Wow, I love these sketches! The girls all look really close to how I imagined them, too. I saw David as more hard, street-smart, and darker. He looks too preppy to me in this one. Maybe a different hair style would make a difference. The Pritchards are awesome with their eerie pale eyes. And I really like Anna's 'Little Red Riding Hood' outfit, too.
As to the writing points:
- Combat/duelling. I am not one of those people who expect extreme logistical realism from fight scenes. If it sounds pretty plausible, I'll accept it. People who nitpick that kind of thing too closely are honestly just looking for something to complain about. I also think that as a culture we are strongly affected by Hollywood, which has defied the laws of physics so often we're surprised to see them at work when they do come into play. But as you say, in the end it has to work within the story, and the result is what's important. Has this scene accomplished what it was supposed to? (Defeated the bad guys, dealt a blow to Alexandra's ego, questioned so-and-so's loyalty?)
- Lists of spells. This is a really good thing to watch out for, and it must be harder and harder, the more words you've got behind you. And I'd think even more so if you are inventing spells that weren't in the original books. On the other hand, Alexandra (and all the other characters) are not super-human, and under pressure, they may forget they knew a certain spell, or may not have thought of applying it under those circumstances. So that's an 'out' as well. I mean, even Hermione had her moment of hand-wringing when confronted with the Devil's Snare.
no subject
As to the writing points:
- Combat/duelling. I am not one of those people who expect extreme logistical realism from fight scenes. If it sounds pretty plausible, I'll accept it. People who nitpick that kind of thing too closely are honestly just looking for something to complain about. I also think that as a culture we are strongly affected by Hollywood, which has defied the laws of physics so often we're surprised to see them at work when they do come into play. But as you say, in the end it has to work within the story, and the result is what's important. Has this scene accomplished what it was supposed to? (Defeated the bad guys, dealt a blow to Alexandra's ego, questioned so-and-so's loyalty?)
- Lists of spells. This is a really good thing to watch out for, and it must be harder and harder, the more words you've got behind you. And I'd think even more so if you are inventing spells that weren't in the original books. On the other hand, Alexandra (and all the other characters) are not super-human, and under pressure, they may forget they knew a certain spell, or may not have thought of applying it under those circumstances. So that's an 'out' as well. I mean, even Hermione had her moment of hand-wringing when confronted with the Devil's Snare.