Harlequin Blaze (sequel to THE
ULTIMATE BITE), October, 2008, written as Crystal Green
FALLING FOR THE LONE WOLF
Book Three in the Special Edition Suds Club miniseries, October,
2008, written as Crystal Green
A long time ago, in a land far, far away ( Milwaukee , WI , St. Luke's
Hospital), Chris Marie Green (also writing as Crystal Green) joined
the world. While moving to Southern California, Kentucky , then back
to California , she amused herself by writing poetry and short stories
featuring the ultimate Alpha males--Superman and Indiana Jones. Later,
after graduating with a B.A. in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
, Chris decided to become a professional writer.
While she wrote, Chris
worked as an eighth-grade teacher, but resigned in 2002 to pursue writing
full time. Her critique partners, Sheri WhiteFeather and Judy Duarte
are instrumental in her endeavors. Without these talented authors,
writing would be a lonely road.
Chris is pumped about her continuing Vampire Babylon series for Ace,
which is best described as "noir fantasy-mysteries" featuring
a fledgling vamp hunter. The first two books, NIGHT RISING and MIDNIGHT
REIGN, have been released, and the third in the initial trilogy, BREAK
OF DAWN, will be on shelves in September, 2008. A Vampire Babylon-related
novella will be released the same month in an anthology entitled FIRST
BLOOD, and Chris is currently working on the second trilogy of the
series. (Note: The Vampire Babylon series uses trilogy arcs to tell
one basic story, much like the way JK Rowling used seven books that
didn’t solve every plot thread book-by-book to tell Harry Potter’s
story. While each individual novel focuses on a central mystery
that’s solved by the end, the three books together build character
and mythology arcs/mysteries until everything culminates in the third
book. Each trilogy repeats this pattern.)
Chris is also writes Silhouette Special Editions ("home and hearth" tales
of redemption and community) and Harlequin Blazes (steamy fantasies),
and whenever she can, she travels, including backpacking trips in Europe
and road trips in America . She also enjoys yoga, hiking, and way too
much movie-watching.
What's going on with Vampire Babylon and coming releases?
The first book, NIGHT
RISING, was released as a trade book by Ace in February, 2007.
The second book, an extension of the initial trilogy, MIDNIGHT REIGN,
hit shelves in February, 2008. Luckily, the third book that closes
out this trilogy, BREAK OF DAWN, will be coming out in September, 2008,
so the wait won't be as long! Berkley Sensation is putting out an anthology
entitled FIRST BLOOD in August, 2008, and I wrote a noir romance novella
that's tied to Vampire Babylon. (You'll find out about what happened
to Sorin's vampire "daughters.") Also, I've been contracted
to do a second Vampire Babylon trilogy, so hold on for another three-book
story arc starting in March, 2009. You can check www.vampirebabylon.comand www.myspace.com/vampirebaylon for
additional information.
How did the Ace Vampire
Babylon (formerly Vampire Underground) series come about?
I wanted to write a longer vampire book, and I had an idea about a stuntwoman on the career skids who finds out that her estranged father has gone missing in L.A. During her search for him, she comes across a strange paranormal investigative agency and this eventually leads to an erotically charged vamp underground. My Berkley editor is calling it "noir fantasy-mystery," and that gets my motor revved, LOL. I love the "noir" part, especially.
When will the next Huntress book come out (Silhouette Bombshell)?
Tricky question. : ) Right now, I'm working on a different vampire series-my Vampire Babylons. Also, the Bombshell line closed in January, 2007, so there's no chance of a release there. I'll never say never about resurrecting the Camille Howard stories for the future though..
Did you write any more Bombshells?
Yes. I did a murder-mystery in October, 2006, called Baited, and it's about an Everywoman-a surfer who works as a fake "pearl diver" at a fictional San Diego water park. She doesn't have any huge action-woman skills, so she's a different sort of Bombshell heroine. She really has to dig deep inside to use her strengths in order to survive and outwit a murderer who's wreaking havoc on an island where her party has crashed. Unfortunately, her fellow survivors are the possibly disinherited heirs of the heroine's dying friend and mentor, so it all becomes very Agatha Christie meets Friday the Thirteenth (the first-and best-one, of course, because that movie was essentially a graphic whodunit.). But that's the end of any Bombshells since the line closed in January, 2007.
Will there be any more Kane's Crossing books (Silhouette Special Edition)?
I'm afraid not. The series is going to stay at five books because Silhouette
wanted me to explore other story ideas that I will continue to write
within that line.
Will you have any more Blazes (Harlequin)?
Yes! I can't usually come out with more than two of these titles a year, but I love, love, love writing these books. In early 2007, I was contracted to write three more of these books, so look for more to come!
Where
do you get your ideas?
I usually get
an idea for a character (sometimes from a movie, sometimes from a real-
life situation), then decide what kind of "co-star" would
give him or her the most trouble. That's where the plot develops-from
their conflict.
I want to
write a book. How should I go about it?
Just do it. Make
writing a priority and don't make excuses for your lack of time. If you
feel your pages are terrible (and you probably will), rework them. Nothing
is written in stone. Then send out your material; if no one reads it, you
won't get it published. Also, attend conferences and writers' meetings
in order to network. Check into the RWA site at www.rwanational.com.
They'll teach you the tricks of business and craft.
Do you recommend
any books about writing?
Debra Dixon's Goal,
Motivation, and Conflict contains excellent advice about setting up a character's
core situation. The exercises will strengthen your plot as well as your
characters. Also, Christopher
Vogler'sThe Writer's Journey (based on Joseph Campbell's The
Hero's Journey) is great. After getting down the idea, you'll be able to
write a synopsis easily.
How did you get into writing professionally?
I've been writing since I could hold a crayon. In my early days, I loved being read to, loved hearing the flow of words. My favorite first book was Little Mommy. I memorized that sucker from opening to closing. I guess I enjoyed the sound of the rhyming narrative. I progressed from there, getting addicted to historical romance in middle school, writing my Superman and Indiana Jones stories. After high school, I started writing my own historical romance. It was awful, but a real good time. It broke every rule, I think, because I sent my heroine on this crazy 1853 New Orleans adventure and she was (eh-hem) interested in more than one hero. Very Jennifer Wilde. Anyway, that book is hidden away now, though it did prompt me to attend the San Diego State University Conference. That, in turn, led to my meeting Judy Duarte , then Sheri WhiteFeather, then joining Romance Writers of America® . The organization taught me the business of writing; I don't think I'd be a romance author without their support. Oddly enough, I write contemporary stories now, though I still love those historicals.
Do I
need a critique group?
That's up to you.
I've found that my group (Sheri WhiteFeather and Judy Duarte) is an invaluable
support system. They've also helped me grow in this field. However, I've
heard it said that critique groups can tear down a person's confidence
if the members don't know how to critique constructively.
How do
you define constructive criticism?
Always mention a positive to balance the negative. Phrase suggestions as suggestions,
not demands. Use smiley faces or other psychological tricks to encourage your
partners. Decide if your comments will help the manuscript in the big picture,
or if they're based on personal biases. These are simple points, but easy to
forget.
Who do
you read for inspiration?
I've got strange
reading habits. When I'm not in my "rough draft" writing
phase of a book, I'm into at least four books at one time. I have a "purse
book" to consume my time when I'm standing in lines or getting my car
washed, etc. That one's usually written by a friend. The other three
books vary: mainly a historical romance (love 'em!), a contemporary (to
check out the market), then either a classic, or something that will
teach me more about writing or new experiences. I follow authors like
Stephen King because he really stretches the limits of language and descriptions.
Larry McMurty writes quirky characters whose inner and spoken dialogues
reveal a lot about them. And I like Donna Tartt's themes and how they
tie into plot and characterization. Then there's Suzanne Brockmann, whose
pacing is a roller coaster of action and emotion.
When I'm in the "rough draft" writing phase of one of my books, I like
to read selections that help my research or inspire me creatively. I
usually talk about how this works on my blog page.
Do you
give the publishers ideas for your covers?
Yes. They ask for input. We fill out an Art Fact Sheet for Harlquin/Silhouette, sketching in character details such as hair/eye color, personality type, etc. We turn in magazine photos, too. However, it doesn't go beyond that. I have no connection with the cover models, photographers, etc. But they've always done a great job, and I appreciate it.
Are there any workshops that you give for conferences or local chapters?
I have a few ("I Saw the Bite," which covers writing for the paranormal market, and also "Baiting the Hook," which discusses effective opening hooks), but my favorite one is called "Pied-Piping the Muse." It's based on the Mozart Effect and on a method of story building that I used during creative writing time in the classroom. Basically, I utilize musical selections to lead the attendees through exercises that get them into a deep brainstorming zone. The feedback has been great so far, and I always love to see what the writers come up with. It's amazing.
