Neva Sue Bently sketch by Taylor Solberg
Author Pat Jaeger interviews Neva Sue Bently, a main character in her soon-to-be-released thriller/suspense novel DAN: Book One of the Hilldale Series.
Jaeger: Ms. Bently, my granddaughter, an aspiring artist gave me her idea of how you might look, but let me also give a brief description of you for our audience. You are 32 years old, single, long dark brown hair, with cascading waves down your shoulders and back, summer blue eyes, clear and sad--quite stunning, and you're certainly petite. Forgive me for being so forward but since I created you, I feel I can say, you are a very beautiful young lady, though I must also note, you appear sad, almost tragically so.
NSB: I suppose you could say my entire life is tragic, though I've never known anything different. Well, that's not true. When my mother was alive--sorry, when I talk about my mom, I always seem to cry.
Jaeger: That's okay. Here's a tissue. Do you need more time, or--??
NSB: I think we should continue. Who knows how much time I've got left before you-know-who comes after me. Oh, right--of course you do know--and I hate to criticize an author, but you didn't give that awful man any redeeming qualities. His wickedness knows no bounds.
Jaeger: Yes, you're right, but you characters still had a big say in what I wrote--your personalities, the way your lives turned out. When I started DAN, my story-line was quite different, as was the title, as you know, but look how you refused to follow the story line I had planned. You must admit, Ms. Bently, you chose your path more than I.
NSB: True. I appreciate the fact that you listened to me--even though you argued a lot--but eventually, you saw that I was right and my life had to change. Perhaps we'd best not go any further with this--spoil alert, and all that?
Jaeger: Goodness, you're right again. Thanks for reminding me. Hmmmm, what can we talk about that won't reveal important episodes in DAN and give our readers and inside look that isn't in the book?
NSB: Could I tell you about my mother? She was the best and you really wrote very little about her. My mom was funny, kind, and a wonderful cook. She and her best friend, Wanda Harmon, would get together to can green beans, apples, whatever, and they'd make each other laugh so hard they'd forget what they were doing. Wanda's daughter, Sarah Elaine--oh, you have her in the second book of the Hilldale series--Sarah Elaine was my best friend and we'd watch our mothers be silly and laugh right along with them. I really miss my mom. I was only seven and I saw what happened to her--
Jaeger: Guess we should stop there, Ms. Bently--another potential spoiler. Yes, Sarah Elaine's in the second book so we won't go into detail about her now. Changing the subject, did you know Sheriff Dan when you were in school?
NSB: Yes, a little. I'm shy, but then you know that, you wrote me that way. Danny--we called him Danny--was quiet and stayed to himself. Being the only black kid in our small school couldn't have been easy. But the only guy I really remember giving Danny a hard time was Arden Wickem. Let's don't talk about Arden, okay? He really wasn't very nice to Danny, well, honestly, to anyone who was a little different, or didn't run with his crowd. But, I'd trust Danny with my life.
Jaeger: Thanks, Neva Sue. You remind me that I do call the shots a lot, but don't forget, it was you who made me---oh, wait--that would ruin part of the story. Anything else you want to share with our friends?
NSB: Just that I'm so grateful that you made Muley Burger such a sweet old man, and though I really didn't know Mr. Billy Sumday, his kind ways go before him wherever he goes. Say, there's a storm coming and I'd better get going. Pa will skin me alive if he finds me gone--you know how it is.
Jaeger: Unfortunately, I do. I hated to write about your father, but you and I know he's an integral part of DAN. The story has to be told and I'm sorry if it's painful for you.
NSB: Yes, well, thanks. I really have to go. Will I be in the second book?
Jaeger: I do believe you're mentioned a time or two. You haven't been forgotten, Neva Sue. Your character is really important, so cheer up.
NSB: Great. Okay, now I really do have to go. You know what Pa'll do if he finds me gone.
Jaeger: Thanks for the interview. See you in DAN. Oh, what about children? Do you have any children? Shoot, she's already gone. Sorry folks. Guess you'll have to read the answer to that question in DAN, Book One in the Hilldale Series. And may I add, DAN has gone to print and Tate Publishing will let me know soon when the pre-release and national release dates are. I'm looking forward to sharing Sheriff Dan and Neva Sue's story with you.
Jaeger: Ms. Bently, my granddaughter, an aspiring artist gave me her idea of how you might look, but let me also give a brief description of you for our audience. You are 32 years old, single, long dark brown hair, with cascading waves down your shoulders and back, summer blue eyes, clear and sad--quite stunning, and you're certainly petite. Forgive me for being so forward but since I created you, I feel I can say, you are a very beautiful young lady, though I must also note, you appear sad, almost tragically so.
NSB: I suppose you could say my entire life is tragic, though I've never known anything different. Well, that's not true. When my mother was alive--sorry, when I talk about my mom, I always seem to cry.
Jaeger: That's okay. Here's a tissue. Do you need more time, or--??
NSB: I think we should continue. Who knows how much time I've got left before you-know-who comes after me. Oh, right--of course you do know--and I hate to criticize an author, but you didn't give that awful man any redeeming qualities. His wickedness knows no bounds.
Jaeger: Yes, you're right, but you characters still had a big say in what I wrote--your personalities, the way your lives turned out. When I started DAN, my story-line was quite different, as was the title, as you know, but look how you refused to follow the story line I had planned. You must admit, Ms. Bently, you chose your path more than I.
NSB: True. I appreciate the fact that you listened to me--even though you argued a lot--but eventually, you saw that I was right and my life had to change. Perhaps we'd best not go any further with this--spoil alert, and all that?
Jaeger: Goodness, you're right again. Thanks for reminding me. Hmmmm, what can we talk about that won't reveal important episodes in DAN and give our readers and inside look that isn't in the book?
NSB: Could I tell you about my mother? She was the best and you really wrote very little about her. My mom was funny, kind, and a wonderful cook. She and her best friend, Wanda Harmon, would get together to can green beans, apples, whatever, and they'd make each other laugh so hard they'd forget what they were doing. Wanda's daughter, Sarah Elaine--oh, you have her in the second book of the Hilldale series--Sarah Elaine was my best friend and we'd watch our mothers be silly and laugh right along with them. I really miss my mom. I was only seven and I saw what happened to her--
Jaeger: Guess we should stop there, Ms. Bently--another potential spoiler. Yes, Sarah Elaine's in the second book so we won't go into detail about her now. Changing the subject, did you know Sheriff Dan when you were in school?
NSB: Yes, a little. I'm shy, but then you know that, you wrote me that way. Danny--we called him Danny--was quiet and stayed to himself. Being the only black kid in our small school couldn't have been easy. But the only guy I really remember giving Danny a hard time was Arden Wickem. Let's don't talk about Arden, okay? He really wasn't very nice to Danny, well, honestly, to anyone who was a little different, or didn't run with his crowd. But, I'd trust Danny with my life.
Jaeger: Thanks, Neva Sue. You remind me that I do call the shots a lot, but don't forget, it was you who made me---oh, wait--that would ruin part of the story. Anything else you want to share with our friends?
NSB: Just that I'm so grateful that you made Muley Burger such a sweet old man, and though I really didn't know Mr. Billy Sumday, his kind ways go before him wherever he goes. Say, there's a storm coming and I'd better get going. Pa will skin me alive if he finds me gone--you know how it is.
Jaeger: Unfortunately, I do. I hated to write about your father, but you and I know he's an integral part of DAN. The story has to be told and I'm sorry if it's painful for you.
NSB: Yes, well, thanks. I really have to go. Will I be in the second book?
Jaeger: I do believe you're mentioned a time or two. You haven't been forgotten, Neva Sue. Your character is really important, so cheer up.
NSB: Great. Okay, now I really do have to go. You know what Pa'll do if he finds me gone.
Jaeger: Thanks for the interview. See you in DAN. Oh, what about children? Do you have any children? Shoot, she's already gone. Sorry folks. Guess you'll have to read the answer to that question in DAN, Book One in the Hilldale Series. And may I add, DAN has gone to print and Tate Publishing will let me know soon when the pre-release and national release dates are. I'm looking forward to sharing Sheriff Dan and Neva Sue's story with you.
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