Featured Character - Virtudes RojasQ: Tell us a little bit about yourself... A: I'm middle-aged and married with three amazing children. My eldest daughter lives in Japan and speaks four languages; my middle daughter is off to college in the fall and wins poetry awards (the sensitive type). My youngest, my only son, is a math whiz and Playstation junkie. My husband writes with me at PH, and is my inspiration in all things. He's recently built his own computer from custom parts- what a brain! I'm a fifth grade teacher living in Georgia, but I grew up in the cold northeast. Q: Why did you join PH? A: I joined Pan because I've always loved to write. In high school, it was bad poetry about boyfriends. (Can you relate? I thought so!) I improved a bit in college, since I wrote many research papers and that was helpful in defining and improving my writing. But fiction has always fired my imagination. Like many PH'ers, I have "Stephen King"-envy. Would I love to stay at home and write all the time? Ohhhh yes! Q: What is your favorite part about being a member here at Pan Historia? A: I am devoted to PH because I LOVE writing stories with other people. On Ile de Torture, Jack (my hubby) has been one of the folks that makes writing entertaining, but certainly not the only one. I am amazed by the creativity and uniqueness of each character's individual story, and gratified to see that, as in all great fiction, characters change over time as a result of experiences. Mortis Draco comes to mind here, as does Dawg Brown. Writing with Black Dianae and Morgan Adams has also been a distinct pleasure. I have recently begun to write on Marie Antoinette, and the queen and Axel von Fersen (among others) have also impressed me with their approach to their craft. I think I'd also recommend Paper Ships, because after you've received feedback from Virtue Holiday, you feel as though a professional editor has read your work and recognized its purpose. There are some truly fascinating people here at Panhistoria- we are blessed! Q: What are your greatest accomplishments, either in RL or here at Pan? A: My greatest accomplishment in real life is changing careers and becoming a teacher. I focus on students who are challenged academically, and this year my fifth graders have taught me a lesson on persistence. They hang in there, even when it's difficult, even when they don't think they can. They find out quickly that nothing is impossible, when their test scores come back and there they are, on grade level and ready for grade 6. The true nature of hope is something we adults forget, because we grow cynical; sometimes our failures and shortcomings leave us with a loss of face, and a dearth of grace. But children provide us with another view, one of infinite possibility. Such is the world of fiction as well. Infinite possibility - after all, what other middle aged teacher has a virtual wanted poster! Q: I noticed from visiting your home that you are a member of both Ile de Torture ~ Tales of Pirates And Buccaneers and the reference book Seafaring. What sparked your interest in pirates and the sea? A: Pirates! I have always loved them, believe it or not. My mom says I used to pretend to be "Jean LaFitte" as a child, and laughs when she thinks that not much has changed as I write here at PH. My hubby "Jack Wyndham" turned me on to the sea novels of Dewey Lambdin, which are funny, spicy and playful. But some of the other writers, like O'Brien, are more obtuse and use more technical terms than a landlubber can fathom. But I would love to take my Jack on one of those Windjammer cruises... get him climbing up the mizzen mast if he's willing! As for me, I'll applaud him from the safety of the deck. Q: Tell us more about your character and story in Ile de Torture... A: Poor Virtudes... as hard as she has tried, the potential liberator of Jamaica can't seem to get an even break. She throws knives, drinks men under the table and fights like a tigress. She uses the most dangerous and deadly of weapons in her sea battles against the English occupiers: fire. (Many British sailors never learned to swim back then, so fire was a catastrophe). Currently, Virtudes' lover, the self-sacrificing and proper Englishman Jack Wyndham, is in the hold of the HMS Tenacious, which has been sent to sink her ship, the Libertad; her enemy, the wicked rapist Hannibal Blake, is in command of that ship. The final battle is about to begin. If you want to find out what happens next, check it out on Ile. And one final statement - I send my love to all the wonderful members of Ile de Torture, Marie Antoinette, Seafaring, Paper Ships and the Newsroom. Hugs all around, and may the wind always be at your backs! Cheers, y'all! |
