Author Interview - Stacey Voss

Stacey, thank you for giving me the opportunity to read your novel and ask you some questions.

Here are the questions I have for you (in list form because I'm odd that way):

1. Thunder and Blood is set in your home town of Thunder Bay. Did you ever consider setting it else where?

I wrote Thunder and Blood while I was living in Germany and I really missed my home town. I never considered setting it anywhere else because that’s where my heart was at the time. We ended up moving back here because even my German husband loves it here. During the three years we lived in Germany, we travelled back to Thunder Bay to visit four times.

2. Does the city of Thunder Bay like being featured?

Well, I think, for the most part, the city likes it. I’m sure there’s one or two people who wonder why anyone would set a vampire novel here. The mayor came out to my book launch and I gave her a signed copy and she seemed pretty pleased though. For the most part I’ve received a lot of support. I’m doing a signing and reading at the main library on the 17^th.

3. Are any of the residents inspiration for any of the characters?

Adelaide is inspired by one of my best friends in appearance only. Otherwise, I haven’t used anyone local at all. I’ve had a few people ask me if they’re in my book but, no, these characters are totally independent of anyone I know in real life.

4. Let's talk about that portal. Time travel or alternate reality? Other?

Alternate reality. Basically think “Quantum Leap” - you know, that old TV show? Our world and the world of Donner were the same until the 1500’s when one person was changed into a vampire and that changed the entire future of that world.

5. There is a strong German influence in the story. Is there a strong German community in Thunder Bay in reality?

Actually, Thunder Bay has stronger Finnish and Italian communities. There are Germans who lived in the city, but I never really recognised that until I first started dating my husband. I included the German aspect because of where I was living when I wrote Thunder and Blood.

6. You also lived in Germany for a while....what was your favorite part/place?

I loved the fact that everything was so close together. We could drive for a few hours and go through a few countries. I loved the history that was everywhere. We travelled through a lot of castles which helped me to envision the castle in the novel. I got to see so many historically significant places. We took my mom and aunt to Berlin for a few days and saw Checkpoint Charlie, bits of the Berlin Wall, and the Holocaust Memorial. It was really amazing.

7. Why have two leading ladies instead of the standard one?

I originally planned on just having Sarah as the leading lady, but once Christine was captured I knew that she had her own story to tell. It would just have been too disjointed to have Sarah and Adelaide rescue her and discover that she was a vampire. I suppose I could have had her tell her story later, but that’s just not the way it came out. I had one reviewer accuse me of head-hopping, and I’m sure that’s a valid complaint, but that’s just the way the story rolled out of me.

8. From the excerpt of the next novel we get to see both again, right? Are they ever going to have their own stories?

We do see both of them in the next novel. Since I haven’t written more than the first chapter of that one I’m not sure if we end up focusing more on one than the other. As for having their own stories, I would think that would be quite possible, we’ll have to see what happens if the Vampire Counsel discovers Sarah’s conversion.

9. I was reading on your site that Da Vinci gets his own vampiric prequel. Are there any other famous vampires in the works?

The era of Da Vinci was full of famously powerful and knowledgeable men. I’m sure they will all feature in one way or another in his story. As for any others, not that I know of, but you never know.

10. Who is your favorite vampire (either in books or movies)?

My favourite vampires is one of Ann Rice’s. I’m sure you’d assume Lestat, but I actually liked Merrick the best. All of her later vampires seemed to have so much depth to them. Unfortunately, I gave away all of my Ann Rice books when I moved to Germany, so I’m going to have to put them on my Christmas Wish List.



Great! I'm excited to see the vampire Da Vinci! Now, it's your turn, readers. What questions do you have for Ms. Voss? You can discuss the novel, vampires in general, Canada, or pretty much anything else I'm sure. Stacey will be here all day (Oct 15 8 am - 4 pm EST) to answer your questions and chat with you. I'll be peeking in from time to time....unfortunately my job as a teacher means I can't spend the whole day with you all, no matter how much I'd like to. Please make her feel welcome and enjoy yourselves. If you'd like to use the google chat box on my sidebar, to have a more direct conversation with Stacey, just log in and then add her to your contacts. Her google talk is Voss (dot) Stacey (at)googlemail (dot) com