The character reveal is a feature on my website. Characters from my books (in print or works-in-progress) answer questions from a standard personality assessment test. Today’s character reveal: Miranda Clarke, the protagonist of the My Soul to Keep series.
Who
Miranda Rose Clarke was about to turn twenty-five when she appeared in the first book, My Soul to Keep. Daughter of the Fellowship’s premier preacher-politician, Counselor Donald Clarke and his wife, Kara Louise Lancaster Clarke. She made a break from her parents and the Fellowship in My Soul to Keep. Now, twenty-seven at the beginning of If I Should Die, she is the captain of the Lady Angelfish and the Freedom Waterway.
1. Who is your role model?
When I was in grade school I found and read a banned book about Harriet Tubman. Brave, resourceful—she escaped slavery then went back and saved other slaves. And when the Civil War broke out, she was a nurse, spy, and scout. And she rescued more slaves. I can only hope to be as successful and brave as she was.
2. Who knows you the best?
My crew—Aunt Beryl and Wanda. You can’t live 24/7 on a smallish yacht and not know each other.
3. What would your friends say about you?
Oh, my. I hope they say good things, that I’m a good friend, kind, and have done good for the refugees.
4. What is the question people ask you most often?
There are two questions people ask me all the time. Where are we going? And why are you doing this? Refugees have spent so much time hiding and being afraid, they have a hard time accepting that I just want to help them and that I’m taking them to a safe place.
5. What is the thing you’d never say to another person?
I—I wish I could say I would never say anything hurtful. I try not to, but I know I have.
6. What is your greatest achievement?
The Freedom Waterway. When I started rescuing refugees, I had no idea that it would become a network of boats and marinas and everyday folk that reach all across America’s waterways.
7. What is your greatest failure?
Hmm. My first thought is that I failed at my escape plan… But that wasn’t my greatest failure. I—I thought I could be a soldier. I wanted to fight, to be like Beryl. But, I’m not as strong as she is.
8. What did you learn from your greatest failure?
That I had to find my own path in this conflict, heck, in life.
9. What is the thing you are most proud of?
The Freedom Waterway. It wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t started trying to help people.
10. What would you like to change about yourself?
Oh boy, you ask some hard questions. I wish I could face the truth head-on like Beryl does. I have to sidle up to it, look away, get used to it, before I can really deal with it.
11. If something in your house breaks, what is the first thing you do?
Remember, Lady Angelfish, my yacht, is my home. She’d been abandoned. I rebuilt her. Every inch of her. And if you’re at sea and wanted by the Fellowship, there’s no one to call. I fix whatever’s broken. Though I have to say that Wanda’s a genius with the engines. If it’s an engine problem, I let Wanda handle it now.
12. What is the greatest obstacle you’re facing right now?
I owe Beryl my life many times over. I will help her on her quest. But I’m afraid that means I need to be a soldier for a while. I don’t know if I can do that.
13. How do you like to “waste” your time?
Reading and listening to beautiful instrumental music.
14. What is the ritual that helps you calm down?
Breathing. Sometimes listening to soothing music.
15. What is your favorite place in town?
Um, you understand that I can’t visit places “in town,” don’t you?
Then what’s your favorite place? On a calm, clear day—I love sitting on the Fly Bridge at sunrise or sunset. There’s a moment of release—not holding your breath release, but the release of tension and fear and the in the beautiful colors of the sky reflected on the water there’s a breath of a promise.
16. What do you prefer–a book, a movie or a theater play?
I used to enjoy the theater, but I’ve always preferred a good book.
17. What was the happiest period of your life?
Happiest? I guess that’s a relative term. Happiest compared to what? I think I must have had some happy times as a child. We’ve had some pleasant times on the boat, times when we’ve laughed our heads off. And I’m happy every time I see Nick. But I don’t think happiest applies to any of those times. Ask me again when this conflict is over.
18. What is your most treasured memory from childhood?
My childhood was a lie. I don’t treasure it.
19. What was your favorite game when you were a child?
I didn’t like playing games. My family’s—my parent’s—rules were too—ruthless.
20. What is the greatest injustice you’ve lived through?
Everything the Fellowship does is an injustice. But I’d have to say the greatest injustices are the deaths of my friends. They shouldn’t have to give up their lives because evil, immoral men rule the country.
Your Turn
If you missed it, you might want to read Irene’s character reveal.
If you are an artist or doodler and have drawn an image of Miranda or any other character in one of my books, send me a digital copy. With your permission, I’ll post it on the character’s page on this website and share it on social media.
Did you enjoy Character Reveal: Miranda Clarke? Based on Miranda’s answers above, what additional question would you ask? Is there a character from My Soul to Keep you’d like to see answer these questions in the next character reveal?
These are so much fun! Thanks for posting.