Along with the redesign of the website last week came my choice of favourite quote.
A quote has to stand alone, be memorable, make you feel something and at the same time take you back to what the book stands for.
It can be funny, powerful or true in a way that kicks you in the gut. They’re best if they make you want to know more. About the world it comes from. The narrator who spoke it. The writer who thought it.
Rebel here, yeah? Is one of my favourite quotes because in one of Light’s typical phrases it sums up the Rebel Vampiresseries. It allows me to imagine him in leather jacket, with London accent and British sense of ballsy humour. Because it’s not thrown out in the midst of one of his MMA fights or end of the world battles:
‘So, I guess you did read my journal then? I noticed it’d been straightened on the crochet table. It’s not like I leave anything straight, is it? Because rebel here, yeah?
I knew you’d read my pissed off ramblings, when you tossed the black jeans and t-shirt at me, before slamming down a cup of blood and banging out. Not a single glance at me. Not one word.
OK, wanker here, and you’re a… I don’t know yet. That’s what brings me out in a cold sweat – the uncertainty, which haunts all slaves – because nothing is under their control, least of all what their new owner will be like.’ (Blood Shackles)
I love fantasy, which is different. Challenging. Unique.
Fantasy that thrills and draws me in. That doesn’t make me shrug my shoulders in the gesture of I’ve read it all before. Or I’ve forgotten it even as I’m reading it.
Blood Shackles is written as The Slave Journal of Light.
‘A5 textured Italian calf leather, framed by smooth burgundy; it’s so deep red I could suck the blood from it.’
Photo by Flickr User Joel Montes De Oca: Journal Entry
A journal is immediate, direct and gripping. It forces the reader into a relationship with the writer. And allows the author to play with the unreliable narrator, just as Light plays with the actual reader of the journal – his Mistress.
‘So, dear Reader (because I know you’re reading this, there’s no use pretending otherwise), did you reckon giving me this poncey journal – all softness and stink of leather – would make me spill my Soul? You already have my body, bought and paid
for. You think you have my mind. My thoughts, however..? They’re my own. Write in it every day, you’d ordered, with that little smile. What do you think this is: Bridget Jones’s Diary?’
Here are 3 fantasy books, which pull the same trick. Exciting. Explosive. And different.
I’m all about the different.
3 of the Most Unique Fantasy Books – Ever:
Shadows of the Apt by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Actually written by the British author Adrian Czajkowski but he had his name changed. And the world he creates? Brilliant. Inventive. And just a little crazy… In his universe, different ‘kinden’ are divided by the insects they’ve been crossbred with. As well as whether they’re tech or magic. Yet there’s no magic good, tech bad. It’s a complex seething mix of war and emotions – in a ten book series.
Mechanique: A Tale of the Circus Tresaulti by Genevieve Valentine
A haunting and beautiful steampunk tale about a circus, war and magic. But the true magic? The narrative inventiveness. Shifts in point of view, style and even tenses. This may be a love or hate book. But it’s unique. And I love that.
Was there ever any doubt? 41 books of sheer explode your head with imaginative joy. Just think: here the world balances as a flat disc on the back of four elephants, which in turn stand on the back of a giant turtle. Almost nothing is safe from the satire: myth, fairy tales, even vampires…
What’s the most unique fantasy book you’ve ever read?
At last…it’s time for the glory, the tears and the…I Love Vampires CompetitionWinner to be announced!
Why do I love vampires? What? You didn’t ask? Writer rules, so here’s why: they’re deep in our culture. Our heritage. Our psyches. They transform and become what we need. What we love, hate and fear. Zombies and werewolves? They do the same.
Rebel here…so no straightjacketing questions. Just ‘I love vampires…’ and if that was true? You could finish it any way you wanted.
And boy did you.
Honorary Mentions go to…
Leah Hess: ‘I love vampires because they’re beautiful and dark. They’re stronger, faster, wise. I have always loved them. When I was little and asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I’d reply a vampire!’
Tashia Jennings: ‘Vampires are seductive, mysterious and can live forever.’
Isn’t the attraction to vampires the sense they’ve conquered death – and the fear of our own?
Patti Griner: ‘What’s not to like about seductive, hot men who are great in bed?’
Enough said.
Sotia Lazu: ‘I adore vampires. Don’t care that some publishers consider them a fad. They’re my favourite supernatural!’
Just give us the names and we’ll set the Blood Lifers on them…
MCD Baxter: ‘I love vampires, always did, always will. So much so, that as they were portrayed as monsters and hating themselves, I began writing (back in 95) a story where the violence would be to a minimum — it would not have the same Human-Vampire interactions — they would love themselves for what they are; Romance figures prominently.’
I always like vampires with a twist…
Amy Bernal: ‘I have loved vampires since I was 7 years old. I always thought they were real and wanted to join them. Growing up they fascinated me. The darkness, the mystery and of course the immortality. I am partially disabled and still deep within me, if they were real I would totally ask or beg to be one.’
Would you become a vampire – if it was offered to you?
Three reasons: knowledge of the genre, humour and a genuine love, which shines through every word. See for yourself below. And the name of the vampire loving Queen?
Cherri-Anne Boitson
CONGRATULATIONS!
To you the glory – and the handcrafted LOVE bracelet: this will be winging bat-like to you with a note from me soon.
And here’s Cherri-Anne’s glorious entry:
‘I love vampires because they are VAMPIRETACULAR!! VAMPIRELICIOUS!! And they are ABSO-BLOODY-LUTELY the most magical, the most intriguing, the most drool-worthy paranormal out there!
They get my blood pumping every time! It doesn’t matter if they are good, bad, everything in between or the perfect mix of both!
I have loved Vampires since before they sparkled, wrote in their diary, and were even popular! In fact, when I first discovered Vampires, I was barely into double digits and they definitely were not a romance subject! There wasn’t even a “paranormal genre” per se at that time! (And no, my books were paper, not stone. I am not THAT old! LOL wink)
In fact, my Vampire Mate is THE KING and I, his Queen, of ALL Immortals! (Wink but sssshhh! I am not supposed to brag about it. Something about bragging being not very “Royal”, whatever that means! *eye roll*)
Congratulations to the winner, honorary mentions and everyone who took part. I love vampires – and I love my readers. So my contests are a perfect mix.
And if Cherri-Anne is a real Vampire Queen and her mate the King… always best to keep on her good side…
Light is a British vampire – not in doubt from the very first line of Blood Dragons: ‘You know those vampire myths? Holy water, entry by invitation only and sodding crucifixes? Bollocks to them.’
I wanted a fantasy novel with a British vampire front and centre. Neither the love interest. Nor the sidekick. But the antihero at its beating heart.
A Londoner born in the Victorian age, Light takes on the persona of a 1960s Rocker. He loves only two things: his Triton motorbike – ‘a sodding scarlet slash of beauty…and my bloody god’ and his Ace of Spades leather jacket. Unless you include Ruby: ‘my red-haired devil, Author, muse, liberator…my gorgeous nightmare.’ Or Kathy… And then there’s Grayse…
But being boldly British – a mix of Victorian and 1960s – Light has a way of speaking, which is all his own.
So here’s 20 Blinding English Slang Words and Phrases You Need to Know
Books, books, books… I love books. Reading them. Writing them. Dreaming about them… OK, sometimes I eat and sleep too. Then there’s life. Pesky Real Life.
But books – who wouldn’t want to escape into them once in awhile?
I’ve been exploring Goodreads for the last couple of weeks. Now that’s one SERIOUS place to find books. Rate them. Review them. And vote for them in lists.
Fantasy Rebel is launching a Goodreads Giveaway tomorrow: Midnight Bank Holiday Monday. Enter for the chance of winning one of three AUTOGRAPHED paperback copies of Blood Dragons!
Come and make friends on Goodreads
See my profile page here and posts coming soon for further details.
Latest News: Blood Dragons was selected by Underground Book Reviews as a Pitch Perfect Finalist this week! The winner will be chosen by the public this week.
Tonight at 7pm GMT I’m appearing on the Cindy Hurn Show on W4CY Radio. Click here to listen in.
We’ll be discussing creativity: what it means, who has it, how to get it and how not to lose it. Also – and I reckon this is most important of all – how to be authentic. Maybe this is the root of all creativity. All great writing. It works for me.
On Thursday I appeared on BBC Radio Oxford. I featured on Kat Orman’s show, discussing Blood Dragons: memory, identity and vampires. This is an in depth interview – an investigative look at the ‘story behind the story’. Why I chose to write Blood Dragons. It has moved some readers to contact me. I hope it moves many more. Click here for the full interview.
On 19th September 3pm EST and 8pm GMT I will be appearing on the very cool DouglasColeman Show. Or that could be with the very cool Douglas Coleman. Either way, we’ll be chatting about the 1960’s, rock ‘n’ roll and why vampires can be for adults. Listen in here. This will be one fun interview.
I love FANTASY books. They’re imaginative. Unique. Challenging. There are nearly 60 subgenres – and each subgenre is different. Alternate history fantasy, dark fantasy, urban fantasy… I’ll write about genre soon. What do you think?
I LOVE modern British fantasy. I’ve picked five of the best. Who would you have chosen?
American Gods is genius. But Neverwhere was the TV series, which turned me on to urban fantasy in a big way. It’s now also a book. Richard is the everyman character, who falls through the cracks into London Below. A world literally beneath London. It’s magical, unpredictable and terrifying.
JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL by Susanna Clarke
A strange, challenging and original book. It reimagines the entire history of England. It’s set in the nineteenth century in a world where magic once existed and is now being brought back by two magicians. It questions ‘Englishness’ and the line between ‘reason’ and ‘unreason’. It won a bunch of awards.
Urban Fantasy – Burned by Benedict Jacka
FATED by Benedict Jacka
A dark mage with the ability to see into the future – that’s it. Alex Verus’ whole powers. Apart from his dry – very English – sense of humour. It’s marketed as being an English Dresden Files – and it is. What’s not to enjoy?
Here’s a mythologised London: its past and its legends. Peter Grant – a detective – learns about magic, whilst investigating a murder. He becomes an apprentice wizard. This is a police procedural within an urban fantasy.
THE INVISIBLE LIBRARY by Genevieve Cogman
There should be no division between women and men writing in the fantasy scene. But in the last few years there’s been a large number of powerful books written by women within fantasy in Britain. The Invisible Library won, however, because it celebrates London. It bursts with ideas. Irene – the librarian – has to retrieve (i.e. steal) precious books from across perilous parallel universes…with vampires and werewolves…luckily Irene has her wit and intelligence to survive.
What would you have chosen?
My British fantasy novel, Blood Dragons, is also set in London. But this time it’s a divided world: between the First and Blood Lifers. Where the predators are also the prey.
Rebel Vampires Volume 1: Blood Dragons is released on the 14th August.
There will be a virtual launch and release day blog tour.
I’ll post the calendar of events nearer the day, so you can follow, share and join in.
I’ve always loved vampire books. The best ones twist the concept of ‘vampire’. They unsettle and disturb, reflecting back something about society. Of course they must still be thrilling.
Cave in Gibraltar
I haven’t chosen the most obvious novels – for example, BRAM STOKER’S Dracula (1897) . Or LAURELL K HAMILTON’S Guilty Pleasures (1993).
If you love vampire fiction (and what’s not to love?) it’s hard to narrow down BUT here are ten of the best:
Photo by Flickr User Sebastien Lebrigand: boeing 777 sun
10. THE STRAINby Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hugo (2009). Its most interesting aspect is its biological emphasis. The book’s centred on a vampiric virus and what happens when infected passengers from a Boeing 777 infect New York.
New York
9. THE FLEDGLING by Octavia E. Butler (2005)
Brilliantly written. It has a decidedly sci-fi flavour and yet another twist on the meaning of ‘vampire’. It’s a great example of how horror and science fiction can be used to hold up a looking glass to society: racism, sexism and poverty.
8.LOST SOULS by Poppy Z Brite (1992)
A horror novel. Unique, graphic and evocative. The vampires are the anti-heroes. They can even feed on beauty and love, as well as blood.
7. FAT WHITE VAMPIRE BLUES by Andrew Fox (2003)
Who said vampire novels had to be serious? Darkly comic writing at its best. The fat, white vampire in question is Jules, a New Orleans vampire. He’s simply struggling to get by. Unexpected and original.
6. I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson (1954)
Haunting and disturbing. A study in loneliness. Robert is left as the sole survivor of a pandemic of a virus, which looks like vampirism.
5. LIVE GIRLS by Ray Garton (1987)
A cult classic. Followed by a sequel in 2005 Night Life. When Davey loses his job, girlfriend and self-esteem, he makes the mistake of visiting a seedy peepshow ‘Live Girls’…The novel is gritty and dark. Blood and sex are linked explicitly.
4. CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT by Dan Simmons (1992)
Vampirism is given a clear, scientific explanation. With a sci-fi feel, the novel is both realistic and disturbing.
My Vampire Books
3. THE HISTORIAN by Elizabeth Kostova (2005)
Kostova blends history and folklore of Vlad Tepes and his fictional equivalent Count Dracula. This is the read for anyone who claims they’ll never read a vampire novel.
2. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN by John Ajvide Lindqviste (2004)
Freaky, in just the right way…About the relationship between Oskar, a twelve year-old boy and a centuries-old vampire child, Eli. It explores the darker side of humanity: alcoholism, bullying, anxiety, fatherlessness and murder. Yet it’s beautiful, poignant and haunting.
All right, so this is well known…but Anne Rice is one of my favourite writers. A revisionist novel, which turned vampire fiction on its head. It contains a family unit of vampires. It also shows how a society of vampires would function.
Fantasy Book: Blood Dragons
My new vampire book – Blood Dragons – also twists the genre.
Blood Lifers are ‘the Lost’ species: a camouflaged predator. They’ve evolved alongside humans (First Lifers) but are hidden – both predator and prey.
Rebel Vampires Volume 1: Blood Dragons is released in paperback and e-book in August.
In 1971 Professor Zimbardo set up the now infamous Stanford Prison Experiment.
Students were separated into prisoners and guards. To see the impact these roles would have.
Zimbardo watched to see what they would do…
Zimbardo was shocked by what happened next. In fact, the two week experiment had to shut down after six days. Guards become sadistic. Prisoners became depressed.
ROBERT J SAWYER’S latest science fiction book Quantum Night peeks behind the curtain at Zimbardo’s experiment. At real life prison and guard situations since. And then as such violence increases, why they could occur…
It caught my eye because my play, Random 12 is a modern retelling of the Stanford Prison Experiment. If the experiment was repeated now – the same thing wouldn’t happen. Would it?
A Professor, who’d studied as a researcher under Zimbardo, wrote to me after seeing the play. He said Random 12 was closer to the spirit of the original experiment than anything he’d read or seen.
What’s REALLY interesting is what I learned, behind the scenes, whilst we were performing the play.
A psychological thriller – the darkness within and what we’re all capable of (if put into different roles) – created a real buzz. The show sold out. It created exciting audience discussions – heated too.
Uniforms – the impact they had on the actors. Both to those who wear them and those
Photo by Flickr user Robert Couse-Baker: The Toughest Beat
who react to them. As soon as the actors started wearing them they walked differently. Spoke differently. Seemed more confident. And had less to do with the ‘prisoners’.
The prisoners… were isolated from the guards. More subdued. But became very close.
The bond – particularly after the show ended. As if we’d truly been through something together.
Photo by Flickr user Frank Bonilla: Inside the Brain
Psychology – why we act the way we do – is the heart of good writing. It fascinates me. And as a reader, I love books that explore the darker side of our nature – as well as the good.
Rebel here, yeah? Is one of my favourite quotes because in one of Light’s typical phrases it sums up the Rebel Vampires series. It allows me to imagine him in leather jacket, with London accent and British sense of ballsy humour. Because it’s not thrown out in the midst of one of his MMA fights or end of the world battles:
OK, wanker here, and you’re a… I don’t know yet. That’s what brings me out in a cold sweat – the uncertainty, which haunts all slaves – because nothing is under their control, least of all what their new owner will be like.’ (Blood Shackles)
To you the glory – and the handcrafted LOVE bracelet: this will be winging bat-like to you with a note from me soon.
I’ve been exploring Goodreads for the last couple of weeks. Now that’s one SERIOUS place to find books. Rate them. Review them. And vote for them in lists.
We’ll be discussing creativity: what it means, who has it, how to get it and how not to lose it. Also – and I reckon this is most important of all – how to be authentic. Maybe this is the root of all creativity. All great writing. It works for me.
rosemaryajohns.com 
