“I’ve been asked often: will there be crossover books involving my vampires and my werewolves? Will we see more crossover books with the vampires and the Mayfair witches? — As I see things now, no, I will not be doing crossover books again that involve two different series… But I would never say never to anything now. I love to experiment, break new ground, take twists and turns. Who knows? …” – Anne Rice
AR advice on the Rules of Writing:
On giving writers advice, offering “rules.” I’m asked a lot about this, and people bring great lists of rules for writers to the page all the time. What do I think? I can’t say it loud enough. There are NO RULES for all writers! And never let anyone tell you that there are. Writers are individuals; we each do it in our own way. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you’re not a “real” writer because you don’t follow their rules! I can’t tell you how much harm was done to me early in life by others judging me in that way. I was told in college I wasn’t a “real” writer because I composed on a typewriter; I was condemned later on in damn near apocalyptic terms for “not writing every day.” “Real writers” are those who become “real writers.” That’s all there is to it. And again, we each do it in our own way. For me, stubbornness has been as important as any talent I might possess. I ultimately ignored the people who condemned me, ridiculed me and sought to discourage me. I laughed or cried over it in secret; and went right on writing what I wanted to write, the way I wanted to write it. I knew of no other way to become the writer of my dreams. If you want to be a writer, go for it. Critics are a dime a dozen, and people who would love to see you fail are everywhere. Just keep on going; keep doing what works for you. Keep believing in yourself.
FYI:
“Prince Lestat” is a new novel with my vampire hero, and the first such novel in over ten years. I’ve been asked: do you have to read other Vampire Chronicles to understand this one? My answer is no, absolutely not. “Prince Lestat” is written to stand on its own, and includes all the material a reader might need to understand and enjoy the story. I don’t believe in writing a novel that requires readers to do “home work.” I hope “Prince Lestat” will be a pleasure for those who are entirely new to the Vampire Chronicles. Are there any other questions about the book that I might answer?
An example of a concept in which I 100% agree with AR! Living above the bookstore? Yes that too! What if she let her cats wander amongst the book worms, too??
Another FAN QUESTION FOR LESTAT answered:
Lestat here. And this time, I’m going to answer two questions. The first is from Bridgett Davenport: “Lestat, excluding vampires, who is the most interesting non-human you have met?” —- I would say the ghost of Roger whom I encountered in “Memnoch the Devil.” Roger was the first of my victims and maybe my only victim ever to come back from the dead to talk to me in ghostly form. He terrified me (temporarily anyway), and fascinated me. This was my first real experience with ghosts and how ghost “incarnate.” I don’t want to think of any of my other victims coming back to haunt me, ever. I have come to no first conclusions as to what Roger’s visitation actually meant. —- Second Question: From Elise Miller: “Lestat, you’ve seen so much and lived through so many years of human turmoil, does the current state of humanity irk you, or do you pay little attention to it?” — It’s the opposite, Elise. I’m in awe of the current state of humanity, the inventiveness, the imagination, the technological knowledge, the artistic fertility, and the huge areas of the globe that are at peace. I’m more than ever optimistic about the future of humankind, and all the more sad that I can witness human progress but never be part of it. But I’m an optimist by nature, I must admit. I’m profoundly grateful that I’m able to watch all this from the sidelines, and glory in the new music, the new art, the new humanistic philosophies being developed all the time.
okay but guys did anyone else see this?
10/02/14: The day Anne Rice started RPing officially.
Lestat here. Last night, through this FB page, I received this question from Davetta L. Wilson. “If you could have one companion for all eternity, who would you choose? Well, Davetta, I will never face such a choice, obviously, but if I did have to choose, the companion would be Louis. My longest most enduring friendship and love affair in this world was with Louis. And though his limitations can be maddening, they can also be as inspiring to me as his virtues. Of course it might seem that Marius would be a wiser choice. After all, Marius is 2000 years old, and entered eternity with the mind of a brilliant Roman philosopher. But the best choices we make are not always the wise choices. Sometimes they are intensely emotional choices. And I’ve always had a deep Romantic respect for emotion. My love for Louis transcends wisdom. And I may need the pain as much as the consolation that an eternal relationship with Louis would involve. Thank you, Davetta, for your question. Lestat signing off.
-Anne Rice’s facebook.
YOU GUYS
Not like we didn’t know it all along, but it was a really nice thing to read first thing this morning!
^Ditto ♥u♥
Okay, heads up: katzenfabrik and I have made an important scientific discovery in the course of re-reading Blackwood Farm. We suffered to bring you this.
Fact 1: ghosts in Anne Rice’s world manifest by gathering atoms of nearby material to themselves.
Fact 2: Oncle Julien manifests while hosting hot chocolate tea parties.
Therefore, the ghost of Oncle Julien is made of chocolate.
Actual footage of Anne Rice, mid-90’s despite what the 2004 watermark says just ignore that it is an archival reference number thanks
I-want-my-IWTV 