Kelley Armstrong wisely switches narrarator protagonists and storylines, which keeps everything fresh and new. Next week "Waking the Witch" will be released, and in my humble opinion it's one of the best ones that Kelley's written. I love the new character, and the voice just comes out right. It's also a great introduction to the series if you've not read any of the Otherworld books. In fact her website has been revamped, and if you're not familiar with her, stroll over to http://www.kelleyarmstrong.com/.
I was honored to get the chance to ask a few questions. Kelley is one of the strongest writers in the genre and I really wanted to pick her brain regarding the fascination with this genre, her mystery novels, and young adult fiction. I also got a chance to ask about those campy '60s crossovers that I love so dearly.
Eric Mays: Thanks, Kelley, for joining us. I want to start where it all began (typically a good place). "Bitten". I read it, believe it or not. I liked it. You seemed to have your finger on the pulse that this sort of sub-genre was going to be huge. You sold Bitten in '99. At that time, Charlaine Harris was still known as a mystery writer; Kim Harrison was 5 years from publishing her first book; and Stephanie Meyer had not yet emerged on the scene. How does it feel to help pioneer the field?Kelley Armstrong: It was odd, because in my early writing years, I chased markets, trying to get a foot in the door. In the meantime, I worked on Bitten, which I was sure had no market, but I loved the story. Not surprisingly, that’s the one that sold, because it was where my passion was. But I worried it wouldn’t find an audience. Then after it sold, I discovered Laurell K Hamilton was already doing something similar, and after Bitten came out, I learned about Charlaine’s series and Jim Butcher’s series. So I actually was tapping into a market—one that was being created just in time for my books to slide into it. It was an incredible stroke of timing!
EM: In your Otherworld books - which really are great - you've got several strong protagonists. Paige, Elena, Eve. Which is your favorite? I'm sure all of them possess little bits and pieces of you.KA: I don't have a favorite, but some are easier to write than others. Elena is the easiest because I've written the most from her point of view. They all have a trait or two in common with me, though. That just makes them easier to write. Elena is my age and grew up in my geographic area. Paige and I share a common interest in computers. Eve and I both have daughters around the same age.
KA: All three series provide something different for me as a writer. And that’s really what I need—variety, both between series and within the series itself. As much as I love Elena, I’d have burned out very quickly writing non-stop books with her as the narrator!
EM: Going back to Otherworld, it seems that this sub-genre of paranormal fiction is dominated by female writers. You do get the occasional male (Jim Butcher, Simon Green), but you've got to admit it's pretty estrogen-skewed. Are women better at writing this sort of fiction?
KA: I think one big reason for the skew is the audience. It’s primarily female, and while most women seem quite willing to read a male novelist writing from a male point of view, this subgenre seems to have naturally gravitated to the point of view of the main audience (women) which usually means a female author (though not always!) For that audience, too, romantic subplots are a plus, something you don’t always find with male writers.
EM: If one of your protagonists from the Otherworld series could do one of those campy 60's crossover episodes, what books or shows would you want to see her in? And who would it be? (and, yes, you're welcome for the complete non-sequitar)
KA: For sheer fun, I’d pick an Anne Rice cross-over. I did a subplot in Industrial Magic with vampires who’d rather be in an Anne Rice novel, and it was a lot of fun. I love Rice’s work—she was a huge influence on me—but our worlds really don’t mesh well, and I suspect our characters wouldn’t either.
EM: "Waking the Witch" is upcoming. For those that have not cracked an Otherworld book, why should they do so now?
KA: “Waking the Witch” is a very easy entry point into the series. It might be book eleven, but it’s the first time for this narrator, and the setting and most characters are new. It’s also my youngest narrator (she’s 21 and about to conduct her first investigation) so it’s also a good entry point for older teens coming from my young adult series.
EM: You're Canadian (which I love, since Canada was very kind to my book, "Naked Metamorphosis", where as America was not so great). Maybe it's just a façade, but it seems that Canada isn't facing quite as much of an illiterate crisis as we are in the US. Does the rise of illiteracy concern you?
KA: It does, both in basic literacy and general literacy. I’ve met too many college professors with horror stories of kids graduating high school without basic reading and writing skills. That’s why, whenever I’m around educators lamenting the popularity of books like Twilight, I’ll say that I’m thrilled that teens have those books, because they’re getting them reading. There’s nothing better than getting an email from a teen—or adult—who picked up one of my books, realized reading can be fun, and started seeking out other authors and genres.
EM: You've been writing full-time since 2002, right? You're one of the lucky ones out there who can do that, so kudos! We have a lot of writers that read this site and are facebook friends. Any advice to them?
KA: My advice is incredibly boring. Whenever I speak to would-be novelists, I tell them to write—write as much as they can, as often as they can. Don’t hold onto ideas until they think they’re good enough to write them. We can’t get better if we don’t write. It took me many years and several unpublished novels, but it was worth it!
EM: Now you've got the esteem of having the moniker, New York Times Bestselling Author, before your name. Are you hot-tubbing every night? Eating caviar and sipping champagne?
KA: Oh, I wish. I grew up seeing Hollywood depictions of bestselling authors lounging in their beach homes, working an hour or two a day, then jetting off to glamorous locales… I’m convinced none of those scriptwriters had ever met a bestselling author. It’s definitely a full-time job, but it’s a dream job, too, and I love it.
EM: The obligatory: What's next?
KA: Up next is “Waking the Witch,” Otherworld #11 coming out July 27. Then, between that and the 2011 Otherworld book, I have a couple of novellas, a graphic novella, a YA novel and a slew of short stories coming out. Yes, I like to write!
I'm very serious when I tell you to pick up Kelley's newest book, Waking the Witch. It's one of the best ones in the series. Just click the picture to the left and drop it in your cart. Currently you'll save $10 if you pre-order it.
Next week we'll have quite a lot going on. For starters, we'll visit with author Matt Ruff, author of "Bad Monkeys", "Fool on the Hill", and "Sewer, Gas, & Electric". We'll also spotlight a very, very cool new book. And reviews galore.
If you've not "fanned" us (yes, we're that challenged in the ego department) on facebook, please do. Also, if you've got authors you want to see interviewed let me know. Further, if you've ever got the interest in contributing to the Authors Speak drop us an email.
Until next time, keep reading.
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