Welcome to Characterfest
Characterfest is a month long event where you’ll find a different character interviews written by the author each day. Each interview has a giveaway(s) make sure the giveaway is open to you and if so add a comment or question along with your email. I will close all giveaways at the end of the week and add the winners to the winners post on that Tuesday. Odds are if you won you’ll be hearing from me.
One thing I will ask is if you could please twitter or hit the facebook likes button on the post so that others can see the interview. I want to get these authors out to as much as I can and you’re my go between in this event.
I hope you enjoy each interview and please try to make it here each day to find out whom or what’s next. If this goes as planned I will be hosting this next year.
Interviewing Foster Nash is a little intimidating. He’s not only tall, but muscular, and his eyes are the most riveting blue I’ve ever seen. He’s allowed me to interview him on his ship, the Damn You. We’re in the cargo bay, which is rather small, since his ship is used for transporting prisoners. Foster is wearing faded jeans and a blue T-shirt that cling to his body like a second skin. As he shows me around, I find it difficult to keep my eyes off his fanny, especially when his equipment belt is thick, black leather and slung low.
So, it’s said you call yourself a ruthless bastard.
Yeah.
And you go out of your way to prove it.
Yeah.
This interview isn’t going to work if you—
Why don’t you try asking open-ended questions.
(I really don’t like being reminded how to do my job and it also reminds me that Foster Nash isn’t all muscle—he’s got a brain, too.) Tell me about your career as a Runner.
A Runner is a bounty hunter. I’m now rated as a triple-platinum Runner. I’m one of only six Runners classified that high. What that means is every contract I’ve signed, I’ve delivered on.
Every single one?
Yep. When a Runner starts out he’s silver. After 100 contracts—that’s in a row, not just 100 contracts in total—that are completed he moves up to double silver.
And if he fails to deliver on a contract?
He or she starts all over.
Sounds difficult.
It is and it continues. After another 100 completed contracts he or she moves up to double silver. 100 more and he’s triple silver. Then he goes through the same with gold and finally the same with platinum. Any blown contract and the whole thing starts all over again.
All over back at silver?
Yep.
Wow. I see. But how do you know that a Runner is telling the truth? (Foster stares at me with those scary blue eyes of his for so long I almost withdraw the question.)
Because word gets around. If you lie about your rating even once, someone is going to know, and they are going to tell. Your name will be mud so fast it isn’t funny. The whole job is based on reputation.
And that’s why you have to be a ruthless bastard.
You don’t get into this line of work unless you can walk the walk. Sometimes—hell, most times—I have to be ruthless just to get the job done.
I’ve also heard you don’t apprehend women.
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
I’m just repeating what I’ve heard. (I take this moment to back up toward the exit. Foster notes me doing this as nothing gets past him.)
I don’t take women because they can be trouble. Kinda like you’re being right now. (Foster’s eyes go from where I’m standing to the exit and back, like he’s judging the distance. I realize he can beat me to the door.) Calm down. (He winks) I don’t have a contract on you. Basically, I don’t contract on women because they are manipulative creatures.
So you’re easily manipulated? (As soon as the question leaves my mouth I realize I’ve basically poked the grumpy bear with a very pointed stick.)
(Foster’s eyes narrow.) I am not easily manipulated but I don’t like to listen to crying and I’m sick of women thinking they can seduce me.
(I decide to get away from this line of questioning since Foster is looking at me like he wants to cage me up just to see if I’ll cry.) What’s the most you’ve ever made on a contract?
Couple Mil or so.
Are you paid in cash or credits?
Both. It’s not an illegal job. All Runners work within the limits of the law. And most officers, be they IWOG or WAG, don’t bother to steal our packages since they can’t get the reward.
They can’t?
No. If they could it would be total chaos out here. Rather than getting the money they get a nice little medal to pin on their uniform.
Not much incentive.
Yep. It keeps things clear for Runners to deliver their packages.
You don’t call them prisoners?
No, they are called packages. I’m not sure when that tradition started but it helps to keep them in perspective.
Right, because you don’t get attached to a package whereas with a prisoner—(I stop talking when his glare goes nova.) I imagine most of your time is spent by yourself out here. What do you do while you’re transporting a package?
I read a lot. I also practice languages. I know about 20 right now. I exercise, I paint. I make sure that my mind and body are well taken care of.
Sounds kind of lonely.
I’m not lonely. I’ve also got to go. (He points at the exit and before I know it I’m on the tarmac.)
If you’d like to ask Foster Nash a question, post it here in the comments and I’ll do my best to get him to answer. Runner is the third book in the Fringe series and will release January 10, 2012.
AnitraMcLeod
Thief
Overlord
Giveaway will be a pdf copy of Thief. Leave a comment or question to enter along with your email.
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