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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

Home » Blog » The Character Club With Eric and Stig & Small Things Celebration!

The Character Club With Eric and Stig & Small Things Celebration!

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Pssst! This is Pete Riley. I’ve gotten rid of C. Lee McKenzie for the day–not easy, I can tell you. She’s almost as hard to ditch as my Aunt Lizzie. Anyway, the reason I wanted to be here today is that I invited two friends over. I just met them in a story called The Deliverers. They’re both into a lot of exciting adventures–my kind of characters.

Eric’s kind of like me. He gets into some messes, but he gets out of them, too. And Stig’s a very important character in the book. The best part about him is he’s an owl and he talks. Yep. A lot.

Here’s what these two have to say about stuff.

Hey, Eric! Great to meet you. Don’t tell anyone, but I could use another friend–one who’s not scared of doing stuff. Weasel, well, he’s okay, but he doesn’t always go along with my plans for having “fun!” You had a major adventure. Wow! Pirates and Dwarves and Bolliwogs. Which ones scared you the most?
Eric:  Hey, Pete! It’s great to meet you, too. I’d love to be your friend, and I’m sure Stig would, too. I can always use another friend; I don’t have too many, either. You might think I’m not scared of doing stuff, but the truth is, the whole Assignment that I went on with Stig was pretty scary. I mean there was a lot of cool stuff, but I was pretty much nervous and worried the whole time. I just tried not to think about all that. We had a job to do and I just tried to do it the best I could, and hope that I didn’t mess things up too bad.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not trying to save villages and stuff like that?
Eric:  Nothing too exciting. I like to read a lot. I also like to go camping and spend time outdoors. After my dad died, I got pretty lonely. We used to spend a lot of time together. That was one of the best things about going on the Assignment, becoming friends with Stig, Kate, Hallo and the Gatekeeper. My mom got my uncle to let me play on my cousins’ hockey team. They’re really good. I really stink, but it’s kind of fun. I think I’ll stick with it and see what happens.
I got real excited when you were tramping through that dead forest. What was it like? What did you think about when you were all alone?
Eric:  Oh man, it was real creepy. There was no sound, everything was dead. It felt like the branches of the dead trees were closing in on us. We were in there a few days. After a while I started to almost get used to the place, until we saw the eyes.
What was I thinking about? Lots of stuff, most of it not good. I was worried about the pirates attacking Calendria and feeling a little bad that my plan didn’t work. I was worried about getting through the dead forest and what we were gonna find beyond it, if we got beyond it. You can probably tell that I worried about stuff a lot. I’ve kind of gotten over that since, thanks to the other Deliverers.
I see you’ve got Stig here with you. Hi, Stig. You should meet my alligator friend, Fanon. He talks, too, so I’ll bet you’d hit it off. What’s your take on being able to talk?  What’s it like working with humans? Fanon kind of likes hanging with me, but he doesn’t like a lot of people. They kind of scare him.
Stig:  Why hello there, my boy. It is a pleasure to meet you. This Fanon sounds like a splendid chap. You know, most people would not believe it, but alligators are quite extraordinary animals—very intelligent and resourceful. They make very good friends and will stick with you through thick and thin. Their appearance can be a trifle off-putting to be sure, but they can be very wise.
As for being able to talk, I never really gave it too much thought. You see where I come from, all owls can talk. My world is ruled by owls and there are very few people. They are not quite as advanced as the humans I’ve met on my travels—a bit neanderthalish to be quite candid.
I find that, on the whole, working with humans has been a unique and rewarding experience. Eric, Kate and Hallo have been excellent friends and companions and I’m quite looking forward to working with them in the future. I can understand Fanon’s reaction to people. I have really been quite lucky to fall in with the proper sort. Unfortunately, there are some who try to take advantage of us. I gather from what Eric says that on his world, people are becoming so numerous that they’re encroaching on the natural habitats of animals, leaving them no place to turn.
If either of you had three wishes, what would you wish for?
Eric:  Hmmm, that’s a great question. I guess the first thing would be to have my dad back alive. My second wish would be to be able to visit Stig, Kate and Hallo any time I wanted, instead of just when we’re on an Assignment. The third would be that my mom chills out and stops worrying about me so much. She thinks I need a father in my life, which is why she’s making me hang out with my uncle and my cousins. They’re okay, but they make me try new things, which can be scary.
Stig:  Well, let me see. I do not do much wishing as a rule. I believe it is up to each of us to make our dreams come true. Still, wishes would come in handy, especially on an Assignment. I think my first wish would be the same as one of Eric’s—to be able to visit or at least communicate with Eric, Kate and Hallo between worlds whenever the mood strikes. I would also wish that groups on all worlds could settle their differences peacefully, without the need for outside intervention. Lastly, and this is purely selfish, I would love to have a pair of hands to go along with my wings. They seemed to be terribly useful things. I can grab things with my talons of course, but it’s really not the same. Still, I suppose that would look rather silly, so perhaps I should just hold the third wish in reserve in case of emergency.
I’m trying to cook up some more excitement around my town–boring, boring, boring! Are you up for another adventure. Say something in a swamp? How about you, Stig?
Eric:  That would be cool, but also kind of creepy. I heard about your last adventure in the Ornofree swamp. You and Weasel sure were brave—Fanon, too. I’d love to check out a swamp, especially one full of witches and talking alligators! Yeah, definitely.
Stig:  I would welcome the opportunity as well. Perhaps we could enlist you, Fanon and young master Wilbur to join the Deliverers on an Assignment. I’m afraid there are any number of worlds in need of some help.
Stig, you owls live a long time, so maybe you haven’t thought about a “bucket list” yet, but if you have, what three things would be at the top of that list?
Stig:  Well now, let me see. I have had the privilege having the opportunity to visit over a dozen different worlds, so travel would not be on the list. I would dearly love to converse with a dragon. Besides owls, it is said that dragons are the wisest of creatures. I’d like to find out if that is true. Perhaps I’ll get a chance in an upcoming Assignment. I would also love to travel back in time. The thought of being able to see what things were like in the past has always fascinated me. Third on the list would be to spend some quality time with the Gatekeeper and find out what he does when he isn’t sending people on Assignments.
Great to meet you guys.
Eric:  You, too. It was really awesome. I can’t wait to hang out with you and Weasel. Maybe we could camp out in the swamp.
Stig: The pleasure was all mine, I can assure you. I’ll tell the gatekeeper to keep you in mind should a suitable Assignment present itself.
Pete: Wow! That sounds like fun. Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks for stopping by and, uh oh. Gotta go. Lee’s coming up the stairs.

Be sure to visit Eric and Stig as well as the author HERE.

And check out this one, too. The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel on AMAZON.

Lee in charge again, finally. There seems to be a lot of stuff on this blog today. I didn’t know about this interview, but it doesn’t seem like Pete’s done any damage, so I’ll let it stay. Today as my celbration of small things, I’m celebrating an Award. This time it’s the Liebster Award. Thanks to Jen Million. Sending hugs. It has taken me a long time to post about this award, but finally . . . here ’tis!

VikLit

The Liebster Rules:
1. The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by bloggers.
2. Each blogger should post 11 5 facts about himself / herself.
3. Each blogger should answer the 11 5 questions that are asked by the nominating blogger.
4. Choose 5 new bloggers to nominate for the Award and link to them in the post.
5. Create 11 5 new questions for your nominees.
6. Go back to their pages and tell them they’ve been nominated.
7. No tag backs.


My Questions from Jen:
1. Think of your favorite character, got it, okay what’s their favorite color?
He’d love the color of the sky.
2. What’s the last book you’ve read?
The History of the English Language. Oye! Really. 
3. What kind of music do you listen to?
It depends on my mood and I’m rather moody, so my music changes as I change.
4. Do you set writing goals for yourself? 
Never. 
5. Which do you like better Dogs or Cats?
Huh? 
6. Are you a Rule Breaker or a Rule Maker?
I like to push the rules, but I don’t feel very comfortable breaking them. I’m always worried I’ll land in jail. I don’t like rules enough to make any.
7. Brownies or Cupcakes?
Brownies as long as there are nuts involved.
8. Favorite Movie?
That’s like asking for my favorite book. I can’t answer that. But I love something that makes me laugh.
9. Name one book you can read over and over?
I read Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings twice because my kids wanted to hear it aloud. I think I deserve a medal for that.
10. Name your favorite meal to eat?
Anything with fresh greens and lemon juice and olive oil  is at the top of my list.
11. Name your favorite character name? (It can be from your own works or someone else’s)
That’s like asking me my favorite movie or book. There are too many characters that I adore or hate or want to write or want to read. They’re all my favorites. However, I have a character named Kenny Fargo that haunts me. I think he wants a book of his own. 

My 5 blogger nominees. So hard to choose only 5!

Michelle Wallace, Julie Flanders , Mark Means, Medeia Sharif, Nutschell

My Questions: And here I’m pushing the RULES a bit. I’m only asking 5 questions. That’s enough, don’t you think?

1. Close your eyes. Make a wish. What did you wish for?
2. If you could do one thing differently what would that be?
3. You have month to do whatever you want, wherever you want. Money’s not a concern. I’m paying. 🙂 What would you do? Where would you do it?
4. Do you dream? If so, what’s your favorite dream?
5. What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not reading, writing, blogging, sleeping?

Comments

  3. Mark Koopmans says

    Ohh, I want to read about Kenny Fargo 🙂

    What a great name – and yes you deserve a medal for reading LOTR to the kids – and *they* deserve a medal for sitting and listening 🙂

    Reply

  5. klahanie says

    Hello Eric, Stig, C.Lee McKenzie, a gathering of adoring fans, a confused hedgehog and a rabbit with a hopping good mission,

    Great post! Thanks for sharing! I follow your blog now! Ahem, now based on what I just skimmed through, sorry, thoroughly read, Eric and Stig are worth checking out and no doubt, will be thrilled beyond any adequate adjectives having me go and visit.

    And Lee, humongous, bordering on euphoric congratulations on you receiving the 'Lobster Award', or whatever it is and excellent how you tied it in with the Celebration of Small Stuff n'stuff. Well done to the thrilled recipients of the award. Now then, must go search for a blog hop, or blogfest, or a blog party, or something like an alphabet challenge!

    The "CBC" as in the "Canadian Broadcasting Corporation", eh!

    Please don't sob uncontrollably, Lee, but I'm going now…..

    Reply

  9. Medeia Sharif says

    The Deliverers looks intriguing.

    Thank you for nominating me. 🙂 I already received the award, but I think in a week or two I can post questions to the five answers.

    Reply

  10. Karen Pokras Toz says

    Hello again Eric & Stig! I just read your interview to Millie and she loved it – especially the part about wishing your mom would chill out. She says she can totally relate. She also liked meeting Pete too & is looking forward to the next Character Book Club meeting . (We both are!!)

    Reply

  11. Milo James Fowler says

    Isn't it cool when characters take on a life of their own? Great post. You read LOTR twice? Wow. I probably should read it again. When I was a kid, I skipped over all of the poetry. =[

    Reply

  12. Old Kitty says

    Hi Stig, Hi Eric!! Hope you both cooked up some adventures by now! You two are such rebels! Yay!! Don't forget to say huge congrats to Ms Lee too for her award – you two best keep to her good side!!!
    🙂

    Take care
    x

    Reply

  13. Mark Means says

    Woohooo!! Thanks Lee!!

    I always appreciate kudos from my fellow bloggers and I'll get on this in the coming week 🙂

    Sounds like you're more a rule breaker than maker, though (thanks for shortening the questions!) 🙂

    Reply

  20. ~Brandy~ says

    I love that first question that Jen asked you! How great to make your brain think things like what your favourite character's favourite colour would be!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I post a lot of random things about a lot of random things!

    Brandy's Bustlings

    Reply

  22. Al Diaz says

    Dwarves scary? Mine just in the morning, hahaha. Now I feel lucky I have hands to go with my wings. And Stig, it is true dragons are wise. Or so the people that knows me say. 😀 Nice interview.

    Congratulations on the award Lee! I acknowledged the dragon award today by the way. Dragon Hugs!!!

    Reply

  23. M Pax says

    Great to meet Pete and his characters. That was fun to read.

    Reading Tolkein out loud 2x should get a medal. Congrats on your award, Lee.

    Reply

  27. DMS says

    What a great CBC meeting! We loved hearing more about Eric and Stig- and we are so excited to find out what Pete thinks about stuff at the next meeting! (hopefully he stays out of trouble : ) Congrats on the award! The History of the English Language must have been a fascinating read! ~ DMS

    Reply

  28. Gregory Slomba says

    Lee, please tell Pete that Eric & Stig had a great time! Eric hopes Pete doesn't get in too much trouble for taking over the blog! Congrats on the award–much deserved.–Greg

    Reply

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