How do you feel being the main character of a book?
It is rather embarrassing. I worked hard at not
drawing attention to myself so I could secretly carry on my work of fighting
villains who take advantage of those robbed of hope. But Phoebe Moore Campbell
discovered me in the most remarkable way and asked me to join the Alexander
Legacy Company.
Who is the most interesting side character you’ve met
and why?
Oliver Twist is both a delight and a puzzle to me. His absent-minded
manner must be partly due to his absorption in his scientific projects. His
ability to do without sleep is enviable. And his rebounding from the brutal
attack he suffered, which may have been helped my humble words of comfort and
counsel, but was in truth God's doing, staggers me.
Do you think
anyone in your world is crazy? How do you deal with this?
People have said
I am mad for leaping off the roof of the country house after the stealth glider
and for flying it to London in the dark. You must be the judge of that. Zambo
declared Twist mad when he tried to climb out the window of the hotel penthouse
to collect pieces of the ruined glider after my crash-landing, but he has
always thought him so.
Are you an early
bird or a night owl?
I have been up
before dawn to see Doctor Mackenzie Campbell off at the docks. I have visited
Uncle Vanya's coffee shop well after midnight. The criminals we seek do not
keep schedules.
Why did you
choose your current profession?
I became a
tobacconist with a small private club because I sought to provide an enjoyable
place for fellowship and relaxation. It also assists me in my other career as a
seeker of justice by giving me insight into London life on many levels. My
second career is simply unavoidable because I cannot see the helpless or even
fools taken advantage of.
How long did it
take you to explain your predicament to the author?
Sophronia Belle
Lyon is the most obdurate meddler in existence. She had no respect for my
privacy -- Look at her brazen communication of my difficult history in Bohemia!
She may have permanently destroyed Ambassador Newsome's career. My desire was
to remain obscure. My only consolation is that her bringing me into this odd
association with this strange group of people has allowed me to expand my
ability to seek out evildoers and bring them down. Acting alone is not always
the best plan, as I have learned through Madame Phoebe's wise guidance. These
people have taught me to value friendship and cameraderie again.
If you could work
in any profession outside of what you're doing now, what would it be and why?
It would be
pleasant to spend more time repairing pipes and choosing fine tobaccos for my
patrons. I would even wish to indulge the interest I have developed in these
devices Doctor Twist and Sluefoot Sue create, but duty calls.
If you could
change one thing that the author wrote (or told) about your life, what would it
be?
Perhaps she
should not have been so quick to have me propose to my little vessel, Kera
Mion. As much regard as I have for her, there is so much danger, so much wrong
to right, it may have been a hasty decision to engage her promise. She is so
much younger than I an has had so little chance to be free.
What is your
favorite pastime?
Repairing pipes,
hunting, and eating Uncle Vanya's breadballs. I beg your pardon. That was three
past-times, but I cannot establish a hierarchy.
What's one thing
you've always wanted to do, but just didn't have the guts, courage or strength
to follow through with?
Perhaps one day I
shall take Tod's place in the pilot seat and fly the airship myself.
What's your
greatest strength?
Since you have
been courteous I will try to answer. I am loathe to speak of my own abilities,
but the strength I believe I bring to the Alexander Legacy Company is the
ability to think quickly and put together pieces of information. I specialize
in making a whole picture out of bits and ends. It permits me offer a solution
while others remain puzzled.
What's your
greatest failing?
I tend to act
hastily, and to act alone. Those who tried to aid me in the past were harmed by
our association. I thought it best for a time not to have associations. I still
struggle to be one with the members of the Legacy Company.
Who is your
favorite relative and why?
Oh, that I could
see my little sister Sophia again, with her violet ribbons tinting the family
gray eyes. We were all to each other once. She must be fully a woman now, and
perhaps my mother's poisoning her against me has not fully taken root.
How do you
overcome life's obstacles?
Prayer and the
study of the Word of God emboldens me to push on, whether I overcome or not.
His is the victory and His the glory for any success.
Do you have any
pets? If not, which pet would you choose to own if you could?
I once had a fine
pair of hunting dogs. I miss them. Would that I could hope to some time again
possess a dog.
If you could
change one thing about another character in the book, who and what would it be?
Spring-heeled
Jack must one day discipline himself to learn to speak clearly and plainly,
instead of making street-cant riddles of everything.
What makes you
happiest?
My little vessel
being filled up with the joy of the Lord.
What annoys you
most?
That leopard of
Mowgli's will sniff me as if I were a dead animal each time we must work
together. One cannot teach an animal manners, even when it lives in a five-star
hotel.
Can we look
forward to reading about you again anytime soon?
Madame Lyon is
determined to make a series of the Alexander Legacy Company's exploits. I am
told I am to be included but that the future books shall have different
characters relate the tales. That is most agreeable, since I never sought the
limelight.
Is there a secret
you’d like to let readers know about you? One that isn't in the book perhaps?
You have presumed
upon my good nature too far, sir/madame, but, with great reluctance, I shall
state clearly what the book implies but does not spell out. I admit I had more
than just admiration for Madame Phoebe early in our association. When we
thought her husband would die ... well ... for a moment ... just a moment, mind
you, my baser nature rose at the prospect of this magnificent, angel-voiced,
brilliant woman being ... alone.
Where can readers
find your book(s)? (links)
A Dodge a
Twist and a Tobacconist http://amzn.to/W3iCNI
Illustrated
Dodge a Twist and a Tobacconist http://amzn.to/TUxj1m
~About the Author~
Sophronia Belle Lyon grew up in the
Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, reading HG Welles, Jules Verne and
other classics. She dressed up and acted out scenes with friends much like
Louisa May Alcott's beloved "Little Women," and got to be a cauldron
spirit in Macbeth in fourth grade. She traveled to Italy by way of Iceland and
Luxembourg. She's taken apart her share of clocks to study the gearworks
and feels well-prepared to enter the Steampunk genre. Hundreds of cat friends
informed her about Bagheera's attitudes and manners. Oliver Twist's oblivious,
eccentric habits came from the Science-absorbed men in her life, and her love
for weapons translated into the well-armed members of the Alexander Legacy
Company. She travels widely, shoots when she can, collects swords and knives,
but is so far too shy to be photographed.
This series melds some better and lesser-known characters
of classic literary fiction: A literary dream team of crime fighters including
nods to Dickens, Stevenson, Alcott, Austen, Kipling, Doyle, and other writers
across the pond, with plenty of homages to great books sprinkled throughout.
Prowl the foggy London streets on the track of a ruthless enslaver of souls.
Travel the Thames in a Giant Catfish. Soar over London in a stealth glider, and
witness true redemptions and restorations no one ever imagined.
