Leila was born in Lakeside Heights, Michigan, to a well-established couple, Nate and Callie Meyer. Her father was an attorney and her mother was a scientist. She grew up with one older brother, Dalton, though they never had much in common. Her parents remain married to this day, but they struggled through affairs on both ends, and had many tumultuous rough patches throughout Leila's youth.
Leila was a spirited, precocious, and defiant girl, but always very smart. She kept top grades through her high school career, and excelled in athletics as well. It was fully assumed that she would attend university, and she was even eligible for scholarships, but instead, she opted out at the last minute to marry her first love, Matthew Watts. The sudden marriage was a source of conflict between Leila and her family, which they have never really gotten over.
Leila married Matt the summer after she graduated high school, and she moved to Bluewater Township to live with him on his family's farm. Leila's parents moved to Seattle, and her brother lives in California.
character tag: leila
name means: black, night or dark beauty (Arabic)
birthdate: November 5, 2055
age: adult - 28 as of November 2083
zodiac: scorpio
MBTI: ISFJ - the nurturer
character traits: flirty, loving, logical, passionate, spirited
appearance:
- height: 5'6"
- hair: long, medium brown
- eyes: dark brown
- body: curvy and strong
- dress: mommy-chic, accentuates her curves, no heels, little makeup
- distinguishing features: gap between her front teeth, never been pierced
romantic history:
- first kiss: Matt Watts, at age 16
- V-card goes to: Matt Watts, at age 16
- notable relationships: Matt Watts (age 16-present, they married when she was 18), Corbin Gray (age 28, almost 1 year, an intense (romantic?) friendship that she ended (kind of?) to reflect on the state of her marriage).
- number of partners: 1
romantic present:
- currently married: Matt Watts, summer of 2073, 10 years
- love: Corbin Gray, 1 year
family:
- parents: Nate and Callie Meyer
- siblings: Dalton Meyer
- children: Felicity, Hunter, and Flint Watts
- BFF: Charlotte Gallagher
lifestyle:
- TS2 aspiration: family/romance
- hobbies: reading, journaling, practicing yoga, sewing
- job: co-owner/manager, Pies 'n Potholders
- education: high school graduate (top grades), otherwise self-educated
- drugs?: caffeine occasionally, seldom drinks
- sex?: she's spontaneous and surprising, and likes her lovemaking to be full of heart
- god?: used to believe. But she doesn't know what she believes anymore.
- her parents?: she wishes she could say or do some things differently. They're probably not as wrong as she once thought.
loves: sleeping children // losing time in an intense conversation // creating something beautiful and simultaneously useful // yoga // her own handwriting on paper // reading a story she can feel // sweat on a strong body // making love outside // dancing in the rain // making a man blush // kisses on the forehead // cuddles in the winter // fresh fruit in the summer
hates: fighting // when her kids get sick // plucking her eyebrows // the things she can't take back // making choices // making mistakes
theme song: "Winter" by Tori Amos
(click for full size)
1. name: Leila
2. grew up: near the shores of Lake Michigan
3. favorite food: watermelon
4. favorite color: muted pink
5. favorite weather: clear sky and fluffy clouds
6. favorite drink: iced tea
7. currently reading: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, fourth time through
8. most important job: mommy
9. if she had one wish: to live without regrets
10. thing she loves most in the world: sleeping babies
11. one word to describe her: heart
12. something else: she had the best intentions
This is the best bio/profile I have ever read. In this, as in so much, you are an inspiration! And I might borrow some of the format...
ReplyDeleteLovely, evocative mosaic and wistful lovely character
This is absolutely beautiful, perfect and complete. I had been slowly compiling a list of theme songs and adding it here was inspired.
ReplyDeleteLeila's thread is one I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Awww, thank you! The mosaic really completes the profile, so thank you both for that! :)
ReplyDeleteBeth, lol, there must be better ones than this out there! But thank you! Wistful is a good word for Leila!
Please, borrow away!
Gayl, thank you! I can hardly manage to write at all without my music, it's always been such an essential part of my process. I love the way you guys incorporate music into your work as well! :)
I love this idea. It definitely gives a better idea and feel for the character, especially given the fact that I'm ready up on her. I'm with S.B. - I might use this too. I'm slowly working on character profiles myself.
ReplyDeleteOh, "winter", how nostelgic..
ReplyDeleteI had mistakenly thought that Leila would be INFP or INFJ with her head buried in the books lol
Choco, feel free! We're all about sharing ideas around here! :)
ReplyDeletelepifera, I know, doesn't that song bring back memories! lol! That whole album was just about the soundtrack of my late teenage years! *sigh* :)
You know, she could be borderline J/P, but I think she's definitely an S type, with all that very well structured decision-making she does, lol! But I really think the ISFJ profile as a whole really fits her well.
I love this, Laura! I love the little details (and hey, I hate plucking my eyebrows too, lol) - you've thought of everything. It really does give a great feel for Leila as a character.
ReplyDeleteThe mosaic is wonderful. It seems so very Leila, even without reading the explanations for the pictures at the bottom.
Aw, darn you, Laura! This was amazing. So many details, things I wouldn't think about, but not a one of them surprised me because they're all there in the text. This is sort of an interesting study not just for the character, but of your writing style and the way the character chines through the story. It's like how you get to know a person online through chatting with them over time.
ReplyDeleteCarla, thank you! These are a lot of fun to do! (Too much fun, lol!) I'm glad it suits her! :)
ReplyDeleteLunar, oh, thank you! That's awesome that all the details feel so well tied to the stories! :) It's true, you really do get to know them like people, little by little. That's how these long serial stories end up being so engrossing (for their authors too!) I suppose.