Lara Adrian, author of the Midnight Breed series agreed to answer a few questions about writing and what we can expect from her future books. There is also a special prize awaiting a winner so I hope you will all be entering!Enjoy the interview and if you have any questions do ask! May Lara will stop by and answer them!
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Amber - Where did the idea for the 'Breed' series come from? Did you always want to write something Paranormal?
Lara - I have always been a huge fan of dark paranormal fiction, starting when I discovered my love for horror novels in middle school. Stephen King, John Saul and Dean Koontz were my addiction at that time. It seems very natural to me that I'm writing dark paranormal novels now, even if it took me a while to get here.
The idea for the Breed came out of my long-time fascination with vampires--the only "monster" that ever truly frightened me as a kid. Later on, once I was old enough to understand that vampires were also incredibly seductive (thank you, Anne Rice!) I developed a whole new fascination with the fanged creatures of the night. But it always kind of creeped me out that vampires were essentially walking corpses. All that cold, pasty white skin and no heartbeat? Um, yeah. Not exactly a turn-on. And let's not forget the prospect of sleeping in a coffin or under six-plus feet of raw topsoil every day from now till eternity. As much as I loved all the neck biting and lethal, preternatural charm of Lestat and Company, when it came to romantic fantasy, traditional vampirism left a bit to be desired.
In the summer of 2005, after a handful of years writing medieval romances, I finally had a chance to try my hand at something dark and supernatural. Vampires were my obvious first choice. But I wanted to put my own spin on the mythology--for starters, get rid of the "undead" and "damned" parts of the traditional folklore. My vampires took on more of a science fiction origin: a violent, otherworldly species that lived on blood, had immense physical and psychic power, and whose skin was hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. A small group of those alien conquerors crash-landed on Earth thousands of years ago and bred with uniquely gifted human women and from those matings came the first generation of my vampires, a hybrid human/alien species termed the Breed. I think of my vampire spin as something along the lines of Predator meets Blade.
Amber - How did you get into writing? Did you always want to be a writer?
Lara - Secretly, yes, I always dreamed of being a novelist. I was an enthusiastic reader from the time I first learned to read, and I quickly developed a love for language and storytelling. I dabbled in writing all through school, but I never really believed that a small town girl raised in the rural Midwest U.S., without a college degree and absolutely zero contacts in New York publishing could ever manage to break into print as a novelist. So, instead I busied myself working a variety of corporate and management jobs, during which time I met the man I would marry. He was the one who encouraged me to rekindle my interest in writing. His gift of faith and confidence in me was just the push I needed.
It took me two years to write my first complete manuscript (a medieval romance). Along the way I joined Romance Writers of America, studied the market, made other writer friends, and met a handful of agents and editors at appointments at the national conference. Just a few months after I began submitting my manuscript, it sold out of the slush pile to Shauna Summers at Ballantine Books and I was on my way to becoming a published author! Serendipitously, eight years later, it would be Shauna Summers again (who'd since left to work for Bantam Dell) who bought my first vampire romance and launched this new leg of my writing career.
Amber - You have alot of characters in your books and I would love to know who your favourites are so far?
Lara - Actually, I try not to play favorites with my characters, especially when I'm writing a series of connected books. From a writer's standpoint, each character presents his or her own unique challenges and delights. I'm deeply curious about them all, and I love peeling away their layers to see what's underneath their skin, or secreted deep within their hearts. If I lavish my attention (or my adoration) too exclusively on one or two characters out of a group, I might miss something truly special about another. Naturally, since each of my books centers on the romance taking place between a featured couple, my focus is primarily on them when I'm writing their story. But from a more global, series level, my hope is that all of the main characters of the series are interesting in their own rights and capable of becoming reader favorites. I'm not sure I could accomplish that if I allow myself to fixate creatively on one or two scene-stealing "stars".
Amber - Your books are based in Boston but your characters have also travelled quite a bit. Have you also travelled to all of the places you write about?
Lara - When I set out to write the Midnight Breed series, I really wanted each book to have its own distinct "personality" while still fitting into the cohesive whole of the series. One way to do that was to move the storylines to locations outside the Boston headquarters of the Order, and to show readers a deeper glimpse inside the vampire world. Europe was a given, since the majority of the Breed (and the warriors of the Order specifically) hailed from that region during the middle ages.
I only wish I had the chance to travel to all of the places I write about! I've been to Germany as a child to visit my maternal grandmother and other relatives, but the bulk of my research for these novels so far has been via travel books, internet, and family living abroad.
Amber - With book #4 'Midnight Rising' just out and 'Veil of Midnight' due out in December...what is next?? How many 'Breed' books can we expect?
Lara - Veil of Midnight will be Nikolai's story, and after that I'll be writing a book for Andreas Reichen, the vampire from the Berlin Darkhaven who first appeared in Midnight Awakening (Book 3). I have several more books mapped out for the series, and I'm crossing my fingers that my publisher will give me the green light to write them all. If I have my way, there will be a total of ten books. And because I get this question quite a bit, yes, there definitely will be a story in there for Sterling Chase, aka Harvard.
Amber - Any little details you can share about the next book in the series?
Lara - As I mentioned above, next up is Nikolai's story in Veil of Midnight. Niko is one of the younger members of the Order, and probably the one least interested in getting saddled with a mate. He loves combat and lives for the adrenaline rush of doing battle with his enemies. But he meets his match in Renata, a woman who also lives by her blades and her wits--someone who challenges Nikolai on every level. I hesitate to say too much about the plot at the risk of spoilers, but if anyone is curious, the first chapter of the book was included in the back of my current release, Midnight Rising. Watch my website for additional info and the back cover synopsis, coming soon.
Amber - Do you have any other projects you are working on? Would they also be paranormal?
Lara - I am in the planning stages of a new paranormal series I’d like to write once I finish the Midnight Breed series, and I also have a folder stuffed full of story ideas that I hope I have the chance to write as well. Some of those are paranormal romance/urban fantasy type of things, and the rest are all over the place, including some mainstream thriller ideas I’m dying to work on.
Amber - Who are your favourite authors and what was the last book you read?
Lara - I have tons of favorite authors! In romance: Jaci Burton, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Tyler, Gaelen Foley, Kayla Gray, and about a hundred others. In non-romance, I enjoy: Stephen King, John Saul, Dean Koontz (earlier works), Harlan Coben, Dennis Lehane, and many more. I read anything that sounds good to me, and I’m always finding new favorites.
Because I’ve been in crunch mode on my current book, I haven’t had time to do much reading for pleasure lately. The last book I read and really enjoyed was Allison Brennan’s latest romantic suspense offering, Killing Fear.
Amber - Some authors listen to music when they are writing or even have
different songs that link to their characters. Do you have any songs that give you writing inspiration?
I don’t listen to music while I’m writing (because I just end up singing along instead of writing) and I tend to work best when I have absolute quiet with no outside distractions. But I do listen to music constantly when I’m not working and I have several soundtracks for my novels and characters. I love almost anything by H.I.M., Collide, Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, The Used . . . basically, there is no end to the list -- as my iPod can attest! Music is very key to my creative process, particularly in the beginning and development stages of my book ideas and characters.
Amber - The 'Breed' are a little similar to the 'Dark-Hunters' series and
'Black Dagger Brotherhood' series...do you think they would all be able to work together? (possible book idea....hehe)
Lara - LOL! I have a feeling that so many alpha males (not to mention, alpha males with fangs and blades and automatic weapons) in one place is just asking for trouble. ;-)
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Thank you Lara for the great answers! Actually I have to thank Lara even more because not only did she take the time out from writing to answer the questions. She has also donated a wonderful prize!!!
CONTEST TIME!
The winner of this weeks contest will win a signed copy of each Midnight Breed book released so far! That is 4 books (shown in the pictures) all signed by Lara Adrian!!!!So even if you have read the books already this is definitely a prize worth winning!
If you haven't read the books this is your chance to get your hands on an amazing series! Search my blog for the books...I have read them all!
How to enter -Comment in this post and tell us what music you like to listen to!
Make sure you leave some way for me to contact you if you win eg. Nickname from Bookcrossing, link to your site etc
The contest will close on Sunday 10th of May at 4pm CET. The winner will be picked by Raffleking and after the winner contacts me I will send the details on to Lara so she can send you your prize.
So enter now!!!
EDIT - Contest update HERE!
Labels: Author Interviews, Book Talk, Contests, Just for Fun
At 5 May 2008 at 10:03, 
Daelith
Another great interview and now more books to add to the wish list. I love it when an author puts a new and different twist on the paranormal.
As for my favorite music. I'm such an eclectic listener. It really depends on my mood at the time. If I just want some background music while I work or read, I lean toward New Age or instrumental, even a little classical. In the car, I'm prone to adult alternative and a little country.
All time favorite - I'd have to say Collective Soul.
Thank you, Lara, for taking the time to answer questions and donating the books. Thank you for hosting the interview and contest, Amber.
Many things! It all depends on my mood.:) For instance now, I’m listening You Know I'm No Good by Amy Winehouse. I think I couldn’t live without T-Rex, Pulp, Buzzcocks, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, The Clash, The Strokes, Barry White, Nina Simone, Erik Satie…and many, many, many more. I love music! :) Oh and the last cd I bought was The Reminder by Feist (also very good!).
Thanks Lara and Amber for this contest and the wonderful interview. Can't wait to read Andreas Reichen. He is so yummi!:)
What a great contest! And interesting interview, thanks! I think I have too little romance (bookwise!) in my life, so of course I'm having a shot at this.
I listen to very varied music stuff, so I'll just list what I listened to in the last couple of days: Nelly Furtado, Tori Amos, Eva Cassidy, Jarvis Cocker, Snow Patrol and Lamb. (Though my heart, ever since I was 6 or 8, belongs to Queen. ;D) There are many more, but these will have to suffice.
Feloris/BC
At 5 May 2008 at 12:06, mellonhead
These books look amazing. I would love to read them! I believe you have single-handedly gotten me hooked on paranormal romance. As for music, like many of your other friends here, I love all sorts. I like a lot of latin music: Santana, Buena Vista Social Club, Celia Cruz, old tangos, and various Brazilian musicians. I also love old classic rock, Clapton, Hendrix, Janis, Vaughn, The Who and newer music is Raul Malo, Los Lobos, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones, Spoon, Vampire Weekend. I also love classical (new classical too-like Philip Glass), big band swing and opera.
Oohh, put my name in the hat please! :) I have 3 of the 4 books, but signed copies would be awesome, and I could pass my copies on to another paranormal fan.
Music I enjoy listening to is Sarah McLachlan, Good Charlotte, Chris Daughtry, CombiChrist, Icon Of Coil, VNV Nation and pretty much any industrial techno.
At 5 May 2008 at 15:04, Jackie (Literary Escapism)
Oohhh...I love contests! I don't get to buy a lot of books since I decided to be a SAHM and not work. :)
I've read the first novel, but I haven't had a chance to read the other three. I enjoyed the first novel and the other three are on my TBR list.
I usually listen to whatever is on the radio, but the last CD I bought was Hinders.
At 5 May 2008 at 15:58, Enchanted by Books
Awesome interview! I am new to LAra Adrian's books having only read one of them so far and that one was Midnight Awakening. It was VERY good and I'd love to read her other books!
I like to listen to Daughtry, Nickleback, and any rock group that sounds like those two. I also like Hinder and that song Lips of An Angel. I could play it over and over and over. I also like Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson.
Awesome contest by the way!!! :)
At 5 May 2008 at 16:15, -
Lately, Love Hurts by Incubus has been stuck in my head--incessantly!
It's a great song, though.
I also LOVE Nickelback, Staind is a favorite, as is Seether, and many, wonderful others!
I also like celtic music, will admit to knowing far too many pop song lyrics, and am generally open-minded musically :)
Great interview! Love to hear about the creation process and where those wild ideas crawl out from.
As for my musical tastes. I tend to bounce from 70's rock like Rush, Heart, Styx, or Led Zepplin(reliving my youth) to louder bands of today like Godsmack or Incubus. But my current favorite is Alter Bridge! Their second release "Blackbird" has some of the best rock I've heard in ages.
At 5 May 2008 at 21:29, ReadingIsSoMuchFun
Hi Amber, Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering my contest.
Great interview. It was fun learning more about Lara.
Great contest I have Lara's books on my wish/want list. Her books sound really good. Sounds like a great series I can not wait to read them.
My favorite type of music is R&B. I love Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Mary J Blidge and many more :-)
Hugssss
LindaH
At 5 May 2008 at 22:46, Jennifer Y.
Hello!
Fabulous interview. I have heard a lot of good things about this series and was just told last week that I needed to read it.
As for the question, I listen to all kinds of music, but prefer country.
Jennifer's Random Musings
At 6 May 2008 at 16:28, Unknown
Hey, Amber! It's GateGypsy from BO (and BXing) here. YaY for iPods! I"ve been listening to a lot of Bob Marley, recently. I was really intrigued by what Will Smith's version of the character Robert Neville in I Am Legend had to say about him, so I bought a couple CDs of his stuff... Like Lara, though, I only listen to music when I'm not writing (or reading) 'cause I get to distracted by it, otherwise! I've got a rather large, very eclectic collection of music saved in my iTunes program, but I probably prefer dance-y, upbeat music (stuff like Kylie Minogue, T.a.T.u., George Michael, Great Big Sea) to most everything... and I love U2 above all!
Loved the interview Amber. Thanks for picking Lara. It was great to understand a little bit about HER backstory. The books are fabulous, by the way.
I've got an eclectic taste in music as well. Anything pretty much goes, including rap/hip-hop. Here's a list of my stash at work: Cher, SHeDAisy, Toni Braxton, Mila Mason, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Rascal Flatts, Nickel Creek, and soundtracks from How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Dance With Me, Coyote Ugly, Oh Brother Where Art Thou, Ella Enchanted. Yep, diverse.
mail AT kellyrae DOT com
At 7 May 2008 at 10:13, Caffey
Hi Lara, Hi all! I'd love to be in the contest! With me being deaf most of my life, I don't know any of the current music but I remember when I enjoyed 'feeling' the music with the speakers on the floor and too reading lyrics. A few back then that I enjoyed were Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Steely Dan and Elton John. One song I so love the feel of the music and lyrics would be Danny's Song, written by Kenny Loggins and sung by Anne Murray. I remember my dad playing her music alot and I felt this song and read the lyrics. Made me cry back then! Check it out!
At 7 May 2008 at 11:04, Raonaid Luckwell
* crosses fingers to win all four books * Tight on money a friend went ahead and loaned me these books.
I'm giving Lara thumbs up on some of the bands she likes to listen too. It nearly floored me to see that she likes Lacuna Coil and H.I.M. (Villo's voice is *fans herself* Love how he did wicked games.)
What type of music do I like to liste too? Well to sum it up European bands! Mainly most of my favorite bands hail from Finland. Now don't get me wrong I do like the bands from the US
Reflexion, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Sonata Arctica, Inkubus Sukkubus, Kamelot, My Chemical Romance,
Definitely great books..
I don't have only one type of music.. it's all about how I feel like when I'm sad or busy with work I listen to Rock and have it high as if they're singing in my head.
Other than that I listen to everything but I'm much more into old songs like Europe, Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and others of the same time.
At 9 May 2008 at 06:44, Marlene
Great interview and drooling over the books. Oops must not drool.
Music? Hmm I like alternative music and I still love to listen to old punk rock music on occasions. I also enjoy R&B, Reggae,Ska, some classicSome bands. Joy Division, Smashing Pumpkins,Jamiroguai
Thanks for organising this great contest.
Great interview Amber!
What I like to listen to mostly - well the last few years I'm in a goth rock mood, say Nightwish, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil - but not the very heavy type though.
However my favourite song of all times, no matter what my mood is, gotta be Dust in the Wind by Kansas. For me nothing else beats this song.
At 9 May 2008 at 11:56, Nicole K/GothamGal
Great interview, and I'll enter...
I listen to a LOT of different types of music, from all different eras and countries.
I will say, however, I seem to have a LOT of soundtracks.
I'm loving the Drive By Truckers now, as well as Nine Inch Nails and then, of course, Pink's newest album. Haven't yet delved into Madonna's new one, but I have it. :-)
At 9 May 2008 at 22:35, Rebekah
Hey, it's the littleminx from BookCrossing, aka Rebekah.
*waves*
I definitely want to read this series. Sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks for hosting such a great contest, Amber! =)
As far as music goes, I tend to enjoy a little bit of most anything. If I'm listening to the radio I enjoy listening to the stations that play both new music and the older stuff too. I enjoy alternative, rock, classical, Christian, oldies, etc. Yep, like a said, more or less a little of everything.
Cheers and Good luck, everyone!
Rebekah
MUSIC......
"I love the sound of these books..they are music to my ears....and my favourite kind of music !!!!"
Brilliant interview...really inspired me to read the books. I am such an avid reader..I dont listen to a lot of music. My husband plays guitar and I mainLy listen to him playing.. I enjoy most music.. except for rap.
Thanks for the chance of winning these books.
CaroleAnne99 BookCrossing.
At 12 May 2008 at 07:34, Linda
I left a comment here, and now I don't see it. . .
I love all kinds of music, but I am not a fan of country western. I am a particularly *HUGE* fan of Bollywood movies and their soundtracks. I use them for everything from cooking, to cleaning, to exercising. Many of the movies are very upbeat and can be quite catchy. I especially use them when I need the motivation to move, or to move faster. . .lol
(ba_in_pa@yahoo.com)
by Kelley Armstrong
Here I am, rushing to enter! *g*
What music do I like to listen to? I mainly listen to the radio to and from work, I can't remember the last time I bought a CD. I usually look for pop/rock or oldies stations, one of my favourite stations passes 70's, 80's and 90's music.