Let's see what Debbie had to say about reading, writing and zombies!
1. It’s Halloween, pick 3 of your favorite writers to paint the town red with and tell us why you chose them.
Debbie says: Hmmm…Let’s see…I think Richelle Mead, because she knows all the cool vampires, Carrie Vaughn for her werewolf connections, and Devon Monk because she really understands Magic…to the Bone!
2. You’re ready to head out with your pillowcase to collect loads of confections on All Hallows’ Eve, what’s your costume and why did you choose it?
Debbie says: I’m a dragon, of course. Red scales, gold eyes, with a lovely diamond-tipped tail! The main characters in my “Sorcha’s Children” novels are dragon-shifters and I’d love to shift out of my human skin sometime and join them in flight!
3. Old Mrs. Robinson opens her door and you’re holding open your pillowcase patiently waiting. “Oh deary,” she says in her frail, little old-lady voice. “I forgot it was Halloween. Don’t know why you kids go begging anyways. Let me go find something to give you.” She shuffles off and finally returns three and a half minutes later with 5 pennies, 2 peppermint candies that look like they went through the dryer, and her deceased husbands dentures. “Take what you like,” she offers, squinting at you.
What do you choose and why.
Debbie says: The dentures. I’ll put them on a shelf above my writing desk and wait for them to inspire a story. Who knows? They might even start chattering and tell me all about their last owner’s misadventures.
4. I really love reading Dean Koontz but some of his stuff scares the bejesus out of me. What’s the spookiest book you’ve ever read?
Debbie says: I don’t know about spooky, but Diana Gabaldon writes some pretty intense torture scenes. One that made me put the book down and walk away came in “A Breath of Snow and Ashes” when Claire was abducted. What came after was terrifying in its reality!
5. You’re a writer by day and supernatural creature by night. (Shed that human skin you sack of bones) What are you and why?
Debbie says: Well, since I’ve already told you about my affinity for dragons, I’ll move to my next favorite creature: a wolf. Intelligent, powerful, able to work cooperatively, and supremely untamed. If a wolf honors you with his trust, make sure you’re worthy!
6. Every author has a bookshelf filled with his or her favorite reads. Run on over to yours and tell us the scariest book you have.
Debbie says: “Survivor in Death” by JD Robb is a favorite of mine. There’s nothing like a child in peril to make my blood run cold.
7. We don’t all write horror but there comes a time when you’ve got to surprise your readers and make sure their hearts are still beating. How do you prepare yourself to get in the spooky writing mood?
Debbie says: I don’t write horror, but that doesn’t mean I don’t write horrific scenes. I usually write those scenes early in the morning, before I have time to fully examine what needs to happen. I sit in my writing chair, put myself into my character, and write into the dark. What emerges from my subconscious often astounds me.
8. Stephen King’s front porch light is on but there are no Halloween decorations.
Do you:
a) trick-or-treat and cross your fingers that he’s handing out the good stuff
b) run screaming
c) call your mom to bring your favorite King paperback and beg for an autograph
Debbie says: Definitely “c”! Hey, his light’s on. I’m allowed to knock on his door on Halloween. Now if the light were off, I’d slink right on past with a wary glance over my shoulder.
9. Congratulations, you just won the literary lottery and sold a million books at full price! The royalty check clears on October 28th. What are you buying for the neighborhood kids?
a) an assortment of mini candybars
b) an assortment of cheap, hard candies
c) full size Hershey bars
Debbie says: I’m in celebration mode! Definitely splurging on the full-size Hershey bars!
10. Your writer friend calls you with some frightening news. They’re giving up on writing, can’t take the pressure any longer. What do you tell them?
Debbie says: I’d encourage her to take some time off. Do other things. Feed her muse. If she’s meant to write, when her battery is recharged, she won’t be able to stop herself from telling the stories that will be buzzing in her head.
