It’s time for me to be preparing the extra bits that go into the back of The Passion of the Purple Plumeria
I suspect that you’re probably all just as bored with Q&A’s with me as I am. So, instead of asking you for questions for me, I’ve decided it’s time to interview Miss Gwen. I don’t know about you, but there are many things I’ve been dying to ask her– such as “Where do you get your sword parasols?”
If you had the chance to go all Barbara Walters on Miss Gwen, what would you ask?
Warning: I intend to shamelessly appropriate your questions for my interrogation of Miss Gwen.
Since I am deeply grateful for the assistance, one person, chosen at random, will receive a snazzy “Purple Plumeria” tote bag, with the coat of arms designed for Miss Gwen by Shelli. (Winner to be announced next Wednesday.)
What was your favorite mission?
Where’s your favorite place to vacation?
Who is the premier purveyor of pointy purple parasols?
Tell us a story about your own schooldays.
If you could be a tree …. what tree would you be?
Which of the heroes most surprised you as a hero for king and country?
Do you or a family member beling to a “spy network” in the past?
Was it always your intention to become a spy, or did you volunteer to chaperone Jane and Amy to get away from the sheep?
Do you view yourself primarily as Jane’s ally or as her chaperone?
Did you have any idea what you were getting yourself into when you volunteered to chaperone Amy and Jane in the first instance?
Where did you develop your expertise in explosives?
Where would you hope you next mission takes you?
Who is your favorite dressmaker?
What is your favorite dessert?
How many parasols do you own?
Do you match them to your outfits?
Miss Gwen,
What was your favorite alias, either for character purposes or for costuming?
Do you consider Jane to be a surrogate daughter, a co-conspirator, or something else?
What do you really think of Josephine Bonaparte? Napoleon? His dreadful sister?
And as a follow up question, is there any secret French gossip you can share with us that would not have made history books?
Oh what a good question! Of course, I can’t imagine Miss Gwen answering any of them in a straight-up manner… and I presume you’d ask from a seriously safe distance
How old were you when you realized the vast utility of a parasol, and how did it happen?
What is the working title of your horrid novel?(that’s what she called it, right? I don’t have my copy on hand!)
By the way, I do hope we’ll be treated to reading Miss Gwen’s book at some point.
What is your favorite flower?
Can you recommend a good florist in Paris?
Who was your first love?
Why did you become a governess/chaperone in the first place?
What are your plans for the future? Retirement?
Was there an affair of the heart that kept you from marrying and settling down?
Mens’ fashions: buckskin breeches or silk?
Hessians or diamond buckled shoes?
Good hearted rascals or suave polite gentlemen?
What sort of man makes your heart beat fast?
How now, brown cow?
Why is the parasol your weapon of choice?
What is behind your love of a)the colour purple
b) horrid novels
c) the spy trade?
Miss Gwen,
What are your thoughts on having Penelope Deveraux as a prospective daughter-in-law?
Would you ever consider visiting India?
Is it true you have have killed a man with your parasol? To protect England’s military plans.
Okay, but am I the only one who thinks there is no way in hades that Ms. Gwen would ever sit down for an interview? I see it more as a reporter having to tag along with her and trying to squeeze in questions whenever possible. Then half of the time being forced to wear some disguise bassed upon the mission she is currently working on, being lambasted for being nosy, and repeatedly tortured by the parasol?
But the one question I would want to ask is: What is your favorite book and why?
So true– my guess is that she’s being railroaded (if there were railroads to use as a metaphor) into this by her publisher for publicity for her new book, “The Convent of Orsino”.
I’m posting these here on behalf of Kristie H, who got an error message when she tried to post:
Have you always been so adventurous and daring? How did you occupy your time before accompanying Jane in such heroic journeys? What was your family/childhood like? Your sense of fashion; do you think long on what to wear or do you grab and go?
Miss Gwen, if I may be so bold, have you ever been unlucky in love? A lost love, an unrequited love, a love grown cold?
Where would you like to travel?
Who would you like to have dinner with?
I would love a little “in my own words” back story for Gwen. How did she get to Shropshire in Pink Carnation 1? What had she been doing previously? Any illicit and/or espionage activities prior to Pink Carnation 1?
These are fabulous!! Thank you all SO much….
What did you want to be when you grew up?
who influenced you the most as a child and as an adult?
Tell me something about yourself that no one else would ever suspect about you?