In preparation for NaNoWriMo again this year, I've put together some brief character sketches of the main players in the story. I'm very excited about the themes this book is going to address and the relationships that are discovered and developed throughout the book. I hope to make it sound, in style, a bit like a modern fairy tale, but with a real-world edge. But I'll be happy if I just make it to 50k. In any case, if you're interested in my writing and would like some info on my characters, have a look.

	Bianca Vitale: Bianca, the main character (aka vita_bianca), was adopted at age three by Michael and Karen Vitale. Karen Vitale died before Bianca's fifth birthday of ovarian cancer. She grew up with her father, who doted on her, and had many friends in school. She was a bit of a 'princess', though worked hard for her good grades and recommendations for school. She currently attends Kinsington Queen's College and is studying fashion design and production. She constantly smells of vanilla.
	Marisol Archibald: Bianca's best girl at university and her current roommate. Marisol is bubbly, fun, and a former cheerleader. She keeps Bianca's angst in check and is one person Bianca really feels girly with.
	Michael Vitale: Bianca's father, married his wife Karen, very young, but they were unable to have children for many years. Finally, they decided to adopt and when they were introduced to Bianca, fell in love with the wide-eyed three-year-old instantaneously. Michael is a banker and works many hours, but never missed any school play, production, or important event in Bianca's life. After his wife died, he never remarried. He had a few relationships, but mostly threw himself into his work and spent his free time with his daughter.
	Declan Graham: Bianca's "friend with benefits" whom she becomes aggravated with and stops calling in favour of spending more time on her studies and with her other friends, and, eventually, with Jared. Declan is a bit gruff, like Bianca's father, but gives her attention of a sexual nature, which she appreciates, until she decides that affection is much better than sex.
	Faith Hoppe: A good friend of Bianca's from school, who has just returned from a two-year English-teaching stint in Croatia. Once returned, Faith finds a job teaching immigrant adults English in Kinsington. She reconnects with Bianca after they have a run-in at the local corner deli.
	Vaughn Brooklyn: Faith's boyfriend, whom she met while in Croatia. Brooklyn, originally from New Zealand, was backpacking through Europe and decided to take a job in an English-speaking restaurant, where he met Faith. He immediately fell in love with her and decided to stay on for another few months and then return with her to the UK. Once in the UK, Brooklyn joins a football league, where he becomes friends with Jared.
	Jared Viner: A local barkeep and musician, Jared also plays football with Brooklyn, and meets Bianca at their team's New Year's Eve party. Aside from his good looks and talent on the field, Jared's music is what makes him attractive to anyone he comes in contact with. Jared's family is extremely important to him and he's very close with his younger brother, Jasper. After a midnight kiss with Bianca, Jared finds himself head over heels for her.
	Jasper Viner: Jared's younger brother, who is a culinary student at Queen's College with a keen business sense. Aside from being his brother's stage manager, Jared would like to open his own restaurant someday.
	Gemma Lawson: Jasper's high school sweetheart girlfriend, a journalism and English major at Queen's, and a bubbly, social young thing. She's just turned 18 when Bianca meets her. She is animated and sweet and talks with her hands a lot.
	Giada (De Luna) Lawson: Gemma's step-mother, a Human Resources analyst, and not-your-typical trophy wife. A yoga/palates fanatic, health food guru, and very stylish dresser.