For today I have a very entertaining character interview
with Emma and Mrs. Perkins from Anna Simpson’s book, WHITE LIGHT. These two
made my rather bland questions hilarious. Check it out:
Hi, Emma and Mrs. Perkins! Can you tell us about White Light?
Mrs. Perkins: I’ll read the blurb. *clears her
throat*
Emma never dreamed of being a super-sleuth. In her mind,
she’s more Scooby Doo than Nancy Drew and when her nosy neighbor, Mrs. Perkins,
drags her to an anniversary party to solve a mystery, she rolls her eyes, buys
a box of chocolates and hops in the car.
What’s a party without an attack on its host—or more accurately on the host’s
grandson, sparking an allergic reaction and moving the party to the hospital
waiting room. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect. Emma and Mrs. Perkins, along
with Great Aunt Alice (a spirit with boundary issues who keeps stepping into
Emma’s body like a new dress and playing matchmaker), dive into an
investigation that almost gets Emma killed along with the man they are trying
to protect. With so many reasons to kill him and so much to be gained if he
died, Emma and Mrs. Perkins must unravel the tenuous ties that point to every
member of his family as potential killers.
Even if it means going back to the psych ward, Emma will protect her friend and this innocent man. What good is freedom if it's haunted with guilt?
Even if it means going back to the psych ward, Emma will protect her friend and this innocent man. What good is freedom if it's haunted with guilt?
1. Who
would play the two of you in a movie?
Emma: *glances over at Mrs.
Perkins and shrugs* I don’t know. She’d have to be young but tough, and like,
understand that hanging with older folks has its quirks. The food’s great. Know
anyone like that?
Mrs. Perkins: *facepalm*
Well for me it would be Cybill Shepherd.
Emma: *mouth drops open*
She’s tall… and blonde…and beaut—
Mrs. Perkins: *smoothes her
grey sausage curls* I suppose I could dye my hair for our headshots.
2. What are your jobs?
Mrs. Perkins: Retired
Emma: I read tea leaves at
the Pie ‘n’ All. At first I was so freaked out. Me read leaves? I can barely
read the Tarot. But it worked out okay. Aunt Alice, my great-aunt, she’s dead
you know. Oh, and a psychic. Anyway, Aunt Alice is always ready to pop in and
give me a hand when I get stuck.
Mrs. Perkins: It’s all true.
She is really, really bad at reading anything. Not a psychic bone in her body.
*wipes her nose with a hanky* We are so blessed that Alice still has time for
us.
3. What do you do for fun?
Emma: Fun? Mrs. Perkins and
I play bridge. I’m getting pretty good too.
Mrs. Perkins: *opens her
mouth*
Emma: *hand swings up and an
open palm pushes in Mrs. Perkins’ direction* Galdy says I’m getting better
every game.
Mrs. Perkins: Sure she does.
Her and Jay have been beating us at every tournie. You might as well be on
their team.
4. What’s your biggest pet
peeve?
Emma:
Peeve? *Emma’s eyes cut to Mrs. Perkins* Besides nurses, I don’t have any. I
mean who likes those pajama clad, needle wielding sadist anyway? Nobody I know.
And I know people.
Mrs.
Perkins: Maybe we should move on to the next question.
5. How did you meet Mrs.
Perkins?
Emma:
Old family friend.
Mrs.
Perkins: Old? More like lifelong. Really, Emma. If your aunt could hear you
right now---
Emma:
Okay, Okay. I give. She’s a lifelong friend of Great-Aunt Alice. We are quite
the threesome.
6. What was your first
impression?
Emma:
*burst out laughing*
Mrs.
Perkins: Well, tell her.
Emma:
*straightens face* Never a dull moment…Not even if I’m ready to sell my soul
for one. We’re neighbors you see.
Mrs.
Perkins: True. You should see her lawn. It’s a disgrace. And in regards to dull
moments. Emma acts older than I do.
Emma:
*clenches teeth*
Mrs.
Perkins: Let me just say on my behalf, I’m very supportive. Without me the girl
would starve. And without Alice, well, we’d have to go look for cases. Overall,
we make an excellent team.
Emma:
Exactly what I would have said.
7. What kind of trouble do
the two of you get into?
Mrs.
Perkins: So far we haven’t landed in jail. Okay I’m speaking for myself. Emma
on the—
Emma:
Hey. It was only a conference room.
Mrs.
Perkins: Were you locked in? Did Tom have to bail you out? Well…
Emma:
Benny the bully locked me in. So what? *exhales a long breath* I try to stay
out of trouble. *swings a thumb toward the older woman* Not easy if you get my
drift.
Mrs.
Perkins: You’d think being a small town not much would happen. It’s just
ridiculous how busy we are.
Emma:
Too ridiculous. I’m used to a quieter life.
Mrs.
Perkins: *takes Emma’s hand* No worries. Crime will never be the same now that
we are on the job.
8. What moment of White
Light was your favorite?
Emma:
When Tom picked me up for my first date in years.
Mrs.
Perkins: When Emma finally agreed to help me solve our mystery.
Emma:
Sorry, but my moment is with Tom.
Mrs.
Perkins: What can you do?
9. What moment of White
Light caused you the most fear?
Emma:
When I knew Mrs. Perkins went off on her own. I just felt she was in trouble.
It was horrible.
10. Is there anything you
did in White Light that you would change if you could?
Emma:
*raised a forefinger to her chin as she thought.*
Mrs.
Perkins: I would have told Emma the truth a lot sooner.
Emma:
Nope, not a thing.
Mrs.
Perkins: *glares*
BIO:
Anna Simpson lives near the Canadian-US border with her
family. Even though she's lived in several places in British Columbia, her free
spirit wasn't able to settle down until she moved back to her hometown.
The woman is easy to find though, if you know the magic
word -- emaginette. Do an internet search using it and you'll see what I mean.
:-)
Author Links:
Thank you for chatting with me, ladies. And I have to
say, Mrs. Perkins, you’re a hoot!
Please leave a comment for Anna Simpson. :)
Hi Chrys, Anna and I guess Emma and Mrs Perkins, and almost certainly Aunt Alice ... lots of characters. Fun twists to the story line ... lots of snarky digs .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteTheir snarky digs are the best.
DeleteTheir snarky digs are the best.
DeleteThey are truly beyond my control and running amok--again :-)
DeleteThose two are quite the characters. Bridge playing and psychic readings - what a combination.
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat a combination like that!
DeleteYou can't beat a combination like that!
DeleteThat is what makes them so much fun. :-)
DeleteI love Mrs Perkins. That opening scene where Emma finds her in a pickle...I could picture it and couldn't help but laugh. :-) Keep up the great work, Anna.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks. Those two make a great team. :-)
DeleteHa! Fabulous interview with the characters. I loved this, Anna. I definitely want to read this book. I'm a fellow B.C.er so we're practically neighbors :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. The world seems smaller and smaller. So glad to find someone in my neighborhood. :-)
DeleteCool interview. That was great.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. ;-)
DeleteI enjoyed reading this interview with such vibrant characters. It's great seeing this book around.
ReplyDeleteThanks, but the tour is almost over. :-)
DeleteOh my gosh I got thrown by the bridge bit haha .. A few weeks ago I finished reading a book where the main element was bridge. I learned so much about the game, it was insane. Like, I think I could actually play it now. I'd be terrible, but still :)
ReplyDeleteCool interview. I really like the idea of interviewing characters. Maybe I should give that a try with one of mine..
I'm sure you'd love it. :-)
DeleteVery cool interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was fun. :-)
DeleteSuch a cute interview :) I think it would be fun as a writer to try to figure out who would be good to play their characters on screen :)
ReplyDeletebetty
To me it was a very hard choice. :-)
DeleteEmma may not be psychic, but having a source on the other side isn't too shabby.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. :-)
DeleteI like the way the characters interact. I bet the book is filled with fun banter. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt is, and not just with those two. hehehe
Deletehaha they play well off of one another. I wish I could say my career was retired haha
ReplyDeleteThanks. :-)
DeleteIt sounds like both characters are very interesting, and it's obvious they have a good friendship (and detective partnership, if that's the right phrase). I've always liked stories with mysteries that need to be solved. And I've always been curious about psychics and whether they really can see into the future.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure you'll find psychic answers in the book, but hopefully you find more laughs.
DeleteThanks for having the Emma and Mrs. Perkins. Its been fun :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun interview. The characters have a lot of voice! :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thanks, Jess. :-)
DeleteGreat interview!! Wishing you lots of well-deserved success!
ReplyDeleteHello, Ladies! What a delightful and captivating interview:-) Public appearances such as this can only enhance the treasure sure to be found within the pages of White Light!
ReplyDeleteReally cute interview! Great insight into the characters and their dynamic. I'm looking forward to getting this book when it's out in paper!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview Chrys. Enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.