So, per my nature, I fell behind on posting. I didn't want to fall behind, but then again, no one really does. I meant to do this interview last week as well as start up some helpful posts that would take a few weeks to get through but time slipped away from me.
The past few weeks I've been interviewing authors so they can tell you about themselves and all the books they've written. But this week, I have something different to share with you. Toni Kerr, author of the Secrets of Makai series, and featured author of my book group, has allowed me to to interview one of her characters. Let's take a look as what he has to tell us, shall we?
Why don't you tell us your name?
My name is Tristan Warner.
Is there anything significant about your name?
Significance of the name? Apparently I’m destined to ruin my life. “Heart of lion, just needs some time” and all that.... That “time” better get here quick, before I ruin everyone else’s life too.
How old are you Tristan?
15. I think. I don’t actually know when my real birthday is—my mom never mentioned it when I was living with her. It doesn’t bother me much, but if anyone asks, I say April Fool’s Day.
Why don't you tell us a little about yourself.
My mom and I moved around a lot when I was growing up. I didn’t mind, because people would always think I was up to no good after a while, especially as I got older. But you have to understand, it’s hard to tell the difference between people’s thoughts and their actual words. Lip-reading helps, but people get suspicious after a while.
I have a near photographic memory and drawing helps me tune out the world. My favorite things to draw are clipper ships and people.
I’ve never ridden a bicycle.
My mother hocked my iPod for a carton of cigarettes, so I no longer own any digital devices.
I think the Fates must have been drunk when they decided I should be the designated person (I refuse to say dragon) to handle the ‘sacred’ stones. Seriously! What exactly am I supposed to DO with them?
What do you do for a living?
My first job was at a corner market near the high school. I know from hearing Allen’s thoughts (he’s the owner) that he only hired me because my history teacher asked him to. As the year went on, Allen kept me working because the town’s steering committee wanted me fired. (They didn’t want trailer-trash type people from Felony Flats working in the upper class neighborhoods.) Allen is a great person-- quitting that job without notice or saying goodbye is one of my regrets.
My current job is to learn how to control these powers that keep getting out of hand. I know the learning should be my highest priority, but I really would like a paying job. Mainly because I’d like to buy some personal things, like a pencil sharpener, a calendar, and socks without holes in them. I’m sure anything I want or need would be given to me, but I really hate to ask or be a nuisance to anyone. Plus, I’ve never been given something without a string attached somewhere, and I’ve been given an awful lot lately.
What is your main goal in life?
At first, I just wanted to get control of these powers, but now, I’m starting to believe that will never happen. Every time I turn around there’s another gem overloading me with something new. But I think I might have a plan...I just don’t have all the facts to weigh the risks yet, and I’m not even sure there are facts to find. It would also mean accepting the fact that I’m a dragon, and I just can’t.
Very interesting. What started you down your current path?
Long story short, I really was going to end the path I was on. I tied up all the loose ends of my life, burned my best drawings, stole some prescription drugs...had backup plans if I failed to OD.... Then a woman named Gwenna Winters appeared out of thin air and saved my life. She confessed to being my stalker, told me I had dragon ancestry, and gave me a quest I couldn’t quite understand. And then she was murdered and I was on the run.
Big question some are reluctant to answer, or not sure how to answer. Would you kill for those you love?
I wouldn’t have thought I had it in me, but yes. And I’d have to say, even though it cost me everything, I’d probably do it again.
Do you like animals? Do you have any pets or animal companions?
I had a pet mouse in our last trailer, but he pretty much took care of himself. I have a falcon that shows up at the oddest times. We’ve been through a lot together, so I guess I’d consider him more of a companion than a pet. He’s definitely more than a simple bird of prey, and I wish I could get in his head and hear his thoughts. Maybe he’s the trainer and I’m the pet.
Tell us something a little personal. Who was your first kiss, and what did you think of it?
Dorian. It was dark and rainy and we were trying to cover our faces with mud so we wouldn’t be spotted in the forest. I don’t know what I was thinking when I kissed her, other than we might never see each other again. But we fight so much of the time, it was crazy to think we might actually like each other. Biggest mistake ever. Almost.
There a many things in life can can influence our behavior. It could be something that was done to us by another person. It can be something that we did to ourselves. But one thing people don't think about are events during their childhood. Can you remember something from your childhood which influences your behavior?
I drowned in a lake when someone was trying to teach me how to swim. I don’t remember who saved me, but I do remember the peace and quiet I felt after that first bit of panic. Sometimes I wish I could experience that peace again, but I’m starting to realize that a lot of lives and races are depending on my existence as a dragon. I really should learn to swim so I don’t drown by accident.
We all try to live our lives the way we want but a lot of time it doesn't work out that way. Do you have any regrets? Anything you would change about yourself or your life?
I regret giving up on finding a cure for hearing others’ thoughts, and being content in coping with the chaos in my head. Had I not assumed I was the only one, or that I was crazy, I might have found someone who could teach me how to deal with it at an earlier age. I really hate being the last one to know, and part of me wants to find out why I was purposefully left to fend for myself. But the bigger the world gets, the smaller I become.
Why don't you tell us bout the world you come from?
My world is much like the current world we all live in...except there are groups of people who have lots of power—like telepathy and the ability to move and transport objects. I suspect a few enjoy manipulating major events to suit their needs, while others make it a mission to make sure those people don’t take over the world.
Only a select few know there is a third society of ghostly beings who are the Seraphim Council of Dragons. I’m starting to understand what and who they are, and I think my falcon is one of them. Their spirits are bound to earth by some sort of contract to protect the gems containing the magical races until the world is judged a safer place. But how safe is safe? And I’m thinking there’s a pattern: the ones who help me the most tend to disappear (including my falcon).
In the course of your adventures, do you travel at all? Where do you go?
I travel a lot in this first adventure—from the east coast to Seattle by train, to a hidden island off the coast of Alaska as a stowaway by boat, and then to Ireland by a means I have yet to perfect. I’m off to New Zealand next. Distance really is irrelevant when you know how to transport yourself.
Does your world have magic? How is it viewed in your world?
I think it should be called magic, but they seem to teach it as a science. As far as origins, some people (people with powers) think they’re evolved/gifted humans, using a higher percentage of their brains. Others think they might have descended from fairy races, which sounds just as silly as me being descended from dragons.
Does your world have different races of people? Do they get on with one another?
Yes, actually. I was told that a little emerald contains the soul of a Valkyrie—I now know it’s true. I’m pretty sure that all the gems contain various other races, but I have yet to figure out what they are, where they belong, or what powers they give me when I touch them. I don’t know if they get along with each other or not, or what got them sealed away in the first place.
But I do know there must be very few descendants left in the world if I’m the one designated to handle all the gems. And if something happens to me...who will decided when the world is safe enough to free the magical races? (The council can’t or won’t talk to me). What if the races were never meant to be freed in the first place? What will happen to the council of dragon spirits if I break the contract that keeps them alive in whatever realm they live in? I haven’t decided what I should do yet, but I think my days as a human are about to end.
Well that's the end of our little interview. Thank you Tristan for coming out to talk with me. If anyone is interested in learning more about Tristan and/or the world he lives in, I've provided links and information below. Thanks for tuning in and happy reading!
Descendant- Book 1 in the Secrets of the Makai series http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HANNA9S
Unleashed- Book 2 in the Secrets of the Makai series http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KRPWJ0W
DragonFire- Book 3 in the Secrets of the Makai series Coming Soon—Spring of 2015
Author: Toni Kerr
About: Toni Kerr lives with her husband, two dangerously creative children, and a fabulous Australian Shepherd in the Pacific Northwest. She loves the outdoors, horses, the high desert, Photoshop, music, salty things, and writing in the wee hours of morning when all is silent.
Where to find her: Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Toni-Kerr/e/B00HBHLPD6/ Blog: http://tonikerr.blogspot.com/ Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Toni-Kerr/252431871578460 Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniKerr_Writer