Alexander Wing

February Character Interview

Patricia Parrington ~ February 22, 2026

Hello my lovely readers and fellow booklovers! For those of you new here, I, your green-haired host Patricia Parrington, have the pleasure of interviewing characters from books all over the world.

Today, Alexander Wing is here with us from the YA/new adult urban fantasy book A Game of Pawns by Steven Boers. Steven was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He spends most of his time writing, playing music, gaming, or hanging out with his family.

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Meet Xander

Welcome to Fable Features!

[Patricia pulls her long green hair over one shoulder and smiles at her guest.]

What’s the story behind your name? Does it have a special meaning?

[Xander pries his gaze away from Patricia’s green hair, redirecting to her eyes.]

Well, my full name is Alexander Theoden Wing—my dad's a big Lord of The Rings fan. My great grandfather was named Alexander, and I heard something about him being named after Alexander the Great. I just go by Xander because . . .

[He clears his throat and mumbles,]

I think it sounds cooler than Alex. Love your hair, by the way.

[Patricia twirls a strand of hair and grins.]

Aw, thanks! I think Xander sounds really cool too. Do you have any nicknames?

Other than Xander? No, not really.

[He shrugs.]

When I was younger, I went by Alex, and sometimes my friend, Tommy, calls me that, but that’s usually by accident.

That’s fair. And when you already have a cool nickname, you don’t really need more, right?

So tell me—what’s your favorite color?

[Xander scratches his chin, then his eyes go wide, and he can't stop a cheesy grin from stretching onto his face.]

It's gotta be green! Makes me think of Link from the Zelda series. It's my favorite franchise.

Well no wonder you like my hair!

[Patricia chuckles then taps her knee.]

How do your friends describe you?

Uhh . . .

[Xander crosses his arms.]

That's tough. I would think they'd mention how I'm addicted to my routine and how predictable I am, but recently, everything has changed. I think trying to cope with that has been helping me grow out of the norm. Maybe they'd say I'm becoming resilient!

[He shrugs.]

Or that I'm just winging it.

[Patricia’s brows pinch together and she leans forward slightly.]

Change is certainly hard. What sort of things have been changing recently?

Practically everything!

[Xander scratches the back of his neck.]

I . . . would probably sound crazy if I tried to explain. It’s just . . . I’m trapped in a world I know . . . but don’t know. Saris calls it a game, but . . . well . . . it’s not a fun one. I’m still learning how to cope with it all.

That sounds scary, being trapped in a strange world. It doesn’t sound fun to me either.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

[Xander’s smile fades.]

Well . . . recently . . . with all these changes, I've been forced to take a life. I don't think I'll ever get over that; even though it isn't permanent. That experience . . . wasn't good. But I'll never get past this game if I don’t go through it, right?

Wow, I can’t imagine. That would be very hard to deal with, even when you know it’s necessary and not permanent. I can tell this is a hard subject for you. Let’s switch to something else!

What are your thoughts on lizards?

They’re fine.

[Xander quirks an eyebrow and his grin returns.]

I had a pet lizard as a kid; a chameleon. I named him Lizalfos, after the Zelda creature. I pretended to fight it with a stick. He bit me. Mom said I had to be more responsible after that.

[Patricia clasps her hands together.]

That is such a perfect name! I honestly would’ve done the same when I was a kid—fight it with a stick I mean. Do you have any pets now?

No.

[Xander chuckles, and his cheeks flush hot.]

I never really got more responsible. Besides, I doubt I’d be able to keep my pet after being dragged into this game.

Ah, yeah. That’s a good point.

We touched on death earlier. Do you believe in the afterlife?

If you had asked me a year ago, I'd have said yes. Now? I have no idea! My reality has me questioning a lot recently . . . mortality especially. Death terrifies me more than ever. I really don't want to try it out, despite Saris telling me that it's inevitable and that I'll probably experience it multiple times.

[Patricia crinkles her nose in disdain.]

I’m with you. I’d rather not experience death, even if it wasn’t permanent.

Have you had any close calls with death so far?

Oh yeah. Several. Saris saved me from a guy with a long sword. A sword—in Michigan! I’ve been following Saris around ever since, and we got ambushed in a charred doctor’s office once. Scary!

[He nods to himself.]

I guess I did alright, though. Saris had been training me, and . . . I didn’t panic. Well, not too much, anyway.

[Patricia’s green eyes widen.]

Swords and ambushes? I’d be terrified! That’s great you came across Saris. Sounds like he’s been a huge help.

How would you react if your greatest wish was suddenly granted?

I'd be ecstatic!

[Xander stands up, hands shaking at the thought.]

If you can get me back home . . . like actually home, not in this weird in-between world, and also get everyone else out . . . I'd . . . I don't know what I'd do!

[His eyes widen slightly as he muses out loud.]

I could ask Demi out . . . I could see my sister again and my friends . . . Man! There's so much to think about if that could actually happen. I'd have to get a job again, find a place to live . . .

[Xander drones on for a bit before realizing he’s rambled for a while.]

Sorry. Daydreaming, I guess.

That’s quite alright. Keep those dreams and hopes alive! Perhaps that wish may come true.

[Patricia stands.]

Thank you for coming to my studio today! I enjoyed getting to know you. Best of luck with staying alive and I hope you find a way to go home.

End of interview.

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Want to Read More?

Xander’s author, Steven Boers, can be found on X/Twitter and at his website, https://steventboers.wixsite.com/steven-boers. A Game of Pawns can be bought here.

Cover by Andrew Clark.

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See Ya Next Time

Aaand that's all the time we have today. Thank you, readers, for coming. And thank you, Xander, for letting us get to know you! See y'all next time.

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If you would like to submit a character to be interviewed for a future issue of Fable Features, please send an email to linnae.writer@gmail.com with the subject line: Fable Features.

Please note that erotica and content with excessive vulgar language will not be accepted.

If you have questions you'd like Patricia Parrington to ask in a future interview, please submit them to linnae.writer@gmail.com with the subject line: Interview Questions.