McSwain & Beck interview the star of Lightmasters: Number 13, JESSICA T. WYRD
Hang on to your hats folks, because this blog post is sure to be one roller coaster ride full of fun! You see, McSwain & Beck of the YA action-mystery, Gone at Zero Hundred 00:00, have decided to take a few moments away from their busy days of detecting, sleuthing, spying, or just plain being nosey, to have a chat with 13-year-old, Jessica T. Wyrd, the action, fantasy hero of the YA novel LIGHTMASTERS: Number 13, created by author M.G. Wells.
Without further ado…
Sydney Marie McSwain (18-years-old)
McSwain: Hey Jessica, thanks for stopping by and giving Cody and I a crack at interviewing you first, before the paparazzi get wind of your notoriety regarding your exploits in Lightmasters: Number 13. It’s great to meet you.
Jessica: Thanks for having me. It’s cool to meet you, too!
McSwain: I was drawn to your story because like me, you’re also living without parents. For those of you who don’t know, Jessica lost hers when she was twelve.
Jessica: That’s right. They were killed by a drunk driver. That’s when I was sent to live with my grandparents.
McSwain: Even though you were angry about losing your parents, and forced to move to a new location—which meant a new school and the struggle to make new friends—how did you keep from wallowing in self-pity?
Jessica: I don’t have time for self-pity. Well, maybe a little. I was more angry and sad though about having to move away from Georgia to New York. It was lonely living with my grandparents, and I felt nervous about my new school. I am kind of a loner, so it’s hard for me to find friends who get me. Also, most of the kids at school don’t like that I’m smart. They also tease me about my last name. This really bugs me.
McSwain: Before we get into any topics of the book, how have you been coping with the loss of your parents? It’s hard for me at 18, I can only imagine what it’s like for you.
Jessica: Truth is, I miss my father most. He was always so kind and gentle. My mother was cold and distant. I wish I had known her better. She wasn’t around very much. She spent most of her time teaching at the university.
Cody Beck (18-years-old)
Sydney: Sorry, Jessica, but my goofball friend, I mean partner at McSwain & Beck, wants to ask you a few questions. But be careful, he can be a wisenheimer.
Jessica: LOL
Beck: Hey Jessica, so tell me… what’s it REALLY like living with your gassy Grandparents, as you describe them?
Jessica: At first, it was a freaking nightmare. The burping and farting was gross. My Grandmother’s cooking is so disgusting, and she can be too bossy sometimes. My Grandfather has a great sense of humor and reminds me of my father. After I got to know them better, I love and respect them for their humor and wisdom.
Beck: On your thirteenth birthday, a magnificent spiral light lit up outside your bedroom window.
What went through your mind when you left your room and followed the light into the forest? What did you think it was? Were you scared?
Jessica: A little. I was more intrigued and had to find out more about it.
Cody: You dealt with the mighty Torc, slithery serpents and numerous challenges on your way to Kiron in the fantastical Otherworld. Did they represent bullies to you, in real life?
Jessica: Yes, they did. Before he died, my father warned me about bullies and the need to stand up for myself. Even though Torc was scary, Dragateen and Bo were much kinder. Torc is a warrior dedicated to his role as a Lightmaster. Once I got to know what he was about, I admired his boldness and courage. In the Otherworld I was just winging it. Each bizarre challenge forced me to protect myself at any cost. I especially enjoyed meeting, Gwendolyn, Lady of the Emerald Pond.
McSwain nudged Beck in the ribs to let him know she had a question.
McSwain: Feeling like an outcast, did it empower you to deal with them in such a bold way?
Jessica: Sure did. I also have a fiery temper when provoked. I do my best to avoid bullies since I know deep down they’re hurting inside. Sometimes, you just have to face them head on.
McSwain: You run into many unusual, and interesting characters on your way to becoming a Lightmaster. Without giving the plot away, what was the most exciting part of your magical adventure?
Jessica: Shape-shifting into a mermaid was very weird.
Also when my Grandparents and I entered an altered dream state together. Here, I discovered my Granmother was a Blue Dragon,
I a Firebird,
And my Granfather a Blue Whale…
The lessons I learned from Lightmasters Dragateen and Oja were incredible. They taught me to believe in the power of my thoughts and how magical they can be when properly used. Oja taught me how to become invisible using my thoughts, and this was the most awesome experience.
Beck: That’s friggin’ awesome!!!
McSwain: Now, let’s get down to the part of the interview that Cody has been excited to know. As a wannabe filmmaker, Cody views stories as they would appear on the big screen. He lives for movies. Lightmasters: Number 13 has very vivid and colorful descriptions. If you could have anyone you wanted to turn your story into a feature film, what director(s) immediately come to mind from movies you’ve seen on the big screen?
Jessica: Hey Cody. Some directors I like are Peter Jackson, James Cameron, James Darabont, Alfonso Cuarón, Ron Howard, Ridley Scott and Steven Spielberg, in no particular order.
McSwain: Harry Potter was such a success on the big screen since the actors selected to portray the characters were appropriately cast. If you had your choice of actresses to audition for the role of Jessica T. Wyrd, who would you select to play yourself, your grandparents and the infamous, Dragateen?
Jessica: Oh, wow that’s a cool question. I admire the talented, Irish actress Saoirse Ronan and believe she’d be great playing me.
I’d love to see Anthony Hopkins play my Grandfather
and Miriam Margolyes play my Grandmother.
Also, for the Kind, Mystical Dragateen, Keanu Reeves woudl be GREAT!
Of course, I’m open to suggestions. There’s so much talent out there, it’s mind-blowing to pick just one.
Sydney: Well, those are some excellent suggestions. Okay, Jessica, here comes the million-dollar question. There’s a rumor going around that there may be a sequel to Lightmasters: Number 13. Is that true? If so, do you have any cool information about the new adventure you can share with us? Or is it top secret information only Lightmasters are privy to?
Jessica: Yes, M.G. has been working on Lightmasters: The Gate. I can’t give away all the juicy details. I will be traveling to Egypt with my friend, Cleopatra Quinn, and her family this summer.
I’m so excited about going there. It’s always been a dream of mine. That’s all I can share for now. It was fun getting to know you, Sydney McSwain and Cody Beck. Maybe we can hook up some time and share some of our wild experiences!
McSwain & Beck: We would love that!
Here are the links to all thinks Lightmasters: Number 13. Stop by and introduce yourself to the creator, M.G. Wells. Just make to tell her McSwain & Beck sent you. 
Before you go, the author of Lightmasters: Number 13, has decided to have a Giveaway, and is offering (one autographed copy of the paperback version of the book). How cool is that?!
To enter, you MUST leave a comment, (1 point); LIKE the blog post (2 points); and send out a Tweet on Twitter with a link to the blog post addressed to my Twitter sign: @McSwainandBeck (3 points). Of course, you can comment and tweet as often as you like to get more points. The Giveaway will run from today, June 26 to July 10 at midnight. Whoever has the most points at the end of the giveaway will be the lucky winner.
The chances of winning are in your hands!
