Authors Interviewing Characters: Susan E. Sage

SILVER LADY: TRAVELS ALONG THE RIVER ROAD

Character interview: Cassie in Silver Lady by Susan E. Sage

Cassie Navrone is the main character in my recently published novel, Silver Lady: Travels Along the River Road. The year is 2033. A new pandemic (The Strangler Virus) has left many dead and the USA is about to become disunited (the DSA), as it spirals downhill at an alarming rate. The virus has seemingly vanished, but major cities are burning and looting is rampant. While there’s no longer a quarantine in effect, many live in near seclusion. Cassie, at sixty-two, throws caution to the wind and takes on a job driving a houseboat from Minnesota to New Orleans. 

Interviewer:  Some time ago, houseboat vacations were popular. However, you decided to take one even during all the recent upheaval in society. I’m glad you’re safe, but why would you take a trip—especially one like this—at the present time? Have you always been so daring?

Cassie: No, I’ve led a pretty quiet life, so this was definitely something new for me. My husband died when our daughter was little, and I wound up raising my daughter alone. I guess I’ve been independent for a long time. I retired, not too long ago, and became tired of staying home—even before the pandemic. “Desperate times call for desperate measures”—right? 

Interviewer: How familiar were you with living on a river?

Cassie: My dad used to be a sailor and often took me out on his twenty-seven sailboat when I was a girl. I’ve always admired him. At first, I thought driving a houseboat would be a piece of cake, but I soon discovered that not to be the case.

Interviewer: Did you encounter any difficulties on your river trip?

Cassie:  I sure did!  Not only did we get stuck and deal with a couple bad storms, we wound up lost—more than once after going down branches that didn’t show up on our navigation chart. The worst was when we lost one of our passengers. 

Interviewer: Can you tell us more about what happened to the passenger?

Cassie: Sorry, I let that slip…I’m not at liberty to tell you details, but that person is still missing.

Interviewer: Moving along then. Can you tell us a little about the crew? Did you get along?

Cassie: There were two other couples and a teenage girl. In close quarters like the houseboat, you get to know each other pretty well. We bonded and most of us became friends.

Interviewer: How long did it take to deliver the boat to its owner?

Cassie: I’ve been trying to get in touch with George—the owner, but so far haven’t had much luck.

Interviewer: What was the best part of your downstream journey?

Cassie: Not knowing what would greet us around the next bend! The further we traveled, the stranger life became.

Interviewer: Care to elaborate?

Cassie: The scenery became increasingly odd, especially off the main channel. We stumbled upon places like the Land of Nod, The Island of Lost Children, Owl Town—none of which were listed on any maps. Also, books and painting began to vanish, and even people. 

Interviewer: Have you missed home?

Cassie: I’ve often wished my daughter had joined me. We’re in touch, but she hasn’t left home since the pandemic. 

Interviewer: Did you acquire more or less courage as the trip went on? 

Cassie: I’ve been told I gained confidence during the trip downstream. I now realize that tenacity is my main strength, along with my need for human connection.

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite book?

Cassie: Alice in Wonderland. No big surprise, right?

Interviewer: Given the chaotic world we’re living in, do you have hope for humanity?

Cassie: Forgive the cliché, but our creativity is a lifeboat on life’s rough waters. I think this points to the indomitable will and determination of the human spirit.

BUY HERE

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Susan Sage has published four novels: Insominy (2015), A Mentor and Her Muse (Open Books, 2017), and Dancing in the Ring (Black Rose Writing, 2023). Her most recent novel, Silver Lady: Travels Along the River Road, was published in December 2024 by Black Rose Writing. Her writing has also appeared in various literary magazines and journals. She received her English degree from Wayne State University and teaching certification from University of Michigan-Flint. Originally from Detroit, but she has resided most of her adult life in Flushing, Michigan, where she lives with her husband and two cats (different cats over the years, but the same husband).

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing