#CharacterInterview with Leo, Laura & J.C from I Know When You're Going to Die by @MichaelJBowler

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Leonardo Cantrell is a painfully shy sixteen-year-old who cannot look people in the eye. One night while he’s volunteering at a homeless shelter, an old man forces eye contact and gives Leo the power to see Death.

His best, and only, friend—J.C. Rivera—thinks this new power is cool until Leo accidentally looks into J.C.’s eyes and “sees” his murder, a murder that will occur in less than two weeks. Stunned and shaken, the two boys sift through clues in Leo’s “vision” in a desperate effort to find the killer and stop him before he can strike.

Aided by feisty new-girl-at-school, Laura, the boys uncover evidence suggesting the identity of the murderer. However, their plan to trap the would-be killer goes horribly awry and reveals a truth that could kill them all.

Meet Leo, Laura & J.C from I Know When You're Going to Die

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

Leo – I’d probably spend some of the day at the homeless shelter because I love being there more than being at home. Later, if it was a nice afternoon, I’d kick it at the beach and watch the waves roll in and out.
Laura – I’d Facetime with my girlfriend in San Diego. Of course, I’d have to pretend to be doing something else because my parents don’t want me talking to her, but I could tell them I’m going to the mall and then sit in the food court and chat with Tara.
J.C. – I’d go shopping for sure. I LOVE trying on new clothes, even if I don’t buy them. I can afford just about anything, but hanging with Leo for most of my life has taught me to not be so self-absorbed. I still am, but not as much as I used to be.

If you could spend the day with someone you admire (living or dead or imaginary), who would you pick?

Leo – Mother Teresa, not cause I’m Catholic or even religious. I’ve never been to church in my life, but I so admire how she devoted her life to poor people no one else wanted to go near. I bet she could’ve worked anywhere in the world, but she chose the poorest of the poor. I’d love to talk to her about her experiences.
Laura – I’d choose Ellen DeGeneres because she almost lost her career when she came out and now she’s one of the most popular people on earth. I love how she celebrates everyone, no matter who you’re into. I’d ask her to talk to my hater parents, not that I think it would help. But it couldn’t hurt, right?
J.C. – If I’m talking truth, Leo is the person I admire most in the world and I get to see him every day. But, I’d love to hang out with Adam G. Sevani, who played Moose in the Step Up movie series. He’s a kickass dancer and actor and I bet he’d be a chill guy to spend the day with.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? And, what is your current state of mind?

Leo – I don’t think I know what perfect happiness is. I’m only sixteen and haven’t been all that happy in my life, at least in my relationships with other people. My mom hates me, or at least doesn’t care about me, but I am happy to have friends in J.C. and Laura. I guess happiness would be never losing their friendship. My current state of mind is stressed out because I’m trying to stop a murder when a jacket is my only clue to the killer.
Laura – Perfect happiness? Does that even exist on this planet? Color me doubtful on that front. Still, I’m happy when I’m with Tara. She’s my girlfriend. And I’m happy just thinking about her. I guess I’d be even happier if my parents accepted me and her for who we are, but since they don’t, that’s a whatever. My current state of mind? Curious, I think. These two guys I met have an interesting friendship that I think a lot about. I also really want to catch the killer before he can strike, so I’m obsessing over every clue. A regular Nancy Drew. That’s me.
J.C. – I know it’s all superficial, but perfect happiness to me would be me as a famous dancer who others look up to. Of course, Leo would have to be part of my life, even though he hates dancing. Yeah, Leo’s friendship and a successful dance career would equal happiness. My state of mind at the moment? Try scared out of my freaking mind! Some psycho is stalking me and I don’t have a clue who it is. Wouldn’t you be scared?

What do you consider to be the most overrated virtue and why? 

Leo – I’d say intelligence is overrated. All I’ve ever heard in school over my sixteen years is how I need to get smarter by learning all the junk they kept throwing at me so I can “go to a good college.” I never once heard about the value of hard work or decency toward other people. No, just learn this stuff so you’ll be smart. I’m not into the news or anything, but I could Google a ton of famous people who are really smart, but are crappy human beings who treat others like dirt.
Laura – I think competitiveness is overrated. I played softball at my old school and sure, I liked winning, but sometimes our coach and other coaches and kids we played against were so hellbent on winning that playing was no longer fun. Obviously, some people are better at sports or school or, well, everything, than other people and there will always be winners, but when the winning becomes more important than the journey, I’m outta there.
J.C. – I think aggression is really overrated. As a boy, I’ve been told by my mother more times than I can remember to be more aggressive because that’s how males are supposed to be. But as I watch the jerkwad bullies at my school who live and breathe aggression, I see how it does more harm than good. I can see standing up for your friends or for doing what’s right, but not being aggressive and tough just to be those things.

Tell us 3 things about yourself that the readers do not know.

Leo – 1. I still have my favorite stuffy that I got when I was three. It’s a lion. 2. I love Disney and Pixar animated movies. 3. My favorite drink is grape-cranberry juice.
Laura – 1. I love musicals. I know, corny, huh? 2. I like long hair on girls. 3. I used to draw my own comic book about a female superhero whose alter ego was a famous tennis player.
J.C. – 1. When I was in elementary school, I refused to get my hair cut for three years because my mother hated it and actually paid attention to me while trying to force me to cut it. 2. If I can’t be a professional dancer, I’d love to be a clothing designer. 3. I never learned how to ride a bike.


About the Author:

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Michael J. Bowler is a former teacher, adoptive parent, lifelong child advocate, author of The Lance Chronicles series—books with multi-racial and LGBT characters that deal with significant issues facing American youth today, and Spinner, a horror thriller featuring teens with disabilities as the heroes.

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