If you have trouble developing your characters, try interviewing them. You'll be surprised at what they can tell you about themselves!
Name: Charlotte Jane Powers (Janie)
Birthday: 8th March, 1946
Birthplace: Framlingham, Suffolk, England
How did you first meet your writer?
I'd just met Trevor and was seeing him. I suppose we were already an item by then. I don't know why she chose me over his earlier girlfriend, though.
Did you ever think that your life would be written about in a book?
No, I’m hardly interesting subject matter.
What is your favorite scene in Book One?
I like Gordon’s birthday party. I wish I’d actually been there for that, but I hadn’t yet met the band.
Did you have a hard time convincing your author to write any particular scenes for you?
I don’t think that’s up to me. Writers usually know their business better than we characters do.
Do you infiltrate your writer’s dreams?
No, never.
What do you like to do when you are not being actively read by someone?
I own an inn in East Anglia, so that keeps me rather busy.
If you could rewrite anything in the story, what would it be?
I think I would have written myself out of it by not meeting Trevor.
Do you like the way Book One ended?
That was such a sad time for us all, but mostly for poor Gordon. No, I didn’t like the ending. But it wasn’t the end, you know. There are two other books on the way.
Do you believe that you are suitable to be portrayed in electronic books, or would you rather be in paperback only?
What are electronic books?
What is the lamest characteristic your writer has attributed to you?
There are none at present, but we’ll see what happens in Books Two and Three.
If you could give yourself a superpower, what would you choose?
I think flying would be fantastic!
Are you currently engaged in a relationship?
No, and I’m in no hurry to be in one.
In your relationships, how are you different with family than you are with friends?
I don’t think there’s great difference between one and the other.
How do you fall in love? At first sight or over a long period?
Unfortunately, at first sight. Or it has been. Next time I shall be more careful.
What parts of loving come easy for you? Hard?
I find that the day-to-day comes easiest for me. I prefer a normal life. All of that fame business is just rubbish and can be very hard to take. What I mean is, the every day of love is easy, but when it starts to get complicated by outside influences, I sort of get lost.
How do you decide if you can trust someone? First impressions? Intuition? Do you test the person somehow, or are you just generally disposed to trust or not to trust?
I’ve no idea. I’m still working in this.
When you walk into a room, what do you notice first?
The colours. I love decorating, so I notice the colours and the mood they inspire straight away.
When you walk into a room, what do you expect people to notice about you?
That I’m smiling and gracious.
Did you turn out the way you expected? The way your parents wanted?
For the most part, yes. I got a little sidetracked for a few years, but it’s turned out well.
What really moves you, or touches you to the soul?
Animals. My inn, which is actually an old Victorian rectory, is on several acres, so I have a few sheep, two dogs, and several cats. I love being surrounded by animals.
What’s the one thing you have always wanted to do but didn’t, couldn’t, or wouldn’t?
I wanted to stay in an ashram in India, but I never did.
What would happen if you did it?
I think I should love it. For a while.
What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
I have a calm disposition.
What do you consider to be your worst weakness?
I can have a sharp tongue when I'm provoked beyond endurance.
What is one physical attribute you are proud of?
Oh, I don’t know. My skin, perhaps.
What's one physical attribute you would change?
Nothing that I can think of.
What do you consider to be your special talent?
I’m a good innkeeper.
What are you most proud of about your life?
My inn.
Describe your ideal mate.
He's capable, even-tempered, and not moody, and he loves animals and the country life. I like a man who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
What are you most afraid of?
Cruel people.
What's the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?
My lifestyle. I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’ve finally found some peace.
How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?
I can’t imagine anything that could improve my life, except, perhaps, that the workers would finish the wine cellar. [Laughs]
