Trading Places

 

by Alison Janssen

 

Do you have fictional aspirations? Is there a character you'd love to trade places with, if you could be him/her for a day, a week, or a year?

 

I once had to write an essay for a scholarship application, and it asked me if I could be any fictional character, who would I be? I was about 13 at the time, and I was slanting my answer to appeal to the reading committee, so I went with the Vampire Lestat. Because he lived forever, he had every day until eternity to learn, read, think, and discover new ideas. I didn't think I'd like the whole drinking-blood thing, but it would be a fair tradeoff for the opportunity to eternally sate my curiosity.

 

I totally got that scholarship, guys.

 

But outside of essay writing, I don't think I'd go with Lestat. Maybe I'd go with Jack Reacher -- totally capable in everything and very good at kicking ass. But he's also such a loner, and that's not really my cup of tea. So ... Sherlock Holmes? Breathtakingly smart, a little snide ... but I don't really relish the needle drugs.

 

I think I'd go with Peter Pan. I'd never have to grow up, I could fly, I'd know mermaids and pirates, and my best friend would be a fairy. Plus I'd be super brave.

 

I can tell you this, though (watch out, here comes a segue!): I certainly would never want to be any character written by Anthony Neil Smith. Have you heard what goes on in the lives of these poor saps? Paint huffing, beatdowns, motorcycle crashes, branding with hot irons, and severed heads? No, thank you.

 

That of course doesn't mean I don't loooooove reading about them.

 

How about another contest? I've got an ebook version of Yellow Medicine I'd like to give away. Let me know which character you might like to trade places with -- any character, not just one of Neil's -- and I'll pick a winner next week. Until then, here's the incredible cover for the e-version of Yellow Medicine (click it to make it big):

 

 

[Last week I offered an e-book of DAY ONE, and because two entrants already have it, I'm going to go ahead and give it to the two commenters who don't: Sarah W and Carrie, email me at alison.BHB at gmail and I'll send along your files. And yes, abfabgab, COUNTY LINE will be available as an ebook ... watch www.tyrusbooks.com or follow Ben on twitter (@TyrusBooks) for news and more giveaways!]

Comments

[Sarah W]

Hooray! Thank you, Alison!

I think I'd like to be Agnes in Bob Mayer and Jennifer Crusie's *Agnes and the Hitman.* She's cranky, outspoken and loyal, doesn't suffer fools gladly and is a dab hand at improvised weaponry -- and she inspires the loyalty and love of several extremely dangerous people. Somtimes a girl needs that, no?

[Helen Cassidy Page]

Elizabeth Bennett for me. She gets to travel over the beautiful English countryside, has a covey of adoring sisters and parents, has the wit and nerve to say whatever is on her mind, wears those enchanting bonnets and gowns. And have I mentioned Mr. Darcy's adoring company for the rest of her life (not that I don't think there are a few briars in that flower garden. . . but still).