Monday, January 07, 2013

Interview with Charles O'Keefe Author of The Newfoundland Vampire




What inspired you to become an author?

Two things, my friend Shannon published a book back in 2006, so that gave me some ideas and encouragement. Second I realized that I had a ton of ideas, fantasies, characters and most importantly a story I wanted to share with the world, so two with some more encouragement from friends I finally got my but in gear and I was published in April of 2012.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I write mainly in third person-past tense mainly (which means I say things like “he said” a lot). I do a descriptive style and I try hard to immerse the reader in the story by providing all the details I think a person would notice as part of the world.

Do you write in different genres?

Right now, I have only written in the horror genre.

How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

Well since the main character, Joseph, lives in Newfoundland (as do I) it seemed natural to call it “The Newfoundland Vampire”. Since that’s what he is, not to say there aren’t other Newfoundland Vampires in there as well. I didn’t want anything complicated or overly mysterious, so this seemed like both the simplest and the best way to describe the book.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I like to come up a title right away. I’m all about planning ahead whenever possible.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes, it’s the choice we make that matter most, actions speak louder than words.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

Yes, yes and yes, Joseph (the main character) is me as I was at 23 (minus the vampire part). So he does things that I did, the friends he has are based on my own friends, he goes to places I have been and the D&D chapter in particular is almost exactly how my all-time favorite session went. Aside from him Cassandra is loosely based on a real person, Catherine Mandeville Snow (the last woman hanged in Newfoundland, Canada) and other characters are also based on people from history and others still alive today (you’ll have to read it find out more).

What books/authors have influenced your life?

I dearly loved the book “The Mists of Avalon” by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I think it gave me a greater appreciation for female characters in literature (and women in real life) along with history and religion. Ernest Hemmingway has also had an influence on me, I dearly love cats, tropical places and while I’m a happy person I can glimpse a little into the idea that writers have to suffer, to at least experience the ups and downs of life in order to put feeling and emotions into their work.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Stephen King, while some of his books I hate he is an example of a determined writer who has succeeded on his own terms and continues to be a pioneer and prolific writer through thick and thin.

What book are you reading now?

I am reading “The Imagination Journals” by Darren Hann, it’s a collection of fantasy/sci-fi short stories by a friend of mine.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I just sent my editor the second book in my vampire series, tentatively called “Killer on the Road” and I’m taking a little breather while I wait for her to get back to me. With any luck you’ll be able to get book 2 sometime in the summer of 2013.

Thanks so much for having me, excellent questions, it was fun!


The Newfoundland Vampire
Book One
Charles O’Keefe

Genre: Horror/Paranormal/Vampire

Publisher: Penumbra Publishing

ISBN: 978-1935563853
ASIN: B007TRWUCS

Number of pages: 224
Word Count: 86,737


Amazon UK          Chapters

Book Description:

Like every other geek alive, Newfoundland native Joseph O’Reily secretly wants to be a superhero. At thirteen he fantasized about being a vampire, and ten years later he’s still fantasizing – but mostly about a beautiful redheaded woman who has eyes only for him. The one thing different about Joseph’s adult fantasy is that, amazingly, it comes true one night when he goes to a local university pub. Cassandra Snow, literally the woman of his dreams, invites him to her place for an evening of personal pleasure. Of course he’s not going to say no. But when strange things start happening afterward, Joseph quickly learns that not all dreams should come true.

About the Author :

Charles O’Keefe lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundland, Canada, with his wife and two feline ‘children,’ Jude and Esther. He works as an inventory manager and enjoys many hobbies and activities that include writing, reading, watching fantasy/science-fiction movies and television shows, gaming, poker, walking, acting, and of course fantasizing about vampires.








1 comments:

Charles O'Keefe said...

Thanks again Roxanne, always a pleasure! =)