Character Interview with Mason + Giveaway: Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

Last year, Jeyn wrote a guest post for Dystopian Domination. This time, I will be interviewing Mason, one of the characters of Dark Inside (one of my favorite books ever) and Rage Within.

Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Mason Dowell. I'm 17. I grew up in Saskatoon, which is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. My Dad died when I was younger. I was pretty much raised by my mother but she died recently in a car accident. In fact, it was her death that saved my life.

I'm not really much of a talker. I'm more of a 'take action' kind of guy. Sadly, I don't always think before I do things and that gets me into trouble sometimes.

But I'm a good listener. And I care about my friends, even if I don't always show it.

What do you think of the present world?

It sucks. I feel like I've been tossed into a blender and I'm slowly drowning and being torn apart at the same time. Everyone I love or care about has died. My mother. My friends. And now I'm stuck with a bunch of strangers who look up to me to protect them. All I really want is to be left alone. When I'm alone, I'm not a danger to anyone.

There is a small light through all this darkness though. Aries. She's really been there for me. She likes someone else. But she likes me too. I guess everything's really complicated these days.  

What was the first thing you did when you got here?

I got really hammered and then pretty much barfed all over my bedroom. Then I burned down my house. Sounds crazy, I know. But I didn't know how else to deal with the pain. So I headed to Vancouver. I met Chickadee along the way and she made everything better for a while. Because of her, I went straight to Stanley Park and felt the ocean. The water was cold. It made me feel alive for the first time since all this happened.

If you lived in our time, who would you be? What would you do?

My friend Tom and I were planning on going backpacking through Europe. That would have rocked. I spent the last few summers working at the golf course to save money. I had a few grand saved up. I suppose it's still sitting in the bank somewhere. Useless now.

After travelling, I'd probably go to university. I still have no idea what I wanted to study. I was interested in all sorts of things. It would have been neat to be a teacher maybe. But I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm the teaching type.

What is your favorite thing about 2012? Why?

I'm stronger now. Stealthier. 2012 is all about revenge. Our whole group is growing stronger. We're not about to sit around any longer, waiting for death. The Baggers might outnumber us, but they shouldn't turn their back on us for a second.

I like having that control. I like knowing that I can protect people...even if I talk about wanting to be alone all the time. I'm not sure what I'd do without Aries and the others. I guess they're my new family.

If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for? Why?

1. I'd like to see Chickadee  and my Mom again.

2. World peace? haha How about a gigantic time machine?

Sorry, there's no third wish. I don't like playing games like this. Talking about it only makes everything worse.

About the Author:

Jeyn Roberts grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and started writing at an early age, having her first story published when she was 16 in a middle-grade anthology called LET ME TELL YOU.

When she was 21, she moved to Vancouver with dreams of being a rock star, graduating from the University of British Columbia with a degree in Writing and Psychology. For the next few years she played in an alternative/punk band called Missing Mile before moving to England where she received her MA from the prestigious Creative Writing graduate course at Bath Spa University. Jeyn is a former singer, songwriter, actress, bicycle courier and tree planter.

An avid traveler, she’s been around the world, most recently, teaching high school in South Korea.

A lover of animals, Jeyn volunteers regularly with helping abandoned and abused animals, especially cats.

Follow Jeyn: Site | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway: Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

If you haven't read Dark Inside...you should! I highly recommend it!

Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael have survived the first wave of the apocalypse that wiped out most of the world's population, and turned many of the rest into murderous Baggers. Now, they're hiding out in an abandoned house in Vancouver with a ragtag group of surviving teens, and trying to figure out their next move.

Aries is trying to lead, but it's hard to be a leader when there are no easy answers, and every move feels wrong. Clementine is desperate to find her brother Heath, but it's impossible to know where he'd be, even if he is still alive. Michael is still haunted by the memories of his actions during his harrowing struggle to survive. And Mason is struggling with something far worse: the fear that he may be a danger to his friends.

As the Baggers begin to create a new world order, Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael will have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive.

Rules:

Follow Fragments of Life

You must be at least 13 years old

Open internationally

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