I’ve always been interested in vampires. I think it started when I was about three and had an obsession with bats. So, writing fantasy and horror was kind of organic.
What is it about the paranormal, in particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
I think it’s that you can empathize with them. How can you not feel for a creature that lives so long that he or she watches everyone they love and care about die because not everyone can handle the life of a vampire?
What inspired you to write this book?
People had been telling me for years that I should write a vampire book because I was always talking about them or watching movies, so finally, Mathias popped into my head in a tough situation, and my brain jumped to vampires as the answer.
Please tell us about your latest release.
Tail of the Devil is about a street kid, Mathias, who gets turned into a vampire after being gunned down in a drive-by shooting. His problems don’t end there though. The vampire world believes he is the reincarnation of their long lost king, and after having a bad encounter with the current queen, things don’t seem so black and white anymore.
Do you have a special formula for creating characters' names? Do you try to match a name with a certain meaning to attributes of the character or do you search for names popular in certain time periods or regions?
I look though baby books for names that suit my characters in both meaning and sound. Time period or region is in the back of my mind, but the main focal point is if the name fits the character.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Vlad. It was hard to make a historical figure as well as a figure already used in lots of vampire things different.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
Nossy is a blast. It is easy to give to him all the orneriness that I don’t get the chance to act on.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I’m a total pantser, so the characters flow with the story, but some characters I end up thinking about before I write the book.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
The scene of Mathias meeting Nic, the evil sorcerer, is one of my favorites. He was so slimy and easy to write.
Basically, Mathias goes to see Nic with his street friend, Lucretia. Lucretia introduces Nic as someone who can do things to help- for a price.
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
While researching the book I have coming out in October by Crescent Moon Press, Sorrow’s Point, I found out that every major religion has some sort of exorcism rite.
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
I worked with a wooden practice sword a friend owns to get the feel of it to help with the battle scene.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series? How does this world differ from our normal world?
Vampire exist alongside us, but their world is separate from ours unless they want or need something from us.
Their official documents are still written in Latin, they have their own form of magic called “blinking” and the rules of their government are very harsh.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
I’m just getting started on writing the second book in the series, but each book will be able to be read alone without having something that would lead the reader to be completely lost.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Mathias makes lists to keep track of things- this is a total me thing. If I don’t write it down, I forget it.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I do, but the one thing that seems to work for me is having a deadline in my head that I need to have the book done by. Doing that forces me to keep writing, even if it is something I have to change later.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
I have to write longhand on steno pads with sparkly gel pens. If I don’t use the steno pads or the pens, the words just don’t come.
Do you write in different genres?
So far, YA Fantasy, Adult Fantasy, Horror, YA Thriller, and YA Paranormal Romance.
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
I tend to do one book at a time, so it is easy to change because I’m thinking differently for each book.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
When I got my first book contract
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Chocolate
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I play the harp.
What was the last amazing book you read?
Courting Greta by Ramsey Hootman
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
The sofa in my living room
What can readers expect next from you?
My next book comes out October 15, 2013. Sorrow’s Point is an adult fantasy about a defrocked priest who ends up doing an exorcism on a six-year-old girl.
Where can readers find you on the web?
http://danielledevor.wordpress.com
@sammyig
http://www.facebook.com/danielledevorauthor
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Tail of the Devil
Danielle DeVor
Danielle DeVor
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Eirelander Publishing
Date of Publication: April 26, 2013
ASIN: B00CJHO7D8
Number of pages: 230
Word Count: 69,949
Cover Artist: Buffi BeCraft
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/NAShmfpH_EI
Book Description:
If Mathias thought being homeless sucked, being a vampire is worse. The vampires who transformed him believe he is the reincarnation of an ancient king. They expect him to quit swearing, use a napkin, and play by their weird, ancient rules. Screw that.
But after the reigning queen assaults Mathias, he has visions of a past life in which he was that king. Turns out the current queen killed him then, and wants to kill him again. He’d better grow up fast, because if he doesn’t his second life may be shorter than his first.
But after the reigning queen assaults Mathias, he has visions of a past life in which he was that king. Turns out the current queen killed him then, and wants to kill him again. He’d better grow up fast, because if he doesn’t his second life may be shorter than his first.
About the Author:
Danielle DeVor spent her early years fantasizing about vampires and watching “Salem’s Lot” way too many times. After living briefly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she moved back to her hometown to write. When not writing and reading about weird things, you will find her hanging out at the nearest coffee shop, enjoying a mocha frappuccino.
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2 comments:
Very nice interview
Thank you very much! I enjoyed having the interview. :)
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