Prime Time Replay:
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
on her novel Writ in Blood
MsgId: *omni_visions(13)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:01:38 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Being the eternal optimist (at least in public), I'm gonna believe that technical problems are behind us for two hours, and launch tonight's show. Welcome to OmniVisions. I'm particularly pleased to welcome Chelsea Quinn Yarbro as my guest tonight.I've known Quinn for . . . well, a while now. She first began publishing professionally in this field in the late '60s, in IF Magazine. She's got literary reputations in science fiction, fantasy, horror, not to forget mystery, western fiction, and the metaphysical field. She's adept at the short story form as well as novels.
MsgId: *omni_visions(15)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:05:43 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Okay, back again after a second knock off. Hi, Ed.
MsgId: *omni_visions(16)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:07:13 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Quinn, I think, is especially well-known these days for the series that started in the late '70s with "THE HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA." Her wonderfully sympathetic Count, Saint-Germain, has drawn a tremendous interest both from fans of the vampire novel and from readers who simply love lush, splendidly realized, historical works. Her new Saint-Germain novel is "WRIT IN BLOOD," recently issued by Tor. There will be more, but we'll get to that later. Right now, I'd like to introduce Quinn and say thanks for being here. Oh, and for you trivia buffs, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro is, I believe, one of three Finnish-descended American f antasy/horror writers.
MsgId: *omni_visions(17)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:07:46 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Don't tell me this is contagious, getting put out of the interview by the gremlins?
MsgId: *omni_visions(18)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:08:29 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Let's hope for minimal getting-knocked-off-the-connection. But when it happens, don't worry. We're all patient. We'll wait.
MsgId: *omni_visions(19)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:08:59 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Actually, Rick Hautala and Walter Jon Williams are Finns, too
MsgId: *omni_visions(20)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:12:13 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Oops. I'd forgotten about Walter Jon. I was thinking of Rick and Emil Petaja. Anyway. Quinn, I've read critics who felt that some of your interest in the Saint-Germain books seemed to be shifting over a period of time somewhat from vampirism to the fascination of history. Your chronology is atypical in that your novels jump around among the centuries. What draws you to the places your characters have visited?
MsgId: *omni_visions(21)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:13:36 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Trouble, mainly, and access to women. And my own curiosity. Incidentally, this knocks me off when I put on the pause key, so looks like I'll have to take my chances without it.
MsgId: *omni_visions(23)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:16:29 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Good luck, Quinn. Timing will be everything if the pause doesn't work. Here's a lateral announcement for folks looking in. For another half hour or so, I'll talk to Quinn Yarbro one-to-one. Then producer Ellen will open the chat and you'll all have a chance to ask questions. So be ready.
MsgId: *omni_visions(24)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:17:49 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
About vampires and history -- a 4,000 year old character really needs a lot of history to support him, or there are no new stories
MsgId: *omni_visions(25)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:18:52 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Does travel play a role in your research? Or do you spend a whole lot of time either in libraries or running the net?
MsgId: *omni_visions(26)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:20:02 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Libraries and the intrnet are cheaper than travel and often more reliable, since things change over time. And when I can I use contemporary accounts of the period and add those observations to my work for authenticity.
MsgId: *omni_visions(28)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:22:26 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
A bane of the conscientious historical novelist is the nitpicker who's devoted an entire lifetime to a narrow area you might use in part of one book. Do some of these folks give you some help, or just carp if that catch you up? Or are you ever caught up?
MsgId: *omni_visions(29)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:24:30 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Yes, to all three at different times. There is also a matter of intreperation, and that can be a real sticking point. Those historians who see history as dogma and I do not agree
MsgId: *omni_visions(31)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:26:30 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
This'll be old news to some, but certainly not to all. How would you describe the roots of your interest in Saint-Germain as a character? Did it come from the historical count?
MsgId: *omni_visions(32)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:27:35 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Yes, it did. I was going to use him as a secondary character in "HOTEL TRANS" . . . And after a while I realized he fit my fictional niche to a T and so I made him the main character, taking everything he claimed as true. He claimed to be 4000 years old and kept his youth by drinking the Elixir of Life. Perfect! His stories about himself, and my imagination, have kept him going for 11 books, with any luck 12 will sell soon.
MsgId: *omni_visions(35)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:30:45 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
The associated novels of Atta Olivia Clemens . . . How did those come about?
MsgId: *omni_visions(37)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:32:56 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Olivia started out in "BLOOD GAMES" as a character, but had been sending letters through earlier books, so it was a matter of filling in blanks. And given the kind of woman she was, Olivia was not easy to find places to fit in. She was too strong.
MsgId: *omni_visions(39)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:35:44 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Does Olivia seem to have a somewhat different reader constituency, or do the readers seem to handle the tales of both strong characters well? I think the mood or tone of the Olivia books is maybe a touch tougher.
MsgId: *omni_visions(40)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:35:58 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
The second Madelaine book has not sold, either; I finished it years ago. People are pretty set about Olivia -- love her or hate her.As to being tougher, well, feminism is not a popular historical philosophy, as she so often laments.
MsgId: *omni_visions(43)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:41:26 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Along a different line, I understand you're embarking on a Holmesian adventure. Could you elaborate?
MsgId: *omni_visions(44)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:41:46 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
My goodness, that took a long time to get to you. Another collywobble in the works, perhaps?Bill Fawcett and I, as Quinn Fawcett, are doing a series of novels about Mycroft Holmes for Tor. The first shipped yesterday. I am currently working on #3, and should have it done in 6-8 weeks. The first is called "AGAINST THE BROTHERHOOD," the second is "EMBASSY ROW." They have a nifty biography for our collaborative persona.
MsgId: *omni_visions(48)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:46:18 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
I'm curious about the tone of your view of Mycroft. Will humor being playing a part? Or is it serious all the way?
MsgId: *omni_visions(49)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:48:10 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Pretty straight, but not stuffy -- I hope. I find the Holmes books hard to take, and so I try to shy away from the things I don't like in Sherlock so Mycroft isn't just a more priggish version of him.
MsgId: *omni_visions(51)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:50:26 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
I don't want to appear to be having all the fun here -- though I am, as questioner. But I'm going to ask producer Ellen to open up the chat. If you've got a message or question, just ask it. But please sign your posting so we can tell who's who. Thanks!
MsgId: *omni_visions(52)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:51:37 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Guthrie, the narrator, isn't like Watson, but Mycroft isn't just the way you think he is from Doyle, either, although I account for why. All done with Dame Jean Doyle's permission, of course.
MsgId: *omni_visions(55)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:54:47 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
Hi Ms. Yarbro. This is Wiley Saichek. I found the review of the Mycroft Holmes book if you're still interested. It was in the August 11 issue of Publisher's Weekly.
MsgId: *omni_visions(58)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:55:52 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Hi, Wiley. I knew you'd be here. How's Texas? Tor is supposed to be sending a copy to me. If they don't, I'll let you know.
MsgId: *omni_visions(54)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:54:30 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
Will Mycroft's bro make any appearance?
MsgId: *omni_visions(57)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:55:16 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.207.135
I'm sure like many people here tonight I read most of the series in the order you wrote it. My questions is if you had know that the series and the character of Olivia would become so popular, would you have mentioned her death in Hotel Trans. Tamela Muller Cold Spring, NY (Sultana176)
MsgId: *omni_visions(60)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:58:52 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
No, I wouldn't have said she was dead -- but when I did, I had no idea who she was. I found that out later.As to Sherlock, we are specifically forbidden to use him or Watson as characters in our stories.
MsgId: *omni_visions(61)
Date: Thu Sep 18 22:58:58 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
Texas is fine. How's CA? Has there been any word on a new editor for the series at Tor? --Wiley Saichek
MsgId: *omni_visions(64)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:01:23 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
No word yet, Wiley, about the editor -- I should know in a week or so. Hold a good thought, okay?
MsgId: *omni_visions(67)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:04:04 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
I've got to admit, I'm not exempt from fannish questions. So who could you see as terrific castings for film versions of Olivia and Saint-Germain?
MsgId: *omni_visions(72)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:06:51 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
As to casting, my choice for St-G, bar none, would be Philip Quast if he weren't 6'3". And casting Olivia -- Helen Mirren, if she were 10 years younger.
MsgId: *omni_visions(68)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:04:06 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.194.25
Ms. Yarbro, you mentioned you found the Doyle books hard to take. Do you mean the stilted and stuffy language? fanatia
MsgId: *omni_visions(73)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:08:02 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
As to Doyle, it isn't the language, it's the insufferable mindset. If I had been Watson, Holmes would have been brained in a week.
MsgId: *omni_visions(71)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:05:18 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.207.135
Thank you for answering my question Ms. Yarbro. And I must say that I have loved every book in the series. SG and friends were wonderful companions on many a lonely night and still are. A second question if I may, the final letter in The SG Chron. Is SG telling Madeline that they should try lovemaking. Will you ever tell us is they succeeded. Tamela Muller
MsgId: *omni_visions(74)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:11:24 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
As to St-G and MdM, I don't think I could write about them trying to make love now that they're both undead. You wouldn't like it, nor would I, nor would they
MsgId: *omni_visions(77)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:13:03 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.9
I've read Gahan Wilson's account of travelling to Romania -- it was intensely funny and a lot like Jonathan Harker's. I've seen the translation of Dan Simmons' trip to Vlad country in "CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT." You've been there, Quinn... How was it for you?
MsgId: *omni_visions(78)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:14:36 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Strange -- the only novelist in a sea of international scholars . . . and in a hectic schedule full of academic papers read in Dracular sights. I enjoyed it, but I don't feel bound to do it again . . . Transylvania itself is beautiful and spooky, but I grew up in redwood country and tall trees on steep hills mean home to me.
MsgId: *omni_visions(76)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:12:31 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
Ms. Yarbro, my mom and I recently read "Monet's Ghost" and loved it. Do you plan on anymore young adult novels? Also, mom, my aunt, and my neighbor are great fans of Charles Spotted Moon. --Wiley S.
MsgId: *omni_visions(81)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:17:34 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
About more yas or Charlie Moons -- I love to do them, but no one is buying them. Same with "IN THE FACE OF DEATH." Or "A FELLOW OF INFINITE JEST." One of these days, I tell myself. The book business is hard to understand and impossible to explain, I think.
MsgId: *omni_visions(86)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:22:04 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
I enjoyed "In the Face of Death" and "A Fellow of Infinite Jest." I'm glad they're available through Lindig's newsletter (lindig@mindspring.com) Shameless plug. --Wiley
MsgId: *omni_visions(87)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:22:51 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Okay -- Ed, ask me something about "WRIT IN BLOOD."
MsgId: *omni_visions(88)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:23:34 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.207.135
Ms. Yarbro, have you begun work on the next St.G. noval. And if so what will it be about? Tamela Muller
MsgId: *omni_visions(89)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:23:46 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Wiley, thanks for the plug. Lindig thanks you, too.I just turned in "BLOOD ROSES," set in the middle of the 14th century in western Europe during the Plague. There is a proposal in at Tor for #12, taking place in Rome, 1689=92. They have their take, and I have mine. Plenty of room for all of us.
MsgId: *omni_visions(91)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:26:02 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.207.135
Ms. Yarbro, you may know that Rasputen was betrayed as a vampire on the TV series "Forever Knight," I thought, in light of "WRIT OF BLOOD," that was ironic. Any thoughts? Tamela M.
MsgId: *omni_visions(94)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:29:56 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
Hello, again. My turn to get kicked off line with inexplicable messsage screens. Gremlins, indeed. I suspect the cats are interfering because they don't want to wait to order expensive kitty toys from QVC. Anyhow. About "WRIT IN BLOOD." It's set in 1910 as the world is on the brink of disaster -- what about this time period drew you into the story? And just how contemporary do you expect St.-G's adventures to become?
MsgId: *omni_visions(95)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:33:15 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
The short stories are quite contemporary. "WRIT IN BLOOD" is a prequel to "TEMPTING FATE" and at least an attempt to get the earlier books back in print. Besides, WWI is one of the great tragedies of history, and therefore irresistable to my purposes. "BLOOD ROSES" is pretty horrific, too. You'll see next year. I call them historical horror novels for a reason, you know: history is horrifying.
MsgId: *omni_visions(99)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:37:37 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
Maybe Tor or someone else could be convinced to to the omnibus trade pbk editions you want of the early books. I think "Mansions of Darkness" and "Writ in Blood" have been selling well (Writ was on Ingram's list for 10 weeks). Wiley
MsgId: *omni_visions(100)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:38:15 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
So you tell me -- which one would make the best movie?
MsgId: *omni_visions(102)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:41:22 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
"Cabin 33" would make a good t.v. movie. For the big screen I think "Hotel Transylvania" and/or "Tempting Fate" would be very interesting, though "TF" would have to be cut a lot. Wiley
MsgId: *omni_visions(104)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:41:44 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.207.135
As an avid fan I think they would all make great movies. I wish some cable station would consider doing a series on the entire series. The History Channel comes to mind. Have you considered making a pitch to them. They (the books) certainly cover alot of history. Tamela M.
MsgId: *omni_visions(101)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:38:26 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
I seem to recall some pretty grim, dystopian, yes -- horrifying science fiction in your past work. Would it contradict the whole idea of historical horror to extrapolate St.G into the future?
MsgId: *omni_visions(103)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:41:29 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Since St-G's perspicacity is only as good as my research, he'll stay in the past.However, I would like to do s-f again, one of these days, probably grim and bleak as usual. I've written a play of "Renewal" and one of these days someone may do it.
I don't know how TV movies get made, but we can hope. In regard to film, it takes so many elements coming together at just the right time . . .
MsgId: *omni_visions(108)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:45:45 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
I'm curious about your spiritual or metaphysical side. The Michael books... Do they take a different sort of energy for you write than the novels?
MsgId: *omni_visions(110)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:46:38 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
The Michael books are more editing than anything else, from pages of transcripts. Also, in terms of the Michael material, since I don't write them per se, I have to keep distant from the material in order . . . unlike immersing myself in my fiction. It's a change of pace. I've been in that group 20 years now, and I'm still fascinated in what Michael has to say.
MsgId: *omni_visions(114)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:51:03 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
We're winding down the last ten minutes, friends. There's still time to ask questions or make comments, so feel invited. But please note the clock.
MsgId: *omni_visions(115)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:51:48 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.207.135
I remember reading somewhere you saying that because the historical St-G claimed to be between 2000 - 4000 and drank the exilir of life that making him a vampire didn't seem that far fetched. Would it surprise you very much if he did exisit? Tamela M.
MsgId: *omni_visions(116)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:52:00 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
And thanks for staying up late for this informal chat.You mean as a vampire? Since I don't believe in vampires, you bet.
MsgId: *omni_visions(118)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:52:59 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
How are the "Bride of Dracula" books coming along? They sound really great too, and I'm looking forward to them. Wiley
MsgId: *omni_visions(119)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:54:44 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
The first two are finished and in. They have both been very heavily edited. The third is due in a year.
MsgId: *omni_visions(122)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:56:53 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
Great, I'll be looking for them. Thanks for doing this chat, and thanks Mr. Bryant and Ms. Datlow for setting it up. Wiley
MsgId: *omni_visions(120)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:55:41 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
Something I try to ask most guests, since there are always plenty in the audience who are working on writing, hoping to break into print. Have you some advice from your own writing experience?
MsgId: *omni_visions(121)
Date: Thu Sep 18 23:56:53 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Don't kid yourself about the market or your chance of big success. If writing isn't enough . . . to keep you writing, there isn't fame or money enough to make up the difference. When it comes to writing, you must love your work no matter what, and every character in it. And learn all about the business as soon as you can.Thanks for spending the last couple hours with Ed and me. Take care out there in the real world.
MsgId: *omni_visions(127)
Date: Fri Sep 19 00:00:46 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
Here's a reminder if you tuned in late. Our guest Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's latest novel is "WRIT IN BLOOD," an August hardback release from Tor. You'll find Saint-Germain embarking on a secret task for Czar Nicholas in 1910. And be watching for "AGAINST THE BROTHERHOOD," her first Mycroft Holmes novel, written in collaboration with Bill Fawcett as "Quinn Fawcett."
MsgId: *omni_visions(128)
Date: Fri Sep 19 00:02:18 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 152.163.197.37
Thanks again, and Betty told me to say "hi" for her. It was fun, and we'll be looking forward to for your books. Wiley
MsgId: *omni_visions(129)
Date: Fri Sep 19 00:03:28 EDT 1997
From: ChelseaQuinnYarbro At: 207.93.42.71
Good night, all.
MsgId: *omni_visions(130)
Date: Fri Sep 19 00:03:33 EDT 1997
From: Edward_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.3
We're at the end of our allotted time (don't take that too philosophically), so I'd like to remind you that next week's guest with Jim Freund will be the incredible Lucius Shepard. And please join me in two weeks on October 2nd when I talk with Melanie Tem, author of the new novel "BLACK RIVER." Now I want to thank producer Ellen Datlow and the rest of you, especially Wiley and Tamela M. and others who joined in. But especially I want to thank Chelsea Quinn Yarbro for her time and talent. Good night, all.
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