EXCLUSIVE
INTERVIEW
with
JAMES C. WARDLAW
James
C. Wardlaw is a writer & author of horror and suspense type
stories and the Associate Editor
for Dark Animus Magazine, has just finished the final
touches on a new publicized book entitled 'Dracul - The Vampire
Returns'.
illona:
First of all, 'Dracul: The Vampire Returns' is a most worthy sequel
James. A sequel to Dracula, did you find the thought of doing this
daunting at any time?
Not
at all, I just wanted to tell a story that flowed from the original
and captured some of the original tone and texture. It took
me 8 years and in that time there have been too many Dracula things,
so I was afraid that after all that work, I would be too late, but
it has been fairly well accepted.
illona:
Beautiful place names in the book, have you ever visited (or wanted
to visit) Transylvania?
Yes,
especially the Castle POLINARI AT THE HEAD OF THE BARGAU RIVER VALLEY.
illona:
How many publishers did you submit 'Dracul' to ?
My
agent submitted it to 5 or 6, you know, the usual, Random House,
etc. They all gave it good marks, but weren't doing that type
for now. Publish America sort of specializes in vampire tales,
so it was a good fit. by the way, they published the book
"Band of Brothers", which was made into a series for TV
by Home Box Office. And they just published a book by Jamie
Farr (the guy from the old MASH series).
illona:
You've had excellent reviews at Amazon and PublishAmerica. Are you
planning any more books in this genre?
I
have another in the works, a sequel written in three sections that
converge in the end, but I'm playing down the Dracula part (he's
dead, sort of), but the bad guy that replaces him is very ominous
indeed. It also carries forward with Jessica, who moves
to San Francisco and buys an old Victorian Hotel (The Hotel California)
and lures veterans to stay and uses them as blood "cows"
(you know the song..."you can check out any time you want,
but you can never leave...). Jeff Harker is converted but most unwillingly
and they (Jessica, Jeff, and the master vampire all come together
with a main character interacting with Jessica in a grand finale.)
illona:
You've been nominated for THE Bram Stoker award! What's that all
about then?
Well,
it was really a friend of mine who nominated me, but I'm very flattered.
The Bram Stoker, in my mind, is quite political. Only Horror
Writers Association members can nominate and vote, and usually,
it's the famous people who get it, like Stephen King (who I like
mostly but has sold out to the $), Graham Masterton (who deserved
it).
illona:
What is your view on the way the vampire genre has developed since
Bram Stoker?
I
like the gothic style of BS, but I love the way it's evolving.
The Vampire is real, in some ways. It is a direct antithesis
of the Judeo-Christian beliefs, i.e. the body and blood of
Christ. So Bram Stoker was much more clever than we probably
realize. Some of the modern Vampire stories are wonderful.
Anne Rice is a good example. Some are pure shit.
illona:
And Buffy?
Love
it for the fun, that's about all it's worth, though. I don't
think it was meant to be too serious.
illona:
So your favourite vampire book is Queen of the Damned. Wouldn't
have anything to do with Akasha would it?
Akasha
is hot. Kind of like you Illona! But, seriously, Anne
Rice was inspired to create her. I don't know how she keeps
it up. But, however she does, I hope she goes on forever.
illona:
What do you read for 'fun'?
Rice,
Koontz, King, old Lovecraft stuff, just about any horror.
I even read Michener from time to time, and a few other non horror
authors.
illona:
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Follow
your heart. Write for your self and don't expect it to sell,
if it does, then it's gravy, because you did what you wanted and
were true to yourself.
illona:
Do you believe in real vampires?
Yes.
If by vampire you mean one who is the epitome of evil, lust and
pleasures of the flesh, or one who sucks the life force from society
in the philosophical sense, most definitely.
illona:
If Count Dracula came up to you and offered you the chance of immortality,
would you go for it?
Maybe.
I have my lusty side and sometimes would embrace all the pleasures
of the flesh, but to live forever, I don't know. Sometimes
I don't feel like living another day, so to have no end? it is too
intimidating.
'Dracul:
The Vampire Returns is from PublishAmerica:
(c)
Bloodlust-UK.com. All Rights Reserved
