Please welcome Hood to my blog today. I got a chance to talk privately to him while his creator Peter Townsend was busy. Hood is the antagonist of Peter’s book, Ghostly Images. Soon after the discussion began, I wondered what I’d gotten myself in to.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: I am genuinely regarded as a Robin Hood character in the eyes of local people.

Q: Of Whitby?
A: (taps his walking cane sharply on the floor) No! East Whitby. Do not ask me to comment on thosepeople over the swing bridge living in the fine houses of West Whitby.
Q: Why not?
A: (squints eyes) They regard the inhabitants of East Whitby to be little better than vermin. The poor people of East Whitby only have the right to be ignored and oppressed according to them.
Q: I’ve heard a rumour that you are a charlatan, thief, fake psychic medium. Is that true?
A: (sighs)I am very disappointed in you, madam. You should not believe everything you hear or read.
Q: What is the one thing you wish your creator had done differently with you?
A: He should have had the common decency to treat me as the true hero of the story, not the villain.
Q: If you could have added something to the story, and your creator had let you, what would it have been?
A: Some appreciation for my numerous good deeds would not go amiss. 

Q: What do you admire about yourself?
A: There are far too many things to list.
Q: Can you give me three examples?
A: My charitable deeds for the poor folk of East Whitby, my cunning and intelligence, my immortality.

Q: I’m intrigued. Can you tell me more about your claim to immortality?
A: (points his cane towards me) No! You would not understand, madam.
Q: What is your greatest extravagance?
A: I am a modest and humble man. My only extravagance is my beloved snakes. They are beautiful creatures, madam. Would you care to handle one? (grins)
Q: I’ll decline your invitation…What is your favourite journey?
A: Is your only interest our feathered friends? Had I mentioned the stuffed heron in my house you would have gladly handled it.
 Q: You’re wrong. I’m keen on bird watching…What is your favourite journey?
A: Please enlighten me about bird watching?
 Q: No! I don’t think you would understand, sir …What is your favourite journey?
A: (yawns) If you insist? I am contented man walking around the alleys of East Whitby. On a fine day I like nothing better than climbing the 199 Steps to marvel at the spectacle of Whitby Abbey.
Q: Which person do you most despise?
A: (squirms)Chief Constable Len Tanner. He is determined to get a rope around my neck.
Q: What part of the book was the hardest for you to deal with?
A: This is a ridiculously easy question to answer. It is that scene in the graveyard scene late at night. I cannot say anything more about what happened since my creator has sworn me to secrecy. But mark my words, I will have my revenge.
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Every poor child in East Whitby has had a decent pair of shoes thanks to me. It does not trouble my conscience if I have to steal from the rich in order to fulfil this noble mission.
Q: What is the quality you most like in people?
A: Utmost loyalty and devotion.
Q: Do you have any questions you’d like to ask me?
A: Would you kindly come to my humble dwellings for tea?
Q: You must realise this is impossible. Don’t you?
A: What possible explanation can you have for your refusal other than your very poor manners?
Q: I am a real person living in 2012. You are a fictional character in a novel set in 1894. Don’t you think that this is a compelling explanation?
A: (face reddens) You don’t need to get snotty with me! You are a creatively minded individual and can shape worlds and characters at your whim. Consequently, you insult me with your feeble excuse, madam. (waves his cane in agitation, rises to his feet and storms out of the room)

Peter Townsend was born in Sheffield and has a variety of interests, including history, music and art. One of his current fascinations is the history of Victorian England. He now lives by the coast in the North East of England and regularly walks on the local beach or on the cliff top path towards Whitby—the place where his fourth novel, Ghostly Images, is set.


His blog has details about the history of spirit photography, together with other information at http://ghostlyimages.wordpress.com