{Character Interview} Sgt. Winston Windflower of 'A Tangled Web'
We’re thrilled to be talking to Sgt. Winston Windflower from
Mike Martin’s A Tangled Web. It
is a pleasure to have him with us today at Pimp That Character!
Thank you for your interview, Sgt. Windflower. How old are you and what do you do for a
living?
Hi. I am an RCMP officer, a Canadian Mountie. I’m a Cree
from Northern Alberta who is stationed in a small
fishing community on the east coast of Canada,
called Grand Bank.
What would I love the most about you?
I think you would love my honesty and basic decency. I try
and treat everyone and everything with respect. Somebody once called me the
‘nicest Mountie’ in Canada.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Eddie Tizzard, my long-time friend and side-kick always
makes me laugh. He has these funny sayings that all Newfoundlanders use that
make no sense at all, and he is a true innocent in the world. That makes him a
joy to be around. I smile every time I see him, and as soon as he opens his
mouth, I almost always start laughing.
What is your most treasured possession?
My most treasured possession is an eagle feather than once
belonged to my grandfather who was the chief of my nation. I use it to smudge
in the morning. Smudging is part of my spiritual traditions. You light a bowl
of sacred herbs and medicines and then use the feather to pass the smoke over
your heart, your head and your body.
Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?
I think so. Sometimes he screws up and gets things a bit
wrong, but then I give him a gentle nudge to help him get back on track. I wish
he wouldn’t always be pointing out my faults, especially to the love of my
life, my wife, Sheila Hillier. She loves that.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
A perfect day for me would be a run with Lady, my dog, in
the morning. Then breakfast with my wife, Sheila, followed by an afternoon
spent picking blueberries. I love the quiet, meditative act of picking berries.
Plus, Sheila might make a blueberry buckle for dessert later. The perfect
ending would be an evening in with Sheila and some special time together, if
you know what I mean.
What are three must haves when shopping at the grocery
store?
Bread, home-made or a fresh baquette. Cheese, several
varieties including hard and soft and if they have it, a Stilton with mango
pieces. I could eat the whole thing in one sitting. And some fresh fruit,
whatever is in season is the best.
Who is your best friend?
I have three best friends. Eddie Tizzard who I describe
above. My wife and confidant, Sheila Hillier who I trust with my life. And
Lady, my collie who truly is this Mountie’s best friend.
Do you have children?
No. But we are expected our first child. My Auntie Marie
says it’s a girl. And she should know because she is a dream weaver, someone
who can interpret dreams. She and my Uncle Frank are teaching me how to do it
as well.
Do you like to cook?
If so, what is your favorite thing to cook?
I love to eat. But I also love to cook. My specialty since I
came to Grand Bank is pan-fried cod with something called scrunchions. They are
small pieces of fat-back pork that are fried to a crisp and sprinkled over the
top of the perfectly browned cod fish. I’m hungry just thinking about it.
Aren’t you?
About the Author
Mike Martin was born in Newfoundland
on the East Coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa,
Ontario. He is a longtime freelance writer
and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online
across Canada
as well as in the United States
and New Zealand.
He is the author of Change the Things You Can: Dealing with Difficult People
and has written a number of short stories that have published in various
publications including Canadian Stories and Downhome magazine.
A Long Ways from Home was shortlisted for the 2017 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award as the best light mystery of the year. A Tangled Web is the newest book in the series.
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