Featured Personality: Charles Aubrey
You are extremely active in Wickwire University, as well as being a MoBster there. Could you tell us something about the concept behind this novel, and how you and your fellow MoBsters assure that it travels in that general direction? And, who is the Wickwire Charles Aubrey?
Emma Plum initially conceived the novel, wanting to develop an alternative University for those to study the paranormal. We have students who are empaths, gifted with psychic abilities, and those who can communicate with the dead. As far as how the MoBsters keep it going in that direction, it seems to do that on its own. We have an incredibly diverse and talented set of writers who are constantly coming up with great ideas. We currently have a lot of ghosts, demons, imps, a serial killer, and a whole lot of psychic phenomenon! It is never dull here. I believe another reason that Wickwire has been so successful is because of the diversity and freedom that is allowed. The MoBs here are a great group to work with and really open to ideas and suggestions.
Charles Aubrey, or Aubrey, is my favorite character to date because of his liveliness, charm, and wit. He has really evolved since he first joined the novel. My prototype for the character was Sawyer from Lost. When he first joined Wickwire, Aubrey was recently out on parole from prison. He was very distant and a bit unsure although he projected a very sarcastic and indifferent attitude. He’d always had psychic abilities, but wasn’t quite so receptive to the idea of a University devoted to it. He nicknamed it ‘the Freak Show.’ He has met people and really developed as a personality at Wickwire. He’s much more open now to people, but still has that wit and charm. In the past two months, Aubrey has undergone brain surgery for Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a disorder that forms lesions within and on the surface of the brain. It has really brought out a new side for this character because he has been really vulnerable in a way that he wasn’t before. He’s had to learn to accept help from everyone who is in his life just for his basic needs. Of course, he tries to keep a sense of humor about it all. One of my favorite aspects about Aubrey is that he is openly bisexual. When I first joined the novel, I wasn’t sure how the MoBs would react to a gay/bi character, but it has been widely accepted. Of course, this also gets Aubrey into trouble because the man cannot keep his eyes off of anyone. He’s good-looking, charming, and knows it. It has made for a lot of fun writing.
You are also active in Loyalist and Patriot, and in Alas, the Folly of Man. Could you tell the readership something about your roles there, and what piques your interest about both novels?
Charles Aubrey in Loyalist and Patriot is a 17 year old Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He is from a wealthy family and quite arrogant with a pension for trouble. I write in another period novel and have always been interested in the Revolutionary War period. When I was approached to write in the novel, I quickly agreed. I’m still very new to this version of Charles Aubrey, but his character is beginning to develop. In Alas, the Folly of Man, Charles Aubrey is once again, arrogant (no matter what novel, Charles Aubrey always seems to have a bit of this) and Captain of his own ship. I actually created him specifically for this novel. As a seaman, he trades with the village of Flodigarry, a port on the inside of the Walled Area that has only recently been opened for trade by the Master of Flodigarry, Burk Mac on Rothaich. Burk was the one who talked me into writing at Alas. I liked the idea of this portion of Scotland that has closed itself off from the outside world in order to return to morality. I especially liked the idea of being on the outside of that and bringing in the outside world to taint things.
How did you come to creative writing in general? Has this been a life-long interest?
It is something that I’ve always done. I wrote my first novel when I was 17 and subsequent novels and short stories since then (none published). I was in a bit of a writer’s block and a friend had been urging me to join PanHistoria for ages. I finally did and have been addicted ever since (I’ve been with Pan for almost 4 years). One thing that I find interesting is that I wrote at one novel for about 2 years before I finally ventured to other novels. After PH crashed and came back to life, I decided to step out into other novels. Charles Aubrey was born.
Are there any books, fiction or non, which you consider to be formative influences, or just simply books that resonate with you on a core level?
Waterhsip Down is actually my favorite book. People often think it an odd choice. I think it must have to do with the fact that it is a book about bunnies. Well, I think it makes a great statement about our society and how industrialization is destroying us (Oh, and the fact that I chose this has nothing to do with the fact that it is the book that Sawyer finds on the beach in Lost. It really was my favorite book before that!).
If you were to travel anywhere in the world, where would you like to go?
Well, Australia would be really cool—great accents. I would also like to travel to Italy and Israel. Actually, anywhere would be cool as I’ve never been out of the U.S.
Do you have a favorite hobby in real life that you'd care to tell us about?
Besides Pan? Well, I am a bit of a pop culture fiend so I watch a great deal of television. My current favorite is Lost. I also read a bit and during the nicer months, I garden.
What would you consider to be one of your greatest accomplishments, either here or in real life?
In real life, my greatest accomplishment would have to be my education. I’ve worked very hard for it. At PH, my greatest accomplishment would probably be venturing out of the one novel I was in to join others. It has really helped my writing to improve and I have met great people and writers.
Thanks very much for your time!
Aubrey *grins*
