“To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately. All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.”
– Michel de Montaigne
It’s been a while since I’ve done an introductory blog about my characters. I’ve introduced Grace Nakamura and Matt Harris, so now it’s time for another crucial character: Grace’s younger sister, Elizabeth.
If you read my previous blog about Grace, then you’ll already know this, but for those that haven’t: Elizabeth dies before the novel begins. Although you may not be sure how, Elizabeth is a strong character throughout my novel. She is the reason behind Grace’s purpose and she is the driving force that keeps Grace fighting.
Elizabeth died approximately 6 months after war broke out. She and Grace were incredibly close, despite a large age gap. Grace saw herself as responsible for Elizabeth, and she took her sister’s death hard.
This suffering for Grace was a turning point in her post-apocalyptic life. She suffered greatly with her sister’s death and spends a long time blaming herself. She seeks to honour her sisters name and use her life to remember her little sister.
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through the experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
– Helen Keller
Because of Elizabeth’s death, Grace’s will is strengthened, and she fights for a better world. Although Elizabeth isn’t tangibly within the novel, she is often referenced and seen within dreams and flashbacks throughout the novel.
Elizabeth was a bright and vibrant little girl. She was always energetic and happy. She looked up to her big sister and aspired to be just like her. After the war broke out, she continued to have an optimistic look on life and encouraged her sister to keep going for them both.
Even after death, Grace remembers Elizabeth’s strength and positivity and uses these traits to continue to try to succeed. She wants Elizabeth’s dreams to come true and tries not to fall into negativity, purely to honour her sister.
I love being able to posthumously write Elizabeth into the novel. She is such a positive and bubbly person, even in the face of adversity, so it’s fun to write her character and bring her into the world, even if she can’t physically be there.
I can’t wait for you all to meet her within my novel, once it’s complete!
Emilie Turner 