'Writers aren't exactly people; they're a whole lot of people trying to be one person'  F. Scott Fitzgerald

I enjoy creating new characters and get quite attached to some of them.  I even feel genuine grief if I decide that they have to die!  On the other hand, I hate some of the foul people I create and can't wait to conjure up a grizzly end for them!  It's easy for me to become engrossed in the stories I tell.  My mind's always filled with plots, schemes and horrific events that I plan to use in the future.  Here are a few of my favourite characters from 'A Heavy Chest of Dreams':

Irish is my ideal man; handsome, kind, strong and very protective of his loved ones.  He's loyal and passionate, but quite shy.  This Gaelic hero has a wonderful gift as a painter and a great sense of humour.  In a group, he's the quietest member who only says something that's worth saying.  Irish's honesty is one of his most favourable virtues.  As a hardened pyrate, murder comes naturally to him yet I always think of him as being without sin... he could do no wrong in my eyes!  In fact, I often used to daydream about this gorgeos pyrate when I was writing the novel! 

Tripod is my loveable rogue; a typical pyrate who literally makes me cringe but I can't help liking him!  He's very well endowed and uses his manhood to the max.  Prostitutes love him and he always gets his money's worth!  Whatever Tripod does, you can bet it involves some crafty underlying scheme, but he too shows tremendous loyalty to his shipmates and captain.  Whether you love or hate our Tripod, I believe that some of his antics will make you laugh, however disgusted you might feel by his behaviour.

Micken is Sushana's mischievous little parrot; a black headed caique based on my own bird, so he has to be another of my favourites!  I hand-reared Micken from a tiny, scrawny chick.  I haven't changed this wee tyke's character at all  (he promises never to sue me if I become famous!)  and yes, he really is as comical as I describe.  Caiques are known as the clowns of the parrot world and I certainly reared a crazy one!  He has me and my clan in stitches with some of the things he does... but I won't tell you anymore in the hope that you'll be intrigued enough by now to read my book and see which characters you warm to... or which will make you thankful that you weren't around in the dangerous days of Sushana Culley and her murderous crew!