This interview has been in the works for a long time and now I can finally post it. I am really pleased to have Rachel Caine as my guest this week and I hope you will all enjoy the interview! I am enjoying both the Weather Warden
and The Morganville Vampires
series written by Rachel and it was really nice to catch up with whats going on. I hope anyone who hasn't tried either of the series yet will be inspired to do so after reading the following interview.Oh and read till the end because as always there is a contest!!
---------------------
Amber - Hi Rachel! It is great to have you here on Amberkatze's book blog! I am a huge fan of The Morganville Vampires
series and also your Weather Warden series. Could you start off things by telling my readers a little bit about them both?Rachel - Sure! Well, it's the existential search for meaning in a post-modern world of ... okay, no. I write adventure tales, plain and simple. The Morganville Vampires
is a series that follows the adventures of Claire Danvers, a bright young 16-year-old advanced placement student who goes off to an obscure local college to please her parents ... only to discover that getting on the wrong side of the local mean girls isn't her biggest problem. Morganville is owned and operated by vampires, and everybody in town is involved with them, to some extent. Claire forms a strong friend-family with three other Morganville outcasts, but finds herself embroiled in the darkest secrets of the town, and working for the most dangerous vampires around.The Weather Warden
series centers around Joanne Baldwin, a woman who is part of an organization that helps protect humanity from nature -- because nature is out to get us. Seriously. The Weather Wardens try to hold back storms; the Fire Wardens try to control wildfires. Earth Wardens are in charge of things like earthquakes and vegetation. Sounds good, but the problem is that the Wardens -- an ancient organization -- have grown bloated, complacent, and ineffective, thanks to greed and entitlement. Joanne runs afoul of her boss and is charged with his murder, and starts the first book on the run and on the outside, with the entire organization baying for her blood. Over time, she makes relationships with the Djinn (genies) who have a love-hate relationship with the Wardens, and forms an unbreakable love with one of them, David -- but the sailing is never smooth!Amber - Gale Force
, the seventh book in the Weather Warden series was released in August. What lies ahead for Joanne and the other Wardens? Will there be more books? How many more?Rachel - I just finished CAPE STORM, the eighth book in the series, which takes the Wardens on a very dangerous course -- on ships, out into the ocean, to track their most dangerous enemy, who has the capacity to destroy the Djinn and poison the Earth herself. Joanne herself isn't exactly the most reliable asset; she's carrying a mark on her body from their enemy, and she may not be in control of her actions anymore. She'll have to fight herself as well as her enemies to get through this, even with the help of her Djinn lover David. Added to that, Joanne herself may be a sacrifice pawn in a chess game controlled by Lewis -- her friend, and the boss of the Warden organization.
I am planning to end the Weather Warden series with the next book (book 9), which I'm starting work on soon!
Amber - You have a new series coming out in February called 'Outcast'. I heard that this new series will be based in the Weather Warden world but from the Djinn perspective? Can you tell us a little bit more?Rachel - The series is called Outcast Season
, and the first book is UNDONE -- it will be a four-book story about a Djinn named Cassiel, who is cut off from the Djinn society and has to learn how to live and work among humans (specifically, among the Wardens). I'm really excited about it -- Cassiel is an Old Djinn, one without any ties to humanity or any genuine understanding of them, so it's a real struggle for her to survive, at least at first. As Cassiel learns to live among (and even care for) individual humans, she learns that the reason she was expelled from the Djinn may be connected to things that are happening in the human world -- and she may be the only force on earth who can stop it. Amber - The Weather warden series is very unique. How did you come up with the idea? Why weather and Djinn?
Rachel - The weather part of it came first. I spent a lot of time in West Texas, and went to college in Lubbock; tornado season was a fact of life there, and I got to see a lot of scary, scary weather, from blinding sandstorms to full-fledged monster tornados passing close to town. It impressed me. :) And, of course, I still live in Texas (Fort Worth), so tornados continue to dog my path. But in a larger sense, it seems like the weather really does shape all of our lives -- look at the economic impact of hurricanes, floods, or droughts!
The Djinn were just fun. I've always had a fondness for genies and the mythology, and it seemed like a perfect place to use them.
Amber - Joanne is a very strong character emotionally and physically and also quite stubborn. Are you both alike? Is she based on anyone you know?
Rachel - In a certain sense, all my characters have to come from me, of course -- but only as extrapolation! I am really nothing like Joanne -- not tall, not gorgeous, not strong. I might be stubborn, though. I think if I do share traits with her, it probably is the need to do good, the need to make a difference for people.
And the stubbornness. :)
Amber - Your Young adult series is one of my favourite reads. The fifth book 'Lord of Misrule
' is due out in January. Is there anything you can tell us about the storyline in this upcoming release?
Rachel - LORD OF MISRULE starts exactly where FEAST OF FOOLS
ended -- with Morganville in upheaval. The newly arrived vampire Mr. Bishop has come to town determined to destroy the place, but most especially his daughter Amelie, who is the vampire Founder of the town; the whole community has fractured, with some people siding with Amelie, some with Bishop, some seeing a chance to rid themselves of vampires once and for all. Claire would rather stay out of things, but as Amelie's employee, she's put right in the middle of things, along with all her friends. Things turn from bad to outright scary as the vampires themselves begin to disappear -- called into armies for the fight. In the calm before the storm, an ACTUAL storm is brewing -- a tornado threatening to take out the town whatever the vampires do to each other.
Amber - How many Morganville books can we expect?
Rachel - I'm working on book 6, CARPE CORPUS, which will conclude this part of the Morganville story! That doesn't mean there won't be more Morganville, but I want to bring this particular story arc to a close with the sixth installment.
Amber - Claire is a very sensible girl. Were you anything like her when you were her age? Do you have any difficulties writing from a teenagers perspective?
Rachel - Ha, don't I wish I was like Claire! I don't know if I was sensible -- I was driven, I'd say. At her age, I was very focused on becoming a professional musician, so I think I had Claire's mindset in that way, although I was certainly nowhere as smart. I was definitely one of those awkward late-bloomer girls!
I don't know if I have difficulties writing from a teenager's perspective. I write it as it seems correct to me, based on how I felt at her age; I have to adjust things based on the world today, realities that weren't around when I was Claire's age. I can't say that it's *accurate,* though! My goal is to not make my current age a factor for the reader. I hope I've succeeded, but I think that's up to the readers!
Amber - How did you end up writing young adults novels? Do you like writing them more than your other novels? Are they easier to write?
Rachel - I never intended to write YA -- in fact, five years ago, I'd have sworn I couldn't! But when I was offered the opportunity to write the series, and return to the subject of vampires, I really couldn't resist taking the chance -- but only if I could create a very different kind of vampire story from the normal Romeo and Juliet love affair, because I think others have done that so much better than I could. I approached it more from the standpoint that the main character of the Morganville Vampires really is Morganville itself.
As to easier -- well, they're a little bit shorter. :) I wouldn't say they're easier. I do really enjoy writing them, though -- Claire's story seems to come very naturally to me.
Amber - With all the topics you cover e.g. Weather, vampires, college, djinn etc do you have to do alot of research for your books?Rachel - Tons! Although the nice thing is that research is cumulative; I've been researching things for so long that I can locate what I need very quickly, these days. I'm hardly ever starting from scratch.
I also have a lot of contacts who are experts in various fields, which is great when I need advice!
Amber - Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get into writing?
Rachel - I didn't THINK I wanted to be a writer, but I started writing at 14. My first short story was based on the show SPACE: 1999, and it was fanfic, although I didn't know that at the time. I branched out from that into original stories, and I continued writing them just for myself for many, many years.
I got into professional writing at the age of 30, when a friend bought me a ticket to a science fiction convention and literally dropped me off at the door to learn something about selling my work -- he thought it was worth something. Thank you, Alan! As it happened, I sold my very first book from a contact made at that convention.
Amber - What kind of atmosphere do you need to write? Peace and quiet? Loud music?
Rachel - Laptop, headphones, and coffee. The music varies from project to project -- right now, for CARPE CORPUS, it's a mix of indie and pop.
Amber - You are one of the first authors I remember coming across who had a list of the music listened to while writing a book. I music important to you? Any favourite bands/singers?
Rachel - It's vitally important to me, or at least, it's become that way. Music has always been a real focus of mine -- as I said above, I was planning to be a professional musician for the longest time, before I had to choose between that and writing professionally. But I still love music, and finding new music is a passion for me. I construct playlists for every project I do; it helps me get the tone of the work right in my head.
Favorites -- ooooh, so many, but I will always adore the music of Joe Bonamassa, who is an absolutely incredible blues guitar legend. Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, as well -- I have them featured on my newest music video for GALE FORCE! I also really enjoy the work of Elliot Scott, who contributed a great song for the Morganville music video I did at the beginning of 2008.
If you want to check out the videos, here's the link to my Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/rachelcainewriter
Amber - What has been the most memorable event you have experienced as a writer?
Rachel - So many! I think the first one -- and in some ways, still the most powerful -- was watching the fax of my first cover art come over the machine at the office. I stood around the machine with all my work friends, and we all clapped. It was amazing.
The most recent was walking into the room at Dragon*Con in Atlanta for a session on my books, and finding so many people in the room! It was great. I was convinced either they or I had the wrong room. :)
But honestly, just about every day, something amazing happens -- I get a wonderful email, or meet someone who is so enthusiastic. It's all good!
Amber - Do you have any other projects you are working on or would like to tell us about?
Rachel - Hmmm. Do I? I have several short stories that are going to be coming out in anthologies soon, including the upcoming STRANGE BREW, which is edited by my good friend P.N. Elrod. I'm really excited about that. I'm working on some other things, but I can't honestly tell you much about those yet.
However, I can tell you about RIPPLE EFFECT! This is a charity anthology for the New Orleans Public Library Rebuild project, and it was organized by two amazing ladies, Tamela J. Ritter and N. Apythia Morges. All proceeds from the anthology go to the fund. It's a great collection of art, poetry and short fiction that was all based around prompts provided by the librarians themselves -- such a cool thing. I'm very proud to be part of it.
You can order it here: http://www.amazon.com/Ripple-Effect-Collection-Fiction-Art/dp/1419696009/ref
=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221411081&sr=8-2
Amber - You are stranded on a desert island. What 5 things would you most like to have with you?
Rachel - 1. A lifetime supply of chocolate
2. A copy of all of the Scarlet Pimpernel books
3. A lifetime supply of sunblock that also keeps mosquitos away, so I don't have to waste another wish
4. A laptop with a lifetime battery and constant internet connection
5. In real life, my husband. Although if he doesn't want to go, I'll nominate David as my fantasy companion. That way, I can request anything else I want. Djinn! They're so useful! :)
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My review for Feast of Fools
My Review for Midnight Alley
My Gale Force review
My Thin Air Review
My Firestorm Review
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Contest time!I am giving away two prizes this week. One winner will get to choose a Weather Warden book and one winner will get to pick a Morganville Vampire book of their choice.
To enter just post on this thread telling me which weather you would like to be? No comment about weather, no entry!
You can earn yourself more entries by posting about this contest on the net. Make sure you post a link so I can see where you posted!
The contest is open till Sunday 5th of October 4pm CET. Please check back to see if you won. If the prize isn't claimed within 7 days I will draw another winner.
Enter away!
Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Rachel Caine
At 28 September 2008 at 15:03, 
I like Rachel. She sounds like someone who loves the work and like so many other UF authors appreciates the fans. I picked up Ill Wind a little while ago and it quickly moved up towards the top of my TBR list.
If I could be any weather I'd be wind. It's my sign and I love a good gale storm. Also posted the link back at http://spikeo.bravejournal.com/entry/35667 so others can get into the fun as well!
At 28 September 2008 at 18:31, 
shaunesay
Thank you for visiting us Rachel!
I'd want to be a big spectacular thunderstorm with lots of forky lightning and huge thunderclaps. I don't want to hurt anyone though, I just want to rain a lot, make a lot of noise and have fun! ;) There's just something awesome about a really loud thunderclap, just really reminds you of your place in the world!
Thank you for the contest!
At 30 September 2008 at 12:17, Janicu
Great interview. Interesting news about when some of the books look to be coming to an end (or at least those arcs). Hmm, what weather I'd like to be - I've always been partial to humidity - although most people hate it, it reminds me of growing up in the tropics and is the reason for jungly vegetation and tasty tropical fruit.
I've been reading Rachel Caine's Morgainville Vampires and I'm in love with the series, I have the first of the Weather Warden in my TBR and I have yet to read it, but I'm really curious!
Now for the contest, if I was weather I'd definitely be fog, I love foggy days, there's always an air of mystery that enthrals me, they seem to hold promise that anything can happen! :-)
At 5 October 2008 at 08:42, Unknown
I wonder if it would be possible for an earthbound weather warden to have control over "space weather"? If so, I would be most interested in being able to effect solar winds, the mild effects of which include the gorgeous and mysterious Aurora Borealis and Australis, and the more troublesome effects of which include malfunction of technological equipment.
I'd most definitely be interested in book one of the Weather Warden series! What a very interesting idea! Amberkatze, you always find such exciting authors to interview. Thanks so much, Rachel, for taking time out to share with fans and potential fans alike!
GateGypsy (bookcrossing/bookobsessed)
At 13 October 2008 at 07:23, william
Her only hope is Lewis, the most powerful warden known. Unfortunately, he's stolen not one but three bottles of Djinn-making him the most wanted man on earth.
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williamgeorge
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by Kelley Armstrong
I'd like to enter for a Morganville vampires book.
If I were weather, I'd like to be a breeze. I'd get to travel all over the world.