Interview by The Angry Princess

I loved your book Nature of the Daughters. When will the second book become available for fiending fans such as myself?

The second book Sylvanian Vampire will be available on November 8th. I expect that the Scarycheerleader trilogy to be complete in late March when I release the final book, Renovations.

Do you have any siblings? If so do they have any traits like the twins Renata or Renee?

I do have siblings. In fact, my little brother is visiting me right now. At some points of our history we have claimed to be twins although we’re nearly five years apart. We do have much in common and we’ve never had a real argument. However, there isn’t as much common ground between all of my siblings and I suppose in some ways, this has driven a dagger into the bond most sisters would have by now. Nonetheless, siblings are a constant lesson in humanization. My two older sisters have both taught me a great deal of lessons in that regard, and despite the bloodshed and silence I have no choice but to love them.

What new adventures will the girls get into in the next book Sylvanian Vampire?

Sylvanian Vampire is placed into a time frame of two years past the first book. At this time they have learned the necessary skills of their art and employ them at their own determinations. Sometimes art that is forced can come off as amateur and pointless, and sometimes it’s exceptional and brilliant: Murder is the same way. When a female serial killer kills after so much exploration, they aren’t just trying to get the job done: They are trying to show the colors of the massacre and the ways of the blade. With such strict rules in the perfect kill even the eight major rules of murder can bring forth a challenge to the clever majesty of homicide. Renata also finds herself challenged by the things in life she can’t believe in and cannot be proven by nature and science. When ghosts and love make their appearances in her world, it’s not going to be easy for her to determine whether she’s still a skeptic or a successful mutilation of circumstance.

Do you put any of your life’s experiences into your stories or is everything just freshly thought up?

A bit of both, I suppose. Everyone’s given a spicy can of worms when we’re young, but everyone makes that graphic decision to chew them up and be nourished or just grossed out. I write the things I know about and there have always been strings of unconventional thoughts that led me to explore new and interesting ideas. Combined with tidbits of reality, this special blend of horror has a satisfying way of identifying with the readers, and that’s a great stance to be standing in.

When did you realize that you had a deep passion for writing?

Before first grade, but I’m not sure when. I moved to Wisconsin from Illinois and I was amazed at how behind the rest of my class was with punctuation and writing skills. I’ve always been making up stories, and even at that age I wasn’t shy about writing them down but I’ve always been shy about showing them to anyone.

How many rejection letters did you receive before you ever got published?

Many writers don’t understand they must push past those and press on to keep doing what they love.

I got one rejection letter, actually, and it was from a well known publisher that starts with D. Not long after that, a fellow metal head from Wisconsin wanted to try her hand at the publishing business. Although her venture ultimately failed due to the inability to devote the time and energy into the promotion of literature, her intention was noble and I’ll always appreciate that. I still hadn’t heard back from another publisher I submitted to until months after I was with Deth Publications, and by then I’d already had a published book for a few months. You are correct, though. Rejection letters are inevitable no matter how great your writing is…. unless you are falling for a scam like PublishAmerica. When a writer is truly passionate about their art, they’ll find the one that wants it or they’ll find a way to get it out there. Whatever happens, though, don’t let the hoops get you down, because it’s never-ending.

What were you like in High School? Did you ever want to be a cheerleader?

I was like a ghost I guess. I’ve always had a tough time talking to people that didn’t know me and actually, most people didn’t know much about me despite the small size of my school. I had the same classmates from first grade to senior year, but I’ll forever be known as ‘the chick with green hair’. I wore a lot of black t-shirts, hated gym class, spent study periods writing letters or stories, scraped by on my grades, and always spent my lunch hour smoking in the neighboring cemetery. When people did speak to me it was commonly to pick on me about my oddities or remark in superficial banter. I had a few good friends that knew I was just a weirdo, and when that didn’t bother them, we had some crazy times. Overall, I was just your average teenage outcast, the one person in school that liked it harder and rougher than the rest…..metal, that is. I didn’t drive and I spent nearly every weekend alone. I was the farthest thing from a cheerleader I could possibly be.
If you had to pick a favorite book what would it be? Author?

I like to read stories of true crime, but if we’re talking about fiction it’s really a tough call. There are a lot of excellent authors out there I have yet to read, and I don’t appreciate the classics that most people do. What I like most are the books that are totally out there, and you read a few pages, you’re going to know you’re into something special. I suppose that I’m most impressed by the writings of Chuck Palahniuk. (Not sure if I spelled that right.) I’ve always appreciated styles that I can relate to, and too much description in a story sometimes kills the reality of the imminent tale.

I hate that people don’t like to read- some even view it as a chore and that pisses me off. I would rather read than watch TV.

Why do you think that there are so many people declining to pick up a book?

Simple: The world has been spoiled by luxury and impatience. I mean, if someone wants to know something, they go online and research it. I’m guilty of it myself, I rarely go to the library for information, I love the internet. For entertainment we live in a world of convenience. You pick your topic, you find the choices, find the time or in some cases just program it and play! If they don’t like it, they change it. When we were kids, we had two or sometimes three choices, so we learned to appreciate books and imagination. Today, it’s considered cruelty not to have cable and internet access. It’s crazy, but it’s taking away not only our imagination and creativity, but it’s allowing people to scrape by nearly illiterate. At horror conventions, people sometimes see me and my silly little books and they look away without a thought. After all, who would go to a horror convention to be scared by mere words when there’s the majesty of film at the neighboring tables. Sad, but true. It doesn’t get to me, though. Everyone needs to decide for themselves whether they’re a product of the brainwashing techniques, whether intentional or incidental, that this country has given us through the ample luxuries it offers. If they choose to read, they’re rewarded with free thought, expansive vocabulary and the ability to swim outside the pool. If they choose to staple themselves to the artistry of video and images, they find themselves grateful for that art, but find that the images die at the mere demise of the daily memories. The great thing about books, (and I agree with you, I don’t watch television normally), is that the imagination feeds and grows with every page. When you’re with a good book, your mouth waters and you venture into another place and time, rather than just allow filmmakers to tell you how they saw the book initially.

I know you are into metal, did you ever have any interest of starting your own band? What instrument would you play?

I tried the guitar as a teenager, actually. I wrote some songs, even played them for a few small crowds. It wasn’t hard and metal, but just a series of power chords and whiny lyrics that some teenagers get away with in the pop or alternative world nowadays. I wasn’t satisfied with it, and eventually it just bothered me that I couldn’t write anything I wanted to listen to. So….not guitar. No. It takes far too much time and dedication for the guitarists I admire to play the way they do, and I suppose my blood was intended for another layer of the artistic flesh. I suppose if I were in a band at this point, I’d be dying to be the vocalist. Commonly I find myself vocalizing at work (a casino) and scaring the little old ladies with the death metal growls. And when I’m feeling girly, the old Iron Maiden lyrics are usually soothing. I also have vivid fantasies about playing the drums, but again, those death metal drummers are far too talented for me to be satisfied with the small time I’d have for practicing in a daily routine. Let’s see some of these modern pop bands keep up with these guys, it just wouldn’t happen.

http://www.myspace.com/elizadeth710