On January 7th, 2010 Richelle took part in an online chat over at Penguin Books. Here is a transcript of the questions that were asked and Richelle’s replies.
How many more books can we look forward to reading in the VA series?
There are going to be six total in the current series about Rose, and then six more in a new series about different VA characters.
Did you ever want to do anything else besides write books?
Not really. I wanted to write when I was a little girl, but I didn’t think it was anything I could ever really do until I was older and got the patience to finish anything. I taught middle school and liked that a lot, though.
Do you think that there’s possibility of VA become a movie or something like that? There are actors that you can see as Rose, Dimitri and Lissa?
Right now, there are no plans for VA to become a movie. It’s nothing I can control since I don’t own a studio! What I need is for a film company to make me an offer, and no one has. The characters are so unique to me that the actors would have to be unknowns.
What’s the best advice you could give to young authors?
The best advice is to keep doing it. That sounds silly, but people give up so easily. Write a little every day if you can. If you really hit a wall, then start something new. And always read. Read, read, read. That’s one of the best ways to learn writing.
What inspired you to write Vampire Academy?
I always loved working with teens, so I thought I’d try doing YA. I’d done demons and fairies in my adult books, so I figured it was time to try vampires. Moroi and Strigoi come from Romanian myths.
Are you team Adrian or team Dimitri?
You know I can’t answer that.
Whats your favorite kind of flowers?
Daffodils. They’re engraved on my wedding ring.
Who do u think has more control over the story, you or you’re characters?
Definitely me. Some characters control their authors, but I’m the boss in my books!
How was Dimitri’s relationship with his family?
Good. He’s the only boy in the family, so he was always protective and loved them. If you’ve read BP, you’ll know they’re all really close.
What was the first book you wrote?
The first book I finished was a sci-fi novel that never got published. It needed work! My first published one was an adult novel called Succubus Blues.
Where did the idea for VA come from?
The world of the books is taken from Romanian mythology, which has stories about living and dead vampires. I took that idea and ran with it.
Adrian’s got a real ground swell support … why do you think readers have gravitated so much to him?
People like Adrian because he’s charming and kind of a bad boy, I think. His lines are always so witty and a lot of fun to write.
When you first started writing Vampire Academy (ie book one), did you plan all 6 books first or just the first one?
I knew when I wrote book 1 that it was going to be a series, and I had the ending planned out. The only thing that changed was that it took me 5 books instead of 6 to do it.
How do you decide on important decisions that your characters must make?
The decisions are all part of the larger story as I plan it out, so I know in advance the decisions are going to be made. It’s hard to explain.
Who is your most difficult character?
Lissa is, actually. The books are built around Rose, and sometimes her stories dominate over Lissa’s. Lissa also goes through so many changes that it takes a lot of care to write them.
Is it even possible, as a teenager to get agents interested in reading your work?
It is possible. It just depends on the quality of your book and if you go through the right channels to get an agent. Do a search on Holly Lisle. She explains the process. And remember: NEVER pay an agent to represent you. They don’t get paid unless you do. Someone who charges you is a scam.
Do you ever go sight seeing on your tours?
Actually, not very much. They keep me really busy on tours b/c it costs a lot for publishers — so they want to work me! I do interviews and visit stores in the day and then usually have a big signing at night. I got to see a few things in Australia, though. Like koalas!
Whats your favorite color?
Blue. Maybe. I’m kind of fickle with colors.
Do you find yourself falling for Adrian with each book? Did you know his character would end up falling for Rose early on?
You sound like you might be trying to find out if I’m Team Adrian. I love him like I love the guys in the book, and he’s definitely one of the most fun to write. I knew he’d fall for Rose, but I never quite know how they interact until I write it.
Is coming up with a title for the book hard work?
Oh, yes. For the VA series, it’s a group effort, and groups always have a hard time deciding on things! My adults books are easier.
I was just wondering if you would tell me out of the 4 VA books so far, which one did you like writing more? And if you had to pick a favorite which one would it be?
It’s the same for both writing and reading. Hands down: Shadow Kiss. It’s the most powerful, tragic book in the series and I’m still astonished some days that I managed to write something like that.
Do your family and friends help you with ideas?
Not so much. Most of the ideas are all mine. I sometimes ask for help if I can’t solve a problem. I also sometimes ask for title help, but all they give me are joke titles!
Which of your characters is most like you?
They’re all a little like me. I put pieces of myself in all my characters. Georgina from my succubus series shares my sense of humor the most.
Do you have a favorite vampire novel by another author?
I actually don’t read many vampire novels, but if you’re looking for a good series, check out the Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine. Awesome stuff.
Is it difficult to write Rose’s fight/training scenes?
Yes! I’ve never thrown a punch in my life and know very little about fighting. I’m such a nerd I once did a Google search on “how to throw a right hook.”
Is there a quiet place where you like to just sit and think?
I think a lot in my office. It’s where my desk is but also a bean bag chair that I sit in (with my cat) and try to solve story problems.
What is your favorite book, other than your own?
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley.
How many pages will Spirit Bound be?
Spirit Bound’s looking like it’ll clock in at 460ish pages.
When you say Shadow Kiss is the most powerful, tragic book in the series, does that mean the rest of the story is less tragic… I don’t think I could handle that again, lol
Oh, the rest of the series certainly has its tragic moments. There are just different kinds of tragic. But hang in there. Spirit Bound isn’t quite as dark as BP.
If you could be any character from one of your book who would you be?
I’m not sure I’d want to be any of them. They sure do have a lot of problems!
Did you read a lot when you were growing up? or was it something you got into later in life?
I read like crazy when I was growing up. All the time. And I read stuff older than my age. I actually read less now b/c I’m so busy writing.
Do you have any pets?
I have 2 cats. I asked my husband for a 3rd, but he says no.
Is it hard for you to switch from writing in Georgina’s POV to writing in Rose’s?
Not so much. Usually there’s a transition getting into the first chapter, but I can flip pretty easily–especially when I have to work on both at once.
Do you have a favorite vampire movie?
Nina: probably Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with Keanu Reeves.
What experiences in your life would you consider the most influential to your writing?
There’s no one experience, really. What makes books good are all the things you go through, the good and bad, that make you who you are. Those emotions and thoughts are what make books feel real.
Does it make you sad that you’re coming to the end of the series’ you’ve spent the last few years writing?
Yes and no. Part of me’s excited to move on to something new, but it’s hard to let go of characters I’ve gotten to know. I feel sad for the readers sometimes too, but I hope everyone will like the next series too.
Have you ever missed a deadline?
Heh, no. But I get extensions a lot…so I guess it depends on how you define ‘miss.’ The books always get turned in, which is what counts.
What are some of your inspirations (like music, or personal experience or other authors) when you’re writing?
Driving in the car with music is a really good way to think. Back when I taught, I had a 30 min commute and planned out a lot of plots that way.
How did you react to finding out your book had hit the NYT best seller list the first time?
I was excited. It was insane. I was at a conference, hanging out with 10 other authors when I got the call. They all knew by my face what the news was too. NYT lists come out around the same time every Wednesday.
Are we going to get to learn the story of what happened between Rose’s mom and Abe?
I might do a short story about that someday. There’s an anthology coming out (not sure when) that has a short story about how Lissa’s parents met.
Can you tell us who your planning on writing the other V.A. Books about?
I actually can’t say who the other series is about! Then you’ll known who lives and who gets together.
So, any plans for Adrian from VA that you can divulge? Or is it all secret?
The most I can say is that people who love him will be happy with Spirit Bound. There’s a lot of him in there.
When you travel on a plane, do your fans often recognize you? Have you ever been mobbed?
I’m almost never recognized, not even my name. The biggest sighting was probably a guy working at the driver’s license office. He recognized me and let me keep taking the picture over and over until we got it right!
Will Spirit Bound be as sad as Blood Promise? I hope not.
SB certainly has sad moments, but it’s not quite as dark. It also has action straight out of the gate. It’s like jumping into an episode of 24. Okay, maybe not quite like that, but it’s fun.
Richelle, how did you come up with Rose’s character? She’s my favorite out of all of them
I’m a thinking person and consider all my actions carefully, so I thought it’d be neat to have a character like Rose, who is so the opposite. She jumps in and follows her gut, which gets her into trouble but is fun.
