This is Day 7 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. NOTE THIS CHANGE: I started announcing winners at the end of each week, but that became tedious, so I’ll announce future winners toward the end of the Reveal. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.
To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to previous posts if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.
Meet Marcus
With Marcus, I was back to writing the teen boy character I love to conjure up. I guess my favorite boys in any story, but especially in the young adult category, are the messed-up, bad ones. Marcus is the kind of kid destined for trouble, and my guess is he’ll be in and out of prison his entire life unless something happens to change the way he looks at life.
Here’s the first time you’ll meet him the book.
“She spotted Marcus, his skateboard leaning against the park bench, and charged across the wet grass toward him. He smiled up at her. When they first met, she’d expected an enforcer type with nose rings and bulging muscles. Now the way he looked felt like a rasp against her skin. It still bothered her that he was so young, so fresh. Maybe seventeen. Plump. A sweet-faced, evil cherub.”
Quiz: Here are names of three “bad boy” characters in young adult literature. One isn’t really a character in a book. Which one?
A. Ronan Lynch
B. Whit Moreland
C. Damon Salvatore
J Lenni Dorner says
Raven Boys and Vampire Diaries are both YA.
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/24641464 That book is almost unheard of and not YA.
So I’ll say B.
Oh good, you wrote a character about me. 😉
Okay, I wasn’t actually the bad boy people assumed me to be. On the other hand, from an outsider pov, I was rebellious and always in trouble. I was suspended for getting robbed, came back, got detention for something that happened while I had been suspended and therefore couldn’t possibly have done. 🤷🏽♂️
C. Lee McKenzie says
The injustice of it all! That had to have rankled, but it seems you surmounted the wrong and moved ahead. I’ve always admired the rebellious ones. They’re the most interesting. If you’d been my student, I might have encouraged more of that “bad” behavior.
Sandra says
Going with A.
Michael Di Gesu says
An interesting twist on this bad boy… evil cherub… love it! LOL I am thinking, B
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Michael. I like the bad boys, but know they cause no end of trouble. 🙂
Alexa says
I think B?
“A sweet-faced, evil cherub”… Oooh, already intrigued!
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
C. Lee McKenzie says
I hope you don’t know any of these. They are bad news.
Sherry says
What is it about ‘bad boys” that is so attractive?
C. Lee McKenzie says
I wish I knew. That would have save me so much pain.
Hilary Melton-Butcher says
Hi Lee – I certainly didn’t know this ‘evil cherub’ … your pic of ‘Marcus’ shows a delightful looking kid – sad he’s going to turn into a nasty piece of work.
As Deniz says a fun way to blog your book and ideas … cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
I can’t believe I made a challenging question. I’m so excited!
H. R. Sinclair says
On this one, I’m at a loss. No idea. (
C. Lee McKenzie says
And here I thought I couldn’t write a challenging question. Thank goodness I haven’t lost all of my teacher edges. 🙂
Jeff says
I’m surprised that my name is not on the list… maybe you should add a “D”
C. Lee McKenzie says
Really? A bad boy? You must tell us some of your stories, Jeff.
Deniz says
Oh dear, I don’t recognise the names… This is a great idea for a blog series!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Glad you like it. It has been fun doing this. Thanks for stopping in.
Liz A. says
I recognize C, but not A or B, so I’ll go with B.
He sounds a little like the kiddos I’m currently teaching. Ah, the joys of an alternative education center.
C. Lee McKenzie says
That doesn’t sound good, Liz. You have a challenging job!
Natalie Aguirre says
I’ll go with Whit Moreland. And yes, I see you liking bad boys.
C. Lee McKenzie says
My mother was always worried, and then quite relieved when I married the great man I did.
Sudweeks, Sheri says
Will he be a vampire too? B
C. Lee McKenzie says
So far I haven’t written a vampire into my stories, but there’s always a first time.
Jemi Fraser says
Evil cherub … I’ve taught a few of those! Love that description.
Apparently I don’t read enough YA because I don’t recognize any of the names! *sigh*
C. Lee McKenzie says
Teachers have all the fun!
Elephants Child says
B.
Sadly for many of us the evil cherubs (great description) ooze charm (which sometimes conceals the danger.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. They can get a hold on people. Must be our attraction to the bad side of people.
Mike Boyd says
B. Whit Moreland
I don’t think I’d hire Marcus as a pet sitter–unless I owned a wolverine.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Have you considered one of those as a pet? That would be exciting–maybe too exciting.
Mike Boyd says
Yeah–that might be too much to handle on a leash. Maybe I should dial it back to an alligator on Valium.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You’ve got plenty of those pre-historic survivors down your way. I’d go with one of them.