Character interview: Ranger J.T. McCutchen

In the world of books, the characters can be just as important – if not more so? – than the creator. Therefore, I’m welcoming characters to Book Bags and Cat Naps to introduce themselves, spill the beans about their makers and tell us what lies ahead… 

Today I’m welcoming some very special characters.  Their authors are taking part in both the 12 Days of Christmas: Indie Book Blowout and a special spin off competition to win a Kindle Fire or $200 of Amazon vouchers.

So, please welcome Ranger J.T. McCutchen, from David Mark Brown’s Fistful of Reefer.

Good evening Ranger.  Welcome to the blog!  Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

Curse this new fangled technology. What the hell happened to the good old pen and paper? Well, in fear of being unkind I suppose I’ll answer your touchy-queery bull plop so both of us can get along with more important business.

My name’s Ranger J.T. McCutchen, and no you can’t ask what the J.T. stands for. All you need to know about my life is that I’ve dedicated it to keeping the great state of Texas free from filth and those who’d use her for personal and immoral gain. It’s my job and my passion.

As long as your cherished God gives me the strength to perform it, I’ll do so with whatever prejudice required. Give me a good horse and a couple of Colt Flatheads and I’ll pop the ticks off a coyote from 100 yards off. Give me cause and I’ll fill hell’s waiting room with you and yours.

But since we’re all law abiding citizens here, I suppose there’s no need for getting uppity. It’s just you asked, and sometime of late I get a little…

Spill the beans…

The creator/character relationship could be described as a give and take one. Who is the taker and who is the giver in your relationship?

I ain’t got no relationship with a “creator.” But if I did, what he’s given me I’ve already promised to use to the fullness of my ability. And I’ll do so until I’ve sucked the universe dry. So I suppose you could say I take what I need in order to deliver the justice I’ve sworn myself to.

How much is Fistful of Reefer?

Tarnation. There you go again. $2.99, if you must.

But just $0.99 during the Indie Book Blowout right?  Bargain!

If your creator could spend all of that money on a treat, what would it be?

Probably some sort of quick fix from a cheap red wine.

Assuming the tables were turned and you became the author, what story would you cast your creator turned character in?

David Mark Brown

Something where he gets to experience my pain. A story where he loses everything he holds dear and is compelled to carry out a thankless task despite the costs to him and everyone around him. That sniveling little twit. We’d just see how long he’d last. My money’d be on less than a week.

So you’ve got a lot of respect for him right…?

Tell us something about your creator that they’re unlikely to share themselves?

That little sissy has to write about real men like me ’cause he couldn’t ever quite meet muster, if you know what I mean. All his spiritual weaknesses and the like just cloud his judgement. He actually cries frequently, blubbering about turning the other cheek, yap yap yap.

How can you respect another man’s business when he can’t tend to it on his own? But has to rely on some cosmic force to do it for him?

Well, anyway, I suppose I’ve said enough.

Character/creator comparison

Tell us one of your bad habits.

I’ve got none.

Tell us one of your creator’s bad habits.

Sniveling.

If you lived in the same world as your creator, would you be likely to move in the same circles?

Certainly not. He’d have died years ago in my circles, and I wouldn’t have any use for his.

Well I can see I’m testing your patience a little here so we’ll wrap it up soon but for now here’s a quickfire comparison round: your favourites (R) and his (D)…

Food: “A medium rare steak” (R) vs “Pho” (D)

Drink: “A good glass of Lenior” (R) vs “Hot tea” (D)

Holiday destination: “The Big Bend area” (R) vs “Either a snowed in cabin in the Montana Rockies or South Padre Island” (D)

Film: “What the hell use would I have for film?” (R) vs “Matrix or Beauty and the Beast” (D)

Book: “A good western” (R) vs “Dune” (D)

Colour: “Black” (R) vs “Rust” (D)

And now the moment of truth: review David’s book

Totally unrealistic garbage. Can you believe I don’t even… dagnabbit, I can’t even talk about it. It’s a total snow job is what it is, like riding up on a blizzard in the middle of the Pecos wilderness, in July. Like that’s ever gonna happen.

If I ever get my hands on him, I’ll make him pay. That’s for damn sure.

Ouch – poor David!  Well, it’s been an experience having you on the blog Ranger!  Will we see you again?  Any last words?

Be good and we’ll stay friendly.

Absolutely sir!

Thank you so much to David Mark Brown for letting Ranger visit the blog.  To find out more about David and his writing, you can stop by his blog, visit his Facebook page or find him on Twitter.  Want to buy a copy of Fistful of Reefer?  Get it on Amazon and then visit the Extra, Secret, Special Giveaway page to enter the Kindle Fire/$200 Amazon Gift Card giveaway.