In Memory of John "TotalBiscuit" Bain

I'm not entirely sure why I'm writing this post.

I guess in some way I feel like I owe the man something. It might very well be something I never thought I'd feel, which is mourning for someone I knew only as a public figure. Mind you, I felt the loss of other big names of the various hobbies I follow. Authors, actors, musicians. But it never felt this close I guess.

I'm not entirely sure why I'm writing it as in why I'm making a public post about it. I'm pretty much a nobody. I'm trying to write for a living, and it's not going amazingly at the moment (mainly because I'm awful at marketing I think). The man was just one year older than me, and he reached with his career, following his passion, more than I even dream to achieve in double that time. All the while still having a loving relationship and caring for a child.

Yet here we are. I'm here, and he passed away. It feels unfair.

I guess since I'm a writer this is my way of processing things. So, yeah, that.

I never knew the man personally. I'm just one of the countless fans that he had throughout the world. One of the more silent ones. But he had quite the profound impact in my life nonetheless.

I've been a gamer pretty much all my life. I remember I was young playing the Atari Diablo 128 (at least that's what it was called here in Italy, an Atari station with in-built games). Videogames were always a part of my life.

I started following TotalBiscuit about six years ago. His coverage of games helped me a lot finding interesting new gems in a generation of gaming that was gearing towards pretty same-y titles, he shined a light on the indie scene, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that found hours of entertainment and had a good time at a reasonable price thanks to his coverage of those titles and the dreaded Steam sales.

His first impressions (don't call them reviews. They were first impressions. He was pretty clear about that.) made me discover Guild Wars 2. I was in the market for an MMO, and I wanted to try one of the big names. His and Joe's coverage made me delve into Tyria, and there I found friends I'm still holding dear to this day, that helped me through very tough moments and got me back into tabletop RPG's as well. And if that wasn't the case, I don't think today I'd be trying my hand at writing one myself.

See, it's all very little things, but you see how they connect? It's kind of amazing.

But that's not it. Yes, that would have been already enough for me to be fond of him and his work, but he went the extra mile. He was incredibly personable, but especially, he had a stalwart integrity to himself. He recognized his mistakes without trying to hide them. He held people accountable always trying his best to take the side of the consumers through a plethora of bullshit from the industry.

He always championed for net neutrality and fair use. He kept going up to the very fucking last. Even when he was in therapy, he still tried his best to get content and coverage out.

I was inspired by him. Even in a field that seems to have not much to do with gaming, he inspired me. The way he tried to be positive for the community is one part of what makes me want to be positive for it. Maybe I'd have come up with #CharactersTell anyway, maybe not, but what I know is that he's one of the influences I had on trying to do something good.

It's with how he dealt with people lashing out at him with DMCA's due to his opinions on their games that I realized that yes, a bad review can always happen, and you don't try to silence it, whatever you might think of it. I went through something similar just a short time ago, and I think the examples I found in his work helped me keep a cooler head and take it for what it was.

It was his way of remaining firm in his integrity, the way he pointed out the problems in game journalism and the various collusions and unknown deals that made me want to be honest in reviews and not take easy routes.

Fuck, it was his coverage of his own illness that helped me take the step forward and get screened, not letting my guard down and become too complacent with my own health.

And he kept being funny as hell, too.

And now he's gone.

I wasn't his friend. He always tried to make it clear, even in that regard, even if people didn't like what he was saying, but he was honest to his followers and fans about the relationship there was.

But he damn well indirectly helped me find some people I'm proud to call friends, and if this is not a friend thing to do along with all the rest, then I don't know what is.

Rest in peace, TB. May you find metal cruises, perfect FOV sliders, constant 60 FPS and peace wherever you are right now.

See you at the respawn.

And fuck cancer.

#CharactersTell Background Characters Week - Interview with Lauren

May is closer and closer to end, and now we approach the last full week of the month before the three days of the bonus round! As always, this week is reserved to the characters we don't see much of in any book - the faceless masses, the ones we mention in passing, that we glimpse like the blinking light of ships in an unending night (yes, I'm feeling poetic today): the background characters!

Our guest for tonight is Lauren - a very young, but very driven and determined lady, who is gonna tell us a bit more about her life in school, with her family and her dreams.

She comes from Twisted Fate, the upcoming novel from K.A. Grayson. She's a lovely author who's working on a number of titles, of which Twisted Fate is just one of them! She has the fuel to go on forever!

You can find her on Twitter, of course, using this link right here. She has a Facebook page too, which you should totally go and like, and she has a blog as well, that is reachable through this link!

But, with that being said - let's get to know Lauren!

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With this, we’re concluding the month, and as always we do that by taking a look at some of the characters overlooked by the authors in their books - the Background Characters! And to do this tonight, we have our new guest here! Would you please introduce yourself, your writer and the book you’re from?

Hey, I’m Lauren… I usually go by Elle. I’m a senior in high school, looking forward to graduating in May. My writer is K.A. Grayson and I guess I’m from their book The Kendrick Chronicles: Book One - Twisted Fate.

Welcome Lauren! Mh, I’m not entirely up to speed with the US scholastic system. You say you’re a senior in HS, so that makes you...how old? Do you feel your age? Are you more mature or less mature than your peers?

I’m 17 currently, 18 in July. Always felt older though and definitely more mature than the guys I go to school with. *laughs* Well, the girls too for that matter. I don’t know, I guess I’m the quiet, overly-serious one in my little group of friends, even though we all get into trouble. *shrugs*

That’s quite interesting. It’s a good thing to have your head on your shoulders at that age, but what made you this serious? Do you have any siblings? How’s life at home?

Funny you should ask that and then follow it with do I have siblings. *laughs uncomfortably* Well, I have an older brother. Seven years older and he and my dad don’t get on well. Dad’s got a shop… fixes cars. It’s been in our family for like… four or five generations. Wanted my brother to take it over, but he booked it to Philly so… that left me here at home. Dad’s serious. I’m supposed to be… I try. *laughs* Uhm, but he’s gonna be mad when I graduate because cars… ugh, I’m a girl for heaven’s sake. I don’t want dirt and grease under my nails, ya know?

I can completely understand that point of view. Do you ever feel like you had to be more mature and serious for your age due to the strained relationship between your dad and your older brother? You know, a sort of ‘there’s already too much on the plate for me to add more weight to it’.

Oh yes, definitely. And he’s not the kind of guy you can just have a normal conversation with. Maybe he was a bit more laid back when my brother was still at home, but I was too little to remember. All I know is that I can’t talk to him about what I REALLY want to do. Mom knows, but Dad… I don’t dare tell him until I have that tassel swished over on my graduation cap if you know what I mean. He’s scary when he’s mad.

You seem to have some very specific plans about your future, though. What sort of career are you going to pursuit? You said your mother knows, so you seem pretty bent on that choice if you risked them talking about it. Or… well, are your parents not really the ‘speak to each other’ kind?

They’ve been married… *thinks for a moment* twenty years? I think?  Anyway, Mom works for the newspaper in a different town so she’s got long hours and they don’t talk much when she is home. But when I do catch her, we talk about my plans. She’s all for it. Actually told me to keep my lips buttoned about it until I’m done with school. *smiles happily* I’m going to be a Vet!

Ohhh! A vet! As an animal lover myself, I don’t have anything against that sort of choice! When did you find out about your love for animals? Do you have any favorite?

Oh I LOVE animals! I kind of… and don’t let my Dad know this… I’ve had a make-shift animal rescue that I’ve kept hidden from him since I was six years old. He thinks I’m just overly sentimental about it all when he catches me checking out roadkill on the side of the road. *laughs* But if it’s alive I’m MAKING him pull over so I can see if I can help. Mom’s a bit better about it, let me rescue a momma turtle that got hit once. Cringed the whole time, but I got it in the back seat. *smiles*

That’s indeed very sweet of you, and hey, it’s all good work experience for your plans. But...well, you’re old enough to know it’s not all rose and flowers and saved animals. Do you think you’ll have trouble adapting to the...harsher realities of the job?

I hope so. My friend, Dee… she tells me that even though I’ll have to dissect animals in school… and learn how to euthanize them too, that I’m ultimately helping. I really hope I can do that part ‘cause this is all I’ve ever wanted to do since I was little, ya know?

I get what you mean. And I’m sure you’ll be able to pull it off, even if it’s not going to be easy. And you do have quite a lot of studying ahead of you. I suspect you already know that chemistry and biology will be quite important...have you ever experimented? Did it ever go badly?

I don’t think I’d call it ‘experimenting’, but there have been animals I haven’t been able to save. I’ll admit, I cry when that happens. Mom tries to assure me that having a big heart is okay and not everyone will be cut out for this line of work. But I’m determined and it’s a good thing I like chem and bio. *smiles* I actually help tutor for both of those already so I’m sure I’ll do fine in college.

You seem to put yourself on the line quite a lot. And we all know High School is not exactly the kindest place on Earth when it comes to certain behaviours. Did this eagerness and this way of pursuing your interest ever bitten you in the rear in your social life?

Yeah, I learned early on not to talk about my love for animals around certain people. The guys on the football team for one. They’re super mean and tease you relentlessly if you show any kind of ‘weakness’.  Didn’t know wanting to help animals was a ‘weakness’ but whatever. I just smile, shake my pom poms at their games and try to ignore everything else. I won’t date a jock, that’s for sure. Have my eye on a musician anyway. *winks*

A cheerleader too, huh? I can imagine that might bring you closer to musicians than jocks, considering how rhythm is important in that. How about your cheerleading companions? Did they ever give you any trouble?

The girls? Noooo, they’re all great. I mean, they tease me because I have THE BIGGEST crush on Dee’s brother. *sighs* He’s a guitarist and I could just listen to him play all day, but I don’t exist to him really. Dee’s trying to wear him down though. Wish me luck! *laughs*

Attacks on both fronts, I like it. Good strategical thinking. Lower his defenses then go in for the kill. And well, did you already have experiences in terms of sentimental life? Or is he the first boy you’ve had a crush on?

I’ve had a crush on him since grade school. What is WRONG with me? *laughs* He flirts every now and then, but then… I think he flirts with lots of girls. Wants to be a rockstar. Thinks he’s all that… but I know what he’s like beneath it all. Spent a lot of time at their house hanging out with Dee, ya know? Behind-the-scenes Chris is a whole lot different that he is in public. He’s almost… awkwardly sweet. And I kind of like that quality. *smiles*

There’s nothing wrong with you, that’s for sure! And I can imagine that might be the case, behind the rockstar front...Anyway, I’m afraid we’re almost out of time for tonight’s interview. Is there anything you’d like to tell to our audience? Whatever you want!

Hmmm, well… I guess something a little inspirational? Just follow your heart and your passion where it leads you and hopefully the right people will be there at just the right time. *smiles*

That’s a lovely message! Thanks again for your time tonight, Lauren, it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you. And I hope the best for you and your dreams! Can’t wait to see more about your world in Twisted Fate!

Thanks for having me! This was a lot of fun!

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Before our goodbyes today, a little announcement! If you don't have enough of interviews, you might want to take a look at Interviews From The Void, from the amazing Arthur Macabe! This week interview is with yours truly, where we talk about the importance of characters, the experience as an author not being a native english speaker, and other amazing things! It was an absolute blast to be in this interview and you guys should absolutely give them a shot, they go very in depth in writing techniques and other important aspects of the process!

With that being said, this concludes our interviews for May! But the summer isn't gonna stop us - we'll be back the first of June to interview a new interesting Main Character, so be sure to stay tuned! Of course, as always, YOU can have YOUR characters interviewed on this blog by sending me a direct message on Twitter - from there I'll sort you out!

See ya around, gorgeous people!

#CharactersTell Side Character Week - Interview with Kaheiron

My oh my, May is rushing by so fast! The days keep getting longer, the heat keeps rising,  summer storms start appearing on the horizon, and with them, we're getting into the third week! And you all know what that means! It's time to interview a Side Character!

You wouldn't notice in this form tho

Tonight's guest is Kaheiron - he is a very interesting, very well mannered and cultured man, who holds an important position as the Archmage of the Twin Towers, a learning institute for people gifted in the Arcane Arts. Also, he's a Dragon.

She seems experienced in dragon handling

He comes from Mae McKinnon's fantasy novel "The Damsel and the Dragon", a book that you can easily find on Amazon following this link. Mae is active on Twitter as well (and you should totally follow her there through this link), and has a site where you can take a look into her thoughts. You can find her site following this link right here!

But with that being said, let's get right into it!

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May is heading towards its end, and now that we’re three weeks into it, it’s time to spend some time with Side Characters as well! And to do that, we have a brand new guest on this blog! Would you mind introducing yourself, your book and your author to us?

Of course *bows* I am Kaheiron. Some say I am a great and powerful Mage - others, hmm, do not. My home is in “The Damsel and the Dragon” and if you did not already realize, my world is rather fantastical. My author - well, she does the typing…

Well met Kaheiron! I definitely can see how your world is way different than ours, and I do love to explore varied realities myself! So, you’re a great and powerful Mage - of what sort? How does magic work in your world?

Excellent. Wise travellers are always welcome - though do watch out for those that would like to invite you as lunch rather than to lunch, dragons included. Not all of my brethren are enlightened. You ask devious questions, human. It would take many years to explain fully, but there is only one type of Mage, but many other practitioners of magic: Wizards, Keches, Necromancers, Sorcerers and so forth. Magic appears to be inane, related to the eather...umm, to put it simply, it exists and if you have an affinity for it you can use it.

Oh, this is intriguing - Necromancers are actually a recognized practice of Magic? How does the moral quandry of dealing with the dead work?

Needless to say, they and others of dubious repute practice magic regardless of if we would like them too or not. There are a few of the more decent ones on my staff, but usually they prefer to work against the rest of the world - but then there are a fair amount of mages who can be unscrupulous. It’s a difficult choice to make, every morning, waking up, I imagine.

You mentioned you have a staff. Are you of particularly important social or economical stature? How do you earn a living?

Of course. Perhaps I should have introduced myself properly. My apologies. As an Archmage I head up a little research institution of magic called the Twin Towers where those wellversed in the arcane arts may come. As for stature, let’s just say that the last time the King’s taxman came to call, he left in a hurry and not in the same shape as he arrived. What we earn, fees, gifts and other trinkets, we keep, unless we choose to do otherwise.

Heh. I guess wherever you go, taxes aren’t particularly popular. Doesn’t a behaviour like this put you and your organization in conflict with the local government, though? How do you handle the possible diplomatic issue?

Indeed. The only ones who truly like them tend to be the ones receiving them. But I digress. Hmm *strokes chin* Power is about balance, yes? We are needed and the governments depend on us but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they like us. There are yearly diplomatic excursions - I believe you would call them balls - to ensure the status quo.

Oh, full on diplomatic balls! They tend to be very interesting, especially for all the deals that are done on the side. Speaking of which...do you run your operation completely legally? Or...well, I can imagine some reagents and other materials might be very hard to come by in a practice like Magic…

You are right, of course. One of my protegees managed to get himself stabbed at the last one. *sighs* But, yes, I do try to keep things right. The laws in these lands deal with more ordinary, mundane, matters, so sometimes certain, less desirable, practices need to be stamped out hard. Anyone in my house who wants to use dragonwings or other, even worse, materials, will find themselves unwelcome.

I can completely understand. Magic can be a very dangerous practice, and having people do stuff without being careful can screw things over for everyone. So! Let’s get back to the book. You’re listed as a secondary character. How did you get engaged in this plot? What’s your thoughts on the main character and the antagonist?

It certainly requires well enforced chambers in which to experiment, lest the building comes down, yes. Hmm, yes...I always believed myself to be more of a main character, but I suppose that this isn’t my story. I didn’t even intent to take part in it, until I found this scrawny human hiding out in one of the barns. Linandra, Linadra is *ahem* a curious mix of fire and something less inflammable, the word escapes me right now. She’s quite the good person at heart … once you peel away all the outer layers. I’m ashamed to say the antagonist was once one of our own. A gifted user of magic whose ego unfortunately caused his own undoing. Not a nice man though. Cruel to animals *frowns*.

Is it the first time that something like this happened? That a student let his or her ego take the best of them and became a threat to your organization or society as a whole?

I imagine that, down through history, it has happened many times, but yet - this was the first time in several hundred years this has happened here. Usually I can see the signs much sooner.

Are there no historical records of other occasions? And what is your stance on this matter? Will you keep records of the events of your era so the posterous generations can have a recount of what’s going on and perhaps avoid certain mistakes?

There have been many occasions. And a good tome is a wizard’s best friend, so we try to record matters for the future as well, not merely spells or other interesting things. My library is lined with treatises...but not so much on history. When you have lived a long time, I’m afraid that you become complacent in matters of mere centuries.

Understandably so, and I’m glad to hear you’re still keeping records. As an educator, I guess it does fall under your duties. Then again, one could make the argument that knowledge of history might make it easier for it to repeat itself - look at serial killers, copycatting is a serious issue. Are there any sort of events or knowledge you have to go out of your way to...let’s say keep under the rug?

Nature likes to repeat itself. You need only to look at the cycles of the seasons or the moons (yes, we have several). A complicated dance that not even the participants can always clearly understand. Hmm...me personally? Yes. Keeping my identity a secret can be somewhat taxing. Magic users tend to be either incredibly astute or utterly blind to anything other than their latest interest. I like to keep that knowledge, about my past, from them and others if I can. Oddly enough, people have much easier to accept a mage throwing a fireball after them than a dragon doing so.

That’s quite interesting. What’s the reason for this secrecy? I mean, you should have enough allies to at least get a campaign to accept your true nature, between your position, knowledge and expertise. Are dragons...not very well liked in your world?

Knowing about a secret weapon rather ruins the surprise don’t you think? *smiles* I don’t share it because it’d turn against me but because it is such a formidable secret to wield. Also, it can be rather amusing to see the reactions *coughs delicately* Also, most of our dragons tend to be content within their own societies - though some of the smallest ones are, sadly, extensively hunted.

That is saddening, knowing they are hunted. Anyway, I’m afraid we’re running out of time for tonight’s interview - is there anything you’d like to say to our audience? Whatever you want, no censorship or barred topics!

Of course. It’s been a pleasure to visit. *thinks hard* As for a word of wisdom..never look a gift dragon in the mouth unless you’re truly confident...even a friendly one might mistake you for something tasty.

That sounds like a very sound advice in your world. Thank you again for your time! It’s been a pleasure to have you here tonight, and I hope you pass a good night! Can’t wait to read more of you in “The Damsel and the Dragon”!

*bows*

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And that does it for this week of #CharactersTell interviews! Next week, we're gonna take one of the faceless crowds to put on the spot, so be ready!

As always, a quick reminder that YOU can have YOUR characters interviewed here! Just send me a message on Twitter (Link is on the right hand sidebar!) and I'll sort you out!

Until next week~ Toodles!

#CharactersTell Antagonists Week - Interview with Heather Monroe's Superego

A litral angel on her shoulder, it seems

Another week, another interview, of course! And this one's an interesting one: for our antagonists this time we have a Main Character's psychological facet - Heather Monroe's Superego. After all, sometimes our greatest enemies and hurdles come from inside ourselves! Heather Monroe is the protagonist of "The Admonition Position", the second book of the Marshmellow Slut erotic saga from Marsha Adams! This Superego seems to have quite the hard time trying to keep Heather in check in her exploration of more and more intense and extreme kinks~

Look at that glance. She must have some
other delightful deviousness in mind.

Marsha is a lovely Scottish writer, who has already two books on Amazon! You can find her Amazon Author Page here, along with her books, by following this link!

She's active on Twitter as well (and you should totally follow her using this link right here!)

But let's get down to it, shall we?

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With the second week of May, we get to know some of our antagonists a bit better - and today we’ve got one of them! I have to admit, though, this is a first for me, interviewing a psychological construct. Would you please introduce yourself, your book and your author for us?

Hi, I’m Heather Monroe’s superego. Marsha Adams wrote “The Admonition Position” about me. Well, Heather says it was written about her, but we both know it would have been a better story if I was the main character.

So, you’re her Super-Ego… I must confess, I might be a tad rusty on my psychology. Can you tell us what you represent in her?

I’m her conscience, I guess. I’m the part that makes smart choices. The right choices. I’m fighting a constant battle with her id. She wants Heather to have ‘fun’.To be a bit adventurous. I try to keep Heather on the straight and narrow. Not ‘straight’! Not like that. But, you know, morally correct. I try to stop her making mistakes. I’m… I’m not very good at my job. She doesn’t listen to me.

To be honest, you make it sound like you have a lot of fights to keep Heather on the right path, or at least the one you seem to define as such. You were very quick about trying to specify you weren’t talking about ‘straight’ in that manner. Was that a difficult part as you were growing up with Heather and her id?

It wasn’t, not at all. I don’t know where she gets these ideas from. Well, I do. They conspire against me. Peter gives her notions, her id thinks they sound like fun and Heather sides with the two of them. She hardly ever listens to me. I’m having a bit of an identity crisis if I’m honest: I’m not even sure if I know what ‘right’ is any more.

You really sound stressed out by all of this. Is it always this much of a constant struggle? Do you ever get at least some little victory in Heather’s mind or do you feel like you’re slipping?

I do win sometimes. But it’s like she has to hit rock bottom before she listens to me. I keep telling her she can have fun safely, and id keeps pushing her to go further. I think I saved her when she was at her worst. She was… well, she was close to giving up. On everything, you know? But I made her get help. From Peter. I’m not sure that was right either, but it was better than the alternative.

At least you do get some shots in. I think it’s important. And, was there ever a time when you thought you were right but instead you were wrong? You mentioned you don’t think you know what’s right anymore, what is it that you’re changing your mind on?

I convinced her to start seeing Peter. He seemed like he’d be the sensible choice if she really wanted to listen to id. He came across as moral. I don’t think he’s moral. I think I made a mistake there. The thing is, I’m only as smart as Heather. She’s not stupid, not at all, but she can be naive. So I’m kind of naive. But trusting people is a good thing, right?

It tends to be as a general rule, but I think you yourself noticed that it might be a mistake to trust everyone. So, tell us about you. Do you remember when was the first time that you actually made a difference in Heather’s life? What’s the first time you had to push her to do the right thing?

When she was 13, she lost her father. That was my chance to really shine. Her grades started to slip and I turned her round. I made her into a determined young woman, ready to take on the world.

Do you think you might have overdone it, perhaps? A big boost of confidence and strength can bring to underestimate possible physical or social risks.

You see, this is why I doubt myself. What if I’ve always been wrong, even when I thought I was doing my best job? Working hard, striving, never giving up: those are supposed to be good things, right? Moral choices. But they’ve got Heather into trouble, more than once. And out of trouble too, I suppose. I do my best. I do. That’s the moral thing: always doing your best. That’s what I want for Heather.

They do say that hindsight is 20/20, so I guess you can’t really consider how something can affect someone in the long run until you see it happen. So… Tell us. What sort of trouble are you trying to keep Heather out of? You seem pretty worried about this, what do you think can happen to her?

She makes poor choices. About sex. Sorry. I shouldn’t talk about that. Or maybe I can? This is half the problem: I’m supposed to be enforcing social standards and I don’t know what they are any more. And Heather is in some very odd social situations with some very unusual people these days. I’m a bit lost, frankly. I just worry that she’ll end up with people who don’t care about her like I do.

Of course you can talk about sex. We explore all sorts of themes around here, I even wrote a blog post about sexuality. And well… I can completely understand your worry. Especially in that field, we can end up getting burnt very easily, the lines between physical and emotional safety are very much blurred when physical contact comes into play. Does she get in a lot of… well, weird situations, sexually speaking?

She only gets in weird situations these days. It’s like someone took the lid off a big box of kink and everything’s jumped out. All the urges I’d been keeping under control, all the awful stuff she fantasises about when she thinks I’m not looking… everything.  It’s worrying. And I don’t even know if it’s wrong. It feels wrong. Her mum wouldn’t like any of it.

Then again, sexuality is a very personal thing, isn’t it? And it’s definitely not something we usually share with our parents in the more…’explicit’ sense of it. Doesn’t it feel good to have her feel good? What sort of fantasies does she have that upset you so much?

The BDSM stuff confuses me. And it makes me redundant, I think: she likes being punished, she’s punished when she’s bad, so she likes being bad. Where do I come into that? Nowhere, that’s where. I’m useless. And anonymous sex! How can I help her do the right thing if I don’t even know who she’s doing it with? Don’t even get me started on the public stuff. Sex is private, like you said. Personal. It’s not supposed to be on stage, for an audience. Except almost everyone around her is actually a decent person. They are. They’re good. But… they do these awful things. And she tells me I mustn’t judge them.

You might be playing a bigger part than you realize though. Without your warnings and the feelings you provide, wouldn’t the rush in certain things get lessened? And perhaps you might want to look at it from a different perspective - more at how to keep doing this but recognize hard boundaries than trying to pull her away from this world all together.

I’m not sure Heather would have any boundaries if it wasn’t for me. She says she does, but then her id goes to work, and Peter talks to her, or Gabriella does, and then she ends up doing things I told her not to. Because I’m not allowed to judge this stuff, apparently. Her new rule is “everything’s okay if everyone’s having fun”. I’m trying to adjust to that. I guess judging people for how they have fun is… wrong? How can I do my job if the rules keep changing like that? This is not how we were brought up.

I mean, as long as everyone, and especially Heather, is having fun and are safe I think pushing some boundaries is fine. But you do seem to have a lot of work on your hands regardless to make sure they aren’t pushed too far, divide social norms that can be wrong from actual possible harm, you know? Anyway, I’m afraid we’re almost out of time! Is there anything you’d like to say to our audience before we conclude the interview?

Well, the right thing to do would be thank them - and you - very much for listening to me. And apologise for complaining so much, I guess. And for talking about… you know. That stuff. And for gossiping about Heather. Oh hell, I’m just bad at my job, aren’t I? Sorry.

Ah, don’t take it badly. It means we get to know more about both Heather and you, innit? Thanks for coming! Hope you and Heather id can find a way to coexist well together! Can’t wait to see your influence in “The Admonition Position”!

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And this concludes our interview for this week! As always, remember that YOU can have YOUR Characters interviewed on this blog as well! Just send me a direct message on Twitter on my profile, which you can find through this link here!

See you next week with a new Side Character!!

#CharactersTell Main Character Week - Interview with Tweety

And here we are again with a new month! It's May, it's International Workers' Day, and for such an occasion we have an interesting character to interview!

Lovely lady as well as gorgeous!

Today's guest is Tweety, from the Red Letter Series a Women's Fiction New Adult work with romantic undertones. She's an upbeat, fiery redhead that works at the Soulful, this very interesting club that seems to be located in Jersey! She's surrounded by colorful (and sharpie-happy, in some cases) friends and co-workers, in an environment that definitely feels alive and intriguing!

Here's a rare glimpse of the author!

The book is penned by Nicole, who on Twitter goes by the name Ladyofmind (and where you should absolutely follow her using this link!) You can find her on Instagram as well, as usual following this handy link, and do keep an eye on her blog on Tumblr too! It's right here on this link!

So! Are we all ready for May? I surely hope you are, because here we go, starting again with this new interview! Enjoy!

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And here we are, back with another month! And of course this means getting back to our Main Characters, like our lovely guest of today! Can you please introduce yourself, your author and your book for us?

Hello there, Tweety here! I’m from the Red Letters series from the author behind the ladyofmind twitter account. Spoilers you know? But I can say that the first book is nearly ready, going by Red Letters, Sinful Sunrise. All about how I got my start in this lovely bar business!

Oh, that does tie pretty perfectly with the theme for this week! Today is the International Work and Workers day. So, how did you come across this job at the bar? What sort of bar it is? And what were you doing before being employed there?

“Is it really? I suppose that means drinks are on me for the night.” Loud cheering distracts her a moment. “I’m sorry? Oh, Soulful is my nightclub and bar now. Lots of music and parties, fun patrons, crazy staff. Funny enough, we all started at this place called Sinful, but well, it was time for a change.”

That’s a very evocative name. And with a name like that, I can imagine it having quite the colorful crowd. I know a couple of people who’d be attracted by it…What city is it based in?

A moment of giggling before Tweety dared to answer this. “You know those places that you either know about them or you don’t? That’s us. Many have guessed, many show up to different clubs thinking it’s us. Copycatting is good business. But the real party stays closer to Jersey if one must give a hint.”

That’s a pretty interesting hint! How is Jersey this time of the year? The weather is getting warmer, and we’re approaching the hot season. Do you enjoy it?

“Oh us girls love it! Soul finally built a pool area out back, so we can fit more people and stretch the crazy. Right now the weather’s fine, about to come up on some big things, like Martini man and his label party. Also planning a Double Trouble birthday bash. So it will be nice to get outside again, if only to close the sliding doors and ignore the streakers, and man thongs.”

Wouldn’t being outside near a pool expose people more to man thongs? And a Double Trouble Birthday Bash? I’ll need at least some explanation on that one. I think it’s the first time I heard that term.

“Yes deary, when the man thongs come out, Miss Tweety tends to go back inside. Depends of course on who’s in the thong, but I do have a bar to run, so someone has to be responsible.” A wicked little smile only grows at discussing this birthday bash. “You must be new to my club if you don’t know about Double or Triple Trouble girls. In that case, my apologies. It’s coming up on my birthday, and Bebe shares the same exact day, so we throw a big bash. I’m thinking we need to get that woman a mechanical bull so she stops riding Nira around. But I am worried what she might do for me in return. Bebe’s gotten into this habit of tagging men, and we all know about her whipped cream fascination...”

...Well, now I really want to get a lot more familiar with your bar. And you definitely seem like you’re having quite a bit of fun working there. Have you ever envisioned this as being the direction your life was going to take?

“It’s fun because I make it fun, we’ve made such a better atmosphere here, getting rid of all the bad vibes from that first place. Soulful is the place to let loose and be you, no matter your fascinating quirks. You will earn a nickname, but that’s all love. As for your other question? Never in a million years. Who knew walking into a bar would turn into a business, family, a home and a decent life that helped us all figure out who we are?”

Hey, nicknames are good. No issue being given a nickname here. And, while I absolutely appreciate how well you seem to go along with the others and your attitude...work still tends to be work. What are the most stressful things there? Or is there some of your duties you really don’t appreciate?

“We were smart, splitting the duties, Nira is in charge of the back end of the business, I run the front. I have a much higher tolerance, and tend not to show my stress as easily. It’s actually become a game of sorts, with pranks and all, to see who can make me crack. Why it’s an honor to get yelled at by me, I don’t know. But there are people here, staff included, who enjoy teasing me. Sometimes it’s strange, like the couple of geniuses who tried to turn the pool into a giant jello mold. Other times it hits closer than I like to admit.” Nods over to a jumping energetic woman. “Bebe tops everyone anyway. Streaks, double entendres, makes me blush as red as my hair, you name it, that girl does it. After all, it’s not really Trouble as a nickname if your not up to something.”

I can imagine in a place like this it might take sometime to you know, get a feel for the limits of someone new. And Bebe does sound like quite fun to be around...even if it might be too much sometimes. Do you go along this well with all your coworkers or is there someone you really can’t stand?

“I’ve built my business on my kind demeanor. Of course people have rubbed me the wrong way, I mean… there is all this drama from past places. But that has been handled, I think, and we have moved on since then. Either those people are out of my life, or the more aggressive sorts of patrons make friends with my bouncer friends. I really don’t know who’s scarier. Bebe, or Frost with the whole giant Scot don’t-make-fun-of-my-kilt approach. Maybe it’s Malta, the Cockney waitress, dancing tornado, third member of Triple Trouble, who frequently tries to drink the Scot under the table. It’s nice having odd friends, they can scare off more people than I could possibly charm, if they really tried.”

After all, surrounding yourself with the right people is almost an art, and for a business like a pub is a downright necessity. Anyway! I’m afraid the time for tonight is almost up! Do you want to say anything to our audience?

Giggles erupt, as Tweet grabs a napkin and a pen. “You don’t know the half of it! First, I should warn you that Bebe has her sights on you. Guessing you’ve made her work while monopolizing my time.” Writing quick notes about “#16” before Tweety smiles and waves. “Please don’t hesitate to visit Soulful, anytime… I would love to meet you all!”

Riiiight. Giggles and now I have a big ‘16’ drawn on my arm. She is a quick one with that sharpie, isn’t she? That’s… unusual. Then again, from what you told me I might not find it unpleasant. It’s been an absolute pleasure Tweety! Can’t wait to read more about you and Soulful in the Red Letter books! Thank you for your time!

...And do put a good word with Bebe. This interviews are for a good cause. Actually, what’s with the 16? Any idea what I might have to expect?

“Anytime deary, and I could try, but I don’t quite know why you’ve tickled her fancy. It’s only sharpie, and you’re lucky it’s your arm. Last one needed new pants… Good luck?”

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Well, that was... interesting. I'm kinda worried, but with all we came to learn about the place, I do have to admit I'm excited as well. I think it's the streaking mention.

But! With that, our weekly interview is concluded! As always do remember that you can have YOUR characters interviewed on this blog! Just send me a Direct Message on Twitter (you can find the link on the right hand side bar!) and I'll get you sorted!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll go make sure the sharpie isn't permanent...