I'm Hearing Voices - Characters on the Couch



All three posts this week will be related to the I'm Hearing Voices blogfest hosted by Cassie Mae at Reading, Writing, and Lovin' it! and Angie at Live to Write...Edit when Necessary.

Today I'm to ask one of my characters five questions, most of them two-parters, and the character's answers have to come in under 250 words total.

My character of the week is Summer Newcombe, the protagonist from my novel In Name Only. If all goes well, this novel will be available for your reading pleasure later this year. There's plenty of time for me to share more details with you - and I will! - but this week you'll get to know a little about Summer. So here goes.

Summer, what is your biggest vulnerability? Do others know this or is it a secret?
I'm not sure exactly what you mean by vulnerability. The word has several different meanings. I'm going to answer by saying I'm vulnerable simply by talking to you. The marshals do their best to protect me, but I live in fear of being recognized.

What do people believe about you that is false?
My whole life is false. My name isn't really Summer. I shouldn't have said that, please don't tell anyone.

What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw? Why?
I no longer have any friends, unless you count Ryan. He's been around since that first night five years ago. Ryan would probably say my fatal flaw is believing I can take care of myself without the marshals' help. I have tended not to notify them as soon as they would like when I suspected someone might have learned who I really am.

So what would Ryan say is your one redeeming quality? Why?
Probably that I'm a damned good shot or I wouldn't still be here to talk with you.

OK, Summer, last question. What do you want most? What will you do to get it?
That's easy. To feel something besides emptiness. To have a home and family. For that to happen, first the marshals have to locate the people who want me dead and put them away, so I no longer need to be in the Federal Witness Security Program. I'll do anything it takes to get what I want. Short of killing. I don't want to ever be forced to kill again.

Total Words from Summer: 211



Comments

Good luck with the blogfest.
What you have written is very good.

Yvonne.
Tracy Jo said…
Ooooh. I like Summer and can't wait to read more about her. Have fun with the blogfest and happy week!
Anne Gallagher said…
Wow, that sounds like a killer of a book. (Kind of sort of no pun intended.) Great interview. And hurry up and publish that bad boy, I want to read it.
Joanne said…
I like how you hinted at the whole story throughout the answers. It's a nice way to give us a glimpse of the plot.

And I also like how you hinted at publication, too :)
Linda G. said…
Wow, Summer sounds like a fantastic character! I'll bet this is going to be a great read.
Janet, said…
Nice interview with your character. Sounds like an interesting person.
Slamdunk said…
I like the sound of your character Carol. Lots of edge.
Won't tell anyone her name isn't Summer!
Southpaw said…
I like the complexity of your character. (I won't tell anyone your name isn't Summer either.)
Kyra Lennon said…
Fab post! It's sad that she has to hide who she is, and I'm very intrigued to know exactly why she is in the Federal Witness Security Program!
Anonymous said…
Oh I can really feel her tension and her angst. I like the snippets of backstory in her answers too.
LR said…
Authentic character voice and a compelling-sounding story. Good stuff!
Emily R. King said…
Ha! Her answer to the first question tells me she's very smart. Good job!
Intriguing character! Can't wait to find out more about her. :)
Cassie Mae said…
Wow, she sounds like such a great character. Full of angst and secrets. Totally intrigued! And I love that she says she wants to feel something other than emptiness. I totally got her empty feeling from the questions before so excellent job!
Elspeth Futcher said…
These answers certainly make me want to learn more about her. Well done, Carol.
Linda Kage said…
Oh, I like Summer! She analyzing each question like a lawyer!
Rula Sinara said…
Very, very intriguing!
Carol Kilgore said…
Yvonne - Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.

Tracy Jo - It's a fun blogfest!

Anne - Killer! Love it :)

Joanne - Stay tuned...details to follow :)

Linda G - I hope so!
Jennifer Shirk said…
Oooh, she sounds like someone I'd like to read about more!! Sounds good, Carol!
I've always loved the name "Summer". There appears to be a lot of conflict in her life and that is very interesting from a voyeur perspective.
Miranda Hardy said…
Summer seems like she's been through a lot. Good voice.
Angela Cothran said…
Carol--I love that I can tell the premise of your story form Summer's answers. She sounds strong and capable. I love it!
Angela Cothran said…
Oh, and I made sure I'm following you :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Janet - Summer has led an interesting life.

Slamdunk - Her edge has developed due to circumstances in her life.

Alex - Whew! Thanks :)

Southpaw - Great! And thanks to you, too :)

Kyra - Intrigued is good :) Thanks for commenting and the follow!
Julie Flanders said…
Oh, this is great, Carol! I'm so curious about Summer and her situation, and I know I want to read your book. Great post! :)
Carol Kilgore said…
Madeleine - Cool. Great feedback!

LR - Thanks.

Emily - She is smart. Liked to have killed me - LOL.

Elizabeth - I'm happy you like her so far.

Cassie Mae - Thank you. I'm humbled.
Clare said…
I like Summer a lot, and her voice is very distinct. She's an interesting mix of hard and soft at the same time.
I'm interested to know more about her, and her situation.
Carol Kilgore said…
Elspeth - Great!

Linda K - LOL! I'm glad you like her.

Rula - Very, very cool :)

Jennifer - I hope so!

Michael - A lot of conflict is right.
Cortney Pearson said…
Her first answer was so intriguing to me! I like Summer, and I'm curious what her story is!
Leigh Covington said…
So awesome! Summer sounds like the kind of character I want to read. Total dig it.

And great blog! I can't believe I haven't been here before. It's amazing!
Carol Kilgore said…
Miranda - She has. And thanks :)

Angela - Thanks for the follow. Summer would be pleased to know you see her strength.

Julie - Yea! I'm so happy you want to read more :)

Clare - Come back Tuesday for the next installment :)

Cortney - Stay tuned!

Leigh - Thanks for visiting. Come back any time :)
Haha, that first one sounds exactly like something I would say. Clearly Summer and I would be friends.
dolorah said…
Ok, sign me up for the book please. I am intrigued.

BTW, I thought I was following you a long time ago.

.....dhole
Unknown said…
Oh yes. I like it. Can't wait to read Summer's story!
Talli Roland said…
Wow, great answers! I really get a sense of Summer's voice.
Jan Christensen said…
Great interview. Captures so much about Summer in so few words. She is a fascinating character.
Okay, is she in witness protection or something? I'm intrigued! New follower :)
Sarah said…
Oh you really have reeled me in with this one. I just want to know more about this story! A very good interview!
Carol Kilgore said…
Hildred - Cool. Summer needs a friend.

Donna - That happened to me at a blog yesterday. Like you, I re-followed. I'm sure you were following me.

Shirley - I can't wait for you to read it!

Talli - Great!

Jan - Perhaps my previous flash fiction is paying off :)
And they all seem so real. :)

T
Jenny S. Morris said…
NICE JOB!! I really want to know what "Summer" did to get in the program and who she killed.
Unknown said…
Wow! I really want to know more about how Summer got into this position! Very cool interview!
Lydia Kang said…
I like Summer. :) I hope she reaches her goals of finding that fulfillment she wants.
Carol Kilgore said…
Tasha - Intrigued is good :)

Sarah - Wonderful! Thank you.

Teresa - I hope that's a good thing.

Jenny - For those answers, you'll have to read the book :)

Ashley - Another inquiring mind :)

Lydia - You won't get it from me that easily :)
Hywela Lyn said…
Poor Summer sounds like she's 'running scared. What an intriguing interview, and I'd be interested to learn more about her and her story.
Carol Kilgore said…
Hywela - Thanks. More to come!
Trisha said…
Hey, just getting around to this now - great interview! Sounds like your story is set in a really intriguing world!
Carol Kilgore said…
Trisha - I haven't made it around to everyone either. I hope my readers find this world intriguing :)

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