One of the most surprising things about writing fiction is how certain characters arrive quietly , almost apologetically and then refuse to leave. They turn up with one or two lines, a minor role, a supporting function… and then suddenly, they’re stealing scenes, rewriting their backstories, and turning up with merchandise.
There’s always more to a character than you initially imagined.
And sometimes... a lot more.
Rowena Green came in meek and mild.
Just a background character, really. Someone invited along on a countryside walk in The Mistlefield Murders to share her knowledge of local plants. She was meant to be a bit of colour. A quiet eccentric. A hedge-dwelling side note with a flask and a faint smell of vinegar.
Then her personality showed up.
Who is Dr Rowena Green?
According to her, she’s a doctor.
(According to everyone else, she bought the title online from a white witch in Dorset who sells poultices and love potions and offers a downloadable “Dr of Botanical Energetics” certificate for £29.99.)
Rowena completed a 12-week course which included:
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identifying three types of moss using only your elbows,
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writing your plant-based star sign in ash bark ink, and
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brewing a heart-opening cordial that doubles as furniture polish.
Since then, she has styled herself as a herbalist, naturalist, and occasional poet and recently begun publishing her own poetic collection under the title:
🌿 The Dark Plant Fan Club
A cautionary ode to the femme fatales of the hedgerow.
Lily of the Valley
by Dr. Rowena Green
O Lily of the Valley,
The staple scent for Granny.
Innocent bells in a bridal bouquet,
But eat one leaf and you'll fade away.
She dresses in white, all sugar and grace,
With a poisonous pulse beneath the lace.
Her fragrance sings of springtime cheer,
But don’t be fooled , Death’s hiding near.
One petal, one slip, that’s all it takes,
To give your ventricles the shakes.
So yes, she’s dainty. Yes, she’s sweet.
But best admired... and not as a treat.
More of Rowena’s poems (and other botanical misbehaviour) can be found over at:
The full poetry collection will be released at a date TBC
(…assuming Rowena isn’t implicated in something suspicious down at the Mistlefield Police Station.)
Love,
L.P.
(Still awaiting the right literary agent. Still slightly unnerved by her own characters.)
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