Today we're bringing something different to Writing in the Modern
Age in the form of a character interview. These character interviews, now
and in the future, should prove to be very enlightening for all of us.
We have the pleasure of meeting Jezebel, a character from Seed of Hope.
We'll get a chance to talk to the
author, Fiona Tarr, in a bit, but now we have on the stage...Jezebel!
Interview
Marie Lavender: Hello, Jezebel. Please have a seat.
Character Jezebel: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
Character Jezebel: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
Marie: We're going to start out with some simple questions,
okay?
Jezebel: All right.
Marie: So, what is your occupation? Are you any good at
it? Do you like it?
Jezebel: You are joking, are you not? I am a royal Princess; I have
never worked a day in my life. Everything I have ever wanted and more has been
provided to me. I enjoy the grandeur very much, yet it can be a little tedious
at times. That is when I use my imagination to keep me busy...(Smiles wickedly.)
Marie: All right...(Clears throat.)
What is your
family like?
Jezebel: My family is not really what you
would consider conventional. My mother died many years ago, when I was only a
small child. My father was dead, but now he is not. Strange, is it not?
Marie: Indeed. I am sorry to hear about your mother.
If I may ask, what did your childhood home look like?
Marie: Do you have any hobbies? What do you enjoy
doing?
Jezebel: I enjoy a great many activities.
Most of which involve magic, power and euphoria, usually in that order.
Marie: Okay. So, what is your greatest dream, Jezebel?
Jezebel: There was a time when I wanted to crush the Israeli nation and bring all the people back into slavery for my Pharaoh, but that dream is dust. Now all I dream of is revenge. I will have it, you know!
Marie: Right.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you?
Jezebel: I am exactly as I have always planned to be.
Marie: Let's try something else.
Who was your first love?
Jezebel: (Laughs.) Love...love is a fantasy; desire is real. Who did I first desire? I was born with desire and I could not possibly say who was the first.
Marie: All right.
So, what's the most terrible thing that ever
happened to you, Jezebel?
Jezebel: My mother died and I cannot recall anything about her. Not the color of her hair, her eyes, the sound of her voice, nothing, nothing at all. It is as though she never existed.
Marie: I'm so sorry. That must be extremely hard.
(Pauses.)
Let's try something else, shall we?
(Nods.)
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If
so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream,
why not?
Jezebel: I dreamed of power and I have always achieved great power. Now I dream of revenge and I will have this also. I am very accustomed to getting exactly what I want.
Marie: Okay...so, who is your role model?
Jezebel: Just like every little girl, I idolized my father. I loved him, beyond measure until…until I realized he had betrayed me. He lied to me, deceived me. I have no need of role models; I am done with them all now.
Marie: All right.
Out of curiosity, is there someone you pretend to like but really dislike?
Jezebel: I do not believe I understand this question. (Pauses for a moment.) In some way I pretend to like everyone, as most people are generally dislikable. If you had used the word 'admire', well that would be different. I admire General Martinez; he is strong, powerful, passionate and very loyal…(Smiles.)
Marie: Let's try another question.
Jezebel: Just as my dream, my desire is for revenge. However, I have many desires. Some women, some men…..I guess, in a way, I desire the General….yes, I guess that is desire of sorts.
Marie: So, what is your greatest fear, Jezebel?
Jezebel: I fear nothing. I am a practitioner of magic; I can gain control of almost every man I have ever met and the God Amun is with me. Fear is an unnecessary hindrance.
Marie: I see.
Well, it looks like we're running out of time, Jezebel. Thank you
for visiting us today.
Jezebel: Thank you for inviting me.
Marie: Of course! I wish you
luck with...uh, everything. It was so interesting getting to know you. (Waves at her guest as she heads off the stage.)
Now, let's shift over
and get the author's perspective. We have fellow author Fiona Tarr on the stage
today! Hi, Fiona!
Author Fiona Tarr:
Hello, Marie!
Marie: (Smiles.) Welcome to Writing in the Modern Age.
We just
got to talk to the antagonist of your story, Jezebel. Quite an interesting
character. Can you tell us a little about her?
Fiona: Jezebel, well, Jezebel is a little
misunderstood really. As you heard, she puts on a brave front, but deep down
you will find the little girl who lost her mother all those years ago and
doesn’t understand why.
Marie: All right.
So, what are your character's greatest
strengths?
Fiona: Jezebel can be very focused. Totally
single minded about what she believes she wants to do. That isn’t necessarily a
good thing, though.
Marie:
What
are her greatest weaknesses?
Fiona: She really is insecure and more
vulnerable than she knows. Her weakness is she has no ability to self-assess
and no real empathy for others.
Marie: I see.
So, what are some of her favorite foods?
Fiona: Food is the last thing on Jezebel’s mind. Power, revenge, lust all take precedence over food.
Marie: (Chuckles.) Surely she must survive on something.
Let's try something else. What's a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has?
Fiona: Jezebel has the capacity to truly love, at a level she may never know possible. It isn’t until part way through the story that readers will get a little glimpse of this, but they will still be wondering about it at the end of the story.
Marie: Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?
Fiona: Jezebel is a multi-layered character. On the outside readers will hate what she is, but as they get to know her, they will empathize with her. By the end of the book, readers may even feel sorry for her.
Marie: All right.
Well, now that we have a real taste of Jezebel, we have a few questions for you as well as the author.
What first gave you the idea for Seed of Hope?
What first gave you the idea for Seed of Hope?
Fiona: Seed of Hope is the second book in my first series, Covenant of Grace. I started out with the first book, Destiny of Kings, and although I had a three book series planned in my mind, I think we may have already blown it out to four books.
The name and the story came
naturally, leading on from the end of the first book. I think Seed of Hope will be more engrossing
than book one in many ways, but especially as each character from book one gets
the chance to really develop.
Marie: Great!
Fiona: (Laughs.) I combine both styles really. I started my writing career more a pantster, but now I am equal measures of both. I have a general plan in mind, but as my characters develop, the plan changes from time to time. I know where I am going to start and where I am going to end, but sometimes a character demands a little deviation in the plot. If you see my manuscript while I am writing, you will find the story, with a trail of notes & reminders about directions I think will work. It is pretty messy, a bit like my desk, but it all seems to come together in the end.
Marie: (Smiles.) I know exactly what you mean.
So, I’m throwing this one in for our aspiring
writers. Did you come across any specific challenges in writing Seed of Hope or getting it published? What would you do differently
the next time?
Fiona: Thankfully this second book was much smoother sailing than book one. The first book took nearly six years to finish, while this one has only taken just over a year. This time around I have been better prepared to make the time to write, prepare the manuscript properly, get it proofed and then off to the editor (something I had to learn the hard way).
If this is
for aspiring writers, all I can say is 'don’t be afraid to fail a little'. My
first book has been well-received but I have learned a lot and I am really
pleased with this second book in the series. I am self-published and happy to
continue this way for now. I love learning and writing is a perfect platform
for learning new skills every day.
Marie: That's true! Writers these days have to take on many roles.
Well, it was such a pleasure having you
here on Writing in the Modern Age, Fiona. We hope you can come back
sometime! :)
Readers, I hope you all get a chance to pick up a copy of this awesome book!
Here is the blurb for Seed of Hope.
As rumors surface about the new King, his young wife and her unborn child, the prophet Nathaniel will insist that King David seek the Ark of the Covenant of God. Yet, with a trail of tortured bodies appearing from nowhere, with no explanation, it will be clear that General Martinez must be called back from retirement.
As General Martinez leaves his quiet and comfortable days in the field behind him, he will realize that a return to the service of the King must once more take priority over the pursuit of love.
The Egyptian Princess Jezebel will push the pain of betrayal from her mind, instead, replacing it with rage and a longing for revenge. Her magic and powers of seduction may not have been enough to bring the Israeli Kingdom to its knees, but now, the General, the King, and the Priestess will all pay for the death of her father and her banishment from the Royal Palace of the Pharaoh.
As the King seeks the Ark, a new mystery will arise. A new born child will be prophesied; a child of great influence and power. Many men of God will make claim to know the origin of the child, but only the little Holy man will truly know and understand. Old enemies will conspire, as the Universe will re-unite old friends to save the life of a loved one, to find the Ark and to fight to restore balance once more.
About Fiona Tarr:
As a small business owner, wife and
mum, I started out squeezing my writing into every spare moment I could find. I
began writing for relaxation, but now I am very passionate about developing my
writing. I have spent the last year, since my first book was released learning
all I can about writing, editing, publishing and the whole business of being an
author. I plan to release a book every year; at this stage I am continuing with
the current series for at least two more books.
I have studied community development,
theology, business and communication. I have come to realize that learning
brings me a lot of joy in my life. I live in Queensland and enjoy days in the
sun, kite-surfing, stand up paddle boarding and time with friends and family.
As a small business owner, wife and
mum, I started out squeezing my writing into every spare moment I could find. I
began writing for relaxation, but now I am very passionate about developing my
writing. I have spent the last year, since my first book was released learning
all I can about writing, editing, publishing and the whole business of being an
author. I plan to release a book every year; at this stage I am continuing with
the current series for at least two more books.
Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FionaTarr
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Fiona-Tarr/e/B00KOL7XI2
Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Fiona-Tarr/e/B00KOL7XI2
Fiona's Books:
I'd
like to thank the fascinating Jezebel for giving us some insight into her
character, and the talented Fiona Tarr for stopping by
Writing in the Modern Age to tell us about her book! :)
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