Archive for June, 2008

30
Jun
08

Author Spotlight: Anne Rice

By Chris Leave a Comment
Categories: Author Spotlight
Anne Rice hardly needs an introduction. If you’re at all interested in vampire fiction, you’ve most likely already read her books. And if you haven’t read them, go get them now :) Her books got me started in this fascinating genre.

Interview With the Vampire began the famous Vampire Chronicles series, and introduced us to Lestat de Lioncourt, one of the most delicious anti-heroes of all time.

Like Anne Rice, I was pleasantly surprised at how well Tom Cruise pulled off the role of Lestat (after initially thinking the casting choice would ruin the movie). I may be in the minority here, but I thought Stuart Townsend did a decent job, and I enjoyed the movie version of Queen of the Damned. The concert scene on a widescreen TV with the surround sound cranked up rocks :) I’ve never seen Lestat the Broadway Musical (and I’m not sure I want to).

Did you know:

  • Johnny Depp turned down the role of Lestat in Interview With the Vampire.
  • Anne Rice’s inspiration for Lestat was her husband, Stan Rice (poet and artist). “Lestat” is a misspelling of “Lestan.”
  • Rumors are that United Artists is trying to purchase the movie rights for Tale of the Body Thief, the fourth novel in the Vampire Chronicles series, and possibly have Tom Cruise reprise his role as Lestat.
  • A few weeks ago, I got a used autographed copy of Tale of the Body Thief for two dollars!
29
Jun
08

First Draft Celebration

By Chris Leave a Comment
Categories: Family and IA

Yay. I finished my first draft of IA (I’m abbreviating the title for now) yesterday. Now that I have a little time on my hands, I thought I’d start a writing blog. IA came in at almost 80,000 words, and I probably averaged 2000 words a day. I’m forcing myself to avoid the manuscript for two solid weeks until I begin the next draft.

IA falls in the vampire fantasy genre, but I hesitate to label it Urban Fantasy. It’s a contemporary series with a female protagonist, but it’s third-person and more action-oriented. Think 24 (the good seasons) meets urban fantasy.

It’s been years since I made a serious effort at writing fiction. I’ve written many short stories over the years, and even a completed novel awhile back. But I’ve never tried to sell anything. I’m going for it with IA. I have no delusions about getting published. I know that can be a long hard road, and it may never happen. I’m writing for the love of writing. If I get published, that’s icing on the cake.

My “ideal reader” is a twice-published author and a wonderful editor/critic. She thinks IA is close to being ready for submission as a first draft, and that I will find an agent and editor in no time at all. Then again she’s family, so I’m trying to take her enthusiasm with a grain of salt :)