We know you’re as excited as we are for C.E. Clayton’s guest episode, which aired October 13th. Check out her awesome, bookish responses to our Proustish Questionnaire!
Q. Who is your favorite heroine from fiction? Why?
A. Penryn from Angelfall! She’s adapted to her new world and is so strong, so determined to protect what she loves and do what she has to. Plus she’s a total babe and badass, my two favorite qualities! She’s damaged, but strong—qualities that speak to my soul. She’s not the prophesized one or anything, but that’s not stopping her from saving her world, either.
Q. Who is your favorite hero from fiction? Why?
A. It’s not a traditional hero, and it’s technically two but you can’t separate them really, either, so go with me on this one: Carrot Ironfoundersson and Sam Vimes from the “Night’s Watch” in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. They are constantly saving Ankh-Morpork from all manner of things, and because they are so good at being cops, the Assassin’s Guild has a standing hit out for Vimes, that he always gets out of and then pats the
Q. If you could have dinner with any three authors, dead or alive, whom would you dine with? (Note: You could have dinner with all three together, or each one individually).
A. I’d want to dine with Edgar Allen Poe (his melancholy speaks to me, is that weird?) Terry Pratchett (I love how he can take really complex social and world issues and pair them down into one humorous paragraph), and V.E Schwab (I love how real she is about her writing struggles and insecurities, and 90% of the time I just want to hug her and say, “
Q. Do you have a current or “forever” favorite book?
A. Ella Enchanted. It was the first book I fell for hard as a kid. Even without rereading it, I remember how much of an impact and love affair I had with that book, so it’s hard to replace for purely nostalgic reasons. But, my current favorite book is “Angelfall” by Susan Ee!
Q. Which fictional character would you want to befriend?
A. I kind of want to befriend everyone in the Crows from “Six of Crows”! But if I had to pick one from them, it’d be Inej. I love how stealthy and deadly she is with her knives, levelheaded, and I love the strength she finds to always get up and keep going despite her really awful early childhood.
Q. What character from fiction do you love to hate?
A. President Snow from Hunger Games. I don’t think that one requires an explanation, does it? 😉
Q. Tell us about the books in your life that have fed your soul, brought you solace, pleasure, or joy, or eased your mind.
A. The one I keep thinking of right now is “Far From the Tree” by Robin Benway. I have a soft spot for blended and found families and the story of three siblings who are adopted by different families or stay in the system, really grabbed my heart and had me crying in several places. It was a bittersweet joy because I just ached for these kids. Even knowing they were fiction, you as the reader know their situation isn’t all that fictional… But with the ending, which I won’t spoil, my soul felt lighter, happier, and there was this wonderful cathartic feel at the end I haven’t felt in a long time after reading a book, especially a contemporary! Not that there’s anything wrong with contemporaries, they just usually aren’t my jam.
Q. If you could exist in any story world, which would you choose, and why?
A. I would 100% live on Pern. I love the idea of being able to stand and hope that a dragon would Impress
Q. If not yourself, which fictional character would you be?
A. probably Penryn from Angelfall. This is a common theme it seems! She’s not magical, but I love her survival skills, her confidence, her ability to be vulnerable and ask for help, but still 100% capable. She’s a well-rounded and believable character that is both tragic, and hopeful, rugged and soft. All
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