Suzanne McLeod Interview

Here today we have Suzannze McLeod, Urban Fantasy author of the Spellcrackers.com vampire series, an excellent series for any Urban Fantasy lover to devour.

Suzanne has given fantastic answers, which really give readers a look into how the books they enjoy come together. Take a look!

What do you think makes a good story?

SM: Thanks so much for the interview, and the great questions, Jalisa. Oh, my favourite stories are where I care about the main characters, and for the main characters to be proactive. I want them to try to do something about whatever problems they find themselves in (they don’t always have to succeed, in fact it’s usually better for the plot, though not so much for the characters, when things go wrong :-D), as opposed to angsting about what isn’t going their way, or waiting for someone else to sort things out. I also like a good plot, one that’s got plenty going on, and isn’t too predictable. And if there’s an interesting world, then I like to see the main character interacting with it. All of which makes a good story for me.

What’s your most interesting writing quirk?

SM: Hm, I don’t have any interesting writing quirks, though after naming three characters ‘Peter’ without realising I’d done so when I was writing The Sweet Scent of Blood, I now call all new characters XXX, until I hit on the right name for them.

Is there a certain thing that always inspires you (i.e., a setting, type of music, time of day), no matter what is going on?

SM: I can and have written at all times, and with all sorts of things going on around me (on trains, with builders banging, and the neighbours kids screaming!), though not many of them are inspirational (other than when I start contemplating how to do away with my baddies *g*). But I’m happiest when I get to write in total peace and quiet: no music, no TV, no phone, no interruptions and no ‘you need to do these jobs’ nagging at me. That way I can have fun with my characters, immerse myself in Genny’s world, and not worry about the real one.

When it comes to The Sweet Scent of Blood, how did you develop your world’s specific vampire lore? Did it come to you wholly formed or did you have to work it out?

SM: The vamps in Genny’s world have always been the typical blood-sucking, daylight-challenged type, plus, they’ve always been known to exist, even if to most they were, and sometimes still are, a scary minority that spends most of their time only interacting with those they want to, for their own (usually nefarious and selfish) reasons. But I didn’t want my vamps killing every time they fed, or making vamps with just one bite; neither seemed a practical way for the vamp species to survive: their food would either turn on them, die out, or everyone would end up a vamp.

Which was where I started, then I worked out the rest. One aspect of which is symbiosis. I decided part of the natural evolution of vamps as a species was 3V (vamp venom and virus infection). The venom in 3V is addictive; it increases the production of red blood cells; it negates all other diseases; and it promotes the health of the carrier. Which means, so long as the vamp ‘looks after’ the 3V infected victim, the victim will live a longer, healthier life than non-infected humans, and it also means that the vamp will always have a ready and willing food supply on tap. 3V is also part of how humans are physically and magically changed so they can take the Gift and hopefully survive becoming vamps; something that isn’t always a certainty in Genny’s world.

What part about The Sweet Scent of Blood story and world was most attractive to as an author? More specifically, what made you want to tell Genny’s tale?

SM: Lol! The whole of Genny’s world is my creation, so all of it is attractive to me *g*. I’m not sure I can pick a specific part – though I always love the walk-on characters who pop up on the page; they’re the ones who I can have a lot of fun with. And the magic is always cool to work out. Oh, and I do have a soft spot for the goblins. *g*
With telling Genny’s tale I wanted a main character who would have a connection to all aspects of her world, so it would be natural for her to become involved with the different parts, and species, during the course of each subsequent book. Which meant she had to have a seriously mixed-up background, the details of which Genny doesn’t really know or understand herself, though initially she thinks she does. All of which lead to some pretty emotional discoveries for Genny and makes her an interesting character to write about.

What’s your favorite vampire book? Why?

SM: Charlaine Harris’ Dead to the World. I love all the Sookie books with a passion, and they’re among my comfort reads. But this one, with Eric showing his vulnerable (and naked!) side, and getting together with Sookie for the first time, is my favourite. And it’s why I’ve always been ‘Team Eric’, even before the swoonworthy Alexander Skarsgård started playing him in True Blood. *g*

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

SM: Oh, an easy one to finish! I love to read. I’m always reading, though if I’m deep in my own book, I quite often re-read my comfort reads. And when I finish a book, I usually have a reading orgy, which would ideally be on a sun-drenched beach, next to a sparkling turquoise sea with an icy pitcher of Margaritas, oh, and someone easy on the eyes to rub in the suncream . . . *dreams*

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Sounds like a dream that could definitely come true. ;) Thank you again, Suzanne! I really appreciate you taking the time for this wonderful interview.

If anyone is looking to find more out about Suzanne McLeod and her very hot Spellcrackers.com series, check her website here!

And don’t forget to enter to win a chance at picking one of her wonderful books for free in the 2 Good 2 Be True Giveaway!