J. H. Fleming - The Far Horizon

1. Tell us about your witch and the powers she has.

Witches appear in many of my stories, sometimes old and sometimes young. My witch Ella in "The Far Horizon" grew up in the forest with her mother. Her mother sheltered her and taught her nearly all she knew. Ella moves to a local village after her mother's death, where the townsfolk treat her like an outcast even as a number of women visit her discretely. She falls in love and has an affair with a young man named James, who is already betrothed. The story opens with his death and follows Ella's choices in the wake of that. She can create a number of potions for anything that ails you, or something to trouble your enemies.


2. Where did you get the inspiration for your character?

The story was inspired by a Dido song called "My Lover's Gone." Ella herself is similar to the women in old folk songs such as "The Banks of Claudy" who are so devoted to their true love that they would rather live the rest of their lives alone or die rather than take another lover. The witch for me is a great example of a strong, independent female, so when they appear in my stories they are often strong-willed and sarcastic. Though Ella is more introverted and reserved, she has a strong will and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.


3. If you had a magical ability - what would it be and why?

Stop time. I often find myself with too many projects and not enough time to complete them while maintaining a life, so this ability would be useful.


4. Who is your favorite TV or movie witch?

Winifred Sanderson of Hocus Pocus.


5. If you had a familiar what would it be (you can choose any animal) and what would you call him/her?

A crow named Merlynne.


Bio:
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J.H. Fleming is the author of "Lifting the Veil: Tales of Discovery and Magic." Her short stories have appeared in anthologies by Evil Girlfriend Media, Seventh Star Press, Mocha Memoirs Press, and Pro Se Productions, as well as Visionary Tongue Magazine and New Realm Magazine. She owns roughly 1,100 books and spends her free time befriending dragons, fighting goblins, and learning the craft of the bards. J.H. lives in the Arkansas River Valley with her husband, two dogs,  a cat, and a turtle.