Derek Norton
October Character Interview
Patricia Parrington ~ October 1, 2026
Hello my lovely readers and fellow booklovers! For those of you new here, I, your music-loving host Patricia Parrington, have the pleasure of interviewing characters from books all over the world.
Today, Derek Norton is here with us from the adult contemporary Christian romance Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For by Paula Peckham. Paula is a fifth-generation Texan who writes historical and contemporary Christian romance that’s always set somewhere in Texas.
Meet Derek
[Patricia and her guest settle onto a pair of orange suede couches. Patricia adjusts one of the checkered pillows, then smooths out the skirt of her mahogany dress.]
Welcome to Fable Features! So tell me—what’s a day in your life like?
[Derek leans back against the sofa and stretches one arm out along the back. He crosses his Levis-clad leg, propping his booted ankle against the other knee. He reaches down and tugs at the worn, ragged hem of his pant leg.]
That depends. My life on tour is very different from my life at home on my ranch in Austin, Texas. If I’m on tour with my band—the Assassins—life consists of a different hotel room almost every night, playing a concert in a new town in a new stadium, and a lot of time on our customized bus driving from one state to the next. It’s hard to stay fit with a schedule like that, so I try to squeeze in a morning run whenever possible. It’s cool to watch a new city waking up with the sunrise. I can do a lot of thinking. My head roadie, Travis, often runs with me, so I have a little company.
If we’re not on tour, I spend my days at my 150-acre ranch on the outskirts of Austin. I have a couple of horses that I like to ride. I also run cattle, although I pay someone to handle that. When I ride, I’ll often follow the fence line, looking for damage. Mostly, I just like being out in nature, enjoying my horses. Back at the house, I have a custom-built room with sound-proofed walls we use as a studio. The guys come over often, and we work on new songs for our next album. I write most of the tunes, usually on the baby grand piano in my great room. That room has a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, and I gain a lot of inspiration gazing out at the view of my property.
Oh, I love music! That sounds like such a fun life. When did you first get into making music?
It started in high school. My brother, Steve, and I didn’t have the greatest childhood. Our dad was never gonna win Father of the Year. Steve took off as soon as he graduated from high school, leaving me behind to bear the brunt of it alone. But—lucky me, thanks, Steve—he left his guitar behind. I picked it up and taught myself how to play. Learning it gave me an escape, let me leave my worries behind for a while. I discovered I had a talent for it, tried my hand at writing some songs.
[He spreads his hands wide.]
And the rest, as they say, is history.
I’m glad it was a nice escape for you. I’m sorry to hear about your childhood and your dad, though.
On a more lighthearted note, how do your friends describe you?
[Derek chuckles, rubbing his hand across the day-old growth of whiskers on his chin.]
Well, that depends too. If they catch me in the middle of preparation for a tour, or setting up for that night’s concert, I’ve been told I can be pretty intense.
[He shrugs, looking a little sheepish.]
I can’t help it. I want things to be perfect for our fans. It’s our job to give them the best experience possible during the show, and I don’t put up well with slackers or people who phone it in.
[He makes a face.]
I’ve actually fired roadies on the spot and sent them packing back to Austin.
[His world-famous smile crosses his face, revealing perfect white teeth.]
But I’ve also been called loyal, protective, encouraging.
[He nods.]
If you’re in my inner circle, I’m gonna have your back. I do whatever I can to make sure my friends know they’re important to me.
I can tell you care deeply about your fans and your friends.
[Patricia cocks her head curiously.]
Who’s in your inner circle right now?
Well, the guys in the band, for sure—Justin, Finn, and Billy. Greg is our manager, but he’s sort of a mix between a surrogate dad, a fairy godfather, and a favorite uncle. Justin’s wife, Ember, and Finn’s wife, Hannah. And Andi, who’s a journalist tagging along with us on this tour. I wasn’t too sure about her, but I think she’s turning out to be pretty cool.
[Patricia smirks at the description of Greg.]
Sounds like a great circle! You mentioned getting very intense before a show, and I’ve heard the music life can get stressful. What do you do to relax?
[Derek spreads his hands wide.]
I write music. I play music. I listen to music.
[He holds up a finger in an “aha!” gesture.]
Oh, and I ride horses.
[Patricia chuckles.]
Oh, that’s right. The horses! That does sound relaxing.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever received?
[A sweet smile crosses Derek’s face.]
It came from Andi, assigned to write a story for American Sound magazine. She told me, “No one has ever made me feel as important as you do. You pay attention.”
Wow. That is a wonderful compliment!
[Patricia leans forward a bit.]
We’re getting to know about all the wonderful parts of your life, but I’m sure it’s not all sunshine and roses. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?
[Derek’s foot hits the floor with a thump and he leans forward, his forearms balanced on his thighs.]
Bury my best friend, hands down. Wasn’t sure I’d come back from that one.
[Patricia’s brow wrinkles and her eyes drop.]
I’m so sorry to hear that. That must’ve been extremely hard. Is it okay if I ask what happened? You can say no.
[Derek looks at a point over Patricia’s shoulder, seeming to stare at nothing. His eyes grow shiny. He clears his throat.]
Maybe we can talk about something else?
Absolutely.
[Patricia smiles gently and leans back.]
If you were handed $500 at this moment, how would you spend it?
[Derek rubs his hands together.]
Ooh. My first reaction is to say I’d buy myself a new guitar.
[He waves his hands, palms outward.]
But I’d only think that for a second. No, I’d take it to the local soup kitchen and donate it to them. They do great work feeding the homeless in Austin. Sometimes I help out and serve. Nothing keeps a person humble more than seeing the gratitude on those people’s faces, knowing they have so little, yet they’re still so positive. I certainly don’t need anything for myself.
[He shakes his head.]
No, I’d definitely donate it to them.
That’s very kind and thoughtful. I feel like most people wouldn’t move away from the idea of getting something for themselves.
Speaking of people, I’m curious: What living person do you most despise?
[Derek’s eyes widen, and he rolls his lips inward.]
I’ll admit, a couple of names definitely popped into my head, but I don’t like to think that way. The Bible teaches us not to hate, and every time I find myself cataloguing another person’s faults, I bring myself back to my own life and my own downfalls, and I try to cast those feelings aside.
[He chuckles.]
I once heard a preacher say that there will be a whole lot of surprised Christians in heaven when they arrive and see who else is there. I try to keep in mind that God loves ALL of us, so who am I to judge?
[Patricia grins.]
Oh, that’s good. And probably very true! It is hard not to judge or hate other people. That’s very mature of you to see that and try to remind yourself to not hate others.
[Patricia taps her wrist.]
Before we’re out of time, I’d like us to end on this question: If you could accomplish one great thing in your life, and money or time weren’t obstacles, what would that be?
[Derek held up a finger.]
Actually, that thought has been on my mind a lot lately. I have accomplished great things—in the music world, anyway—and I’ve reached the professional goals I set for myself when the Assassins first started twenty years ago. We’ve had albums go platinum. We’ve had songs at the top of the charts. We made a lot of money. But it seems lately like something is nudging my spirit, pushing me to look for something more than fame and fortune. I have an idea—and of course, it involves music—where I can give back to my community, but I don’t have all the pieces lined up just yet, so I think I’ll leave it at that.
Ooh, I love that you have ideas brewing!
[Patricia moves aside a pillow and stands.]
Well thank you very much, Derek, for chatting with me today. I wish the best for you and whatever this new musical endeavor turns out to be.
End of interview.
Want to Read More?
You can support Derek’s author, Paula Peckham, and grab a copy of Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For here.
See Ya Next Time
Aaand that's all the time we have today. Thank you, readers, for coming. And thank you, Derek, for letting us get to know you! See y'all next time.
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.
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Thanks for sharing Derek's story!