Guess That Character Blogfest: The Reveal

Day two of Guess That Character Blogfest. Brought to you by Jen at unedited. Thanks Jen, it has been a blast!!!!!!

And now may I introduce to all, Wyatt Paxton...

Wyatt is in his mid to late 30's. He has dark deep eyes he often quints. Eyes that speak wistful thoughts or shoot out commands. Dark brow and brown hair he keeps close cut to his head. Military grooming but not man-scaped. Has stubble later in story.

He is fit and lean with broad shoulders. Long limbs. Broad calloused hands and long fingers. Just under 6 ft. but appears taller due to his carriage. He moves like a cat on calm days and a fast moving freight when in action. He does wear a uniform well, but often opts to go plain clothed on duty as Sheriff. Henley pull-overs over wife beaters or button downs over T's, uniform pants or jeans. Utility type outdoors jackets in neutral or dark shades and tough outdoors man boots.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wyatt Paxton is the visual amalgam of a boy I knew in High School, military men and characters I have found impressive and the two men below (the closest I can come without drawing a picture)...

Pissed Wyatt.
Friendly Wyatt.


I loved Tim Olyphants eyes, set of his jaw and the easy way he moves around. He can look sort of harsh often but then gives those warm smiles. And Adrian Brody (circa 'Preditors') I saw the professional in my character. The man of cool calculating action and the hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As for Wyatt's personality...

He was a physically abused child pushed too far. He became "Mr. Responsible" when he was given a better home. He left his small town after high school to join the Marines (Sniper). He wanted to prove he was better than his old man...

Wyatt is a quiet man. He is loyal and smart, but he gets dense when he's being stubborn. He smiles on rare occasion, but they are worth waiting for. His wit is a bit dry. He has a long fuse but it's a fierce blow when it gets there.

He is not concerned with his own safety but always concerned about everyone around him. He is his towns Sheriff, protector, unofficial leader and the guy next door that the young ladies wink at (he rarely notices), children wish to emulate, old ladies smack on the arm and men respect with little question. He is capable of great kindness, but he is very capable of great harm to anyone doing wrong to his friends or his town. He uses his military training sparingly and prudently.

Wyatt can stand very very still. Something he learned as a sniper. He radiates a cool calm that calms others around him. He is a quiet watcher of men and situations. He likes to keep control. Even though he is well mannered, his logical side can come off gruff. His gruff side often offends but he does not care--not really. Not if its for the greater good.

He is quiet about what personal life he does have and his own wishes. He ignores his own needs because he feels undeserving. Because deep down he feels like the boy his father called 'a do nothing' and 'useless'. His greatest fault (aside from his stubborn streak), is holding onto the past. Because in the end he is the 'Good Guy' who doesn't see himself as a good man. Or at least no yet. That is where I come in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks to all of you who stopped by and giving me a look into how others see Wyatt. All but a few of you were close or on the mark with Wyatt's character. I am happy for that.

I think all of us bring with us and take away from a character and a story different things. I love that about fiction and the imagination. We as writers can envision our own characters, write them as we envision them, but in the end it's the readers who 'sees' them. Once we begin to read, the characters face becomes a personal thing. As we write, we can only hope the 'character' of the character becomes a universal thing.

Have a great weekend all!