Interview with Carole Gill

Carole Gill

Interview Date: 7/6/2012

Biography

I've always written but life, as it often does, got in the way and I turned back to writing some years ago.
In 2000 I was selected by North West Playwrights of England for further development but found I preferred writing fiction (novels and short stories).
I write stories of the paranormal, horror, and love. I'm the creator of Louis Darton, a strong vampire with a dark, tortured past. Come journey with me as I help Louis find love and fight his ultimate nemesis, the evil, demonic Eco.
Louis is featured in my dark gothic romance novel, The House on Blackstone Moor which has just been released in its newly edited verison and is on sale here.
Dreams of a Vampire is the short story prequel to the novel. It includes the first fourteen chapters of The House on Blackstone Moor. It has just gone on sale here at Amazon.
Know what I want to do? I want to take gothic romance where it's never been! I'm a horror aficionada with a soft heart. I believe that even in the darkest of moments, a rose can bloom, and its beauty can make us hope again. I want to take you on a wild, dark journey of fear, despair, and pain, on to ultimate redemption and love. These tales will shock you. Between these pages, your heart will not be safe.


When did you start writing, and was there a significant event that prompted you to do so?

I started early. Both of my parents were sci-fi fans and I wrote a science fiction story at age 8. It was all that sci-fi karma in the house I guess!


If you could have one superpower, what would it? (Assuming said power would be reasonbly powerful.)

I would not need to sleep. I could get reading done at night and not waste any time be unconscious! I mean it’s so annoying to have to sleep!

Kev's response: Oh my gosh, how wonderful this would be...


Do you have a favorite superhero from novels, comics, or movies?

Superman! And I couldn’t figure out (truly) why he wasn’t used to fight in World War 2.

Kev's response: Some authors don't want to make their characters symbols of some things. That's my only guess for it.


Where do you get your inspiration for writing? What motivates you?

Life got in the way of my writing for years, but now that I’ve gone back to it, I’m so focused, so utterly gung ho about it that I can’t stop! Also my husband is a great cheerleader.

Kev's response: Pom Pom's and all? :)


Do you pre-plan your stories, or are you a by-the-seat-of-the-pants style writer?

No, I don’t work with any outline at all. I have an idea and that’s it. Now this applies to short fiction and novels. I’m finishing up my second and third novels now. Believe me, I wish I could use an outline. It just doesn’t work for me.


Do you write only when inspired, or do you have a set schedule where you sit down to write?

The best advice I ever received was not to wait for inspiration. As it turned out, this person became a best selling author. It was personal advice and I took it. I can get inspired about the reason I’m writing a particular thing, but if I want to get my novel done, I have to hit that keyboard every day. That’s seven days a week.

Kev's response: Same thinking here. It's VERY easy to sit down and read or watch TV, or walk, or play games, etc. rather than go into thinking mode and work.


Do you have a favorite genre to write in? To read?

Yes, I love horror. But I don’t like to read or write horror that uses gore as a plot device. I also enjoy reading the great gothic romances of times past but want to juice them up a bit with darker storylines and dark horror.

Kev's response: I'm with you. I love horror that has monsters in it, and I want to see them. But I'm not into slasher or torture porn.


What do you enjoy the most about writing?

The sense of accomplishment, from seeing an idea evolve into something people are reading and buying. I like feedback too. The reason I wrote the sequel and the series to my novel is the feedback I received.


Is there any part of writing that you don't enjoy?

The unrelenting commitment to it. The going without a film or reading because I just can’t spare the time. I love it, but it’s hard and it sometimes makes me crazy!

Kev's response: I would agree, but that would assume that I'm not already in the loony bin.... >;)


Can you tell me something odd about yourself?

Odd. Well, I went to acting school and I learned the Method, I like to feel my characters—to really become them as it were. I just love when the characters become so real to me. Not sure if that’s odd, but on a scale of 1-10 Odd, it might be about a 3?

Kev's response: Interesting point. Sometimes, I visualize myself putting on a mask to shift "into" that character's head. I wish I could afford to have some kind of ballroom masks made and actually wear them, I bet they would help a ton.


Do you write one story at a time, or do you have several novels in the works at one time?

No way! I need to be focused on one work at a time, fully focused. I think you can have a short story perhaps in the back of your mind that you’re thinking about, but to actually divide up your time between multiple projects—I’d say that’s not for me!


Are you for, or against, evil plots to take over the world? (Not saying I'm doing that, but thought I'd ask, just in case....)

I think the evil plotters already took over the world. They probably did after they crept up from the primordial waters. Of course with the dawn of man, things went from bad to worse.

Kev's response: Aw, man. I'm too late? Always the late one to the party.


Where do you see the future as far as paper books versus digital e-books?

I think paper books will be around but I really think that in a 80 to 100 years they might be in museums. Of course the museums might be in orbit and so might we. I honestly think digital is going to increase its presence.


What are your current projects?

I am not a writer of fluffy vampire fiction. Just though I’d throw that in. I am finishing books 2 and 3 in The Blackstone Vampire Series, the 4th in the series will follow at year’s end.


Do you have any advice for others about self-publishing?

I would say to always have your work professionally edited. That is very important. It’s just worth it!


Do you have any online sites where readers can find out more about you (and your books)?

http://carolegillofficialauthor.blogspot.co.uk/ Blog/website and for further information including my bio, my author page at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Gill/e/B0032TTVVA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Kev's response: Carole, thanks much. I love vampire stories, and I hope yours do well!



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