illona:
What inspired you to write your first book?
CBC:
My first book was a sword and sorcery adventure and has since
become a ten-volume series called The WindLegends Saga. The first
five of that series (Windkeeper, Windseeker, Windweeper, Windhealer,
and Windreaper) have been published. I am fascinated by the medieval
world and although WindLegends takes place after the world as
we know it has been destroyed by nuclear war, the aspects of that
literary world have reverted to medieval times. I wanted to write
something that would have the thrill of knights and ladies, evil
sorcerers, an undying love, humor as well as angst, and a bonding
of male characters that would satisfy the reading addiction of
men or women readers.
illona:
Why do you think the vampire myth is so appealing?
CBC:
There is seductiveness about the vampire that lends itself to
excitement for both heterosexual as well as homosexual readers.
The vampire does not discriminate whom he takes in his bite of
passion: male or female, either will satisfy his need.
illona:
Most publishers say the vampire has been 'done to death'. Do you
think "The Vampire" as a genre is dying, does it have
any real horror left in it?
CBC:
I don't believe the vampire genre will ever die. It is as immortal
as its anti-hero. With the growing number of paranormal romance
authors out there writing vampire novels, it will continue to
thrive. That said, I don't believe the horror will be as bloodthirsty.
Most romance writers don't like the real blood and gore that goes
along with a true vampire novel. The romance vampires are more
'vampire-lite' but they are a lot sexier…and needier…than
their literary counterparts. That's why I prefer my Reapers. They
are a violent group but they are partly human and I can add my
own visuals to the storyline without having to worry that I am
breaking romance rules and alienating the hardcore romance readers.
Reapers aren't for the squeamish.
illona:
Describe a typical 'writing day' for you:
CBC:
I get up, have my one cup of coffee and go to my office where
I turn on the computer and get ready to spend at least 6 hours
working. Most of my writing time is done at night and on the weekend
since I have a traditional 8-5, M-F job to which I am addicted.
My family knows when I'm in that room, they are to stay away for
fear of their lives. Writer's Block only happens to me when I
am distracted by interruptions so they have learned to keep a
wide area of distance between me and them. God forbid one should
want to be fed or watered!
I
don't do outlines although I usually have the plot firmly in mind
before I ever begin. That's not to say the characters won't change
my mind and take me off on a tangent I did not plan. Usually the
hero sits on my shoulder and whispers 'what ifs' in my ear and
nine out of ten times, he's right about what should and shouldn't
be written. He's a demanding little muse but without him I'd be
lost.
I
work until I'm too tired to keep my eyes open. There have been
times, though, when I've worked almost straight through the night.
If I'm on a roll, the words are flowing like honey, and the plot
is thickening, I won't leave the keyboard until I can no longer
move my fingers. To say I get involved with the story is putting
it mildly.
When
I'm in the shower, I write dialogue and always keep a tape recorder
at hand; it is also by my bed should…in the middle of the
night…inspiration come upon me. When I'm lying there, I am
plotting new scenes so actually my writing day never ends until
Morpheus claims my wide-load ass.
illona:
What aspect of the Vampire did you most enjoy writing about?
CBC:
The tortured part of his soul. Although he thrills to the power
he wields and is certainly a force with which to reckon, he has
a secret desire to be like normal men. He regrets that his DNA
was enhanced to make him the creature he is and when he Transitions,
he is in both physical and mental agony.
illona:
Is this a genre you plan on revisiting?
CBC:
The creation of my Prime Reaper, Kamerone Cree, from BloodWind,
began a series of concepts for me in the blood-sucking genre.
I've written three books using their breed and have many more
planned. Although Reapers are not traditional vampires, they must
ingest blood in order to survive. They are also shapeshifters
and become quite nasty when riled. But PLEASE don't confuse my
sexy, virile, powerful Reapers with the idiocy presented in Blade
II. My Reapers have been around long before those plague-ridden,
insipid, ugly creatures were 'invented'.
illona:
What do you think is the greatest vampire story ever written?
CBC:
Brian Lumley's THE LAST AERIE. It has a little bit of something
for multi-genre fans. The writing is superb and the plot is literally
out of this world.
illona:
Who is your favorite author in the genre?
CBC:
Hands down it would be Brian Lumley. The man is a genius with
words and his plots are without equal. His Necroscope series just
gets better and better.
illona:
If you could give aspiring writer three pieces of advice, what
would they be?
CBC:
1.
Ignore what your family says and thinks and does. They don't understand
what you are doing and more than likely they're jealous that you
can do it;
2.
Find your own voice and don't try to copy another author's. It
is the uniqueness in the voice that makes the author and enlivens
the storyline;
3.
BE PATIENT! Nothing happens in this business overnight unless
you know someone who is in a position of authority to take a new
author's work and run with it. Once you have submitted a manuscript
to a publisher, forget about it and start writing the next one.
Become immersed in what you're doing now and let the first manuscript
stand on its own merit. If it's as good as you believe it to be,
it'll fly. Otherwise, make the second one even better.
illona:
If Count Dracula came up to you and offered you the chance of
immortality?
CBC:
Depending on which cinema CD comes calling, I supposed I might
react in the following ways:
Nosferatu:
Ugh, man. You need a manicure! Get lost!
Bela
Lugosi: Thanks but I don't believe so. BTW, hate your outfit.
Jack
Palace: Well, maybe but must I do pushups?
Frank
Langella: Do I get to hang out with Whoopi Goldberg? If so, sign
me up. If not, I'll pass.
Gary
Oldman: Well, okay, but keep those funky eyeglasses to yourself.
Richard
Lynch: Blond vampires rock! Let me get my hair outta the way.
The
1960s Christopher Lee: HUBBA, HUBBA! WHERE DO I SIGN, BABY?????
Charlotte's Vampire
Series is listed in THE LIBRARY
Tell
us what you think. CLICK
HERE
