Oh, I do love character interviews!
Today, DeAnn Smallwood has her characters from Unconquerable Callie sharing.
Read on!
Thank you, Collette for having me and my characters on your blog today. This is exciting for all of us, and, we hope that through your questions, you’ll find out more about us and our westward journey.
My first question is for Callie. Aren’t you worried about joining a wagon train, a woman alone, facing who knows what challenges and dangers?
Collette, I’d be foolish to say I wasn’t a little bit worried, but I’ve got what it takes to meet any challenges the trail throws at me.
(8).jpg "CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH CALLIE AND SETH FROM UNCONQUERABLE CALLIE BY DEANN SMALLWOOD 1")
Well, I’m a crack shot, an excellent rider, and I’m well outfitted. I’ve got a good wagon with an extra axle, two strong oxen to pull it, the recommended supplies, and I’m not overloaded.
I’m puzzled. Why are you so determined to go to California?
I’m, uh, I’m meeting my fiancé there. He’s not able to join me, but he’s waiting in California for me.
Your fiancé. Sounds interesting. What’s his name?
Tom. No, I mean Frank. Yes, that’s right, Frank.
You don’t seem sure of his name, Callie, can you tell me why?
I just made a mistake. Of course I’m sure. Why else would I be going West?
This question is for Seth McCallister.
Seth, have you led many wagon trains West?
Yes. Several and all of them successful.
You must enjoy what you do. What do you like least of all about being wagon master?
Dealing with people that are opinionated and think they know more than I do. I’m an honest man and I can’t abide liars or pretenders.
Seth, you seem angry about your decision to allow Callie, a single woman, to join your train.
Why?
Because having a woman face the hardships and dangers of the trail alone is like being a part of murder.
Wow! What exactly will Callie be facing, Seth?
River crossings, snake bite, bear attacks, cholera, drought, dust so thick you can’t breathe, and Indians.
I know there’s a part in the book where Callie’s hair gets the train in trouble. Seth, could you tell us more about this?
Sure. Well, Callie has this beautiful snow white hair. It’s like dandelion down. It’s short now, but it did hang clear down her back. I’ve told her to keep it covered, but she has a mind of her own and conveniently forgets her hat. One of the chiefs, Wolf Dog, sees this white hair and believes it has mystical power. Surrounded by angry braves, ready to attack at any provocation, he wants to palaver about buying Callie for one of his wives. He offers a beautiful paint pony for trade.
Good Heavens. What happens?
Well, me and Henry Henry, my scout, are doing our best to convince Wolf Dog that he doesn’t want Callie and that he shouldn’t attack the train to get her. We’re getting nowhere, Wolf Dog wants that hair bad. Then, unbeknownst to me, Callie leaves the protection of the circled wagons and walks toward us. I don’t see her coming and before I can stop her, she walks right up to Wolf Dog and proceeds to tell him that she wouldn’t make him a good wife. This time, she’s got a big bonnet on her head, but it’s a little too late I think. Then she hands him something. Darned if it isn’t her long, white braid. She cut her braid off right at her neck and offers it to Wolf Dog as good medicine. I don’t mind telling you Henry Henry and I were worried. We had our rifles trained on Wolf Dog and Callie.
You were going to shoot Callie?
Yep. Before I’d let her be taken captive, I would have shot her. Pinked her, I hope.
Weren’t you afraid, Callie?
Afraid? I was scared to death. My heart was in my throat. But Wolf Dog took me up on my offer. I didn’t know Seth was all set to ‘pink’ me if my offer had been refused. Killing Wolf Dog would have brought on a full attack and we were outnumbered. Can you believe it? He would have shot me. Makes me angry all over again to think of it.
Callie, let’s talk about something lighter. What do you plan on doing once you reach California, other than meeting your, uh, your fiancé?
You ask that question like you doubt as if there is a fiancé. But to answer your question, I plan to open a bakery in South Pass City, Wyoming. Oh, did I say South Pass City? Of course I meant California. Why on earth would I want to leave the train in South Pass City, Wyoming. Just because Wyoming is the only State to offer women the vote and give them a chance to be independent.
Seth, have you changed your mind about Callie?
Let me tell you, Callie Collins is unconquerable. You ought to have been there and saw what she came up with to cool down her oxen and keep them from going berserk in the hot sun when water was scarce. Then there was the time she shot a man that was trying to take over as wagon master when I was shot and laid up. Poor Ollie hadn’t ever come across a woman that could shoot like our Callie.
Our Callie. Sounds like you changed your opinion about Callie along the journey. Maybe Callie came to mean more to you than you ever thought possible…fiancé or not.
Don’t think that’s something I’ll answer, Collette. I’ll just recommend you read the book and find out for yourself.
BUY LINK
