t's a fair feat to achieve, that a first novel should be a vampire
one, in this hard-to-crack genre. Mayra Calvani's novel 'Dark Hunger'
- released in February this year, is exactly that. READ
THE BOOK REVIEW HERE
illona:
I see 'Dark Hunger' is your first novel - what inspired you to
write your first book?
MC: I've
always been fascinated by the supernatural, ever since I was a
little kid. During secondary school I used to sneak up into the
library during lunch hour to read about witches, ghosts, devils.
I got in trouble many times because of this. It was a convent
school and the nuns were very strict. Sometimes I pretended to
be possessed and frightened my classmates. During this time I
found vampires extremely scary. It was later, after having read
The Vampire Lestat, that I fell in love with these creatures.
So it was my childhood love for the supernatural, together with
my new love for vampire stories, what inspired me to write my
first published novel, Dark Hunger.
illona:
Why do you think the vampire myth is so appealing from a romantic
perspective?
MC: Nobody
wants to die. Since the beginning of history, human beings have
searched for the secret of immortality. Vampires are immortal.
Think about it. To live forever. What could be more appealing
than this? Add to this their physical strength, their telepathic
powers, their ability to mesmerize mortals.
illona:
Most publishers say the vampire has been 'done to death'. Do you
think "The Vampire" as a genre is dying, does it have
any real horror left in it?
MC: Vampire
fiction is a die-hard genre. I don't think it'll ever die, even
though it's been done again and again. Authors will always find
ways of adding new twists to the old myths. Vampires, with their
promise of immortality and preternatural powers, will continue
to be a subject of fascination for millions of readers.
illona:
Describe a typical 'writing day' for you:
MC: I try
to be disciplined, but it's difficult when you have small children,
house work and many daily errands. I've set myself a minimum of
15 pages a week, no matter what. I work better in the mornings,
on weekdays, when my mind is fresh and everybody is off to school
or work. I like listening to Bach while writing, it warms up my
muse. I don't have an outside job, so this is a plus. As long
as I can write a little everyday, that's good enough for me. This
is very important for a writer, to have the habit of writing every
day.
illona:
What aspect of the Vampire did you most enjoy writing about?
MC: The
inner conflict, that terrible savage quality of their existence
when they are forced to choose between the need for blood and
their respect for human life. My vampires--the protagonists, at
least--are basically good people. How can a good person kill?
How do they atone for that? This is the aspect I enjoy exploring
the most. In my book, I give the most importance to characterization.
illona:
Is this a genre you plan on revisiting? A second perhaps?
MC: Most
definitely. At the moment I'm working on a non vampire horror,
but I plan to write more vampire stories in the future. I'd also
like to explore the realm of werewolves.
illona:
What do you think is the greatest vampire story ever written?
MC: From
the ones I've read, Interview With The Vampire. It is very dark,
and beautifully written. I have read it several times. I keep
going back to it, just for the love of the language.
illona:
Who is your favourite author in the genre?
MC: Anne
Rice. I love the way she combines horror with literature. Her
rich baroque language and deep characterizations are an inspiration
for me.
illona:
If you could give an aspiring writer three pieces of advice, what
would they be?
MC: I would
tell aspiring writers to follow their own vision and not be put
down by rejection letters or other people's negative influence.
A writer must be determined and stubborn. To work, work, work,
because if they don't, then everything is lost. The difference
between a best-selling author and one that is not, isn't talent,
but hard work.
illona:
And if Count Dracula came up to you and offered you the chance
of immortality?
MC: It
would be very diffcult to say No to Immortality, don't you think?
illona:
Thank you so much for the interview.
READ
THE BOOK REVIEW HERE
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