CELESTE

What is your favorite writing environment?

I think peace, quiet and solitude make the best environment for typing away at a piece of fiction. And yes, I type all mine out. I have abysmal handwriting, and I rearrange too much to ever be able to do it the old fashioned, pen to yellow legal pad way.

I have to be relaxed; mellow is a better muse for me than hyper. And location is important; comfort and solitude. My favorite writing nook is my basement, stretched out all in cozy clothes and comfy on the floor with my laptop on my coffee table. I think most of Theatre de Sang was written to the lulling sound of the Washer/Dryer going in the background. Have to multi-task, you know!

And a nice glass of wine to relax and enthuse!


What inspired you to start writing, and what sorts of things continue to inspire you (food, music, etc.)?

I just had an idea and went with it. No great epiphany; I had been reading fanfic for a while and just decided what the hell, give it a shot! And so Damian’s Secret was born. It started out as a one chapter idea that I threw out to some yahoo groups I was on and got an enthusiastic response to, so I just ran with it.

Honestly, I get my best ideas by daydreaming and talking/chatting with people. I have to say feedback is invaluable to me, and some of my best ideas have come from reviews, or just bouncing 'what if' scenarios off of friends.

I think if you have an idea in your head, you should jot it down and have someone whose opinion you trust read it for you and critique. Honesty is important; it’s kind of like shopping for bathing suits or jeans. You want the person your with to be a good enough friend to tell you if you’re sporting a muffin top or not! Same with a story – you need someone to tell you what works, what doesn’t, and go from there.

But I think everyone should give it a shot if they’ve been tinkering with a plot.


What or who had the biggest influence on your style of writing?

Dayum, I got a STYLE of writing? LOL! Honestly, I’m not sure how to answer that. I usually just start out writing dialog, getting the words of the characters into the scene. And my characters tend to talk like real people (coughmecough) do. Then I go back and paint in the scene – where are they? What are their expressions? What is the tone of the scene?

But I guess in fairness I’m influenced most by the people I read voraciously – Laurell, Charlaine Harris, Wen Spencer, Marjorie Liu, Mary Janice Davidson…the usual cast of suspects!


How much time do you devote to writing?

That depends a lot on the free time I have. I’m always so impressed with some authors who can easily get their works on paper. I jot down, flesh out, rewrite, cut, copy and paste at least a half dozen times before I even THINK of sending it to my beta. And then there is work, and home stuff…

On average, I would have to guess that each chapter I do (about 5000 words say) takes about four to six hours from idea to final print. Longer sometimes.

Now, how much time do I WISH I could devote to writing? That’s another story! It’s a wonderful creative release, and very relaxing. I recommend it to anyone. Go ahead. Stake that boss that’s been annoying you in prose. He or she will never know!


Linear thinkers everywhere would like to know how you decide to twine the subplots.

See, now, your assuming there’s a whole bunch of conscious planning going on here! Shoot, if there was, Theatre probably would have ended in less than ten chapters, because its basic premise was “Richard gets outted.” That’s where chatting with friends comes in handy. How would Richard get outted? Would it be on his own terms, or would circumstances dictate it? If it was circumstances, would it destroy him, and if it would, do you want to write that? Bottom line, I felt Richard would have to do it himself, that he deserved to do it himself. So I wrote it like that. And you know where Theatre came from? One line in Damian’s Secret; I always thought Zerbrowski was a smart, intuitive cookie, and that he would never NOT put two and two together about Richard. My friend Becca commented, “Is this the premise of another fic?” on the line. Well, it wasn’t at the time but the wheels started churning…

Damian’s Secret started out simply on the premise that when the hell would the poor bastard ever gotten to learn how to read? Then it started to imply a budding relationship between Jason and Nathaniel, because, well, I like that idea (as do many folks), so then we got a little steamy with Whatever Love requires, then I was listening to the radio and Maybe it was Memphis came on, which made me think of Damian dancing to it in chaps…I’m sorry, what was the question? Oh yeah, linear thinking! See? ADD!!!

And I don’t think I’ve ever been a linear thinker! My mind goes off in a 1000 directions (organized, in control directions mind you!); I do believe I had ADHD LOONG before it ever came into vogue! But I do believe I intertwine the stories is because there is a certain comfort level to using the characters I’ve written before in a new adventure, so to speak. And I like most of the people I write, so it makes sense to me to continue them in other fics whenever possible.


Where would you like to take your writing? Have you considered becoming published?

I have a blast writing, but I am a realist; it ain’t going any further than a hobby. Would I like it? Sure; who wouldn’t? But I have no delusions of being good enough to write professionally, and I know this is just an exceptionally enjoyable hobby that has garnered me many, many dear friends and is a wonderful relaxing tension reliever.

I’d just be happy if I continued to put out decent enough fanfic that people enjoyed and I felt was quality work.

Do you find that being a beta affects your own writing? Are you ever tempted to take someone else's plot and write it your own way (besides Laurell K. Hamilton)?

I find that beta’ing keeps me on my toes with my own writing; hell, I hate being a hypocrite, and I certainly couldn’t stand myself if I sent off something that had the same errors in it that I was bitching about in a fic I was looking over!

Honestly, no, never. People’s plots are their own children, and once a fic is started, that ‘flavor’ is imbedded in it, in my opinion. It’s that person’s idea and storyline. Maybe work a different angle, but take it over isn’t an option, I don’t think.

Which is why I pick the characters to write that I do, and go off on entirely separate tangents from LKH’s work. Feasible plots, if you stretch the imagination, but not a reworking of something she’s already done or has in the works.


Of all of your stories, which is your personal favorite?

Finally! A short answer!

Maybe not. It’s kind of a toss up. The Forgotten I always felt was a true to LKH subplot of what would have happened to Zeke. Full Circle was a story I daydreamed up while cutting the lawn (yeah, I know, you should pay attention while using hazardous equipment, but damn it, it’s BORING), and I always like some of the visual imagery in there.

But Damian’s Secret was my first baby and will always be near and dear.


Which story in the archive do you wish you had written (one that touched your heart)?

That’s kind of one of those questions that puts me in a difficult position because there are so many fanfics in the archive that are excellently done, original, and I wish I’d thought of.

But one that isn’t in there any more because she likes to cycle them, is “Mastering a Vampire” by Beellegee. It has Damian, so of course I’m hooked there, but it fills in some of the “gee, I wonder what happens offstage” gaps that the books leave from being centered on Anita and her immediate purview. It also was one of the first fanfics of this genre I ever read, and it was a good one to start with!


When the words are coming easily, how fast can you pull off a chapter?

Damn, don’t I have ANY easy questions? *g*

Ok, let me ‘splain. No, that take too long. Lemme sum up. I once spent a Sunday afternoon typing out over 10,000 words of individual scenes for TdS that flowed like little pearls of wisdom from my ruby lips. Unfortunately, most of those scenes came into play CHAPTERS apart. Some of them nearly ten chapters away, if not more now that I think about it. But none of them at the time of typing pulled into an easily coherent chapter.

But, to quote a prior answer, I can pull off a chapter from start to finish in about 4-6 hours, I think.


Do drabbles come easily for you?

Hell, no. I’m a HUGE believer in more is better. Most of my drabbles I have to take Damian’s broadsword to in order to fit them into the 100 word limit, and believe you me, there’s much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth as I delete.


Do you write in any fandoms besides Anita Blake?

At the moment, no. I think if I ever venture out of the Anitaverse, it would be a foray into original fiction before I’d take on any other fandom. But don’t hold me to that; I’m notoriously fickle.


Have you ever written original fiction? If not, do you have any plots for original fiction running through your head? If so, will you every write them.

Other than papers for school? LOL! Nope; it’s all been fanfic. I have some plots, but nothing I’ve committed to a Word document. But like I answered in the fandom question, any forays outside of Anita will be into the original fiction category, for the challenge aspect of it. Using LKH’s characters has always been a security blanket for me; they’re personalities are already set up, and I just have to expand on them or be true to them. Creating my own, and my own plot and universe? EEK! That’s scary and daunting, but it would be a worthy challenge and a true barometer in my mind of how well I could possibly write.


How did you learn about the Anita Blake books?

Now there’s a Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon type of question! I was hooked on Andromeda when it first came out (at least the first two seasons, then they fired Robert Wolfe and it went to hell in a handbasket), and used to frequent (Ok, lurk on) some Andromeda boards. There was a “Recommendation” thread for books, and someone gave Robin McKinley’s “Sunshine” a thumbs up. So I bought it from Amazon.com. Loved it too, by the way. Well, Amazon has this nice “may we also recommend” feature, and…viola! LKH hookage and history! Amazon rocks!

Bet you’re sorry you asked now, huh?


Imagine that Laurell K. Hamilton decides to give up writing and hands over book fifteen to you to write. What direction would you take the Anitaverse in, and more importantly, will Damian have something to do?

A brief story board (yeah, I said brief! Ya’ll stop laughing!):

The confluence of the two triumvirates, and Anita’s own powers over the dead continue to grow exponentially, all the participates increasing their own personal strengths and in return, feeding back their growing powers to their trimates. Jean-Claude, in his own marvelous Machiavellian way, feints and maneuvers in a desperate attempt to consolidate power here in America while keeping their abilities below the radar of the Council, who is foolishly locked into the past and the old ways.

The MOAD, who can control both Vampires and Lycanthropes, awakens and begins to assert herself and wreck havoc on the world in general. JC, Anita, and all the St Louis powers unite the preternatural communities in the USA for a final battle, protecting the human population as well as their own, and that’s where JC’s efforts to become more visual and mainstream come into play, because they have the backing and support of the authorities. The ardeur, which is an almost sentient power, plays a part in that it’s been manipulating vampires to be children that can help feed it’s power for centuries now, and is basically the antithesis of the power that animates the MOAD. Zombie armies, Shifter mayhem, Vampire daywalking power. Armegeddon at it’s best.

Oh wait, you only asked about book fifteen? Ok, I’d have the QON make an appearance; her and Morte d’Amour. They need to wake up and smell the coup that Belle is planning, and come try to curry favor with JC and Anita to save their hides. Basically because I’m curious about them, and we haven’t met them yet.

Damian will always play a part. He needs to confront Morvoren, because she emasculated him so badly, and he will always be prey to her powers regardless of how powerful he or his trimates become if he doesn’t it. Deeply ingrained learned reactions like he has can be a liability in any upcoming battle.


Who is your No. 1 favourite writer?

Ok, not to be evasive, but I have many. I keep the UPS man busy, since I’m such an Amazon ‘ho. But at the moment LKH fandom involves most of my time so I would have to say her. No one else has inspired me to post on boards or write fanfic.


Who are your favourite and least favourite Anita Blake characters, and why?

I’ve always been a Damian fan; got to go for the quiet, long suffering underdogs that need a hug and a good woman. ? And Jason, because he’s just a so irrepressible.

Least favorite character is Edward. I just have never clicked on him. He was fine as a supporting character in the earlier books, but I found myself wandering as I read Obsidian Butterfly.


Which character do you identify with the most personally?

Jason. Smart ass, shrewd, and very very bright when he chooses to let it show.


Which character from the books do you feel has the most potential?

Raphael is underutilized and has the most potential for an interesting story. His honor and kingship, his family life, how he runs his Rodere. He’d make an excellent novel lite; in fact, I would love to see the Rats play a larger part in the continuing story line.

A second one is Narcissus. I can’t wait to see where Asher’s ability to call Hyenas leads, and how it plays into the Oba’s plans. Asher and Narci’s club are just a match made in heaven.


What Anita Blake characters do you find easiest and most difficult to write, and why?

I can write Zerbrowski and Jason the easiest. Not hard to understand; they kind of fit my overall personality profile. Anita I find the hardest, simply because ALL of the books are her POV, and she’s got a particular voice that you have to be careful to keep in canon character.

Also, I tend to write male characters easier than female.


What inspired you to write "The Forgotten?" Was this a labor of love or did the story just come to you?

I had just reread NIC, and it occurred to me that Zeke was never mentioned again. What kind of life could he have? As part of the Circus perhaps? Would a former Ulfric tolerate that?

I just decided that he wouldn’t want to live like that, shunted away somewhere or treated like a sideshow act. And since Gina was his companion it seemed, she would be the one to mourn him the most. It was just a tidying up in my mind of a loose end character that deserved it.


When you started Theatre de Sang, did you have it plotted from beginning to end? If not, did it end how you thought it would?

Theatre de Sang started out with a simple premise. Richard is exposed as a Lycanthrope. And it went nuts from there. I already had the basis for the Theatre in Damian’s Secret, as a means for them to be able to teach Damian to read in a private setting, and one that Jean-Claude would have provided them. Then I decided that Richard deserved to have it be his own decision, and that he should do it in a bang. And it had to utilize Zerbrowski, since it was his idea to begin with.

So the brainstorming was – how does he piece it together? What does he do with the info, and what are his motivations? Who does he use? How does Richard react to his knowledge? What would be sufficient impetus for Richard to come out willingly? What happens afterwards? All of those concepts needed color and setting up. Then, when I decided on the big bang idea, the concept of ‘who done it?’ came into play as well. And all of this evolved over the months (sheesh, over a year) it took to write the story.

And it ended exactly where I wanted it to – with Zerbrowski driving away the twins father as a debt of honor. That chapter had been sitting idle for MONTHS before I brought it into play.

And, you wouldn’t believe the number of plot twists and ideas I got from readers leaving reviews or posts. I know there is a large portion of writers who dislike posting unfinished fics, but I find the feedback invaluable to the writing process. It’s kind of like having multiple betas!


When you started writing Anita Blake fanfiction did you think you would write something as long and intricate as Theatre de Sang?

LMAO! I can actually give a short answer to this!

No. Nope. Never. Not in a million years. It was the fic that wouldn’t die!!!


Do you have a finite end to your Damian's Secret / Theatre de Sang saga? Or do you see the characters just keep telling you more of their lives indefinitely?

At this moment? I have the sequel in mind. Which might be the end of that story line, or something might lightbulb out at me and there can be a continuation.

But to be honest, I’ve kind of set up my Anita Blake ‘characters’ and universe in my own way, so pretty much anything I write will undoubtedly draw on different aspects of my ever intertwined fics, so in that regard, it probably never will just go away.

Now that Theatre de Sang has ended, do you have plots and ideas for another long running, many chaptered, wondrous fics up your sleeve?

Well, I will continue on for a third story that will pick up where TdS left off. And I will revisit the zoo idea I started in Theatre, and probably thread in an element from one of my drabbles. Both I don’t have plans for being overly long, but hell, you know me!!

Have one other completely separate fic that I started and has been laying fallow for quite some to. Of course, I say it’s separate now, but somehow I think it’ll get woven into the rest of the fanfic family I’ve got going here!


Posted: October 8, 2006