Ian Cameron character sketch

Name: Ian Cameron1

Age: 17 at start of story and about 20 by the end.2

Ian Cameron is the protagonist in a supernatural thriller. Ian is a young man from Sydney, Nova Scotia during the late 1800’s. Ian was adopted at the age of six by Arthur Cameron. His parents died when he was young and his aunt took care of him until she persuaded Arthur to adopt him, believing that Ian was meant for a life as a blacksmith rather than a Mi’kmaq hunter. Ian loves his adopted family and is becoming a skilled blacksmith; however he sometimes has a feeling that he is not quite the same as everyone else. There is a good reason for this feeling, because Ian also has a supernatural talent. During the course of the story he discovers his gift, meets others who are like him, and learns to use his skills. He is able to see and sometimes communicate with ghosts.3

When he is working he is confident, but he can be intimated by interactions with anyone outside his immediate family. Ian must overcome a lack of self-confidence so he can learn to accept and use his powers, rescue Arthur from kidnappers (the antagonists), and, of course, get the girl.4

Supporting characters include Ian’s aunt, Arthur Cameron, Arthur’s daughters, and their housekeeper. Arthur has two daughters; Violet is ‘the girl’ and her younger sister, Caroline is Ian’s strongest supporter and a fellow adventurer. Other characters include: Evans, Alexander, and Connor. Evans and Alexander are teachers and helpers. Connor is a helping character who provides tension because he and Ian compete for Violet’s attentions.5

Here is some of the opening chapter – Sisterly Love6

The door to the kitchen was opened enough that Ian could hear the conversation within. What he heard made him quite nervous about entering. He was supposed to deliver a package of rabbit meat so it could be used in the evening’s meal. However making the delivery would put him in the middle of the argument simmering inside.7

It was beyond his comprehension how two people who loved each other so much could have such terrible fights. He had known the Cameron sisters for many years. He had grown up with them. He had been adopted into their family. But it was still a mystery to him. Their father was such a mild tempered man.8

He sighed and ran one hand through his short dark hair.9

Brace yourself now, he thought, you can stand the heat of the forge, you are a smith. This should not frighten you.10

He stepped into the Cameron household.11

Caroline, who was the younger sister, looked up from her work. She was giving the good silver an extra polish. They were having a special guest to dinner that night, so everything had to be just right.12

Caroline grinned and waved a half-polished knife, “Violet, look who is here. He’s got the rabbits. You really should just wait until Nessie gets back. You are going to spoil it.”13

Violet Cameron was chopping vegetables. She smiled at Ian, “Ian! How nice to see you. Thank-you.”14

She looked at her sister, “Leave me alone. Stew is simple. I have made it before.”15

Caroline grimaced at the memory, but then laughed, “Ian…I still cannot get used to it. Why did you have to go and change it? I liked your Mi’kimaq name better. And you cut your hair all off. It just doesn’t seem right.”16

“Ian is a perfectly lovely name. I think that the hair quite suits him.”17

Violet smiled at Ian again and he felt his cheeks flush a little.18

Caroline snorted, “Perfectly lovely? Perfectly boring. It is just another version of the most common name anywhere.”19

“Caroline!”20

Before they could start arguing on this new topic, Ian decided to say something, “I chose it and I am happy with it.”21

Violet shot her sister an ‘I told you so’ look.22

They both had brown hair and brown eyes with some green in them. Ian thought that by any standards they would both be considered fine looking once they were full grown women. Violet was the fairer of the two, with a bit more red in her curly hair. She was sixteen, just one year younger than Ian.23

Lately, Ian was spending a lot more time dwelling on the curve of her cheek, the texture of her hair, and her soft-looking skin than he probably should be. Sometimes it made it hard to be in her company, although he found that he was happiest there.24

Caroline had noticed his new habit of staring at Violet and stumbling for words when in her presence. It was a source of great amusement for her.25

At twelve she was almost as tall as her sister and was as wiry as Violet was curved. She had darker hair that defied any attempt to add curl. While Violet had been well on her way to being a full grown woman when she had been twelve, Caroline was still interested in things that got one dirty and into trouble.26