Saturday, April 26, 2008

Cowabunga!

UPDATE: The winner of a signed copy of Nancy's LA VIDA VAMPIRE is Ruth!! Ruth, email me with your address and we'll get your prize out to you ASAP. gemmahalliday (at) gmail (dot) com. Congrats!!


I am so excited about Nancy Haddock’s new book, La Vida Vampire. Not only is this her debut book (I just love debuts!!), it’s all about a too cool vampire surfer chick named, Cesca, who teams up with a sexy ex-slayer to solve a murder mystery. How is that not a good time? And, because Nancy is just that cool, she’s giving away a signed copy to one lucky commenter today! So, let’s give a killer welcome to Nancy…


What an honor to be blogging at Killer Fiction today! Killer Fiction authors are awesome, and they’re wonderful women, too. Thank you, Gemma, for inviting me, and waves to all of you!

Uh, excuse me a moment while I nudge my cohort and the star of La Vida Vampire, Cesca Marinelli, to join me.

I edge down the hall. You hear a whispered exchange.

“Cesca, we’re on. It’s time to talk about the book,” I say.

But Cesca can sure dig in her, uh, heels.

“You must be on something stronger than triple shot Starbucks if you think you’re getting me out there,” she replies.

“Why? Our hostesses are nice people. What’s the problem?”

Cesca peers out at Maddie Springer’s shoes and bites her lip - sans fangs – before she turns back to me.

“We can’t wear shorts and flip flops to this party. These ladies are fashionable right down to their killer heels, and so are their characters. I do read over your shoulder, you know.”

“Yeah, I figured that wasn’t Adrian Paul breathing down my neck, but why is high fashion suddenly a hang up? St. Augustine is one of the Casual Capitals of the entire world. You like casual.”

“I like,” she sniffs, “being properly dressed for the occasion. After all, it’s simple good manners.”

“Okay, then, change, but make it snappy. Wear the red number Saber likes.”

Cesca blushes, but through the miracle of technology - and a touch of vamp speed - she’s now wearing her power red skirt outfit and even sporting –

“Where did you get stilettos?” I cry now that she’s four inches taller and really towering over me.

Cesca smirks. “They’re on loan from Maddie. Sexy, huh?”

I eye her wobbling ankles and give thanks she’s a vampire. I have the feeling she’s hooked, and deadlines just don’t wait for broken bones to heal.

“Now what do you want me to talk about?” she asks, still eyeing the shoes with something akin to worship.

“You can start by telling people how we met and began our collaboration on La Vida Vampire.”

“Uh-huh.”

“And move on to your training as a ghost tour guide and how you learned to surf.”

“Um-hmm.”

“Then you can brag on what a fabulous writer and champion surfer I am, and how Saber wanted me but settled for you.”

“In your dreams,” she says, and I know I have her attention again. “You’re a champion faller.”

Can’t argue with that.

“Tell you what, Nance. You go talk about the book. I’m gonna see what Saber thinks of these shoes.”

“Wait a minute. What happened to simple good manners?”

“Oh, I think these ladies will understand if I duck out to show Saber these babies. I’ve read the blogs.”

Grrrr. “Fine, and if Saber likes the stilettos?”

“Then you get to take me shopping.”

I sigh. “Go, but when you come up for air, return Maddie’s shoes and get ready for revisions. We have a second book to deliver.”


Characters. A writer can’t live without ‘em, but it’s ever so much easier when they cooperate.

How about your characters? Do they promptly come out to play when you call? Do you have special coaxing – or coping – mechanisms when they don’t? Do you take your characters shopping, or is it just me? Inquiring minds want to turn the tables on Cesca, so sing out!


Nancy Haddock
http://www.nancyhaddock.com
http://www.myspace.com/nancyhaddock
http://www.shelfari.com/nancyhaddock

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nancy, the book sounds like great fun! I can't wait to read it.

And I find my characters tend to be Really Bossy. And they're worse than a bunch of three-year-olds vying for attention. *g*

Gemma Halliday said...

Do you have any idea how hard I was cracking up when I read that post? ;) Hey, if Saber loves the heels, Maddie says she can keep them. Every girl needs a pair of sexy heels.

~Gemma

Anonymous said...

My 24 year old daughter is reading every vampire book she can get her hands on so I'll have to tell her about yours, Nancy.

BTW, I keep seeing my character (new wip) in a wedding boutique trying on wedding dresses just like she and her best friend did when they were teens. I haven't written the scene ... had no plans for such ... Think my character is trying to tell me something? Okay...I'm listening.

Thanks for the interesting post, Nancy. Great stuff!

Edie Ramer said...

Nancy, hilarious! This is why I loved La Vida Vampire so much. Every thought and comment was authentically Cesca. (I'm gushing like Paula on American Idol, but it's true. Loved the book.)

I don't bother to try to rein in my characters anymore. My husband I say we didn't train our dog, she trained us. I'm afraid my characters think the same thing.

Kath Calarco said...

Hey, Edie, if you're dancing in your chair and your head's moving in a Valium induced bob, then you ARE PAULA! ;) (and I think our dogs went to the same doggie academy.)

Nancy, my characters do whatever they want, and when they get all stubborn and just want to sit around doing shots, I go for a drive/walk/dog-drag.

Great bit, by the way. I'll bet Sabre loves Cesca's FMP's! (and I really, really loved them both!)

Nancy said...

Hi Killer Fiction-ers!

I'm sorry for the delay responding - I was at a book signing until just now.

Tori, I'm laughing about your characters being three-year-olds vying for attention! They can sure be that unruly, can't they? Have a blast playing with them, and thank you so much for stopping to comment!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Hi Gemma!

I'm so glad the post cracked you up! Thanks to you and Maddie for the offer to keep the shoes - and here I thought Cesca wouldn't wear the super heels. Bet they end up in the revisions!

Have a spectacular Saturday!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Hi Jess!

Thanks so much for telling your daughter about La Vida Vampire ... especially since Cesca blew her lines. *g*

I love your trying-on-wedding-dresses scene! I can SO picture it, so, heck, go forth and have fun playing with your characters!

Thank you so much for your comments, and have a fab day!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Hi Edie!

Thank you for the compliments on La Vida Vampire, and on the blog! You are so kind!

I'm laughing about your dog - and your characters - training you. I'm with you on the dogs, and, hey, at least the characters are talking if they're bossing us around. Better than them clamming up, right?

Thanks so much for stopping by, Edie! Here's to writing like the wind!

Light,
Nancy

ruth said...

Nancy, Congratulations on this wonderful release.
Loved your entertaining post which lifted my mood and made my day.
Best of success.

Nancy said...

Head moving in a Valium induced bob? Characters doing shots?

Kath, you are one of the funniest ladies I know! I'm howling here!

Thank you for your sweet comments about Cesca and Saber! I think you're right that he's gonna love those FMPs, and, man, will that be a fun scene to write!

Thank so much for stopping by to comment, Kath! Have a stellar weekend!

Light,
Nancy

anne said...

Nancy, What a riot! Enjoyed reading about La Vida Vampire greatly. Thanks for the amusing blog. Your book is wonderful and I look forward to enjoying this unique tale.

Nancy said...

Hi Ruth!

I'm so thrilled the post lifted your mood today - what a wonderful compliment!

Thank you for your congrats on La Vida Vampire, and I hope you'll be in high spirits all the rest of your day - and all weekend, too!

Light,
Nancy

- finds you in

Nancy said...

Hi Anne!

What a treat for you to stop by and comment - thank you!

I hope you'll enjoy the full dose of Cesca and her merry band in La Vida Vampire, and I wish you the very best in every aspect of your life. Enjoy your day!

Light,
Nancy

pearl said...

La Vida Vampire is certainly a gem of a novel. The blog was an eye opener which peaked my interest. Congratulations!

ellie said...

Hi Nancy, Your new book sounds great! Thanks for this introduction which was wonderful! Reading this book will transport me to another realm.

Kathy Bacus said...

Hey, Nancy! So glad you and Cesca could come hang out at Killer Fiction today! Congratulations on the success of LA VIDA VAMPIRE!

And casual is the order of the day here as far as my buddy, Tressa Jayne, goes. For Tressa, it's all about the boots! (Oh, and the short denim skirts, too!)

As for characters being at my beck and call: DON'T I WISH! When they're being stubborn, I toss 'em in the shower (okay, so I take a shower) and for some reason that seems to help. I also take my characters for walks or sit on the patio with them and we have a nice heart to heart.

Thanks again, Nancy, for kicking it with the dangerous divas of Dorchester!

~Kathy a/k/a Bullet Hole Bacus~

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancy!

Loved your clever post with Cesca today! It's so true how characters can be a bit unruly at times . . . but I am almost relieved when they are active and choose to be difficult . . . it's so much better than when they would rather not 'come out and play' at all. :-)

Congratulations on your continued good news and success with Cesca!

-Jessica

Gemma Halliday said...

dangerous divas of Dorchester

Oooo... I like this!

And all my best character wrangling goes on in the shower, too. Go figure. I think maybe my characters get a kick out of seeing me scramble for a pen and paper with a head full of shampoo.

~Gemma

Nancy said...

Hi Pearl!

Thank you so much for visiting and commenting! I'm tickled that the blog has peaked your interest, and I hope you'll enjoy the novel if you decide to read it!

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Hi Ellie!

Ya'll are so kind! I'm grinning that you enjoyed this intro to Cesca, and hope the book will make you smile!

Happy weekend!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

... the dangerous divas of Dorchester - great line, Kathy!

You're one of the many Killer Fiction chicks I've long admired, and I appreciate your warm welcome!

I can't say that I shower with my characters - tho I might if they'd scrub my back. Especially Saber! I do sit on the patio with them, walk on the beach or go downtown with Cesca, or buy Cesca her own favorite Starbucks coffee. If nothing else, that'll usually loosen her up. *g*

Thanks for sharing the way you get your characters to cooperate, and have a marvelous rest of the weekend!

BTW, I think Tressa's boots are safe from Cesca. St. Augustine rarely gets cool enough for boots.

Light,
Nancy

Diana Cosby said...

Nancy,
I loved your interview. Thanks for making me smile! I wish you continued success!!! *Hugs*

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com

Nancy said...

Hi Jessica!

Thank you so much for stopping to chat with us!

I agree I'd rather have active characters - vying for attention as Tori mentioned - that to be quiet. Or AWOL! It's a bummer when we're ready to play and our characters aren't at home!

I appreciate your good wishes for the success of La Vida Vampire, and I hope you're writing like the wind this weekend!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

* I think maybe my characters get a kick out of seeing me scramble for a pen and paper with a head full of shampoo. *

Rolling with laughter, Gemma! What a great image that is! Amazing the lengths we go to in order to prod our story friends, isn't it?

Blogging with ya'll is such a kick!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Diana!

How nice of you to stop in when I know you must be packing for the move - and writing!

Any hints on how you wrangle your characters, Diana? (Wrangle. Great word, Gemma!)

Thanks for your good wishes! I send the same to you, and to all the writers here!

Light,
Nancy

Diana Cosby said...

Nancy said...

Diana!

How nice of you to stop in when I know you must be packing for the move - and writing!

~At the moment I'm taking a breather from reviewing the contract for our home we're building this year in TX. So, I wanted to have fun, and I knew if I stopped by and read your post, it'd be the fun break I needed. :)

Any hints on how you wrangle your characters, Diana? (Wrangle. Great word, Gemma!)

~Each character requires their own special handling. In my first book, His Captive, Alexander MacGruder was plain ole stubborn.

In my upcoming December release, His Woman, which features Alexander's brother, Duncan, I give it to Duncan to be the total charmer.
[*I'm thrilled to announce that His Woman is now available to pre-order. Yeah. A link can be found on my website.]

I'm currently working on Seathan's book, who is the oldest. With Seathan, by far, it's a daily [battle of wills. In our ongoing arguements as I write, I at times win. *G*

Thanks for your good wishes! I send the same to you, and to all the writers here!

~Always great seeing you. Enjoy your weekend!

Diana Cosby
www.dianacosby.com

Nancy said...

Diana, the issues you have with your characters makes total sense from what I know about their personalities!

So, we might project that a strong silent type might be silent when we want him to talk. Yeah, I know some writers who've experienced that!

Congrats on HIS WOMAN being ready to preorder, and thank you again for visiting!

Light,
Nancy

Nancy said...

Ladies, it's late here on the east coast, so I'm hitting the rack. I'll check in tomorrow, if I may, to answer any late comments.

Thanks again to the killer women of Killer Fiction for their warm welcome, and thank you to all who commented! It's been a pleasure to visit with you all!

Light,
Nancy

Lucy said...

Kind of late here but wanted to say that was a fun post. Loved the cover and the title of the book. Congratulations on your debut, sounds like you have a winner. :)

Kristi said...

Hi Nancy. I read your book about 3weeks ago. I just want you to know that I loved it! I read it in 2 days. I really like all of the characters and I love the setting of St. Augustine as well. Please keep them coming.

Unknown said...

Nacy, glad to see you here. I have never read any of your books but would love to. They sound fantastic.

Christie Craig said...

Ahh Nancy,

Thanks for the chuckle!!!

Great post. Those characters can difficult, can't they?

CC