For those who don’t know, I’m participating in National Novel Writing Month this November. I’m working on a story that I had the idea for almost seven years ago.
The story follows Even, a 17 year old girl who has been in and out of law enforcement custody since her parents died in a car crash when she was 13. She lives with her wealthy uncle Nash, who bails her out without question. But, this time something is different. He puts his foot down, and tells her it’s a summer internship or boarding school.
During the summer internship in France, she gets into more trouble, and in doing so, stumbles upon a hidden tower where Aurora (yes that Aurora) is still sleeping. Even wakes Sleeping Beauty and her world turns upside down as she struggles to help her unexpected true love adjust to the new world while keeping her true identity a secret.
Be on the lookout for Waking Rory in the next few months.
And here’s that interview:
What is your full name?
Even (Ev-an) Grace McCoy
Where and when were you born?
I was born in Portland, Oregon on January third.
Who are/were your parents?
My parents were Alice and Hank McCoy.
Do you have any siblings?
No, I’m an only child.
Where do you live now, and with whom?
I live in Seattle, Washington with my uncle, and guardian, Nash McCoy.
To which social class do you belong?
You could say Nash is upper class? Or, like, high middle class? He has money, but he’s not rolling in it.
I wouldn’t consider myself in the same social class. In Portland, we had a small house and I went to public school. All this having a driver and a housekeeper stuff isn’t the life I’m used to.
Are you right or left handed?
I’m ambidextrous.
What does your voice sound like?
I have a fairly deep voice for a girl, but it has it’s high pitched moments. Mostly when I’m scared.
On what occasions do you lie?
I used to never lie, now I feel like it’s every other word out of my mouth.
Do you have a motto? If so, what is it?
Don’t get caught.
Do you have any annoying habits, quirks, strange mannerisms, or any other defining characteristics?
I chew my nails, roll my eyes a lot, and bite my lip.
What is your hair color and eye color?
I have brown hair and green eyes.
What kind of distinguishing facial features do you have?
My eyebrows are thick and curly like my dads. I have to keep them trimmed to make it in society.
Do you have any physical traits that stand out (scars, birthmarks, tattoos, etc.)? If you have scars, how did you get them?
I have a double nose piercing on the right side, and my left eyebrow is pierced.
I also have scars along my back, arms, and forehead from the car accident that killed my parents.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Fine, and I’m sorry.
Past
How would you describe your childhood?
I had a pretty normal childhood until the accident. My parents weren’t really hovering types or super lenient. They had a good balance between trust and restriction.
They believed in me, though. Believed I could do whatever I wanted with my life.
How much schooling have you had?
I’m about to be a high school senior.
Did you enjoy school? If not, why did you struggle?
School sucks. Kids are mean, parents don’t teach them respect anymore, and let’s be honest, high school is like the Hunger Games. Kill or be killed.
Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities?
I get into a lot of trouble, so trial and error?
How did you get along with other members of your family?
I got along great with my parents, Nash not so much. He’s not really around, so what does it matter?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I used to want to go to Julliard, play piano, maybe write some great music that would be part of history.
I haven’t touched the piano since the accident.
What were your favorite activities?
I love art.
When and where were you the happiest?
I was happiest back home, with my old friends and my old family. My old school. My old life.
When did you have your first kiss, and who with?
I kissed Mathew Abbott last year after he took me on a date. He’s not really my type, but appearances are everything at a Charter school.
Are you a virgin?
Yes, but most people don’t know that.
Describe any influences in your past that led you to the things you do today?
I used to have someone to talk to. My friends, my parents, my awesome next door neighbor who babysat me as a baby. Now, it’s just me and the house keeper Laura most days.
It’s lonely, and I’m bored. And if the only way Nash will pay attention is to steal a candy bar from the liquor store, I guess that’s what I’m going to do.
What do you consider the most important even of your life so far?
The accident.
What is your greatest regret so far, why? Has the regret formed the person you are today?
Again, the accident. If I hadn’t insisted on staying around after my audition, we wouldn’t have been out so late. We wouldn’t have even been near that car.
What is the most evil thing you’ve done so far?
I break up all of Nash’s relationships. It’s probably not fair, but if he’s not even paying attention to me, how can he pay attention to them? I’ve convinced myself it’s because they’re only after his money, but I think deep down it’s more about me.
Do you have a criminal record?
Do bunnies hop?
My criminal record is longer than the constitution.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you so far?
I got my first period on my first date in light colored jeans. Absolutely mortifying.
If you could change one thing form your past, what would it be, and why?
I’d bring my parents back.
What is your best memory so far? Why is it so powerful and lasting?
My mom and dad used to take me to the atrium. I’ve always loved the stars, but I loved my dad’s stories about them even more.
What is your worst memory so far? Why is it so powerful and lasting?
The accident.
When we got hit by the drunk driver, we were out of town, on some back road. I was pinned into the back seat for three hours before help even arrived. My parents were already gone, and the drunk driver was on the run.
Beliefs and Opinions
Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
I try to pretend there isn’t a glass so I don’t have to worry about it.
What is your greatest fear?
Cars.
What are your religious views?
If there’s a god, he seriously sucks.
What are your political views?
The government should stay out of people’s business unless they’re hurting other people.
What are your views on sex?
I mean, I’ve never done it? But, it’s probably overrated.
Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
Not really. I mean, my parents were about as perfect for each other as they could be, but that doesn’t mean they were meant to be.
In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Kill someone else.
Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find the killing to be acceptable or unacceptable?
I don’t think so…maybe if I had to defend myself or someone I loved?
What do you measure success in? (money, career, husband/wife, children, happiness, etc.)
Happiness. Both my parents were pretty successful to me, and they didn’t have much but each other.
How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings in the company of others?
Depends on the person, but I tend to keep my thoughts to myself.
Do you have any prejudices? If so, what are they and why do you have those specific prejudices?
Ironically, I hate people who drink. Which is funny because I get in trouble for underage drinking all the time.
Who or what would you die for, or otherwise go to extremes for?
Can’t say anyone in particular. I mean, I need Nash, but I don’t know for sure if I’d die for him. To be honest, I don’t think he’d die for me either.
Relationships With Others
In general, how do you treat others (politely, as they treat you, by keeping them at a distance, with sarcasm, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how?
It depends on the person. I’m pretty sarcastic with almost everyone, but I try to treat people well. I think I usually just end up keeping them at a distance. Why get close when they’re eventually going to die?
How close are you to your family?
Me and Nash aren’t what you’d call close.
Which person do you wish you were closest to?
Anyone but Nash.
Who is the most important person in your life, why?
Myself. I’m all I can depend on.
Who are your friends?
Molly is my best friend, but she’s a backstabbing jerk most of the time. I think that’s why we are friends. At least I know I can’t trust her, so it’s easy to keep her at a distance.
Have you ever been in love?
I hope I never fall in love.
What do you look for in a potential lover?
I’m not really looking.
Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help?
Nash, I guess. He’s the one who bails me out of everything. It’s kind of his job.
Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why?
I’m the only one who can protect me.
If you died or went missing, who would miss you?
Probably no one. Nash wouldn’t even notice for the first few days.
Who is the person you despise the most, why?
Besides myself, the man who killed my parents.
Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
Variety is the spice of life, right?
Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
I’m more of a follower.
Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not?
Not much for crowds or tight spaces.
Do you care what others think of you? Why or why not?
I’m pretty sure most people just think I’m a bitch, and I’m okay with that.
Likes and Dislikes
What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
I like to draw these days. I don’t think I’m all that good though.
What is your favorite color?
I tell people it’s black, but really it’s blue.
What is your favorite food?
I can’t get enough of Asian cuisine. Thai, Chinese, Japanese. Doesn’t matter, but I definitely prefer the authentic stuff, those small, mom and pop restaurants, over any chain.
What is your most treasured possession?
A necklace my mom gave me before she died.
Do you like to read? If so, what do you like to read?
I secretly really like poetry.
What do you believe is good entertainment?
Karma.
Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? Why? How do you get the money for it? Do you want to quit?
All of the above. I guess I do it to numb the pain. Doesn’t always work, but it makes a great distraction from reality for a while. Nash gives me allowance, it’s supposed to be for clothes and school stuff though.
I’d probably quit if I had something better to do.
How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Finding whatever trouble I can get into. Nash is always super busy Saturdays, Laura takes the night off, and I hate being alone.
What makes you laugh?
I have a morbid sense of humor.
What shocks or offends you?
Not much of anything anymore.
What makes you happy?
I wish I knew.
What makes you sad?
I don’t really get sad anymore. Or maybe I never stop.
What makes you angry?
I’m pretty much always angry these days.
How do you deal with stress?
I tend to bottle it up until I explode.
How do you deal with pain?
Same as above.
Are you spontaneous, or do you always have a plan?
I never have a plan, which is probably why I’m always getting caught doing dumb stuff.
What are your pet peeves?
I hate when people chew with their mouth open. Especially gum.
Where would you like to live? Why?
I really just want to move back to Portland.
Personal
What is your greatest strength?
My ability to hide my weaknesses.
What is your greatest weakness?
I’m pretty much a chickenshit. I have no clue how to fight, but boy do I talk the talk. One of these days, it’s going to get me a black eye or worse.
Which talent would you most like to have? Why?
I wish I could lie my way out of anything like Nash does.
Do you like yourself?
Not really.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I want to be…better. I just don’t know how.
Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
I’m more like an introvert who wishes she was an extrovert.
Are you generally organized or messy?
I’m a full on natural disaster.
Name three things you consider yourself to be good at, and three things you consider yourself to be bad at.
Good: Math, art, guitar.
Bad: Sports and following rules.
See what I did there?
What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Aggressive, immature, disrespectful.
What goal do you most want to accomplish in your life?
I just want to be on my own.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t even know if I’ll make it that far.
If you could choose, how would you want to die?
In my sleep.
If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left.
I’d tell Nash I was sorry. I’d totally kiss Callie James. And I’d probably go back home.
If you were to die and come back as a person, animal, or thing, what do you think it would be, and why?
I’d want to be a bird.
What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death?
I doubt anyone will remember me.
Quirky Details
What do you have in your pockets or purse?
Gum, chapstick, a pen.
What in on your nightstand?
What’s not on my nightstand?
What is in you refrigerator?
Laura keeps it stocked.
What do you most wear on your feet (dress shoes, boots, gym shoes, socks with holes in them, slippers, etc.)?
Boots or sneakers. Whichever is easier to run in.
What smells do you associate with your childhood, and why (the cookies your grandmother used to bake, the oatmeal you ate every day, the perfume your mother used to wear, etc.)?
My mom always smelled like honey and almond. It was this lotion she put on every morning. And our house always smelled like Tulips. Dad was always bringing them home for her.
If you are cleaning among your things, what is easy for you to throw out? What do you have difficulty parting with? Why?
It’s easy to throw away homework or clothes. It’s a lot harder to throw away drawings, songs, or anything that reminds me of my parents.
Thank you, everyone. This has been Even McCoy. Stay tuned for other character interviews from Waking Rory.