Interview with Christine
Feehan
Interview by Owen Hollifield
Christine Feehan is a
prolific writer of paranormal romance and has been writing since she first picked up a pen. Her books include the highly successful
Dark series (Dark Legend, Dark Fire, Dark Magic,
etc.), and the GhostWalkers. In 2002 she received a nomination for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Mainstream Contemporary New Reality.
Tell us a little about what life was like for you before you decided to take the plunge and to become a
full-time writer.
I am married and have a large family. I was also a Martial Arts instructor for twenty-five years. I taught self-defense to women and participated in seminars for battered women. My children were in sports, dance and many other activities and during those years, I wrote wherever I was solely for me.
Had you always been in to writing and if you were, where were the places that you first started to get
your work published?
Dorchester was the first house to take a chance on my work. At the time I tried to publish
Dark Prince, there were no houses interested in that type of story. Now, paranormal is huge, but at the time if you mentioned the word vampire, they wouldn’t even read the manuscript. Dorchester took a chance on me and published
Dark Prince. I don’t think they thought, any more than I did, that it would become such a tremendously successful book.
How long did it take you to write your first published novel, how many rewrites do you do, and then
how long until it was actually published?
This is a difficult question because when I wrote Dark Prince, my first book to be published, I was writing solely for myself. I changed it all the time. I added in all sorts of intriguing characters and wild action scenes. The book was a form of escapism for me at a time I needed it badly. I didn’t write it with the intention of publishing, so it probably went through ten different storylines.
A lot of people say that they have always dreamt of writing a book, alas they never
do. What made you determined to become a writer and is it anything like you thought and hoped it would be?
I was born a writer. I’ve always written stories, even as a child. It was such a part of my life, like breathing, so I didn’t give it much thought. I just wrote. As for publishing, that came much later after I retired from instructing Martial Arts.
What do you think is the most important part of a good story and what have you found
are the bits that your fans seem to like the most?
I don’t think any one part of a story is more important than the next. When I’m reading, and I’m a voracious reader, I have to have characters I care about and something exciting going on whether it is emotional or action-packed or physical. So those are the elements I try to include in the stories. Because I write paranormal, it’s important to include things that are normal, easily identified with and even real time events so it helps the reader suspend disbelief and go along for the ride.
When you begin a novel, do you have the entire story and all the characters already mapped out or do
you surprise your self by inventing new angles and characters as you go along?
I definitely am surprised. Every time I’ve mapped out the story, the characters change it on me. I have an idea for the plot, the bare bones, or even entire scenes to start with, but always, the characters drive the stories. If they aren’t that strong to take hold of it and let it unfold, the story isn’t going to work.
Where do you get your ideas and how much research do you then carry out?
This is a question often asked of me and to be honest, I have no idea. That sounds crazy, but ideas are always in my head. I see the way a tree trunk is shaped, twisted and unique, or the fog rolling in over the mountains or ocean. I see a woman turn her head, her hair blowing in the wind, or the way a man moves as he does martial arts. Stories just unfold in my head and characters are always leaping up shouting to be heard. As for research, I use many, many sources. I love books and videos and of course the
Internet as well as traveling. I have hundreds of pictures of Romania, as well as
videos, books (even some not in English, but they’re wonderful). I’ve collected rocks and crystals and have an extensive library on caves in that area. I recently returned from a trip to Florida where I visited lions, tigers, and other exotic cats up close and personal. I enjoy that aspect of my work very much.
You must be a very busy person. What is a typical
day's writing like for you, and how did you come by this routine-- was it just trial and error?
I write seven days a week. Most days I put in eight to ten hours, sometimes as much as sixteen if I’m close to a deadline and running behind. I take days off when something is important to me, and those days are reserved for my mother, or one of my children and their activities or a day spent alone with my husband. I started out working eight-hour days five days a week, but due to the demands of contracts, answering mail and promotion scheduling, my work schedule has slowly crept up to seven days a week.
How do you want to advance as a writer-- are you someone who wants success in terms of book sales or
are you happier with being able to have the freedom to write what you want with out worrying if it will be a
commercial success?
For me, being a success as a writer has continued to give me the freedom to write the books I want to write. I created a series I love and I can revisit it often, but my editor is always open to any idea I have that I know I want to write. I have always been able to write the book I want. If my editor didn’t want it, I would write it anyway and keep it for myself. When characters are strong enough to demand a book, it is time, not
for editors who hold me back. Naturally, as a writer, I would hope that readers are entertained by my work and fortunately, I have the best and supportive of audiences.
Tell us a little about your latest book.
I’m at present working on an action/thriller, a paranormal grounded in science. I love writing these books and especially love the research on them. The heroine and hero take equal parts in the book to solve whatever problems are thrown their way. The first two,
Shadow Game and Mind Game, were amazing to write. I am fortunate to receive so many letters from others who enjoy this same kind action romance.
What was the best piece of advice about writing that you have ever heard?
The best piece of advice I ever received was not on actual writing but on publishing. It came early in my career and a very wonderful group of successful authors told me to learn the business. They reminded me I was a businesswoman as well as a writer and to learn as much as I could about the business. I remember every word they said, took it to heart and think of them all the time for taking the trouble and time to talk to me and point me in the right direction.
As someone who has found success, what five pieces of advice would you give to a person who is starting out
on the long hard road to becoming a writer?
5) Don’t let anyone discourage you.
4) Write as often as possible.
3) Read the types of books you want to write. You can’t write what you don’t love, not with passion anyway.
2) Attend conferences and network with other authors.
1) Remember you’re a businesswoman and learn the publishing end of the business!
Thanks.
© Owen Hollifield 2004.
Christine Feehan can be reached through her official website,
www.christinefeehan.com.
Owen Hollifield is a freelance writer from the U.K, and he can be reached on
poodle_springs@yahoo.co.uk.
