Character Interview – Jo Narayan

Hey, Kat. Tell us a little bit about your story.

My story is The Strategist, the second story in the Order of the Hunt collection. In this story I’ve just recently joined the Order and am trying to come to terms with my new reality.. and balance the expectations of my parents against what I want to do.

What do most people think they know about you?

A lot of people think I don’t have a personality, or that I’m depressed. I just keep my emotions in check. My mom is a big fan of logic and science… when she was young, her mom taught her to reject a stereotype at the time of Latina women being very emotional. Being as American as possible was how my grandparents managed to fit in, and they passed that down the line.

I’m not sure if I just have stronger emotions than other people, or the fact that I keep them suppressed so much makes them seem more extreme…

Wow, that must be pretty tough. How do you cope with that?

Two ways. I write poetry-as authentic and messy as possible. It’s not there to be pretty or pleasing to others. It’s not for others, it’s for me. It doesn’t rhyme, it often doesn’t have meter. It’s just me.

The other way, if I can’t write, is my Calming. I breathe deeply and imagine stuffing all of my emotions down into one of those big old thick green glass bottles. I stop it up with a cork and then go on my way.

Sometimes, the glass starts to crack. I can feel the pain in my chest, and I know I have to get somewhere alone before it explodes.

I notice you used a fox for your interview image. Can you tell me about that?

I identify with the fox. It’s my.. my muse, I suppose. Maybe this poem will explain.

I often feel like a fox-
captured and trapped in domesticity.
This house is too small.

You think I am exotic.
You pet me.
I have been trained not to bite.

How do you feel you changed from the events in The Strategist?

My confidence and independence increased for sure. I learned that physical touch is sometimes okay. But also the things I learned about my heart and my relationships with those around me. And how my heart began to open, just a sliver. The seed that was planted has sprouted and the bud is about to burst into bloom. I know it’s a tired metaphor for learning to love, but that’s for a reason. It’s a good one.

I also got a healthy dose of reality about the dangers of being a Demon Hunter… but now that I know my strength, I know I’ll be able to get out of anything.

Thanks, Kat. That’s a wrap! Anything else you want to tell everyone?

…No.

Hey, fam. In honor of The Strategist being posted this month, I thought I’d start doing some character interviews. I picked Will to go first, since he was the star of the first novella and it would be the least spoiler-y. I’d love to hear more questions that you’d be interested in asking the characters! I just came up with a few that might give a bit more insight into him as a person. I hope you enjoy!

What did you eat for breakfast today?

I don’t eat breakfast… I usually just get up and start my day, and have a snack if I get hungry before lunch.

Where do you live? Who with?

Depends when you’re asking about. In The First Stone, I lived in a rental house with Jeremy. His grandma owned the place and let us stay there for a little bit of our scholarship money. His sister Annie crashed there sometimes too, though she was still in high school. It’s kind of a crappy house to be honest, one story with three bedrooms and only a thousand square feet. Paint peeling on the outside, etc. But it was our own place and we liked it for that.

Later on, I ended up moving back into my parent’s house. They needed someone to watch it and do general upkeep while they moved to Florida. Really stereotypical if you ask me, but no one usually does…

How do you get around town?

Our town is blessed with public transportation, so we either walked or took the bus most places. In The Strategist, I ended up getting to use my dad’s old Chevy truck to cart us around town. I’m not a big fan of driving, but the freedom it gives you is worth it.

How would you describe yourself?

You mean physically? Or like, as a person. Cause those are different.

Well, I’m a tall guy. I’m actually even taller than Jeremy, but no one really notices because I slouch so much. I don’t know why I do it, but it feels more comfortable. I keep my hair short – it’s dark and kind of thick, and I have a goatee and mustache. I wear glasses and neutral colors most of the time.

As a person.. I’d say one word to describe me is ‘reserved’. And a bit of a nerd, I suppose. I had NASA bedsheets as a kid and I played Starcraft.

What’s the best gift you could receive?

Maybe a gift card, so I could download all of the games and music that I want.. the legal way. Or some really good earbuds.

How do you feel you changed from the events in The First Stone?

I grew a lot, obviously. Reaffirmed that I could count on Jeremy when it matters most, and actually experienced a battle.

…. I got a healthy dose of fear, too. It hasn’t quite gone away yet.

What’s something you wish people knew about you?

….That there’s a reason I’m the quiet, reserved guy. I’m not just some super-awkward mega nerd. I mean, I’m a nerd, don’t get me wrong. But years of hearing people’s true thoughts makes you want to interact less. You fade into the background, they don’t notice you, and you don’t have to hear anything you’d rather not. At least, not about yourself. It’s a form of self-defense.

Plus my best buddy loves the spotlight. So I let him have it. After witnessing how depressed he was when we were younger, I’d do anything to make him happy.

What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone?

Agh, this is a hard one. I don’t want you to think of me this way.. but shortly after we discovered our powers, we were learning to control them still. Jer and I were experimenting, and we felt like we had them figured out. And then the bullies picked up on our new sense of confidence, I guess. I knew Jer wanted revenge for the way we’d always been treated and I went along with it.

… I have no idea how we didn’t get caught or in trouble. But those boys never bothered us again. Anyone else, either.

What do you fear most?

What’s with all these deep questions? Can’t we go back to the breakfast one?

..No? Okay.

Used to be, it was being discovered. But after The First Stone… yeah, I have a new fear. It has wings and tentacles. Once you read it, you’ll know what I mean.

How do you view your powers?

They’ve always felt like a burden to me. I didn’t ask to be able to hear people’s thoughts. I couldn’t shut it out unless I had music playing. So music was my savior for 8 long years. Every sleeping and waking moment, if I wasn’t listening to music aloud I had it playing mentally. It’s very draining, and even now that I have another way to protect my mind I get uneasy in silence. Silence didn’t exist for me for so many years, I don’t know quite what to do with it.

Lately my powers have transformed from being a burden to more of a call to action. A duty. I have them for a reason, and I receive messages that help to keep others safe. Yeah, I like them now. Most of the time.

That’s a wrap! Anything else you’d like to say before we end this?

Uh.. don’t play at summoning demons, kids. They’re serious trouble.

Tag: Character Interview

Character Interview: Kat Flores