Interviewing my character

A tool I really like and have used in this blog space with guests, and continue to use as a way to get to know guests on my Lunatics & Monsters Podcast, is the Marcel Proust character questionnaire.

For writing, it’s a very useful tool to get into the head of your characters; to find out what makes them tick and learn how they might react to a certain condition, and more importantly, why they might respond a certain way.

So, today I’m going to give the test to Mieragon, the Magician who entered the 30 Stones Saga in Red Priest Rising, and is one of the two main protagonists through books 5 and 6. Now, to be fair, Mieragon is based on a character I used to play in Dungeons and Dragons way back in the late 1980s. That version of Mieragon was a Ranger, and he had a whip. I couldn’t bring a whip into this in any way that was plausible but he was a bit of a goof back then and not nearly as magically proficient as this new, up-graded version of Mieragon is. For the sake of this questionnaire, the interview will take place just before you meet the character in Red Priest Rising.

Full disclosure, I’ve never done this with Mieragon before, so I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen. Remember, he’s maybe 20 years old at this point and not wholly responsible. Also, remember, the Proust questions aren’t meant specifically for a fantasy character so some of the questions and answers aren’t wholly appropriate.

 

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Flying in my Dragon form, and watching everything happening below.


What is your greatest fear?

When I was younger I would have said getting stuck in my Dragon form, but I’m not sure that would be so bad. So, now I think my greatest fear is probably finally being given some responsibility and failing miserably.


What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I wish I were a better shot with a bow.


What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Cruelty. Fortunately, I don’t see it much. But, there again, I don’t get out much.


Which living person do you most admire?

Between my parents and my sisters it’s a tough question. Probably Mara, because she has to work so hard for everything and she’s incredibly smart. But I’ll deny I ever said it if you tell her.


What is your greatest extravagance?

Ice carving. As a Dragon I can make a block of ice, and even though nobody knows, I’ve learned to make some rough carvings with a dagger and chisel. I would never show them to anyone, but I enjoy the stillness of it.


What is your current state of mind?

Restless


What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Honesty. The Eifen have a concept of The Grey and I think honesty is there too – you can’t ‘always’ be honest. People would hate you.


On what occasion do you lie?

Depends on the situation. I’ve lied to keep my sisters out of trouble before. And me.


What do you most dislike about your appearance?

That I can’t really see what I look like as a Dragon. It feels awesome and I have to assume, from looking at other Dragons, that it looks great too – but I can’t get a really clear look.


Which living person do you most despise?

Life in Eigrae, especially in Brookfield and in the summer with Krieger, is pretty good. There aren’t a lot of people worthy of being despised. Again, I don’t get out much. But in general, I don’t like people who are greedy.


What is the quality you most like in a man?

Humility. My parents are both very powerful Wielders, but you wouldn’t know it. The people of Brookfield don’t treat them with any special reverence, and they all get along and are respectful of each other.


What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Same as for men. Why would it be different?


Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

I don’t think there are any – but Gellah tells me I have a great line in vacant looks.


What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My family. Maybe one day there will be someone who will take their place. My father says when I have children. 


When and where were you happiest?

When I first was able to turn into a Dragon. The pain and discomfort of not being able to do it at first was difficult. I thought I might be sick or not have magic power like my sisters had. When it finally happened though, it was like the sun came out and shone down on me and no one else.


Which talent would you most like to have?

I’d like to be as smart as Krieger. He’s quiet and careful and he’s always thought about things in a dozen different ways. I’d like to be that kind of useful.


If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Maybe a little taller. And I wonder what it’s like to breathe fire … but there again, all the other Dragons wonder what it’s like to breathe ice, so who am I to say.


What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I haven’t done anything worthy of the word achievement yet. Maybe I never will. Wesolk is a pretty quiet place – except for the Dragons.


If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

A Dragon. Most definitely.


Where would you most like to live?

I’ve really only ever known one home. We’ve traveled to Eigraenel before, and south to Dar’Ahlmon, but I like where I am.


What is your most treasured possession?

My sisters. I know they aren’t my possession, but I don’t know what I’d do without them.


What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Oh, I wouldn’t even want to contemplate that.


What is your favorite occupation?

Flying.


What is your most marked characteristic?

You mean other than turning into a small black Dragon that breathes ice? Nothing really. I don’t have a Wielder’s collar, and I’m not remarkably large or small.


What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty. Not to me, but to the concept of friendship; the bond that we will be there for each other.


Who are your favorite writers?

The only person I’ve ever known to write anything would be my mother – scribbling in the Codex; but it’s not very interesting. Mara writes a fair bit, but that seems just as dull, and Pars has also been known to spend a lot of time hunched over a desk. Better them than me.


 What are your favorite names?

What? That’s an odd question – I don’t know, the names that belong to people I like I guess.


What is it that you most dislike?

Beer. I actually can’t stand it. But if offered I will always drink it and pretend I like it. It seems that almost everyone drinks it around here – even my sisters and they swear they like it. Of course, I swear to them I like it too…


What is your greatest regret?

Agreeing to answer these questions – I’ve never been anywhere, or done anything – what is there to regret?


How would you like to die?

Very old, thank you very much.


What is your motto?

You haven’t been paying attention have you? Very young. Very bored. No regrets. No motto.

Ok, well, what I’ve learned in that little exercise is that Mieragon doesn’t like beer. I have him drinking it several times in books five and six and now, I’m going to have to remember that he doesn’t actually like it. I’m sure it will come up somehow.

Thanks for hanging out here and if you’ve read any of the 30 Stones Saga books, please take a few minutes to leave a review – especially for books 2-5 which don’t have many or any. Reviews are very useful to independent authors.