It’s been a year since A Hero’s Curse made its debut and twelve-year-old Essie Brightsday stepped out from between the pages. To mark the anniversary, I sat down with her to talk about what she thought of being brought to life, where she saw herself in five years, and what it was like having a talking cat.
She laughs at the last question and tucks a stray bit of brown hair behind the red cloudsilk bandana that’s over her eyes.
E: Well, having a talking cat sounds great, but that’s just because you haven’t been lectured by one.
P.S.: That’s not true. I think cats lecture, whether they speak Lingua Comma or not. It’s just what they do. A lot of readers want to know more about your blindness, about how you interact with it on a daily basis.
E: It’s not really something I think about, you know? I mean, I have two arms, two legs, a nose and ears that work, and eyes that don’t. It’s not like I don’t want to see, but it’s not what I’m thinking about when I get up in the morning. I’m thinking about breakfast, and what I’m going to wear, and what I’m going to do.
P.S.: Like get into something with Tig.
E: More like tweak his tail. I have to remind him who’s b
oss. *Laughs*
P.S.: So where do you see yourself in five years?
E: Ha! I probably won’t be seeing myself anywhere!
P.S.: *Face palms* Sorry. I didn’t even think of how I worded that.
E: Don’t worry about it. I’m joking with you. But really, that’s such a strange question to even think about! I don’t know. I guess I’ve always wanted to visit the capitol of Plen. There’s an academy there that anybody who wants to be a protector or champion attends. A lot of them eventually join the hero class.
P.S.: And that’s where you want to be?
E: I think so, but only if they take Tig too. *Laughs* I’d like to be more involved in the kingdom’s political structure. I might even try for a leadership position someday. Something that would let me help people and make a difference.
P.S.: Heavy stuff.
E: *Shrugs* I think there’s something in me that says I can’t make a difference, because of who I am, or where I grew up, or what I don’t have. I want to prove that part of me wrong.
What questions would you like to pitch to Essie? Or what other characters would you love to interview? And it doesn’t have to be exclusive to A Hero’s Curse! Comment below or share your own interview! And while you’re at it, check out the interviews from Patricia Reding and Robin Lythgoe ~ because character exclusives are always fun.
Patricia Reding
Author of Oathtaker
This is Patricia Reding, coming to you with A Drift of Quills, and on behalf of Scripta Manent Publishing, where “Written Words Remain.” Today I bring you my long anticipated interview with the renowned Lucy Haven of The Oathtaker Series. Lucy, as many of you know, is the oldest living person known in Oosa, having survived the deaths of her two former charges. Of course, she has enjoyed the gift of “continued youth” since she first swore to protect a seventh-born of the Select, and will continue to do so for the remainder of her days.
I caught up with Lucy on her way out of sanctuary here, in the City of Light, following a Council hearing that the twins, Reigna and Eden, arranged after their return from The Tearless. (That is, following the end of Select: The Oathtaker Series, Volume Two). We’re standing outside the residence hall on sanctuary grounds. I must say, the Oathtakers in the city are all aflutter with news that the twins have been tested and have found Ehyeh’s favor! So, without further ado, here is Lucy Haven . . .
Be sure to catch the rest of the character exclusive on Patricia’s blog!
Robin Lythgoe
Author of As the Crow Flies
Let me introduce you to our guest, Bairith Mindar, a principle character in my book Blood and Shadow. He is a nobleman by fate, by birth, and by strength of character. His slight build, angular features, and graceful manner suggest elvish descent. One does not ask such things in polite society. Not straight out…
Bairith confesses that he is a mage, though when asked what spheres he can manipulate he deflects the question with a smile and an elegant gesture…
You can read the rest of Robin’s character interview with Bairith here!
Good stuff! I love Essie’s sense of humor!
Pingback: A Drift of Quills: The 5-Year Plan (A Question for Our Characters)