Some time ago, while surfing through blogs and looking at links for artists, writers and other creatives, I came across a link to the website of artist Camille Boggs.  I’m so thankful I decided to check it out because it was definitely a treat!  Camille’s work is simply breathtaking and her ability [...]]]>

Some time ago, while surfing through blogs and looking at links for artists, writers and other creatives, I came across a link to the website of artist Camille Boggs.  I’m so thankful I decided to check it out because it was definitely a treat!  Camille’s work is simply breathtaking and her ability to create such beauty in detail blows my mind.  I’m just tickled that she granted me an interview!  I do hope you’ll head over to her website after reading this feature so you can view her art in a larger scale.

Camille, will you please tell us a little about your work?

I work in hand cut paper.  I developed the technique I use to cut paper over many years as a vinyl sign manufacturer.  I became very adept with an x-acto knife.  I had seen cut paper art before, mainly from China and Mexico, and found that special tools and small scissors were used to create them.  More recently lasers are used, especially for mass production.  I loved the look of the cuts, but wanted more.  I first began layering the cut paper and noticed that if I use a certain thickness of paper, it could hold its own weight after being cut.  Then I added space between the layers and began folding to form 3D shapes (an example of this would be in the upper right corner of Winter Memories).  The drawings of dolls I added to my cut paper layers paved the way for my cut paper marionettes.  I now add fabric, wood, drawing, and origami to some of my pieces.

Who has more power, the marionette or the manipulator?

Throughout history, marionettes have been used to say and perform acts that humans could not due to laws, propriety, and fear.  My marionettes are stronger than I feel.   Each one, though captured by her strings, rules her domain.  Without fear of exposure, embarrassment, or condemnation she tells the story she has been given.  The literal translation of marionette is “little Mary” named for the Virgin Mary puppets used in churches during the Middle Ages.  Just as their namesake, my “little Marys” are chosen by me, their creator, to immaculately conceive an idea that has the potential to change perspectives.

What tools and materials do you use?

I use a #11 x-acto blade for all my cutting, and a large range of archival papers.  Depending on the piece, I will at times use graphite and pastel on wood and beautiful fabrics (ranging from upholstery to silk brocades).  I also use minimal pastel on my marionettes, mainly to give them just a little “life”.  I like playing with the line between over idealized puppet/doll and beautifully imperfect real.  All the details of the eyes, lips, hair…anything with a black outline…is cut paper.  The pastel is the blush, freckles, bruises, eye makeup, etc.  I use needle and thread for the joints.

Do you work (or have you worked) in any other medium?

I have worked in many medium; everything from carved wood to lithography, pulp casting to fresco, ceramics to book binding, digital photography to oil paint.  I have been very lucky to have had opportunities to try many different techniques and products.  I love learning because even if I don’t turn to that medium as a focus medium I may be able to incorporate it into a piece, or perhaps I will see my own medium in a new way.

Were you creative as a child?

Yes, I loved coloring, on everything, and making little models out of whatever I found in the yard.  I had a great many “imaginary” friends.  I really don’t believe in calling my friends “imaginary.” I use “imaginary” so that people understand what I’m speaking about…but to a child, friends are just that…friends. Back on subject…My favorite friend was Pablo.  He was a tiny fisherman about five inches tall and I would build him little boats for his adventures on our pond.  I would often talk to and for Pablo.  I would change my voice and speak as he would to me.  My Mom tells me the first time she heard this I was doing something in the kitchen and she kept hearing me talking to someone, so she peaked in to see that I was alone.  She listened for a while and realized it was Pablo, and she was perfectly supportive of our friendship.  I also had a clan of tiny lions I would play with in the yard…they didn’t like being inside and preferred the wild.

I always loved to look through art history books. I would pour through Janson’s Art History with the same amount of joy and excitement as I did Dr. Seuss.  College level Art History books were kept where my siblings and I could get to them.  We would play make believe together and form elaborate histories for the characters we were playing.

What type of schooling or training have you had?

I graduated top of my class, Summa Cum Laude, from Memphis College of Art May of 2004, I was the poster child for overachiever in school.  In four years I earned a double emphasis (Papermaking/Book Arts and Sculpture) Bachelor of Fine Arts and an Art History Minor with a focus on Renaissance and Baroque.  What I learned most in school was how to pull all nighters, have no life, and always stay focused on that “A+”.

This was my life until I was a junior (2003) studying in Italy.  I lived and studied predominately in Cortona.  I was with the University of Georgia’s Lamar Dodd School of Art study abroad program.  I fell in love with every part of Italian life and culture and truly found who I was.  In many ways, I both became an adult and rediscovered the power of my inner child. As a student in the program I studied painting, ceramics, printmaking, and art history.  The most important lesson Italy taught me was that the journey, experiences, people, and life were more meaningful than  a letter on a piece of paper. I went back to MCA, albeit reluctantly…it seems somehow, mysteriously, my return ticket from Rome disappeared. I thought I was going to stay in Italy forever.  The ticket reappeared and one year later I received my degree and began my journey to seriously find my place in the world.

Your art is so intricate, do you ever mess up and get completely frustrated?  If so, what do you do to turn things around?

I am completely human and have learned to accept failure.  I don’t like it, but I accept it.  Oddly enough, most of my big frustrations come from the preliminary/drawing phase or after the paper is cut.  I really don’t screw up the cutting that often and when I do it is small slips of the blade that I have learned to fix with the right application of glue and mending paper.  When a drawing does not turn out the way I want it to look or after I’ve completed multiple layers of cut paper just to put them together and they don’t fit the way I wanted them to…that is when I get completely distraught.  I have a nice long, very adult, hissy fit leading into completely convincing myself that I’m a fool for trying to continue as an artist which leads to depression and by the time I’ve convinced myself I’m going to become a dermatologist, my husband has braved my space, looked at my piece, and gets me working through the problems verbally.  We critique and brainstorm all the time.  Usually after speaking with him and stepping away for a while I can find a way to start over or fix what I thought was complete rubbish.  I really have to remind myself that when I wasn’t doing art, I was miserable, and that I am doing what I am meant to do.  Also, I am ultimately in control of my mood, so I can become happy and confident again as soon as I’m ready to be.

Spending time with friends over a glass of wine and laughter is also a great way to relax.

Which piece was the most challenging for you?  Easiest?

By far the most physically demanding piece I’ve done to date was Phoenix.  She is a 5ft marionette with an 8ft wingspan.  Her base is book board that I hand cut with a blade and everything else is hand cut paper with pastel and some watercolor for her tattoo.  I plan to do more of these large scale installation pieces, but I will be using different tools to cut the dense base in hopes to save my hands and body from the torture of cutting 1/8” book board into shapes by hand.

The easiest, surprisingly, was probably Seraphim or If I could.  Those two both came to me quickly and the images flowed from my hands without a hitch.  They were both very time consuming and I had to work out many problems dealing with multiple appendages, but they were ready to be made the moment they entered my mind.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?

Everywhere, Fairy tales, Catholicism, pop up books, other artists, music, friends, and family all inspire my creations.  The most direct influence in every piece is my own life and emotions.  Each creation has come from a story in me, a moment, a time, a feeling I had for something, someone, or some place.  When I was little I always wore my heart on my sleeve.  I was in touch with everyone’s feelings.  If someone was sad, I was sad.  When I got older others started noticing and using this to their advantage, they saw me as gullible and easily manipulated.  Perhaps I was a little gullible but did not like people being unhappy, sad, or hurt.  I thought everyone’s happiness was my personal responsibility.  That’s a lot of responsibility.  I tried to build a wall around my heart and all that did was make me forget who I was.  I have taken my heart back out and placed where it is meant to be…on my sleeve.  That is what has allowed most of my art to be made.  I am older now, and not as gullible.  I no longer believe that everyone’s happiness is my responsibility…but I will still be the one to listen and always have a shoulder if you need it and I will do what I can to let you know someone cares.  That is my inspiration.

On average, how long does it take you to complete a project?

From first thoughts, research, drawings, cutting, to completion…it can take months.  Sometimes, however, a piece is just dying to come out and in a matter of 3 or 4 very long, tiresome days I can have a finished product.

What is your favorite part of the entire process?

It has to be when the marionette is complete.  At that moment she comes to life and the entire story is behind her eyes, in her pose, and on her body.  I create the marionette before any of her environment, often before the environment is even drawn.  I let her tell me the rest of the story.

What is a typical day like for you?

Many of my days have the same elements; they just may not all happen in the same order.  I spend time with my husband, work on any graphic design projects my clients need, work out, and then head to my studio to work on any one of my many projects I have going on at the moment.

Which work of art do you feel the strongest connection to?

I feel an enormous connection to all my pieces, but I do have one that I will never sell.  It was the first piece I finished 18 months after hurricane Katrina.  We lost all our art and art supplies along with everything else and I had no interest in looking at, much less doing art for a little over a year.  One day a clay character came to me, Twitchy.  She reminded me that I still wanted to be an artist. It was what I was born to do.  Months later I finished a mixed media painting titled I was Wearing a Pink Dress.  This piece helped pave the way for my Devotional Series which ultimately led to the marionettes and shadowboxes I am doing today. The piece is about Katrina and the loss of my memories and items but being reminded that I am still here and so is my family.  I was born in New Orleans and my family was blown all over after the storm, but we did not loose anybody.  The figure is obviously not wearing a pink dress, but she is also not me.  The title refers to a photograph that was destroyed of my mother and I in the French Quarter.  I was about three and standing next to one of my “orses,” as I pronounced it (the old horse head shaped horse ties found all over the Quarter) and I was wearing a pink sailor dress.  I titled it that because I wanted to remember, my memory became very bad and this piece was to give me something solid to look at and remember, like a photograph.  There are many small things throughout the painting, each a memory that I don’t want washed away.

Will you tell us about your first sale and what that was like?

I had sold a few pieces in college and such, but I don’t really count any of my sales until after Hurricane Katrina (when my art became what it is now.)  My first sale was actually quite big.  I sold all seven of my Devotional Series to a collector in Birmingham, AL.  She had wanted them for a while but her husband kept telling her they could not afford them, and then one day I received a phone call from him.  He wanted to buy the entire series as a surprise Christmas present for her.  She was completely shocked and so excited…she was crying she was so happy, and that made me happy.  It was an odd mix of happiness and sadness.  I guess it could be like when your child goes off to college… you are proud of them, but will miss having them where you can keep them safe.  It is hard to say goodbye to my pieces, but I know I’m hear to create a work of art to be sold…bottom-line, it is a business.

Since then, they have purchased one of my self portraits and continually stay supportive of my art.  I thank them for that.

Do you have any hobbies?

Thank you for asking this question.  I feel too many people believe that art is a hobby and that is all it can ever be.  Art is my career and passion, and yes I do have a hobby.

I love to bake.  I have always loved sweets, but about 3 years ago I started baking and I’m hooked.  Everything from scratch and many are old recipes I grew up on.  I change some around and try new things, but my favorite is chocolate.  I bake lots of brownies and chocolate chip cookies.  My most recent creation was the birthday cake for a dear friend of mine’s 30th.  He loves chocolate, so I was challenged to make a chocolate cake that we would serve with chocolate ice cream.  I made a devil’s food crust with a layer of cream cheese fudge, then a layer of chocolate custard followed by a layer of flourless chocolate cake, then another layer of chocolate custard with a layer of old fashion buttermilk chocolate cake topped with Kaluha and dark chocolate glaze.  It was a hit.  I love sharing my baked goods with people around me including my husband’s coworkers, friends, our hairdresser, and all the people at our favorite coffee house.  It always brings a smile to their face.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

So many, it really depends on the day.  A few examples are; Jean-Jacques Gaudel (painter, sculpture, everthing), Megan Kimber (painter), Marina Bychkova (doll artist), Lesley Reppeteaux (painter), Matthew Reinhart & Robert Sabuda (pop-up book artists), James Christensen (drawer/painter), Charles De Lint (writer), Melissa Etheridge (singer/songwriter), and many from history such as Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Sofonisba Anguissola, Carravagio, Luca Signorelli, and Artemisia Gentileschi…to name a few.  There are just so many talented artists in the world (past and present); it feels wrong to only name 16!  And my husband knows I love his art!

Since your husband is also an artist, do you ever collaborate on projects?

We have collaborated in the past for portraits, children’s book illustration, and charity works, but nothing recently.  Our work is very different as is the way we work, so at times it is difficult to work together.  We are always there for each other with advice, support, and constructive criticism.

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

If you are serious about art as your career…then be serious.  Be professional with collectors, galleries, and the public.  I’m not saying not to be you, by all means that is what people will love, but be prepared for the business end of the art world.  Research galleries before you allow your work to be seen in them and do not get sucked into “vanity galleries.”  A vanity gallery will try to charge you to be in their gallery…don’t do it.  Galleries take a commission off of the sale of the piece, which is how it should be done.  Be sure you pick galleries that are worth that often 50% commission.  Do they have a nice overhead/storefront?  Do they advertise?  Is the gallery Director personable and an aggressive seller?

Do not give up.  I had scholarships to college for math and science.  Many were pushing me to get a real career as a chemist or mathematician and quit looking at art schools…art was to be my hobby according to them.  I do not regret my decision.  A wonderful artist friend of mine, Michi Meko, is having a show in Atlanta, GA called “Fear kills Pursuit.”  He is right.  If you are truly going to have a career in art, be prepared not to listen to all the negatives you will hear.  So many people will be lining up to find out what your “real” job is, to let you know that making it as an artist means starving, to tell you it can’t be done.  I’m not saying it’s easy, and it has gotten tougher during these economic times, but if it is your passion and you are prepared to treat it with the same respect and dignity that every doctor, lawyer, teacher, or CEO treats their career…do it and never look back.

Where can we find your work?

I currently have pieces available through Matt Jones Gallery in Birmingham, AL (www.mattjonesgallery.com) and Distinction in Escondido, CA (www.distinctionart.com).

What project will you be working on next?

I always have multiple projects going on at once.  Right now I have three marionettes complete, two of them have their environments drawn, and one set of conjoined twins cut and ready for their joints to be sewn.  My newest form of displaying my marionettes is in found containers.  I think of these as specimens and am very excited of adding these to my family of art as I find more containers.  The first of this type is silens totus illa annus, the translation is “Silent all These Years” from a Tori Amos song.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

If anyone would like to see more of my work, please visit my site www.camillemboggs.com and feel free to contact me on facebook.  I’m always interested in meeting new people.

Camille!  Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful art with us, and your thoughts, ideas and passion behind it!  I’m so happy to have learned more about you and would love to see your work in person some day!  Please keep us posted on any upcoming shows!

~ Pamela

I’m so pleased to bring you today my interview with super cool romance author Melody Lane.  Melody, thank you so much for the interview and for visiting us at Texty Ladies!

Will you please tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve been a registered nurse for many years working in a variety of settings. You name it, I’ve worked [...]]]>

I’m so pleased to bring you today my interview with super cool romance author Melody Lane.  Melody, thank you so much for the interview and for visiting us at Texty Ladies!

Will you please tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve been a registered nurse for many years working in a variety of settings. You name it, I’ve worked it. Although I have a full-time day job, I dream of writing full-time like a lot of other authors. My favorite things to do are going to concerts, listening to rock music, traveling and reading. I live in the beautiful countryside of Michigan, but often wish I lived in a New York City high-rise or brownstone.

Please tell us about your upcoming release, “Rock Me.”

Jenny Page is a Midwestern nurse who has always had trouble with men. When her favorite British rock star fantasy man, with women issues of his own, becomes her patient Jenny knows she’s in for trouble. After he admits harboring a nurse fantasy, the sparks begin to fly. Their sizzling starts before he leaves the hospital to continue his concert tour, and grows into an out-of-control inferno when they meet up in New York City for a weekend of uninhibited passion and unexpected love.  I am happy to say that ROCK ME is available at Ellora’s Cave as an e-book and print book!  http://www.jasmine-jade.com/m-417-melody-lane.aspx

What makes a man sexy?

Every woman defines sexy differently. For me it is a combination of rugged handsomeness, confidence and intelligence. If I had a choice, I’d like tall and fit too! He doesn’t have to be picture perfect, but he had better know how to carry on a conversation. I’d be so disappointed to find out a man I’ve lusted over for years didn’t have a thing between his ears but empty space.

If you could tour with a band right now, which one would it be and why?

I have quite a few favorite bands that I’d love to spend time with. Def Leppard is one of them. I’ve met this band many times over the years. Every one of them is handsome and sexy and talented. A couple of them are very funny. I could kickbox with one, play golf with another, watch movies, discuss the history of music, and drink Guinness. Sounds like a fun summer to me!

When did you first start writing?

I’ve always wanted to write as long as I can remember. After I had an article published in an international nursing magazine, I realized how much I wanted to do it on a regular basis. But I didn’t do anything about it. Time, family, all the reasons everyone gives. After my father died in 2002, I realized that life was short and I was capable. I just needed to put my mind to it. But where was I going to find the time? The answer. I gave up television. Instead of watching television when I got home from work, I started writing. I allowed myself no excuses. ROCK ME is my first erotic romance.

What aspect of writing do you find easy?  Difficult?

Dialogue is the easiest and most enjoyable. I find character development and motivation is the hardest for me to write.

Have you or would you like to write in a different genre?

Paranormal romance. I just finished my first novel and hope to get a contract. It’s called Love On The Prowl. Here is a blurb:

When Dr. Ariel Summers starts her dream job in the newly elected Mayor of New York City’s administration, she has no plans to fall for anyone. But the lust-filled banter and intense physical attraction she has with the Mayor’s security expert, wereleopard Nicholas Savage, does not make things easy. Not all citizens are embracing the Mayor’s agenda for paranormals being out in society and threats are being made. Clues to the identity of their enemies start unraveling once Ariel and Nick stumble upon angry clowns calling themselves the Carnival of Sins. By the time they realize the Mayor is not the only one in need of protection, it might be too late for love.

What do you like to read?

Romance, suspense, mystery, paranormal.

Do you have a writing schedule or word count you try to meet?

After I get home from work and do all the little things I need to do in preparation for the next work day, I let out a breath and sit down in front of my computer. This is the part of my day I most enjoy. I write from around 8 PM until 11 PM during the week. On weekends, I write more if I don’t have plans. Most often Sundays are my longest writing day. Sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it? But don’t get me wrong. I can be fun! If a favorite band of mine is in town or I get an offer for some other form of entertainment, I’m there!

Have you ever considered another career?

Since I’ve been a nurse forever, the only other career I’ve considered is writing. I’m working on that one.

Do you enjoy any hobbies when you’re not writing?

I’m a huge rock music lover and enjoy seeing my favorite bands whenever I can. I long for the front row at every concert and am disappointed if I’m not there. I crush hard on my rock star men. Some of my favorites are who I adapt my characters from. When I write about them, it makes me feel like they’re a little more accessible to me. Of course I don’t really know them, but that’s fine. Reality can’t get in the way of fantasy.

Traveling is another passion of mine and I can never get enough of it. I love to write about the places I have visited. I’ve been to New York City and London, England numerous times and tend to use them as a backdrop for my stories. I love walking around the busy cities and seeing the sites. The theater, museums and multicultural cuisine all appeal to me along with fruity white wines and girly martinis.

What or who inspires you?

Music. It relaxes me. It excites me. It makes me think.

What is the most romantic thing that has ever happened to you?

I’m a big fan of New York City. I once went there with a past love who had planned a dinner in Little Italy. When we got there our table was already set with a red rose and a chilled bottle of Pinot Grigio. I am no longer with him, but continue to go back to that restaurant in Little Italy every time I can. It is called Da Gennaro on Mulberry Street. I enjoy the ambiance of the area and seeing the charismatic manager, Momir. Tell him that Melody sent you!

Will you please tell us about your works in progress?

I’m working on a couple of things at the moment. Besides my recently completed paranormal romance, I have a couple of contemporary erotic novellas I’m trying to finish–one is about a fireman and the other about a NYC actor. I’m also working on an erotic romantic suspense novel.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

The business is difficult, so tenacity is a trait you must have. Don’t give up.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

I love hearing from my readers. Feel free to contact me on my website, http://www.melodylanebooks.com or on Facebook.

Thanks Pam!

~*~*~*~

Thank you, Melody!  It’s great getting to know you better.  We look forward to all of your future releases!

 ~*~*~*~

Review of ROCK ME by Brenda Talley at The Romance Studio.

Her characters were great in dealing with each other as well as the conflicts which occurred. The sexual scenes were hot and explicit. They did not, however, take away from the great storyline written here. It is definitely a book that readers will love, regardless of favorite genres. I loved this book and highly recommend it. Overall Rating: five hearts.  Sensuality Rating:  explicit.

***********************************************************************************

Poetry Play Thursday will return next week with a unique twist. ?!?!?! 

In celebration of National Poetry Month, I will be posting a different poem each day in April near the top of our sidebar.  Please feel free to post any thoughts you’d like to share about it in our comments.

Poets.org has great information about this April celebration and some fun ideas on what you can do to take part.  I love their idea for Poem In Your Pocket Day, and you might want to consider joining their Free Verse Project.  The prize is pretty darn awesome! 

I am so pleased to bring you today my interview with one of my all time favorites authors, Anne Frasier!

Anne is a USA Today bestselling author of nineteen novels. Her books have been printed in both hardcover and paperback, translated into twenty languages, and featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the [...]]]>

I am so pleased to bring you today my interview with one of my all time favorites authors, Anne Frasier!

Anne is a USA Today bestselling author of nineteen novels. Her books have been printed in both hardcover and paperback, translated into twenty languages, and featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. She won the RITA for romantic suspense, and the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance. Anne spent twenty years living on a working apple farm, and now divides her time between St. Paul, Minnesota, and a century-old Gothic church in rural Wisconsin.

Publishers Weekly says Frasier “has perfected the art of making a reader’s skin crawl.” The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls her a “master.”

(Look to the end of the interview for how you can win Pale Immortal and Garden of Darkness!)

PS: Anne, You began your career writing romantic suspense novels under the pseudonym Theresa Weir, but decided to take out the “romance” because your agents and publishers were confused about your anti-hero characters. They also wanted you to remove the blood and bodies from your plots. Would you ever consider writing something in that genre again? 

AF: I doubt I’ll write in the romance genre again, but I noticed that my current project does have quite a bit of romance in it.  I just don’t think I was really cut out for the romance genre, maybe because personally I’m not a romantic person.

PS: Your more recent novels are much darker. Serial killers, vampires, voodoo… Is there any subject you won’t touch?

AF: I can’t think of anything I would find too dark to touch.  There are some topics I simply wouldn’t be interested in.  I would avoid sports and politics.   Those are both too scary for me.  Hah!

PS: What frightens you?

AF: Writing, the world of publishing, and the death of books and reading.   Oh, wait.  That’s probably not what you were looking for, but death of books and reading would rank high on my fear list.

The dark.   I don’t like not knowing what’s out there just beyond the reach of the light bulb.  At the same time, I like not knowing what’s out there.  I like the mystery and spookiness of not knowing.

PS: How do you get into the mind of a serial killer or fractured character?

AF: The scary thing about the mind is that anything and everything can be justified when given the right perspective.   I actually have a hard time making my killers unlikable, because first I make myself understand why they are doing what they are doing.  So then I have to take some of that skewed logic and justification away.

PS: Of the characters you’ve created, are there any you identify with personally?

AF: I one-hundred percent identify with Rachel Burton of Pale Immortal and Garden of Darkness.  I think we all feel trapped by the weight of responsibility and circumstance.  And I’ve felt the pull and attraction of a place that’s not really good for me.  I also modeled the town of Tuonela after my hometown in Iowa.

PS: What do you think is key to maintaining suspense and bringing on the chill factor?

AF: Pacing.

PS: Do your story ideas come to you in a flash or the more tortuous route?

AF: The odd thing is that I think every book gets harder.  The germ of a plot comes in a flash, but it seems it takes me longer to really hammer out the plot.  I think that’s because the plots become more intricate with each book.  At the same time I’m trying to avoid repeating something I’ve already done.

PS: What do you do to get through those rough patches or writer’s block?

AF: I sometimes get really down and depressed about the whole writing business.  When that happens I have to step away and try to get back to the joy of reading and the joy of words and a good story.  The nuts and bolts and numbers and players and people I’ve never met in control of my life – that’s the stuff that’s hard for me to deal with.

PS: This last year, you moved into a church. What has that been like for your writing?

AF: Getting away from the noise and distraction of the city was something I’d wanted to do for eight years.  Just had to finally kick myself in the butt and get it done.  So it’s the location – quiet, quiet, quiet – I was looking for.  The church—that just kind of happened.  I’ve always wanted to live in a church or old school house, but I was actually looking for a cabin when I came across the church.  The downside is that a building over a century old has some problems and requires a lot of maintenance.   And the rodents!  I had no idea squirrels will chew right through wooden walls!

PS: You’ve said that your publisher is not interested in any more Tuonela books but your readers love them. Is there any way to revisit Tuonela in the future and would you want to?

AF: I might revisit Tuonela if my German publisher wants the entire Tuonela trilogy.  That’s remote, and if it happens there will still be no guarantee of a US publisher.

PS: What aspect of writing do you find easy? Difficult?

AF: I think it’s difficult to keep going on a book, because boredom eventually sets in.  It’s hard to get past that without suddenly taking the book in a new direction, a direction it shouldn’t be going.  It’s easy to lose perspective when you’re bored.   Because boredom doesn’t necessarily mean the scene or story is bad; it means you’ve read it thirty times and are sick of it.

PS: Do you have a favorite scene or moment from one of your books?

AF: Hmm.  Well, it does seem that sometimes the scenes I love are the ones I’m asked to cut.  In Pale Immortal there is a scene where a gang of kids leave a mummified corpse in the park.  One of them says something about humping the mummy.  I thought that was pretty damn funny and pretty spot-on when it comes to kids that age, but my editor was aghast.    I also liked the sex-in-the-morgue scene.  I was asked to remove that too, but I just couldn’t do it.

PS: This summer, you were the guest of honor at Diversicon 16 held in Minneapolis. What exactly is Diversicon and what was the experience like?

AF: You really have to go to Diversicon to understand it.  It’s very laid back.  I would say academic meets geek meets movie and book buffs.  These people know their stuff.   They have an auction that is the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.  You wouldn’t believe the cool things people donate.  One thing Diversicon isn’t is wild.  Some conferences and conventions are about spending a lot of time in the bar.  I don’t think that really goes on at Diversicon.   It kind of reminded me of going to a big family reunion where you might know a few people, but even though you don’t know the rest you kind of feel like you do.  There is definitely a lot of laughing that goes on, and I was really impressed with how much the audience participates during panels.  Really loved that about it.  It’s a small con.  I think the last one had around 120 people.  Can’t remember exactly.   Each con has a specific focus.  The 2008 was Hitchcock.  Diversicon 17 will be Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Should be fun.

PS: Your daughter created an amazing book trailer for Pale Immortal. Will she be creating one for your next project? Will you create a separate blog for it as well?

AF: Yeah, I thought she did a fantastic job on the trailer, but I doubt we’ll do it again.  The trailer was something my editor wanted me to consider making because a lot of writers were doing them.  With the book business tanking, editors and publishing houses are pushing writers to do even more beyond the book.  Unfortunately I don’t think we can really make a difference in sales from our end.   The trailer was fun, but it was also really time-consuming.   I’ll probably put something together myself with iMovie, but I wouldn’t do another mini movie.

PS: Your current project is being touted as shades of REBECCA meets Hitchcock’s VERTIGO. Can you tell us any more about it?

AF: Much of my current project is based on a specific period of my own life, and oddly enough it has kind of a Rebecca feel to it.   I’ve taken real events and added some fiction to bump up the plot.  A totally new thing for me, and definitely more literary.  It’s possible the new book will be released under Theresa Weir.  It hasn’t even been submitted yet, but that’s what my agent is thinking.    And of course it might not even sell, but hopefully I will have that question answered by early next year.

PS: Anne, I have no doubt your new book will sell and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!  Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with me.  It’s been great getting to know you better!

~ Pamela Sweet

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You can learn more about Anne Frasier and her work at the following sites:

www.annefrasier.com

Books under the name Theresa Weir

Anne’s blog, Twitter, MySpace, Pale Immortal Blog, Library Thing, Madame Sosostris, and Wikipedia.

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Anne graciously offered to give away two of her books, Pale Immortal and Garden of Darkness!  All you have to do to win them is comment on any of our posts today through Wednesday, October 29th.  The winner will be drawn randomly and announced Thursday, October 30th!  Good luck!

Here are reviews for each book:

PALE IMMORTAL:

“Anne Frasier’s skill for colliding reality and the supernatural will have you searching the shadows for things not of this world. Pale Immortal gives you all the elements of a perfect thriller…a psychotic killer, gut-curling suspense, and storytelling that makes your blood run cold.”

Kelly Parra
Author of GRAFFITI GIRL

“The town of Tuolena, Wisconsin actually exists, according to the author and some maps. While stopping at a diner in Black River Falls, Anne Frasier overheard some locals talking about the Tuolena vampire who used to roam the streets at night of this small town on the Wisconsin River.

In “Pale Immortal” Anne Frasier blurs the lines of “genre fiction” with a tale of a town (Tuolena) and its local vampire. Best selling author Evan Stroud has made his living writing about the “Pale Immortal” aka Richard Manchester, who used to drink and bathe in the blood of his many victims. There’s even a Richard Manchester fan club of sorts: The Pale Immortals. Teenagers, they’ve taken “goth” to whole new levels.

Now, most people think Stroud himself is a vampire. He only goes out at night, his shades are always drawn, and his skin is so pale you can almost see through it. But there’s a reason: he has a disease called porphyria; he’s allergic to sunlight. And recently, he’s been suffering blackouts. He can’t account for his time or whereabouts, which is troublesome because there’s been a recent rash of corpses drained of blood.

When the murders become personal, and those closest to him are suddenly in mortal danger, Stroud must stay at least one step ahead of the police and find out what evil controls and lurks behind the Pale Immortals.

As with the best in this type of fiction, “The Pale Immortal” is ambiguous. It can be read as a modern vampire story, or as a believable serial killer thriller. But believe it or not, “Pale Immortal” makes for a gripping read.”

Gary
Once Upon a Crime

GARDEN OF DARKNESS:

“When I find myself leaving all the lights on, it’s a good sign I’ve found an exceptionally clever and scary read. While the story grabbed me, the book’s creepy atmosphere made my skin crawl. But what made Frasier’s book so compelling was the heart-wrenching love story between Rachel and Evan. The book is layered with rich detail, the subplots nuanced with shadows. Also of note is the smooth way Frasier combined first person and third in the same book, which I felt added texture and another dimension to the story. Garden of Darkness is truly one of the more exceptional books I’ve read.”
–Cerri Ellis

“When I find myself leaving all the lights on, it’s a good sign I’ve found an exceptionally clever and scary read. While the story grabbed me, the book’s creepy atmosphere made my skin crawl. But what made Frasier’s book so compelling was the heart-wrenching love story between Rachel and Evan. The book is layered with rich detail, the subplots nuanced with shadows. Also of note is the smooth way Frasier combined first person and third in the same book, which I felt added texture and another dimension to the story. Garden of Darkness is truly one of the more exceptional books I’ve read.”
–Armchair Interviews

I’m so pleased to bring you today my interview with fabulous author and super cool lady, Tempest Knight! ~ Pamela

PS:  Tempest, I love your website bio. May I come live with you?

“Paranormal and fantasy erotic romance writer, Tempest Knight, lives in Puerto Rico. This small Caribbean island holds a magic that captures the [...]]]>

I’m so pleased to bring you today my interview with fabulous author and super cool lady, Tempest Knight! ~ Pamela