Author Interview1. Why did you choose this setting
I chose Newfoundland because it was where I was born and where I've lived my whole life. Also since my main character, Joseph, is based highly on me it seemed to make the most sense. That's not to say the book doesn't take place in other places but Newfoundland is the primary one.
2. How is it a fundamental part of your overall theme?
Hmm, well I like to think Newfoundland is a very unique place, it's isolated, cold (for a lot of the year) but the people are very friendly and we have beautiful scenery and wildlife. Joseph takes the lessons and moral's he's learned while living in Newfoundland and applies to dangerous/morally questionable situations he's put in as a vampire. Also since there is plenty of wildlife here and Joseph is a vegetarian, it made for a convenient (and sometimes amusing) choice for him to find blood.
3. How challenging was it to write about?
To be honest I didn't find it challenging at all. The scenes in the book which occur in Newfoundland where all set in places I have been and even went back to take pictures for the book. I have a much better memory for places and events that I do people and names.
4. How did you develop your setting as you wrote your book?
I thought of the places I love to go in Newfoundland (and places I thought would be interesting/creepy/beautiful for the reader) and described them as best I could. As I hinted at above, when I was in the later editing stages I spent a couple of hours going back to places I had described and took pictures. They were useful in several ways, they jogged my memory, they helped me add a few more details and I got to use four of the pictures I took on the back cover.
5. How do you transport them there through your writing?
I try to describe everything about the area, the smells, the sounds, little details that I would notice and that I believe Joseph (and the reader's) would notice as well. If I have been to street or area and I have feelings about it I'll put those feelings in as well (though sometimes for places I haven't been they are what I imagine Joseph or Cassandra would feel). I also put in street names in any town/city setting so that if they reader has been there they know exactly where I'm talking about or they can also look it up on the internet if you're curious.
6. How do you introduce them to an area they may not be familiar with?
Since they're vampires they have enhanced senses. So I talk a lot about smell, whether it's an industrial smell, wildlife or just people. They also can sense other vampires so that it something else they do whenever they enter a strange area. Otherwise Joseph is a an observant/geeky guy and I have him do things I would like to do (or have already done) or he points out details he already knew from having been there before or having learned about a place from another source.
7. How do you go about making the setting come alive for the reader?
As my editor told me, it's the details (actually I had two people tell me that, so it must be true :) I try to used all five senses as much as possible. Also as Newfoundland is know for a lot of fog, wind, rain and snow I try to have the weather play a part. The fog can create a sense of mystery, danger and suspense. Why pouring rain can make the characters sad or also create a dangerous scene if they are climbing or fighting with swords.Excellent questions, thanks so much for having me and I hope you and all they reader's of this blog have a wonderful Christmas season :-)
About the BookLike every other geek alive, Newfoundland native Joseph O’Reily secretly wants to be a superhero. At thirteen he fantasized about being a vampire, and ten years later he’s still fantasizing – but mostly about a beautiful redheaded woman who has eyes only for him. The one thing different about Joseph’s adult fantasy is that, amazingly, it comes true one night when he goes to a local university pub. Cassandra Snow, literally the woman of his dreams, invites him to her place for an evening of personal pleasure. Of course he’s not going to say no. But when strange things start happening afterward, Joseph quickly learns that not all dreams should come true.
Prices/Formats: $10.99 paperback, $2.99 ebook
Pages: 224
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Penumbra Publishing
Release Date: April 17, 2012
Buy Link: Amazon, Kindle
About the AuthorCharles O'Keefe currently lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundland where he work as an Inventory Manager at O’Keefe Agencies. He is happily married and we has two furry children named Jude and Esther. He enjoys many hobbies such as walking, Pilates, writing, reading, movies, gaming, television,acting, poker and of course vampires (not the sparkly kind!). Lately he has been focused on writing and after his first novel, "The Newfoundland Vampire" came out in April of this year was soon hard at work on a sequel. For those interested in his first book please look here. He believes in animal rights and I have been a strict vegetarian for many years. He also believe in helping to save our planet and trying to help people whenever he can. He would also describe myself as Agnostic. He has a BA in English along with Masters in education which provided me with him with a brief teaching career.
Links to connect with Charles:
Web site
Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment