Welcome to WOLF NOTES, where interview questions stray from the rest of the pack. It’s nice to know the usual stuff like where an author gets their inspiration and why they write, but sometimes we need a little fun in our lives.

Wolf: Welcome to Wolf Notes, Bobby Sue. Why don’t you start by telling me about yourself?

Bobby Sue: Thank you, Wolf. I’m really tickled you asked. You sure have big teeth.

Wolf: You do know that I’m a wolf, don’t you?

Bobby Sue: As sure as my mom’s pecan pie. Just kiddin’ with you. I grew up in south central Kentucky, not far from Tennessee. The rest of my family is in Oklahoma. At least I hope they’re still there. Haven’t heard a peep from out there since the Day of Reckonin’. Sure hope they’re okay.

Wolf: What’s the Day of Reckoning?

Bobby Sue: That’s the League of the Stars’ name for the Cataclysm. You know, the day all heck broke loose. Meteors, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions. Anyway, my folks and I were vacationin’ in Ohio during the Day of Reckoning. Well, I was vacationing, seein’ the sight and all. There was a big old conference for psychology professors that they couldn’t pass up on. The building collapsed. They didn’t make it.

Wolf: That’s horrible. So sorry for your loss.

Bobby Sue: Thank you. You’re sweet. I miss them horribly, but I’m doing okay. They wouldn’t want me to keep mopin’ about. Life has to go on. Got a great job working for Gareth here in Atherton. He runs a store and tavern. Real nice fella. He’s kinda like a substitute dad to all of us workin’ there, but that woman he has in charge, she’s a mean piece of work. Although, she does show the occasional bit of honey when Gareth is near.

Wolf: Interesting. I’ll steer clear of her. If you could be any animal in the universe, what would it be and why?

Bobby Sue: I’d love to be a scissor-tailed flycatcher. That’s the Oklahoma state bird. I found this sweet little hairclip at the market the other day. I don’t often buy stuff, but this one just called to me. Someday I’ll make it back there and find out for sure who survived.

Wolf: That’s beautiful and it looks fantastic in your red hair.

Bobby Sue: Why thank you. I swear, your fur is almost as soft as Fifi’s.

Wolf: Thanks, but I’d rather not be pet…. On second thought, as long as you’re there, I do have an itch behind my left ear. Would you consider yourself a cat person or a dog person?

Bobby Sue:  I love all critters, but they don’t all love me. The only one who can get near that crazy rooster of Gareth’s is Tatiana. Animals just seem to take to her like a fish to water. Would you like to meet her? I could introduce you.

Wolf: Thanks, but we’ve already met. I interviewed her last December. Today is Clear Sky Day. What can you tell me about that?

Bobby Sue: The Day of Reckonin’ spewed all sorts of ash an’ junk into the sky. Then one day we all woke up and it was gone. Boom. Just like that. Sky was clear. Sun was shinin’. Things finally started warmin’ up. It was the first sign of hope we’d had since the disaster. You should come to our annual ceremony and celebration in the town square. It’ll be a lot of fun.

Wolf: I think I’ll pass. People might freak out if I showed up.

Bobby Sue: Oh. You’re probably right.

Wolf: What can you tell me about the star-touched? Where’d they get their powers?

Bobby Sue:  That’s a tough one. I mean, it’s only been eight years since they came into their powers. And before you ask, I don’t know where they got them or how they got picked. The league has been tryin’ to figure it out since the first star-touched showed up. They don’t know, the star-touched don’t know, nobody does. Maybe we’ll figure it out some day, but gosh, give it some time.

Wolf: I guess you’re right. If you could choose any weapon, what would it be?

Bobby Sue: Weapons aren’t my thing. I prefer to talk to people. If the world hadn’t turned upside-down, I would have been a social worker so I could help folks.

Wolf: And if talk doesn’t work?

Bobby Sue: A big old stick to knock some sense into them.

Wolf: Remind me not to make you angry. If you could pick any super power, what would it be and why?

Bobby Sue:  Not sure I’d want any kind of super power. They’re a lot of responsibility. People could get hurt if you’re not careful. And some folks get jittery around people with powers. I’d hate to see more riots like we had a few years back. But I suppose if I had to pick, it would be the ability to help fix what’s hurt inside a person’s mind. Psychologically speaking, not the physical stuff.

Wolf: That would be a great gift. Thanks for stopping by. To learn more about Bobby Sue and the star-touched, grab a copy of Star Touched.