Babbok’s Interview Questions

Where is your screen-name from? 

My screen name is a childhood name that my Dad gave me because A, I was a klutz and B, because my Dad was an odd man and always came up with these spiffy little nicknames for me and my sis.  It just stuck.

When did you start writing? 

 I started writing in my freshman year of high school, and was quite horrible at it... Still am in my eyes. I need disgusting amounts of practice and an awesome Tutor.

Where do you most like to write? Alone, or around others? In a quiet or noisy space? (Like, at the library vs. Starbucks...) 

This may be a shock, but I like quiet, solitary places to write and brainstorm in. I can't multi-task for the life of me, so I’m usually in my computer room.

Do you want to write more original fiction? If so, what are you working on?

I'd love to have a good piece of original fiction. I just always feel like I'm running around in circles with them, like sometimes my ideas aren't really my own. The supernatural world is where my interests are and I don't think I could really do anything else. I have a seven-year-old novel going on as we speak. It would take far too long to describe, as I have still not set anything in stone.

What advice do you have for other writers just starting out?

I don't really know what kind of advice I could give because in all honesty, I'm still taking some in. Michelle Rowen had very sincere advice about just making one's self happy and never quitting. I strongly agree with it; if you like it, who cares what it is. I love writing and so I may never stop.

Do you subscribe to any writing magazines? (Or others that you find affect your writing...) If so, what and why?

Sadly no, I have no subscriptions. I usually try to scan the e-net for good techniques or just ask the gals here at PDS. They offer a world of help.

Do you use books on writing? If so, what are your favorites?

I have old school textbooks and that’s about it. I just haven't thought about that step yet. Perhaps I should buy a few.

Besides LKH, who are your favorite authors and why?

Kim Harrison is my absolute favorite because her characters are realistic. I know they're witches, vamps and weres, but they aren't all perfect. I just love the settings and the action. It’s a thrill to me. I also like Charlaine Harris because I live in Texas. Bias I know. Anne Rice was good but it went a little stale over the years.  And as for LKH, I loved her writing but that too became somewhat lost. I'll enjoy the re-reading but I don't know that I could ever read the new books.

How do you come up with your story ideas?

Years ago, I used to bug my sister constantly to tell me stories; always about vamps, weres or any other sort of supernatural creature. It gave me a horribly eager imagination and so I'd daydream all the time; especially when I'm in bed. Sometimes it revolves around an interesting actor I saw in a movie, or a cool character I read in a book. After so long, I guess I got full. The ideas I have now are my own, but the influence is from great books or good movies. So maybe it’s just safe to say that my ideas come from a long fascination\obsession with the creatures of the night.  And then the story depends on my mood.

Who was the first character you ever created?

Cameron Landers was my first OC and she’s probably been in 10 different freakin’ books of mine. I say that because I never got the first one right.

What did you like/dislike about him/her?

I liked her vulnerability but I hated her dang mouth.

What do you do to get out of writer's block when it pops out of the woodworks?

I get really lazy.

Is there a genre of books you are surprised you like to read?

Two words: Landscaping books. I think that says it all.

If you could write and publish a book about an AB character, who would it be and what would the plot be?

 
I really like the characters Dorcas and Magnus Bouvier. I think a really good backstory is needed for them.

Do you write for any other fanfic genres and sites?

I just recently joined Writer’s Heaven to get my Rachel Morgan fanfics going.

Which AB book would you most like to see made into a movie?

Why, Guilty Pleasures of course. If they went out of order, I’d go nuts.

In the movie version of Guilty Pleasures, who do you see playing the main characters? (Please include Philip.)

 
Wow. That’s tough. Hmmm…I thought Nora Jones was a good looking Anita Blake, a model named Mattais looked good as JC, I can’t remember his name, but I liked Mboa’s Asher. Maybe to make this easier, I could just say I like a lot of the castings in the Anita Wiki on PDS.

What forgotten character would you like to see reappear in the AB series?

Rafael.

Who is your favorite lesser known AB character and why?

Rafael, I find him so fascinating.

What story on PDS or SDS do you wish you could have written?

‘The Ancient’ by Princess Wolf. It was such a bizarre and wonderful story, and it was actually what really inspired me to join and write a story of my own.

What character do you most identify with? (Not necessarily your favorite character.)

Perhaps Jason?  His personality is so fun and it’s hard to take him seriously unless the situation calls for it. Then he surprises you.

If you suddenly had to take over writing the series, what changes would you make to Anita? Jean-Claude? Richard? Asher? Micah? Nathaniel? Jason?

I’m sure everyone knows my opinion on this. The sex. I like it, don’t get me wrong, but I’d have a little less and replace it with I don’t know, Reanimations, RPIT crime scenes, a little bit of plot and a smooth flow. If I could possibly manage all that.

 
If you could live out one scene or segment in the series, what would it be?

When Anita first became smitten with Jean-Claude. I just remember thinking “Finally”.

What is the most painful thing for you to write?

Death.  I don’t know if I could ever kill one of my own characters. I know I hate reading it in my favorite books; it really bites. The only reason I’d write the death of a character is if there was no other way tie up the plot. But in my eyes, there are plenty of ways to do that.

Who is your secret crush character?

Rafael. His name just keeps popping up, doesn’t it?

What authors flame your imagination?

Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, LKH, Vickie Taylor, MaryJanice Davidson, Michelle Rowen, Angela Knight, and COMIC BOOKS!

What was your favorite first book?

My first favorite book was ‘The Bad Place’ by Dean Koontz.

What is a guilty pleasure sort of read for you? The kind of book or story that you might not cop to, but that you truly let yourself indulge in.

I don’t think I feel guilty about anything that I read. After living with my husband, nothing is a shocker anymore.

Has your love of writing grown with writing fanfic?

Horribly. I can hardly finish a story because every time I turn around I start another. It’s so sad.

What piece of writing, that you have done, most pleases you?

I’m kind of digging my ‘Lost Tales’ story. I got a ways to go and I get stuck a lot but I’ve always liked Dracula. That and I’ve got a secret piece I’m working on as well that I’m actually really excited about.

Who is your favorite character in the AB world? Least favorite? And why.

Asher was my favorite when he was still scorned and hurtful. I thought it was hot. My least favorite is the new Ronnie. It peeved me to no end how immature LKH made her.

Which AB character do you find easiest to write? Which the most difficult? And why.

I thought Marmee was pretty easy because she was so dead set on the most primitive of things. She concentrated on power and fear, that sort of stuff. Anita is the toughie for me though, because I just can’t see eye-to-eye with her and keeping her canon is a pain in the rear.

Do you have any procedure that you follow or plan of attack when you are developing a new story?

I usually keep an outline but that’s about as structured as I get. I tend to wing it and honestly, I’m trying to correct that.

How do you deal with characters that are taking your story on a tangent that you hadn’t anticipated?

This is a good one. I think I tend to let that character loose. If it steers me in a direction I hadn’t known it would take me, maybe it’s a good thing.

Which AB book is your favorite and why?

Bloody Bones was my favorite. I’ve thought long and hard on this and believe me, it was tough. I loved it because of its oddness and because Rawhead and Bloody Bones gave me the willies.

Do you listen to music when you write? Do you have a favorite inspiration food?

If I did listen to music while I wrote, it would only be Vast. They have such peaceful melodies. And as for food, I’d have to say cheese all the way.

Do you use a Beta and what role do they play for you?

I use many Betas, and all of them help me with different areas of my writing. Most of it though, is help with the story line. I get carried away a lot and they help me to keep it sensible.