DC: What have you come as today? And why?
::twirls:: I'm dressed as Gru, from "Despicable Me." Why? Because he and I are a lot alike!
EM: Hehe. I still haven't watched that film. I really need to, it looks so funny. *Puts it on her too watch list*
Before we begin, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sure! :-) For those who don't know me, I'm a transgender fella who writes GLBTQ and heterosexual romance, but mostly gay and transgender. I like antiques, long drives to nowhere, cuddling on the sofa, and… ::grins sheepishly:: ::ahem:: Never mind!
1. What's your favourite scary movie?
This is always a hard question for me. I don't get scared by scary movies. I enjoy gore and violence, but they don't scare me. Consequently, I like horror movies for different reasons than most people. I love zombie movies - anything like "Land of the Dead" - the bloodier the better. But I also like human-stupidity-induced zombie movies, like "I Am Legend" and the new "Contagion." My all-time absolute favorite series, though, is the "Hellraiser" series.
EM: I don't find horrors and such scary. In fact if I am bored, it is usually a horror film I put on. Tis madness. I finally watched Hellraiser this year, I have to say I find it really cheesy. But I was brought up with "Scream" which is also pretty cheesy. Eh. Horrors are my comedies. Me likey the zombie films though.
2. Was there a particular horror movie, or character that scared you when you were younger?
Again, I don't get scared. However, that said, I pitched a fit when a friend of mine purchased a toy puzzle box prop from the "Hellraiser" movie. I'm somewhere between extremely superstitious and not superstitious at all. Some stuff I just do, like tossing spilled salt over my left shoulder. It's bunk, but I do it anyhow. But the puzzle box seriously scares me. It's a prop - meaningless. But I made my friend leave it in her car trunk until I left her house.
3. Which horror would you be afraid to be stuck in? As far as movies?
Probably a zombie/epidemic situation. Hubby has a depressed immune system, so keeping him alive would be an absolute nightmare.
4. Who do you feel is the best horror villain? And why?
Pinhead, from "Hellraiser". Oh my god - why? First of all, he's extremely sexy. He's a regular guy who ends up in this horrific situation that he comes to enjoy. He's not a bad guy, really, just a guy doing his job to the best of his abilities. The character is a wonderful study of the human condition, where a person is taken out of what is "normal" and "common," and is shown extremes that they find they actually like. It's an amazing statement about the ability of the human mind to adapt and re-write itself over and over. And he's sexy. There's a danger to him, though, because no matter what he does to you, you're going to like it. He can wheedle into your head and ferret out the truth, and he'll make you like your torture. But did I mention he's sexy?
EM: You did. : P He kinda freaks me out, but I think it is more the fact that he has pins in his head that does it for me. *Shudders at the thought* Ouch! There's quite a few Hellraiser movies though, isn't there? I've only seen the first. I will have to see the rest, because so far the whole thing confuses me.
5. Why do you feel that vampires are so popular in both literature & film/tv?
There's a lot of reasons. Going back to Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire," here was a mainstream movie with extreme homosexual undertones, but it was acceptable because "well, they're vampires!" For a lot of people, in my small town, anyhow, this was their first exposure to the idea of two male leading characters kissing. I can recall seeing women - and men - on the edges of their seats in some of the scenes, leaning forward with anticipation, fairly begging the characters to kiss. Which just goes to show, vampires transcend laws and morality. They have the ability to choose how they live - they can be good, or they can be evil. They can blend in, or they can stand out. They can prey upon humans or not. They're probably the only creature in literature who has that option. Werewolves have to change - it happens, they seldom are written with any control over that. And zombies have no choice in their lives at all. And usually vampires are written with some kind of preternatural sense of what their "victim" wants or enjoys - it's not uncommon to read about vampires "seducing" their dinner. Then there's the immortality situation. Who doesn't want to live forever? Yes, yes, you'd see loved ones die…but only if you didn't turn them. There again - the control factor. If you were offered the ability to save your terminal loved ones, to ensure your beloved spouse never left your side…wouldn't you?
6. Why did you decide to write a story about/featuring this particular being?
To be honest, my characters decided for me. In fact, my upcoming November release, "Orion's Way," didn't start out as vampires at all. I kept working on it and working on it, but somehow it just didn't seem right. Then one night I wrote a vampire scene, and I could picture my main character sitting in my office, lounging in a chair with this devious grin on his face, whispering "Oh, you didn't know?" LOL My characters tell me who they are, not the other way around.
7. Do you believe these beings actually exsisted once upon a time?
Vampires actually do exist, though not in the way you're imagining. They call themselves Sanguinarians, and they truly believe they have a need for human blood, which they drink in varying degrees and frequency. I have a friend who is a Sanguinarian, and his wife is his Black Swan (willing blood donor). It's an interesting mindset, though nothing I'd ever participate in, I don't think. I don't particularly care for the taste of blood.
8. What attracted you to the paranormal genre? Why do you write this particular genre?
The paranormal genre is just so much fun! It's almost the oldest form of fan fiction, isn't it? I mean, we're playing around with characters who have deeply-seated traits and histories. We're all trying to put our "unique spin" on things, but really, we're just rewriting Dracula.
EM: *le sigh* I love Dracula.
9. Who is your favourite paranormal/horror writer & why?
I don't actually read a ton of paranormal or horror.
10. Out of all the characters you have created, who is your favourite and why?
11. If you could meet any fictional character, who would you meet and why?
I've been asked this question before, and the answer is always - none. I don't want to end the illusion of perfection by meeting them in real life!
Are you working on anything at the moment?
I have 15 WIPs on my white board, and a couple more that haven't made it to the board yet. LOL
EM: 15!!! O_o Wasn't it 9 last time I interviewed you? *Goes to check* Yup, 9. Damn you're busy! : P
Do you have any current release?
Blurb: When his good friend Julius dies unexpectedly, Marcus finds himself saddled with a new submissive--Charlie. But Charlie comes with a history, and more than Marcus has ever experienced. Marcus knows he loves Charlie, and Charlie loves him, but Marcus must set aside his old theories about BDSM and relearn the ropes if he wants to be the Dom--and the lover--they both need him to be.
Purchase link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-relearningtheropes-599429-145.html
Any upcoming releases?
In November I've got a saucy little vampire tale coming out - "Orion's Way."
Purchase link: not available yet
Where can readers find you on the internet?
My website is http://www.dcjuris.com/, I'm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dcjuris, and my blog is http://dcjuris.blogspot.com/.
Any advice you would like to give aspiring writers?
Be open to criticism. Don't get so hung up on yourself that you lose sight of learning. I see so many stories out there that could've benefited from the author just listening to input, and I hear from so many editors that authors frequently ignore them. No one knows everything - please be willing to listen…you'll go so much further!
EM: Thank you so much for joining me, DC! : ) I hope you have an amazing Halloween!
DC: Thanks for having me! I hope your Halloween is Spooktacular!! :-D
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Thank you for dropping by DC! Have a brilliant Halloween! ^_^
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