I am so excited to have a very talented and successful writer as my Guest today. Please welcome Denyse Bridger! Feel free to ask a question or leave a comment.
1) With over 400 stories and books to your credit, you are quite an accomplished writer. Do you have a favorite? What made it so memorable for you?
I have several favourites among my many books, but weirdly enough they're not the ones that sell best! Which clearly means I'm not the one to judge it in any respect. My best-seller is one I'm not overly wild about, but my personal favourites sell very little - even though I think they're better written. Among my personal choices are my Historical Fantasy, AS FATE DECREES. (I'm doing an all-day event at Bitten By Books on April 19th related to this novel, by the way). FATE is available everywhere in book stores and online stores, so it's my "biggest" novel to date. In the ebooks, I think two of my best are the Victorian era mysteries that I wrote called THE DEVANE FILES. I seem to do popular vampires, as well!! FATE is memorable for all the obvious reasons, first major release, first real book launch party at a bookstore, nominated for a major fantasy award six months after release, all of those things are unforgettable. DEVANE is memorable because I got to marry a lot of interests in those books, give them a sensually erotic touch, and a hero who is flawed but so appealing. He's a clairvoyant police inspector who is addicted to opium, and haunted by the Jack the Ripper murders. Makes him something very special in many ways.
2) I see that you are a Gemini, too. Do you think astrological signs have anything to do with writing ability or luck in the publishing business?
I'm not really much of a believer in astrology. I think all people possess some element of the Divine in their personalities, and I do believe each of us is born with a "gift" - be it writing, painting, singing, whatever art is your passion. Luck is just Fate or Destiny, isn't it? At least that's my belief. I think we are, each of us, where we are meant to be, when we're meant to be there - you can choose your path, but whatever choices you make, you end up where you were Fated to be.
3) Do you ever base your characters on real-life people?
Sometimes, yes, but always with their permission. The heroes of two of my upcoming stories are real men that I know. One is a soldier, and there's a book trailer done for his story, called "Viper's Nest" - you can see it on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/denysebridger -- My first release with Moongypsy Press in May is called "Games of Seduction" and the trailer for that is also done - watch for an image of the real hero in that one, too. Viper is based on a real soldier, and he's supplied the images in the video. I usually allow my heroines to have one single trait that is based on me, be it a hair colour, or a mannerism - I find this grounds the character and makes them real to me, so.... it helps write them.
4) I noticed that you have many different publishers. Why? Would you advise new authors to do the same?
I like to experiment with many genres, and not every publisher wants a dozen different types of stories by the same author. Also, some publishers love short stories, others hate them, so there are times when I create a short piece that I don't want to expand, and I need a publisher who likes to put the shorter tales out there, as well as the novel length ones. I think every author needs to explore publishers and see where they will fit best. The thing is, be honest with yourself, until you have some kind of track record or reputation, you cannot pick and choose overmuch. You need to find a publisher who will take a chance on you, then work from there. Many new authors forget, this is a business first and foremost, and you are not gifting a publishing house with your work, they are doing you the service of taking a chance on your ability to better their business. Work with your editors with the understanding that this is for your benefit, not theirs - if you think otherwise, they have a thousand other authors all too eager to take your place and be easier to work with while they do it.
5) Who were your favorite and least favorite characters? Why?
Michael Devane was one of my favourite characters, and Amarantha from my fantasy novel. Or are we talking other authors' characters? If we're talking other authors, my favourite fictional character of all time is Sherlock Holmes, and one of my favourite female characters is Scarlett O'Hara. One is brilliant, and the other is the wonderful mixture of beauty, brains, and sheer determination of will that we all wish ourselves to possess. I dislike any character that is deliberately stupid, but otherwise I rarely dislike anyone or anything intensely.
6) When you write a particularly moving scene, does it bring you to tears?
Only once, and that was more of a self-catharsis than anything else. I cried my heart out while I wrote it, and I've never been able to read it since then. Otherwise, since I don't read my own work and never have, I can't say that I know I've written anything particularly moving, you'd have to ask someone who's read my books to get an honest answer to that question, Lisa!
Thanks so much for having me today as your guest. If anyone has any questions, ask away - and visit my website and look around - lots of cool stuff there.... book trailers, freebies, postcards to send, a guestbook to sign, link to my newsletter... and books - of all types! I'll grab a name at the end of the day and if there's a title that looks good to you, mention it in your comment, and include your email - you might find a surprise in your mailbox tomorrow morning!!
Talk to you throughout the day!!
Hugs to all,
Denysé
Website http://www.denysebridger.com
BLOG: http://fantasy-pages.blogspot.com
Romantic Moments (Free Reads): http://www.romanticmoments.webs.com
Sensual Treats Magazine: http://www.sensualtreats.webs.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/denysebridger
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/denysebridger
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/denyse.bridger
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Romance-and-Fantasy/458701180391
Thanks so much, Denyse! I wish you continuing success!
12 comments:
Wonderful interview Denyse! I know what you mean about personal favorites not being ones that sell. I think that's probably true for a lot of authors.
Wonderful interview, Ladies!
As always, wishing you the best!
Hi there! I think the whole issue of vampires and their immortalality, as well as their undying appeal - no pun intended - is that they somehow remind us that we all possess a darker and more deadly side of our natures. Each person is capable of great good and great evil. In the case of the vampire - I think they actually DO both, and we as mere mortals, are mostly confined to the morality of society.
As to the decadent sexuality - well, if you've lived an eternity, there is little you haven't experienced. I'm sure "love" as we know it would be a shock to the average vampire - that's why in each vampire I create, I never made him/her "nice" because why would they be? There are no rules anymore, no really, no laws to adhere to. You are, for all intents and purposes, free to do whatever you bloody well please and the rest be damned. So, I see them as neither good or evil, but both - depending on the moment they're in.
I don't like androgynous creatures - we are defined in many ways by our sexuality and our sensuality - it's what we build our identities with. While I see vampires feeding on whatever blood will sustain them, I want a defined sexuality - strong masculine, or strong feminine - doesn't matter which, but I want it clear, not muddled.
My readers for the most part get solid, very masculine vampires as heroes. I don't think I've ever done a story where the heroine is the vampire - there's a thought maybe?
I've long held the theory, too, that part of the appeal of the vampire's seduction is that it frees the "victim" to enjoy all that forbidden passion - after all, how can you say no to an immortal being who can control your mind - so it's a gloriously freeing experience to let that aspect of your sexuality be brought out.
Alexander's desire for a mater who will never betray or leave him is, I believe, the key to his retained shreds of humanity. It's what enables us to see beyond the monster to the man.
Thanks so much for your wonderful questions and comment... I'll be checking in all day, so feel free to chat or ask anything....
Hugs,
Denyse
Hi Denyse :) I love Sherlock Holmes too! Especially the new movie with Robert Downey Jr. Mmmm! About our most and least favorite books, I agree that sometimes ones we loved writing are our worst sellers, then some little bit of fluff we just popped out sells best. But, we write for our fans. :)
I've never given serious thought to a female that began as a vampire.... so who knows? Once I get out from under my current backlog of stuff, that might be something to consider....
Thanks again...D
Cool interview! Fab questions too - love seeing your answers.
LJ x
The cathartic story that you mentioned... was it ever published?
Only 400! Come on you can do better than that.
:)
S.J.
Fabulous...as always...
Love.
Lisa, The catharsis tale was published, but it was published as a piece of fan fiction for a series called Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years. I don't know if it's still in print or not. I've been thinking about taking those two novels and making them original, so who knows? Maybe one day.
S.J., yes, sadly, only 400 or so, maybe about 450 by now... ;)
Brigit - thank you - always - for chasing me around and supporting me with all this!!!
Love yas!
Denyse, great interview! When you spoke about each person being fated, I could have written those words myself. I've believed that my whole life.
Did you see the new Sherlock Holmes movie? I absolutely loved the way they modernized it, and the touch of insanity to explain the extreme intelligence was wonderful.
With regards to vampires...I simply love them. Now, if they truly existed I'd cower in my shoes in front of them, but the thought of the sensuality, power, and control are irresistable on paper ;-)
Angela, nice to see you! Yes, I am a firm believer in Fate and things that are destined - some people say it's the romantic in me, but I think it's more a deeply rooted Faith that what happens to us in this life happens for reasons we may or may not ever fully understand, but the experiences shape who we are, always.
Vampires... I honestly have no idea if I'd be terrified or fanscinated, but I think it would be more the latter... *LOL*
Haven't seen the new Sherlock Holmes, I've been reluctant because I love the originals so much, and their ties to Victorian England, so it will be interesting to see how this answers my inherent need to read/see all things related to the character. I will probably buy the DVD now that it's out!!
Thanks to everyone who has come by and chatted, your comments, your support, and your questions and appreciation mean so much more than you will ever know.
My love and best wishes to you all, today and always.
Denysé
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