Steven, yes I try to loosley base my personas upon actual people. I prefer to mix several together because I just don't feel right trying to portray a real person as I always fear that I will somehow dishonor them. I have irritated enough people in my life, no need to stir up ghosts too.
Generally what I try to do is take two to three people and base a persoan upon them.
Seth is a new creation, based very loosely upon a Private of the 4th Mn and a Private of the 3rd Wisconsin... Ironically one a Norwegion and the other 100% American. Though I have only limited knowledge of the Norwegion immigrant experiance I am most fascinated by it. Seth is mostly fiction w/ enough real thrown in to make him accurate.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
I can't tell you how happy I am that you've decided to join this thread, and whom ever you decide to portray, there will be enough Rebel spirit for all of us...or perhaps you're even considering a Northern adventuress?!
My character is fictional and I'm still working on her personna, but I have to commend Shane again for creating this thread and adding another element of fun to CWTalk.
I hope all are enjoying this thread idea and its results.
I appreciate everyones input and hope this idea will flower out and only improve.
(Message edited by johan_steele on November 05, 2004)
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
I would be interested in participating by submitting the persona of a young man who is the main character in a book I have been writing for too many years now. I may be able to aquire some new ideas, and it sounds like a lot of fun.
Well, from reading what everyone else is doing, I certainly would NEVER do anything to dishonor any real life persona that I would portray, but I thought it would be so much fun to write letters in the style of Rose or Emma Sansom. However, if everyone else is doing a fictional character I can do that too. I believe I have as much imagination as anyone here, at least I hope so.
If it's alright with the group I would like to try writing a bit on one or the other of these ladies first and then if that doesn't develop I will attempt a lady who is either a spy or has transformed herself into a soldier.
Give me a while to think this through, but if everyone thinks it would be better to start out with a fictional character, please advise so that I can start thinking along those lines instead.
And Dawna, yes, I think Shane's idea is a good one and we should all have some fun with this. Ed Carnegie, if you're out there lurking, this would such fun if you'd participate too! And I haven't forgotten you, Bill Doherty or Mr. Torrens. And Katharine! Get in on this, along with Sockknitter.. this could be a hoot!
__________________ Thea
No one has permission to use any material from any of my posts on any CWT forum, the archives, or any other forum without my express written permission.
I'm going to go ahead and create a thread for all info on the Personas, I will post the worksheet. Remember it's only a rough outline so feel free to flesh it out so that whoever opts to reply to your letters has information to work from.
Steven, Keith, Rick, Dawna, Thea, possibly Margaret and Myself are the current members who have expressed interest in this enteprise.
When you have your first letter ready go ahead and start a thread; title it CWT Serial: enter appropriate names. I'm working on getting this project a folder all of its own to keep the threads from getting lost and will also try to put all of the letter writing threads in there.
I at one time had an article on the "proper" method of writing a Victorian age letter. But having read quite a few... most writers seemed to follow their own method and way of writing.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Clothing & Style Preferred: Simple day dresses, jackets in dupioni silk, evening dresses in organdy, velvet, dupioni silk
Hairstyle: Daytime: Bun with snood, Evening: Longer, looser curls, hair ribbons/clips
Hair Colour: Dark brown
Eye Colour: Green
Ethnic Origins: Father: American on father's side, descendants of "long hunters," Mother - British
Native Language: English, fluent in French
Literate: Yes
Educational Level: Private tutor - studied English Literature, French, History, Art - accomplised pianist, influential in the opening of the Baptist Female Seminary in 1861
Political Leanings: Kentucky Neutral, refuses to divulge political interests or views on war
Religion: Pre War: Baptist
Present: Conveniently agnostic
Husband: Presbyterian - clashed with fierce Union supporter/minister Rev. Robert J. Breckenridge
Profession: Pre War - Educated Wife
Present - Prostitute in Chattanooga brothel
Personality: Pre War - Spirited
Present: Jaded, suspicious
Who is Most Valued: Grandmother in England, close friend in brothel
What is most valued: Honesty
Most valued possession: Books, tattered copy of Sonnet 29
What is felt about most people: Pre War - Capable of great works
Present - Capable of grievous wrongs
Loves: Still harbours feelings for the husband who abandoned her
Early background: moderately wealthy gentleman farmers
Family: No siblings, elderly grandmother in England
Mother: Died when M. was 10
Father: Accidental death in 1861
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Linear Mode
