First off, check out my reviews of Eternal and Tantalize. Also, before we get to the interview, I am giving away an ARC of Eternal (which is already out, but an ARC is what I have) and also a copy of Indian Shoes, both by Cynthia Leitich Smith! All you have to do is comment on this post before March 7, when I will randomly select two winners! Also, be sure to check out Cynthia’s blog.

BoyWithBooks: Before TANTALIZE you were primarily known for your Indian/Native American fiction. What was the impetus to start writing urban fantasy?

Cynthia Leitich Smith: The classic, possible mostly useful pieces of advice typically offered to beginning writers are: (a) write what you know, and (b) write what you love to read. I started with the first piece of advice, crafting realistic children’s stories of middle class, interracial families of the mid-to-southwest. As much as I love that kind of writing, I knew it was important for me to try new things if I wanted to build new skills and grow as a writer. So, I turned to spooky stories. I began writing Tantalize in 2001-2002, shortly after finishing INDIAN SHOES (HarperCollins, 2002).

BwB: Was ETERNAL planned from the start, or was it a recent development? How did you decide to write it?

CLS: I had always hoped to do more books in the storyline and universe, including ETERNAL. (This isn’t a classic linear series of one person’s story, but rather a set of stories set in the same world, some of which connect and others don’t.

For example, the casts of ETERNAL and TANTALIZE will crossover in BLESSED, which I’m writing now and picks up where TANTALIZE leaves off.

But I’ve also written two short stories in the universe with wholly original casts–”Haunted Love,” which appears in IMMORTAL: LOVE STORIES WITH BITE, edited by P. C. Cast (BenBella, 2008) and “Cat Calls,” which will appear in SIDESHOW: TEN ORIGINAL TALES OF FREAKS, ILLUSIONISTS, AND OTHER MATTERS ODD AND MAGICAL (Candlewick, July 2009). That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of their heroes again.

Originally, my concept was elf-vampire rather than angel-vampire. But my original draft had a very age 12+ feel instead of 14+ feel. I don’t know why exactly, but my elf character skewed too young. He was cut from the manuscript altogether, though Miranda remained and deepened. The idea to go with a sword-wielding angel came from the publisher, and I loved it from first mention. So, it was back to page one, and I started over again.

BwB: Why did you move the setting in ETERNAL to Chicago? Did you have to do any research for the local flavor you put in there?

CLS: ETERNAL is partly set in Dallas, partly in Austin, and mostly in Chicago. My original idea was to link the “Quincey Morris” tradition in Stoker’s DRACULA to his Texas homeland, and that’s why it’s the principle setting of TANTALIZE. But reflecting a world-wide vampire kingdom required a wider geographic scope. I’ve previously lived in Chicago for three years after graduating from law school. But I did go back in February so that I could walk each street that my co-protagonists did try to see the place through their eyes.

BwB: Who’s point of view was it easier or more fun to write from, Zachary or Miranda?

CLS: Zachary was probably more fun in that I’d never written (even half) a novel from a male point of view, though I had published a few short stories that took that tact (“Haunted Love,” mentioned above, “A Real Live Blond Cherokee and His Equally Annoyed Soul Mate” from MOCCASIN THUNDER: AMERICAN INDIAN STORIS FOR TODAY, edited by Lori M. Carlson (HarperCollins, 2005), and “Riding with Rosa,” which appeared in Cicada magazine (Vol. 7, No. 4, March/April 2005).

Part of what I loved about Zachary was his interactions with fellow guardian angel and best pal, Joshua. For much of the world, Josh is Zachary’s main connection to “upstairs,” and there’s a range to their exchanges–sometimes serious, sometimes humorous, often offering a glimpse into heaven itself.
BwB: Who was your favorite character in ETERNAL, and why?

CLS: Favorite from a writer’s point or view or in terms of whom I’d like to spend time with?

On the former, I found the relationship between brothers Harrison and Freddy fascinating–both raised as human children in this world of monsters and dealing with that history, longing, and love-hate connection to it and each other.

On the latter, I rather adored Nora, who is in many ways a reflection of the “humanity” in both leads.

BwB: What’s in the works now?

CLS: I’ve already mentioned BLESSED, which will bring this sort of conversation I’m having with Bram Stoker’s DRACULA (the inspiration novel) to a close, and I’m also working on a graphic novel adaptation of TANTALIZE from Kieren’s point of view.

Beyond that, the SIDESHOW anthology (mentioned above) will come out this summer along with “The Wrath of Dawn,” co-authored by Greg Leitich Smith, to appear in GEEKTASTIC: STORIES FROM THE NERD HERD, edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (Little Brown, August 2009).

In terms of books for younger readers, I also look forward to the release of HOLLER LOUDLY, an original southwestern tall tale, illustrated by Barry Gott (Dutton, 2011).

BwB: Graphic novel, fun! How much control do you have over that?

CLS: Text? Lots. I’m writer girl. But I’m also aware that it’s an art medium. My editor also was kind enough to let me chime in on target illustrators.