Character Interview - Grace Connors from the Paradox Series - Guest blogger Julia Crane

Let me start out by saying that Patti Roberts is one of my favorite young adult authors. 

Not only is she a phenomenal writer, she is truly a giving person. She is always friendly and willing to lend a helping hand. I’m not sure how I stumbled across the first book in her series, but I’m glad I did. 

I fell in love with Patti’s writing and her characters. The below interview takes place with one of the main characters from the Paradox series at the age of 14. In book two—which I just finished—Grace is now 16, and I am anxiously awaiting the third book.
Julia Crane - Blog

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Good morning Grace, it a pleasure to have you with us today

Thank you, it is nice to be here.

 We know it’s been difficult for you and your mother Kate, since your father died. How are things going now? Is Kate eating and sleeping normally? 

Oh mum is fine now, we both are.  At first I wasn’t sure if either of us was going to make it – or if we even wanted too.  I was so young, eleven, and I felt so lost without my dad.  But with the help of my amazing friends Josh and Angela, life has been, well different, but good.  And I never thought I would be able to say that.  I know that mum  is really grateful that Wade has been here  – for the both of us.  He is like a surrogate dad.  My dad would really have liked him.  When I was little, I used to close my eyes and pretend that my dad was still there.  That Wade was my dad.

 Angela has become your best friend and you admit she is a bit odd. Have you ever talked to her about her strange behaviour? And do you ever feel frustrated by the things she says? 

 At first I did – not that I had any friends to compare her with!  Other than Patrick who died so young, Angela was my first real friend.  Then of course Josh came along… He had a huge crush on Angela – he still does!  I was never frustrated by Angela.  Surprised, yes – often!  Angela has this special way about her that makes it impossible for me not to want to be around her.  And Josh, well he is just like a brother.

Do you think your match making efforts with Angela will ever work? 

Okay, well that is frustrating!!!  Here is this great guy who just adores her to bits and it’s like she just doesn’t get it!  I would do anything to have a boyfriend that loved me like that!

 Tell us a little more about Josh? 

Josh is adorable – I could hug him to death.  Mum calls us the three musketeers’, Angela, Josh, and I.   Josh is so great, he would make a wonderful knight in shining armour.  And he always makes me make me laugh.   Not Angela though.  But then no one can make Angela laugh…  Dad would have called her an old soul in a young body.

 Most children and many adults want a Guardian Angel or an imaginary friend. So I was shocked to learn that you sent Hope away when you needed her the most. Hope was part of your life for over three years; do you still remember her? and do you miss her?  

Hope was just a dream, an imaginary friend.  I know that now.  Mum needed me.  She used to say that I just made Hope up when I was little because I didn’t have any real friends.  Hope sure felt real at times though, and dad even used to play along.  He made us both swords when we used to play dress-ups for one of my favourite movies The Lord Of The Rings.   I would love to have a real Guardian Angel, that would be great!

 Eleven is very young to have to care for an adult when your mother should have been caring for you. We understand she was grieving, but you were so young, do you feel robbed of your childhood because of the way your mother reacted after your father died? 

 It was a sad and weird time.  I missed dad so much but I was more afraid of what would happen to me if mum died too.    I used to have such vivid dreams about losing both my parents. So just having mum there, in any condition, was good enough for me.  And then there was Wade, so…

 The visions you have are certainly intense, how much of these do you remember and can you see a connection to your current life?

At the time I have my visions or dreams – I’m really not sure what they are – but they always feel so real – like they really happened.  But I don’t think they are connected to my real life.  I read somewhere that dreams are just your mind trying to make sense of random thoughts you have throughout the day.   Maybe I just have a vivid imagination.

 What is Darwin like? I have always wanted to visit but it seems like another world away.  Darwin is really great.  I like living here.  Not that I have ever lived anywhere else.  It will always be my home too me.  Some people don’t like the heat and the rain that much.  Well okay, it does get hot sometimes but I don’t mind, I’m used to it.  And the rain, well that can be smothering at times but I really love the thunder storms – they are kind of amazing and scary but at the same time they are powerful – energizing!  That does that sound weird?

 Wade has been very helpful and supportive. Do you think he is falling in love with your mother? 

 When I was little things like that never crossed my mind.  My mother wasn’t capable of loving anyone other than my dad.  But now, well sometimes I think it would be kind of cool.  She shouldn’t have to be alone for the rest of her life.  And sometimes Wade reminds me so much of my dad that they could be related.  Like they are brothers or something…

 Are you still a vegetarian?  

Oh yes, ever since I saw those cows being slaughtered at the abattoir I have never been able to eat red meat ever since.  It was just so horrible, and the smell…  I feel sick just thinking about it.  I really like fish though.

Thanks for talking with us today Grace,

Thank you, it has been fun.  Easiest homework ever…  Well kind of homework.  Everyone starting high school has to do these interview type assignments for the new student councilor, Miss Siena Cintra.  She is so pretty and I wished I had hair like that.

About the Author

Name - Patti Roberts

Location Cairns Queensland Australia.

On any given day you can usually find me sitting at my desk in front of my laptop pounding away at the keys writing another chapter in the Paradox series. That would be a run of the mill kinda day for me!

A packet of Cruskits and a water bottle, that is now at room temperature, is sitting on the desk beside me. There is also a mass of USB cables, notepads, bills to be paid, bills to be filed a bunch of pens and a printer that is forever running out of ink. Sound familiar.

On most days I have to remind myself to eat and drink. I Should be thinner!!!

I am sure my housemates are very thankful that I still manage (usually at some ungodly hour) to bathe, brush my hair and clean my teeth.

I don’t know about you. But I am usually mortified when visitors just pop around, only to find me sitting at my desk and still in my PJ’s. I don’t even want to broach the hair situation! Did I remember to put last nights dishes away???

Now, they say to be a good writer, you must read, read, read. Then read some more…

Thankfully, due to the invention of the electronic reader (I have a kindle and love it) I get to read more these days. Correction… I have my kindle read to me! The only thing is, I have so many great books on my kindle that it is so hard to know where to start. So many choices.

A little more about me… And how you can contact me.

Born in Brisbane Qld Australia.
Grew up in Darwin in the NT.
Now living in Cairns Qld.  Where the Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Paradox-Series/150822348341990?sk=wall

Blog: http://theangelsarehere.wordpress.com/readers-questions-answered/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PattiRoberts7

Thank you to all those souls that have read my book – you make my day!

PS: If you are thinking about popping a round for a coffee, that might be nice. But please give me a quick call first so I can brush my hair and smear a bit of colour across my lips.