Wednesday, March 06, 2013

A Fictional Guest

Today I want to introduce a character from my latest book.  In Boxes For Beds, Deputy Gus Shumaker works with Sheriff Bates in a small town in rural Arkansas in 1960. He has been clamoring for a chance to speak, so I thought I would let a character from my latest book have the spotlight here as Wednesday's Guest.

Maryann: So, Gus, what is on your mind that you woke me up at 3 this morning wanted to talk?

Gus: Some things need to be cleared up about how I work before too many people read the book and get the wrong idea.

Maryann: Why would that happen?

Gus: Because folks don't know how it was back then with the mob all over Hot Springs. And people in power liked to stay in power.

Maryann: What do you mean?

Gus: Bates, for instance. He really likes that he is a law unto himself. He can do any dang thing he wants. And I don't want folks to think that I supported that. If you hadn't kept pulling me back I would have explained more about that.

Maryann: So that's it? You're mad because I didn't let you take over the whole story? 

Gus: Well, yeah. Sort of.

Maryann: Gus, Gus, Gus. I really hated to have to put you in your place. Honest. You are a great character, and I probably could have written a whole book with you as a central character. But this is Leslie's story.

Gus: Does that mean I might get my own story?

Maryann: I don't know. I have a lot of other stories... wait... don't pout. That doesn't become you. Maybe I can write something in the future. Would you like to be in on cleaning up Hot Springs? 

Gus: Yes, Ma'am. I'd like nothing better. Chase all those gangsters back to Chicago where they belong.

Maryann: Um, Gus, as a law enforcement officer, wouldn't you want to see them all in jail, not in Chicago?

Gus: Our jail's too small. Let the officers in Chicago lock them up.

Maryann: Okaaayyy. So, is there anything else you would like to say while you are here? Last chance.

Gus: Let me think a minute. Oh, yeah, I hope people like the book, and me. I did try my best to do the right thing. It's hard to stand up to people like Bates, and I know I should have tried harder at times. And I guess I should say I'm sorry for waking you up so early.

Maryann: Apology accepted. But please, the next time you want to talk, there are lots of daylight hours you know.

Gus: Well, back here in your creative subconscious, we don't know night from day.

Maryann: True. I'd forgotten about that. Now are you ready to go back there and let me get on with my next story. The sooner I finish that one, the sooner I might be able to get back to one about you.

Gus:  Leaving now. Don't let me hold you up.

Boxes For Beds was just released last week, and will be a free read for the next three days, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for Kindle. Please hop over and grab a copy, and if you do, I would love for you to leave a short review when you finish reading.

10 comments:

Helen Ginger said...

This was a fun interview. I like Gus!

Maryannwrites said...

Thanks, Helen. We had fun with the interview. When I was writing the book, Gus kept wanting bigger and bigger scenes. I really had to rein him in. (smile)

Morgan Mandel said...

Great idea for an interview, Maryann!

And watch that scene stealer, Gus!

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com

Shaunda said...

Great interview, Maryann! I'm looking forward to reading your book!

Maryannwrites said...

Morgan, I'm sure you have had to corral a character or two, as well. Seems to happen with strong characters.

Shaunda,I hope you enjoy the read. This book is different from my other mysteries, and I actually started this story long before the Season's Series. Last summer I thought why not dust off the manuscript and see if the story still worked. To my surprise a whole lot of it did.

Bob Sanchez said...

Hey Gus, I downloaded Maryann Miller's book and look forward to reading it. But darn it, I hope you and the sheriff don't do everything she wants you to do.

Maryannwrites said...

LOL, Bob. I think it is more that I should not let Gus and the Sheriff do everything they want to.

Thanks for downloading the book. Hope you enjoy the read.

Galen Pearl said...

Just stopped by to say hi--saw your post through Cairn Rodrigues. Fun blog--I look forward to reading more.

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

What a great idea to interview a character from you book on your blog. Sounds like a great read.

Maryannwrites said...

Thanks for stopping by Galen and Kathi. So glad to meet you here and I'm happy you enjoyed meeting Gus. He was such a fun character to work with.