Character interview: Mischa Richardson from ‘Sleeper’

Today I’m interviewing Mischa Richardson, the main character from SLEEPER by S.M. Johnston. I’ve never done a character interview, so this is a new and exciting experience!

“Sleeper” by S. M. Johnston

Mishca, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself?

“My parents adopted me from America as a baby, but raised me in Australia. For most of my life I’ve been on the sidelines due to health issues. Guys avoided me and I felt like a social freak. Then I had my heart transplant and things changed.”

What are you most proud of?

“That I graduated high school without dying.” Mishca goes all shifty eyes. “It was touch and go there for a bit, but the heart transplant did the trick.”

Heart transplant. That sounds serious.

“Yeah. It was pretty full on. But the operation was a success. No more sickly Mishca. Do you mind if we talk about something else?” Mishca bites her lip and looks away.

Okay, sure thing. Because I’m a book nerd, I’m sure my readers would love to know this: what’s your favourite book.

“Oh, that’s hard. I love Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and anything by Jane Austen. More modern books would be Losing It, Girl Saves Boy and Sweet Evil.”

If you could have one wish what would it be?

“To be normal. Before my heart transplant I was weak and socially awkward, and now it’s … never mind.” Mishca chews on her nail. “Let’s make it for an endless supply of shoes.”

What’s your secret shame?

“If I told you then it wouldn’t be a secret, so I’ll pass on that one.”

What’s the best and worst quality you think a person can have?

“Worst is definitely judgmental people. Seriously, the number of shop assistants who assume I can’t afford certain brand clothes, or that I’m going to be a shoplifter. I know things are changing and hopefully in years to come the colour of my skin won’t cause people to judge me. The best thing people can do is to pay it forward. A little kindness can go a long way.”

Blurb for SLEEPER:

A new heart should mean new life, not a living nightmare.

Mishca Richardson’s life is at an all-time high after her heart transplant. With new boyfriend, Ryder, the two of them have the perfect summer romance. Even the nightmares that have been plaguing her sleep since her operation can’t dull the high she’s on.

Things start to unravel as Mishca develops superhuman abilities. She does her best to hide them so as not to end up a science experiment in a lab. But she can’t ignore the instant attraction she experiences when she meets her university professor, Colin Reed.

Torn between the blossoming love and the obsession, Mishca must decide if she wants Ryder or Colin. But the organization responsible for her changes and her connection to Colin, is moving to secure Mishca for himself so that she can be the weapon he always intended her to be. If Mishca can’t resist her programming she’ll have a lot more to worry about than romance.

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About the author:

Sharon M. Johnston

Sharon is a writer from Mackay in Queensland, Australia who has short stories published in anthologies and was also runner-up in the Australian Literary Review’s Young Adult short story contest with KARMA. By day she is a public relations executive and by night she writes weird fiction and soulful contemporaries while her husband, two sons and cat are fast asleep.

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