Character interview with James Crofter

Today I'd like to welcome a book character to the mic...I've invited James Crofter to join my blog and intorduce himself and tell us a little bit about his book and the role he plays.  James is from the book, I James by Mike Hartner.

Q:  Could you please introduce yourself to my readers?  

A:  I am James Crofter, son of Walter and Maria.  My father, Walter Crofter came from humble beginnings in England.  My Mother, Maria was born a princess in the Nortern Part of what Is known as the Iberian Empire.  Portugal and Spain joined together during my Grandfather’s time.   I was born in San Sebastien,  which is on the Northern Atlantic Side of the Empire.  But during my childhood, I lived in many places in the North.

Q:  As a boy the book mentions that you learned English and Catalan,  What is Catalan?

A:  Catalan is a romantic language, dialect really,  spoken in the very North East Corner of the Empire. Some of grandpa’s family came from that area.   I also speak a touch of Gallegal, which is the langauge that Spain and Portugal use to understand each other.  To me, it’s a mishmash of the two, though I know that’s just not true.

Q:  What was your favorite subject in school?

A:  By far math and history were my favorites.  But then, I was also taught history by my grandfather, so it could be that I just loved listening to his stories.

Q: Did you have any chores or responsibilities growing up?  

A:  Everybody has chores growing up.  I helped out in any way the family asked me to when I was young.

Q:  Did you ever daydream....if so could you share some of your dreams...Did any come true as you grew up? 

A:  I think the biggest dreams I had were being a part of the at-sea adventures that my dad would tell us about.  But, then, those came true without my help.

Q:  What is your greatest fear?

A:  Not being able to protect my family.

Q:  What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

A:  There are two strong memories that have stayed with me since childhood.  The first ws the death of my sister.  It is powerful, because it taught me that life is uncertain.   The second memory is of Diego and Luisa, the blacksmith and his wife.  They helped me without any expectations.  It is powerful because it remonds me that there is good in this world.

Q:  What do you consider your greatest achievement?

A:  My children, of course.

Q:  What is your most treasured possession?

A:  My wife. And ‘possession’ is a bit strong.  But, she is by far my most treasured

Q:  What is your most marked characteristic?

A:  I think my most marked characteristic is that I try to keep a level head at all times.  Even when I was kidnapped, I didn’t go into rants.  I tried to find a way out with calm, cool, and collected thought.

Q:  When and where are you the happiest?

 

A:  These days, I’m at my happiest when I’m at home.

Q:  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

A:  My age. I’m getting way too old.  Youth really is wasted on the young.

Q:  What is your motto?

A:  Oh, I don’t know.  ‘Never second guess yourself..’,  ‘The first instinct is usually the best’ , ‘If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right’ …  I just live my life and make the decisions as they come, based on what seems right at the time.  If you do what you think is right, then good things will follow.

Q:  What has been your greatest success?

A:  By far, my family.   But, outside of that, I think the banking issues and currency.

Q:  What has been your greatest regret in life?

A:  I really don’t have regrets.  I could regret being kidnapped, but I couldn’t control that.  Regrets are really a way of second guessing life, and they’re not productive.  Maybe not killing my uncle… but it all turned out for the good in the end.

Q:  Any Hopes or Dreams for the future?

A:  I’m so senior right now, I can only hope for a quick end, that will take away my pain.  I do hope, and dream, that good things will happen to all of my children.

Q:  If you could do one thing and succeed at it, what would it be?

A:  Hmmm… there are too many possibilities.  Protecting my children would be one of them.  Continuing the work in ‘currency’ would be another.  Mostly though, I’m done.  It’s time to rest.

Q:  If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

A:  Spend it with my wife.

Q:  What's the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

A:  Family.  My son and his wife live a half-days ride from us, so we go to see both them and our grandchildren regularly.

Q:  What do you like best about yourself? Least?

A:  I’ve never  thought about that…

Thanks James for joining us today at the Blended Blog.  If you like to learn more about this book and the tour please visit the book spotlight here.

a copy of this book was provided in exchange for my honest review by....