short for his age, but of wiry build. Has shaggy blonde hair and brown eyes. Can climb almost anything and knows how to walk “invisibly” through a crowd.
He also likes to walk on rooftops . . .
Ky’s favorite weapon is the sling which he wields with a frightful accuracy. He is familiar with, though less fond of, the sword. Every sword he has ever tried feels dull and lifeless in his hands, unbalanced, as though it responds to a rhythm he has yet to discover.
It is amazing what you can learn about your characters when you actually step into their clothes, and skin, and shoes (or lack there-of), and experience for a few moments what it really means to be Amos, or Ky, or Birdie. Quite fascinating!
Sarah H. says
That is so cool! It is so fun to see characters come to life.
Emileigh says
OMGosh! Great costumes!!! And I love the characters you chose!
Where did you get these costumes? There so good.
Gillian Adams says
Thanks! I had lots of fun with it! :)
I've always enjoyed acting and collecting costumes just for the fun of it, so, naturally, I have quite a stash stored away in the back of my closet. Whenever I need something, I just pull them all out, make a few alterations here and there, and PRESTO, I can become whoever I want to! :)
Mary Ruth Pursselley says
Wow, I LOVE your costumes! You look great, and you definitely get extra points for creativity. You go, girl! ; )
Mine are up on my blog, too, for anyone interested. Here's the link:
http://enterthewriterslair.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-character-costume-challenge.html
Writer4Christ says
I'm gonna do it, I just need to get my sister's permission to use her renaissance dress for it. I've made my own cloak too. I'll probably be one of my characters, named Penny or Pence at the moment.
Charley Robson says
Aaah, i can't do the challenge as i have no available costumes for any of my characters! Sad times. Maybe in the future when I actually have money and things :P
Those costumes though . . . *dies* They're so gorgeous! And so are you! I love your hair. *dies of envy again*
Gillian Adams says
Writer4Christ – Yay! Glad you're doing it! Can't wait to see what you come up with.
Charley – Aw. Sad day! That's the one big downside to trying to find character costumes – they're always so difficult to come by!
Tiffany Jane says
Um so I'm the one couldn't take pictures but I could write the costumes anyway their at: http://wordsarewoven.blogspot.co.nz/
I hope you can imagine them :)
Emileigh says
Alright! I finally got mine posted. This was such a great idea, Gillian! I'm so glad you did it. I really did feel like I got into character. I'm definitely going to have to dress up more. :D And get some impressive costumes like you did.
http://emileightherebuilder.blogspot.com/2012/10/character-costume-challenge.html
Tiffany Jane says
Well in a minute or so, I'm experimenting so you might see some [pics] or might not they're not very good and only half length but they give the idea
Tiffany Jane says
There you can look at the not-terribly-brilliant pictures at: http://wordsarewoven.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/character-costume-challenge.html
Oh and the last one goes to show you don't need fancy costumes :D
Gillian Adams says
Love all of y'all's costumes! And it's super fun reading about all the different characters.
Writer4Christ says
I've gotten a picture but when I got into costume, I found that I looked a lot like Jane Eyre (the hair I guess) so she is who I'll be. Except I have no bonnet, and my hair is actually in a low ponytail but it looks like her hair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aEwFOHv1fU
Writer4Christ says
Oh and unfortunately I probably won't get the pictures up today. :(
Tiffany Jane says
Your costumes are awesome! I honestly thought (at first) there were three different people!
suzannestock.org says
Fantastic job with this, Gillian!
Ysa Rivas says
Showed my brother this and he asked "Who's that??" Just a moment before he said "Whoa. She totally looks like a warrior woman" and then saw the other pictures and demanded that I tell him who they are. ;o P I haven't told him quite yet… and he's asking who it is…… LOL Great job Gillian!
Gillian Adams says
Oh that's so funny! :)