Blogging Interview

Meet My Main Character

It's been awhile since I've blogged (well really since I've been doing anything other than editing Red) but when you get tagged to write an interview on your main character? You do not refuse. Even though I am knee deep in the dump pile of editing Red I still love to talk about my main character because, to me, she is a part of everyone's past that they just didn't realize. That's why I love fairytale retellings. 

So, without further ado (and babbling) the interview:

1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or historical? 

           My main character's name is Scarlett Perdu, or as everyone else knows her Red. She's a unique blend of both historical and fictional. I have taken a fairly well known story, Little Red Riding Hood, and given the main character a voice and a rather realistic background. That is until the magic starts. The story that everyone knows and loves was written in 1697 in France. It has been speculated that Red Riding Hood was an actual person, even though the story was exaggerated. I guess it all depends on whether or not you believe fairy tales were ever based on real people.

2) When and Where is the story set? 

          My story begins in 1697, France however, that's only to give the true background on the story. The real adventure begins in Fall of the current time in Snoqualmie, WA. The spanning hills and deep set forests of Washington State make the perfect setting for wolves, witches, gods and things I know you haven't yet heard of. The first book in this series is set mostly on the outskirts of any major cities and is in a very small radius of area. But, who knows maybe in the future they'll go back to where it all started...

3) What should we know about her?

       Red is a tough cookie. She's working through accepting who she has become (which is something she absolutely hates). She can be very sweet but also abrupt and hard to deal with. Red is stuck in a place of staying who she's always been (because she thinks that's who she is) and really becoming who she's supposed to be. She is sarcastic and has a tendency to think badly of herself, and she doesn't like other people to be a target of her mistakes. Despite all the magical elements of the story, Red's journey on figuring out who she is and if her past really defines who she can be in the future is the real focus. The question of whether your mistakes make you an evil person is asked quite frequently and may even be answered in the end.

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

       Her death, originally, is what starts the whole mess but the true conflict I'm focusing on is when other people think you're more worthy than you yourself think and how you handle it. When Felan comes into the picture and gives Red something to focus on other than herself, it becomes a choice of choosing the better options. Can you change who you think you are to become something better? Despite what's happened to you or what you have done to deserve it? When life becomes bigger than just Red and her family she's faced with the tough decisions she's been running from ever since she died the first time.

5) What is the personal goal of the character?

     This is a hard question because it almost causes me to give too much away. But essentially Red wants to become good again. She wants to be rid of the curse and no longer be inhuman. She wants a second chance at life, which is doesn't think is possible in her current state. She is a definite believer in 'the grass is always greener' scenario. And I'm hoping she finds what she's looking for. 8)

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it? 

  

     The title of book #1 is: Red: Guarding the Vila Series. The best way to keep up with the series is here on G+. I try to keep everyone updated and I'm going to start blogging more about it's release after the editing phase is done!

7) When can we expect the book to be published?

      I am shooting for Fall of 2014. My timeline has it set for November, but I'm working my butt off to get it out sooner. It all depends on funding and editing. But no matter what it'll be no later than November! 

Hope you all enjoyed a little delve into Red. She wasn't the biggest fan but hey, sometimes you've got to do a little bad to create the best.