Rachel Caine-Interview with the Author
Rachel Caine Interview with the author.
The Reading Cafe would like to welcome author of the new release YA novel BLACK DAWN-Rachel Caine
Hi Rachel. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions. We are always excited to know about the author behind the books we love to read. WE would like to start with some background information.
NAME: Rachel Caine (aka Roxanne Longstreet/ Roxanne Conrad/ Julie Fortune)
BIRTHPLACE: New Mexico
EDUCATION: Bachelors Business Admin. From Texas Tech University
RESIDENCE: Fort Worth, Texas
MARITAL STATUS: Married to R. Cat Conrad
NUMBER OF YEARS WRITING: 36 (20 published)
TRC: Your bio states that your first novel was published when you were 28. What was the title of your first published novel? Looking back, would you have changed anything with the storyline content?
Rachel: The first book was a work for hire, a game tie-in novel called STORMRIDERS. I’m sure there is a lot I would change, because it was the first complete novel I’d ever written … I wrote it in omniscient POV as I recall, and I had a ton of very serious and/or quirky characters. I’d probably add a lot more humor and take out some of the odd quirks! (I was at that stage all writers seem to go through, where you think characteristics are character.)
TRC: As a child or young adult, what were your interests/hobbies?
Rachel: Music, mainly. I was a Very Serious Musician, and intended to be a star – as much as is possible for a classical clarinetist. I also dabbled in making ceramics. Bad ones. Writing was a major hobby, as was reading. On weekends, I would usually read at least 8 hours a day.
TRC: You are a writer of many different genres. Which genre do you believe is the most difficult to write?
Rachel: I think they all have their specific challenges … If you are writing straight real-world suspense, it’s getting all the details right, or as right as possible. By contrast, in fantasy your world you create needs to be real, consistent, and as complete as possible in your mind without forcing your audience through ALL of it – backstory is as important as main narrative. In YA, the challenge is always to remain grounded in how it feels to be facing new experiences … Not easy when you’ve gained a lot of life experience. (I say that in preference to *cough* old.)
TRC: Young Adult storylines are no longer just for teens and young adults. Many of today’s authors write books and series knowing that ‘grown ups’ will be reading their stories. AS a writer of Young Adult fantasy novels, where do you draw the line between adult and young adult storylines?
Rachel: It wasn’t difficult for me at first … My characters are a specific age, and experiencing very specifc sets of problems that go with it. Some adult themes exist because when you are sixteen or seventeen, you don’t perceive yourself as a child … You are almost an adult, and those are things you think about, long for, and fear. But it is becoming more difficult now that I have 15 novels coming for Morganville … Claire is inevitably maturing and growing up. Hard to make it solely YA.
TRC: The release of your next Morganville Vampire novel-Black Dawn is scheduled for May 2012. Will you tell us about the premise?
Rachel: In LAST BREATH, we found out why the vampires hide out in the inhospitable desert … Because they have enemies whose home is in the water. But now their enemies have used storms to invade the town, and vampires and humans are fighting for their lives.
TRC: Do you have an expected release date for BITTER BLOOD-Morganville 13? Will you please tell us the premise of Bitter Blood?
Rachel: I believe the release date is the first week of November 2012! BITTER BLOOD starts from the slow rebuilding of Morganville, and the gradual rise of feelings among vampires and humans of a kind of basic mistrust and bigotry… And before long, Claire and her friends find themselves at in the very lonely and dangerous middle as both sides wage a war for control.
TRC: Many authors are contracted to a certain number of books in a particular series, but you are currently writing number 13 in the Morganville series, as well as novellas. Do you have plans to continue this series, or is there a finite number?
Rachel: We have a contract for 15 books in the series. I just started work on book 14, which is currently untitled.
TRC: Many authors of Young Adult storylines are now or have considered TV shows (e.g. Vampire Diaries). You had an option for a TV show, but that has expired. Have you re-considered developing The Morganville series into a television show or motion picture?
Rachel: Sure, but the author can’t do that alone. It takes a huge amount of money and expertise to make either a TV show or movie possible, and right now there is a feeling that the public’s appetite for vampire-themed material is not as strong (for new launches) as it was a few years ago. But that is always the case …. It’s not popular until someone takes a risk and makes it popular again. So maybe that will happen!
TRC: The Outcast series involves a supernatural being known as the Djinn. What was your catalyst (your aha moment) in the development and writing of the Djinn and their powers?
Rachel: Oddly enough, the Djinn dropped into the very first scene I wrote of the Weather Warden series (Outcast Season is a spinoff of that) … And it surprised me. Sometimes your subconscious takes command and leads you interesting places, and that was what kicked off the Djinn. Then I had to understand how they fit into my urban fantasy world … As a sort of natural world kind of angels, closer to the sentient Earth than humans. It was really exciting, and gave the story all kinds of depths.
TRC: Is there a particular character that drives you with your writing in the Outcast series?
Rachel: Cassiel, my outcast Djinn, is obviously the main character (and super fun to write) but I think it has to be Ibby, her partner Luis’s niece, who is orphaned in a drive-by gang shooting. Ibby grows from innocent child to a commanding, competent magic user in four books, and I loved her arc.
TRC: Will you please tell us about the idea or history behind your new Contemporary Fantasy series-The Revivalist? Did you have to do any research with Thantology?
Rachel: I did do quite a lot of research into death, dying, and – as insiders sometimes call it – the Death Business. I also had some very interesting research conversations with a nano technologist. The outcome was Revivalist … In which my main protagonist Bryn has a job as a funeral director, yet is captive to a nano-based kind of life support that she must take daily. The prospects for corporate abuse of this technology seemed stunning … After all,if they literally hold your life in their hands, your loyalty as a customer or employee is assured. I look on it a bit like the stranglehold health insurance has on us in the US, whether we realize it not.
TRC: The premise for The Revivalist is quite unique. Not zombie or vampire etc, but basically re-animation. Have you ever read or heard of anything similar?
Rachel: It harkens back to some early SF, and the 90s TV series Invisible Man, a bit. … But nothing else I’ve seen or read recently. Thankfully! Though if you stop taking the drug, you become a walking corpse, decomposing along the way, so there’s your zombie element!
TRC: You are currently working on the second instalment -Two Week’s Notice. Will you please tell us about the premise? Will Bryn continue to be the main heroine throughout the series?
Rachel: Bryn does remain the focus of the books, and she becomes in TWO WEEKS’ NOTICE very much a kick-ass action heroine. Now that she’s “Returned”, she needs to work off her debts to the government, who want to stop a new shadowy corporate entity much worse than Pharmadene, the inventors of the drug …. And she’ll find her ability to heal comes in VERY handy. Her relationship with Patrick flourishes, but everything she’s built will be put at risk as the enemy … And one very scary lady with a personal agenda… Come after her with guns blazing.
TRC: Do you have any plan to continue the Weather Warden series e.g. novellas/anthologies?
Rachel: Yes, but probably not until 2013 … Too many deadlines in 2012! I miss Jo and David and Lewis, though.
TRC: You are married to fantasy artist R. Cat Conrad. How many of your covers was your husband involved in the planning or art work?
Rachel: Virtually none … We try to keep our artistic lives separate, mostly, since we both work at home. He gives me thumbs up or down on cover art, and based on this feedback I sometimes ask for changes. He did do covers for a couple of reissued early books I sold through iUniverse for a while. But his passion is for space art, and my books aren’t SF enough to benefit.
TRC: Does your husband’s art work influence any of your storylines?
Rachel: Hmmmm! Interesting question .. I sometimes consider writing space- centered SF just to have one of his great art pieces on the cover, though! He is a very gifted artist, and the pieces are stunning.
TRC: Many writers and artists are perfectionists, and at times, the process can be frustrating and anxiety ridden. How do you and your husband handle the pressure of a deadline?
Rachel: I love deadlines. What’s the quote, I love the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by? No, seriously, I am quite deadline oriented indeed, and I try extremely hard to meet all of them, so often that means sacrificing social events, holidays, vacations, normal life … And luckily my husband is pretty understanding. But since my deadlines come every 3 months if not more frequently, we also have learned to step back a little and breathe. You must live sometime!
TRC: Do you bounce your storyline ideas with your husband? A friend?
Rachel: Sometimes we talk about them, but I’ll be honest, most people find a writer talking plot BORING. I generally talk with other writers if I need feedback.
TRC: Would you like to add anything?
Rachel: If you find yourself in the position I’m in, of having 4 books out a year, it’s because of the amazing support of readers, teachers, reviewers, friends, librarians and bookstore workers … Not me. And I am humbled and grateful for your trust and enthusiasm.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food
Creme brûlée
Favorite Dessert
Seriously. My favorite food is a dessert. WHAT?
Favorite TV Show
So many, but probably Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, or The Lost Room. I’m a total TV addict.
Favorite Movie
Aliens.
Last Movie that you saw
Hunger Games!
Where did you meet your husband?
On a dance floor, at a convention … Or alternatively in the pages of John Steakley’s novel VAMPIRE$. (he was a main character.)
Where was your last vacation destination?
I’ve just finished 10 days aboard a transatlantic ship, the Azamara Journey. Although I’m heading for tour AND finished a book, that still counts, right? Closest I get!
Dark or Milk Chocolate
All of the above. There is no bad chocolate, unless you mess it up with fruit. Ugh.
TRC: Thank you Rachel for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish you the best of luck with your upcoming releases.
Website: Rachel Caine
Amazon Kindle: Black Dawn
KOBO: Black Dawn
B&N Nook:Black Dawn
Rachel: Thank you so much for this great opportunity!
************GIVEAWAY*********
Rachel Caine has graciously offered a giveaway to 2 eligible members at The Reading Cafe. One eligible winner will receive a copy of BLACK DAWN and another will receive a copy of UNBROKEN.
To qualify:
1. You must be a registered member at The Reading Cafe.If not, please register using one of the social log-ins or LOG-IN to complete registration.
2. Contest is open to continental USA and Canada only
3. Contest will run May 7-12, 2012.
