Today, we’re doing something a little different. If you remember, we interviewed Barbi Barnard’s character on December 22nd and it was so fun that I thought we may as well make an occasional habit of it. I had the pleasure of meeting Aurora Zahni, the author of The Island and The Kite, on my author journey and I asked if I could borrow a character, Mary Susan Bennett, from the book. We’ll get a chance to talk to Aurora in a bit, but now we have on the stage…Mary Susan!
Marie Lavender: Hello, Mary Susan. Please have a seat.
Character Mary Susan Bennett: Thanks for having me here.
Marie: Sure!
We’re going to start out with some simple questions, all right?
Mary Susan: Okay.
Marie: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Mary Susan: My name is Mary Susan Bennett and I am from Heller Park, New Jersey. I come from a place where we don’t spend a lot of time describing what we look like, but I suppose I’m a frumpy redhead whose girlfriend describes as “curvy.” You can read about my adventures in The Island and The Kite by Aurora Zahni.
Marie: Great! Thank you for that succinct description.
So, what is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it?
Mary Susan: I am currently a waitress at a wonderful coffee shop named Cybele’s Reverie. I am a great waitress and can currently not think of a better way to spend my time and get paid for it.
Marie: Well, it’s awesome that you enjoy your job so much. 🙂
So, tell us…what is your family like?
Mary Susan: Small. Both my parents passed away recently and I lost touch with a lot of my other relatives after my cousin Coralie was also tragically taken away from us.
Marie: Oh, no! I’m so sorry to hear that. 😦
That must have been very hard.
If it doesn’t bother you too much, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like?
Mary Susan: It was a simple ranch style house. When I was twelve, my parents let me take over the basement.
Marie: (Smiles.) All right, I can tell there’s a story there, but I won’t pry.
Do you have any hobbies, Mary Susan? What do you enjoy doing?
Mary Susan: I like to listen to music and meet new people. When I meet someone, I try to connect with them and learn what they are passionate about. Shared experience is the cure for the human condition.
Marie: Oh, I fully agree! And what a refreshing take to hear that!
So…what is your greatest dream?
Mary Susan: I just want to make it through this world leaving a positive mark on the Universe.
Marie: That’s certainly admirable.
Let’s try another question.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you?
Mary Susan: I don’t understand. I am precisely who I am, can’t be anything else really and nothing stops me from doing anything really.
Marie: Good to hear!
Okay, so I’m going to throw another random question at you now.
Who was your first love?
Mary Susan: Stefi Angel. Is this a trick question and did Stefi put you up to this?
Marie: Nope. (Winks.) I swear I didn’t know about you two before today.
In any case, it’s good to hear you say that. I just love romance, if the name of the blog wasn’t an indication. (Chuckles.)
All right. So, let’s try something else.
What’s the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?
Mary Susan: I can’t talk about it. My entire existence is based upon moving forward.
Marie: Okay, I respect that. I won’t push. I can see this is difficult for you.
[Briefly touches her guest’s hand.]
Let’s move on to something a bit lighter now, shall we?
[Mary Susan nods.]
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not?
Mary Susan: I had such a carefree childhood that I never thought about it. I’ve always mostly accepted things for their own intrinsic beauty and appreciated what the Universe offered up to me. So I guess, yes, I have achieved my dream.
Marie: Well, great! 😀
Let’s try something else.
So, who is your role model, Mary Susan?
Mary Susan: My boss, Hilary Palmer who I think saves the world on a regular basis and would probably be much better for an interview.
Marie: (Waves a hand.) Nonsense. You’re doing great! But, it’s good to hear that you admire your boss.
Well…you’ll probably think I’m digging for dirt on the next question.
Is there someone you pretend to like but really dislike?
Mary Susan: I’ve never done that. Why would you?
Marie: Indeed! That’s an excellent point. I wish everyone could be so genuine.
So, can you tell us something? What is your deepest desire, Mary Susan?
Mary Susan: Desires are never deeply hidden in me. I can get caught up in it on a moment’s notice.
Marie: All right.
How about another question…
What is your greatest fear?
Mary Susan: To fake anything in life.
Marie: And it’s certainly refreshing that you’re not! 😉
Well, it looks like we’re out of time. Thank you for visiting us today, Mary Susan. It was so interesting getting to know you! 🙂
Mary Susan: Thank you for having me, Marie!
Marie: My pleasure!
(Waves goodbye to her guest.)
Marie: Now, let’s shift over and get the author’s perspective. We have author Aurora Zahni on the stage today. It’s such a pleasure to meet you! Hello, Aurora!
Author Aurora Zahni: Hello, Marie! A pleasure to meet you.
Marie: The honor is mine. 🙂
So, we just got to talk to a female character of your story, Mary Susan Bennett. Quite an interesting character. Can you tell us a little about her?
Aurora: Mary Susan is the best of me. She doesn’t judge and lives in harmony with the world around her. She has come through tragedy with a strengthened point of view, which she inherited from her parents.
Marie: And as I was saying before with Mary Susan, I think that’s very admirable.
So, what are your character’s greatest strengths?
Aurora: She is often nonplussed by conflict. She is so easy breezy that she can face off with just about anything like a champ.
Marie: Wow. I wish I had about ten cups of that! (Laughs.)
That’s awesome!
And what are her greatest weaknesses?
Aurora: She doesn’t judge anyone, good or bad. She is just as often hurt by this as she is saved by it.
Marie: All right. So, a sensitive soul…I can relate to that.
Let’s try something else.
What are some of her favorite foods?
Aurora: She loves eating, and her favorite treat is a Binkie, which is a bacon laced cream filled angel food cake pastry which may or may not remind you of a Twinkie from both heaven and hell.
Marie: Good Lord! That sounds evil and scrumptious! 😉
How about another question?
What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has?
Aurora: Ha, “being unaware.” It’s like they say, birds don’t know they are flying. Mary Susan doesn’t realize that she has any positive or negative properties, just hopes she does good in the Universe.
Marie: (Sighs.) I wish we were all so innocent.
So, will readers like or dislike this character, and why?
Aurora: If you don’t like Mary Susan, I don’t want to know you. Mary Susan, however, would still be nice to you.
Marie: (Smiles.) Great response.
Now that we have a real taste of Mary Susan, we have a few questions for you as well as the author.
What first gave you the idea for The Island and The Kite?
Aurora: Mary Susan had a small part in my first novel. She always stuck out to me as a character, and I wanted to give her a proper showcase. I wanted to send her on an adventure filled with trials and tribulations to see how she fared. And hey, I even gave her a love story, which I never do.
Marie: Great!
Let’s try something else.
What is your writing style like, Aurora? Are you a pantster or a plotter?
Aurora: I pants to plot points. I never plan out an entire book, because I feel that it guides the story too much and allows for “Hand of God” moments, as opposed to the organic development of a the plot. So I just write and revise often so I can always have an idea of what is ahead and keep it all in continuity.
Marie: I can respect that. Sometimes it’s better to listen to the muse.
Now, I’m throwing this one in for our aspiring writers. Did you come across any specific challenges in writing The Island and The Kite or publishing it? What would you do differently the next time?’
Aurora: This is my third published novel and it went fairly smoothly. I tend to write self-indulgent stories, but after two of those I was a lot more open to writing for an audience this time.
That balance is something important all writers need to address. You need to write the story only you can write, but that anyone can read.
Marie: That’s good advice! We should cater to different audiences at once.
Well, it was a such a pleasure having you here on the I Love Romance Blog! And how apropos is that, considering what a great story The Island and The Kite appears to be.
Readers, you will just have to pick up a copy of this awesome book by Aurora Zahni, a very talented author! 🙂
Here is the blurb for The Island and The Kite:
Two girls. Two stories. One day.
A murder spree and magic tea help two star crossed lovers see the light.
Mary Susan and Stefi Angel are two constant exes who can never get it right, always as eager to give up as they are to start up again. But one day in New York City helps change that forever.
The city is in a panic as the T and S Killers rising body count has everyone on edge. Free spirit Mary Susan just wants to see a movie and ends up trapped in Hell’s Kitchen being chased by vigilantes and murderers alike. She spends the night trying to escape the city that never sleeps and deciding if she should give Stefi another chance.
Star basketball player Stefi Angel can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to love…until she drinks magical tea and suddenly has all the questions and the answers. She just hopes she can get Mary Susan to believe they have the kind of love worth fighting for and that it’s not too late.
Aurora is also offering us a great excerpt from the book!
“So…” Stefi took a deep breath. “How am I doing, red?”
“Not bad. Maybe you’ll get most of me after all.”
“I want it all this time.”
“We’ll see.” Mary Susan laid her head on Stefi’s shoulder. “Hey.” She poked Stefi’s arm. “I have a gift for you back at my place.”
“I bet you do. Just let me get you cleaned up first.”
“No, silly. A real gift in a box with a bow and everything.”
“I think I have everything I need.”
They devoured their breakfast and Mary Susan napped on the drive back to her place. “Where’s your roommate?” Stefi asked when they got there.
“At work.” Mary Susan removed her outer layer of clothing and announced, “I need to shower.”
Stefi smiled and took off her shoes and socks. “Okay.”
“That wasn’t an invitation. I’m filthy and I really need to shower. Will you wait for me?” Stefi nodded and then watched Mary Susan and the curves she loved walk to the bathroom in her skivvies. Be a better girlfriend. Stefi brought down all the shades and curtains in the room and put on some music at a low volume. When Mary Susan got out of the bathroom, she was already in bed waiting for her.
“Stefi…it’s been a long day. I don’t know what you think is going to happen here.”
“Be quiet and come here and trust me.” Mary Susan listened to her and then cautiously slid under the covers. Stefi put both her long arms around her and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. “Now I want you to sleep. I’m here. I’m yours. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Ooh…this sounds really good!
Purchase Links:
Universal Amazon link: http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00OOAXZYK
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-island-and-the-kite-aurora-zahni/1120965559
CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/5189750
About Aurora Zahni
Aurora Zahni is a former rebel who’s trying to bring a little bit of Judy Blume and Sylvia Plath to the Twilight Generation. Over the years, she has given half-assed / full throttle contributions to numerous zines and blogs, written a web movie and done significantly well in countless competitive eating events. When she was in the 8th grade, she was on the local evening news. A dead body was being lifted out of the water at a marina by the Meadowlands and you could clearly see her standing in the background watching, looking a bit excited for the camera. Looking back it may have been the highlight of her entire childhood.
Aurora’s Books:
And, if you want to know how to connect with the amazing Aurora Zahni, here are some author links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoraurorazahni
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aurorazahni
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Zahni/e/B00I3JC9I6/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092273.Aurora_Zahni
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shirley5283/aurora-zahni/
Publisher: http://www.beaucoupllcpublishing.com/aurora-zahni/
Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/beaucouppublishingllc/2014/12/09/a-bc-chat
Once again, I want to thank both of our guests, Mary Susan Bennett, a female character from The Island and The Kite, and Aurora Zahni, the brilliant author of the novel, for stopping by! It was so much fun to have you here! 🙂
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