Author Steven Van Patten interviewed by Michael Vass

About a year ago I had the opportunity to review a novel by author Steven Van Patten. The book was Brookwater’s Curse, a vampire novel that stands out among the genre on many levels. I found the story to be engaging, the characters unique and a refreshing change.

Since that time, Steven Van Patten has come out with the follow-up book to Brookwater’s Curse. I am currently reading that, and will be providing a review for that as well. But I took the time before finishing the second book to interview Steven.

Michael Vass: Congratulations on the second book being published. It must be a thrill to continue to see your work being in published form and accepted so well across the world.

Steven Van Patten: Thanks Michael. It has been exhilarating to hear the responses I've been getting. I mean, when this whole thing started, it was just me, a laptop and my overactive imagination. Now, it's non-stop e-mails and praise and I'm still very much an underground hit. I'm very grateful for whatever happens from this point on.

Michael Vass: For my readers that are unfamiliar with you, please tell us a bit about yourself.

Steven Van Patten: Well, I'm a Brooklynite -- born and raised. I went to Long Island University, where I majored in Media Arts and Minored in English. Grew up in Fort Greene but I'm currently living in Crown Heights. When I'm not our trying to grow the Brookwater's Curse franchise, or home writing feverishly, I'm usually out stage managing any number of TV shows. I've worked regularly on shows like Total Request Live, and BET Tonight with Ed Gordon, but I also done countless concerts, major sports events and things like that.

Michael Vass: Did you always imagine that you would be a writer?

Steven Van Patten: Well I always had a knack for it. In school, the grades spoke for themselves. And I always had this imagination thing. It's definitely my blessing and my curse. It's a blessing because it's definitely a gift from God. It's a curse because sometimes I can't control it.

Michael Vass: Was your education a major factor in your desire to be a writer? What did you take in school?

Steven Van Patten: Honestly, school was only part of it. I don't think my teachers expected what I was capable of, so many of them let me be. My mother pushed me pretty hard to broaden my learning scope past school. So I read voraciously as a kid and still would be if not for the fact that I've been too busy writing my own stuff to get into anything new these days.

Michael Vass: What were early influences for you? Are there specific books that inspired you?

Steven Van Patten: Aside from the million comic books currently living in a closet at my mother's, Stephen King, James Baldwin, Walter Mosley were big literary influences. So, Dracula, Frankenstein and Interview with a Vampire all got same time and attention as Go Tell It On the Mountain and Devil in A Blue Dress and The Fire Next Time.

I should also mention that movies were another big influence -- and the movie Blacula left an indelible mark on me -- no pun intended. From a special effects standpoint it certainly has not stood the test of time, but it is one of the first examples of a person of color maintaining a high level of dignity during a horror movie.

Michael Vass: What made you decide to pick a vampire story for your book?

Steven Van Patten: I wanted to explore how the world we currently inhabit would seem to a black man who had been around during the slavery era. So for me it was the matter of my taking two things I love -- vampires and black history -- and meshing them in a compelling way.

Michael Vass: What was your motivation to have almost all the major characters in the books to be African American, Hispanic, and Asian?

Steven Van Patten: I'm big on leaving stereotypes behind, and I wanted to create something new. The world is full of flavors -- so to speak -- so why not use them all? How often do we get to see or read about a black woman turning into a werewolf? Or an Vampire Samurai Lord? I mean, I look out my window and I see everyone, so why not put everyone in my story?

Michael Vass: How long did it take you to write the book? And your second novel?

Steven Van Patten: The first book, what with the trip to Africa and all the research involved, took 7 years. This is also during the time I was working at MTV almost full time. The second book took 3 and a half, because there was less historical stuff to double check.

Michael Vass: Was it hard to get the book published? Did you get any requests to change the characters or storyline?

Steven Van Patten: I'm self-published, so as far as all that goes, the decision making stops here.

Michael Vass: Often writers include a bit of themselves inside the stories they write. Is there any character that reflects a bit of you in these books? Do any reflect other people you know, or are famous?

Steven Van Patten: I'd say they all do, but none more than Christian Brookwater. He is my mouthpiece and my gauge. He is my Darth Vader, my Kermit the Frog, my Mickey Mouse, my Spider-man. He's the cornerstone of the franchise and I feel a certain kinship to him, even though he only exists in my head.

Some of his romantic exploits may mirror a few of my own in a vague sense, but I was careful to stay away from specifics. No one character in my stories is one person in particular exclusively. There is a lot of mix and match.

Michael Vass: How much has the works of Bram Stoker and/or Anne Rice, or the multitude of films about vampires affected your writing. You seem to have included some parts of the mythology and excluded others, how did you come to that conclusion?

Steven Van Patten: Every person who dabbles in this genre plays with the rules a little. From silver, to stakes to sunlight. No two writers agree completely. I decided that I wanted to be logical. I wanted to come up with some ways that vampires could have been around and just undetected. So yes, for example, my vamps cast reflections and eat real food, and therefore don't give themselves away to the general public so easily. When Bram Stoker and Anne Rice put their stories together, they did what made sense to them and ultimately, their belief in what they were doing helped the books resonant. I can only hope the same holds true for me.

Michael Vass: Your books have strong influences from Africa , werewolves, and Asia. How did that come about?

Steven Van Patten: My love of history, whether it be African-American, American, or Asian is a large part of who I am. I enjoyed Bruce Lee flicks as a child just like everybody else. The only thing is, Bruce Lee inadvertently led me -- thanks to a film festival, to the work of Akira Kurosawa... which led to a host of things, including me studying Kendo for two years. And of course, the birth of one of my other main characters, Lord Ebichara Tanata.

As far as werewolves go, they are just as fascinating as vampires, because they are part-time monsters who have to reconcile the two sides of themselves. It's the ultimate analogy for the addictive personality. I love it. The possibilities are endless.

Michael Vass: Taking a peek into the future do you see yourself continuing to write about the supernatural characters found in your first 2 books? Is there another genre that you want to delve into?

Steven Van Patten: I am going to draw the line with Volume III as far as Christian Brookwater goes. I may do a spin off book at some point featuring Jeremiah the new werewolf, maybe, but I feel this part of my work is over soon. The 2nd book really burned me out. Also, to be honest, the creation of the villain Emmanuel took me somewhere I don't normally go. Not sure how many times I can stare into that abyss, coming up with what motivates these evil creatures while I sit alone in the middle of the night.

Of course, I'll contradict that now by announcing that I have plans to do a serial killer story. As with the BC series, it will be unusually multi-cultural. But there will only be one of those. After that, I have a comedic side that I intend to start exploring soon.

Michael Vass: How has the publishing experience been?

Steven Van Patten: Like anything else, it has it's ups and downs. The hardest lesson for me has been that coming up with the story and selling the story involve two completely different sets of skills.

Michael Vass: Do you have any book signing or other appearances coming up that my readers might be able to see you at?

Steven Van Patten: I will be attending Wagfest in Atlanta the week of October 2-4. There may be some other stuff before that, but that's the big one.

Michael Vass: I like to ask in all my interviews if there is a cause or organization that you champion. I always like to help promote a good cause whenever possible. Is there any organization or cause you would like to present to my readers?

Steven Van Patten: Ever since the Iraq War started, I've made it my business to send a few bucks to Disabled Veterans of America as often as I can.

No matter what your stance on the war is, the troops deserve our love and respect.

Michael Vass: Speaking directly to my younger readers in the world, is there something you would like to share with them?

Steven Van Patten: Pull Your Pants Up. That and there is more to the world than just Hip-Hop. Not everyone is going to be a rapper, so let's get some other skill sets going.

Michael Vass: Where can my reader purchase a copy of your books?

Steven Van Patten: The easiest way would probably be Amazon.com, but if you want an autographed copy you can hit me up at www.brookwaterscurse.com.

I thank Steven for the interview. I hope that it has inspired future writers and given my readers the desire to check out Brookwater’s Curse and the follow-up book. I look forward to speaking with Steven more in the future as his next book is ready for the public.

Michael Vass interviews 4-time author Victoria Morris

Recently an associate brought to my attention a series of books that they were sure I had not read. In fact, I later learned, my friend had looked around and thought that it would be a great deal of fun to introduce me to this specific line of books. The reason that this was different was because the writer, Victoria Morris, writes about erotica and adult alternative lifestyles, among other subjects. Her books include: Love In Chains, Mistress For Sale, Our Lady Of Pain, and To Love, Honor, & Disobey.

I admit that at first, upon scanning the books I was a bit thrown. But as I read on I found that the material was hardly the thing of taboo that many believe the subject to be. More importantly I found the writing to be of quality and engaging.

Which got me thinking. If I too held thoughts about the subject matter being taboo, I can imagine that many of my readers do too. Yet these books are entertainment as much as any other style of book. And the author is as deserving of attention; in fact moreso than many I have read over the years.

So I set about finding the author and interviewing her. It took a while and was done via email, but I got it done. Thus I present 4-time author Victoria Morris.

Michael Vass: For my readers that are unfamiliar with you please tell us a bit about Victoria Morris.

Victoria Morris: I grew up in a small town not too far from Binghamton and have two teenage children, one in college. I consider myself a research junkie, mostly in regards to American History and family genealogy and have been a practicing Pagan for over 20 years.

Michael Vass: How important was your education in helping you reach this point in your life? Was education something that was important growing up?

Victoria Morris: Well, you can’t be a writer if you don’t know how to read and write! I think the attitudes my parents had with me as a kid were more influential than the formal classroom education I got. I was far from a straight-A student, but I was always encouraged to do my best and to work hard at the thing or things I wanted to do the most. As long as I did that and was happy with it, my parents were proud and encouraging.

Michael Vass: Was writing something you always wanted to do? Did you study English in high school/college?

Victoria Morris: Always. In high school I majored in English as much as one can there. Afterwards I attended TC3 and took an illustration course. I also took a correspondence course in Children’s Literature.

My first goal as a budding author was to write and illustrate children’s books. In fact, my father faithfully saved the first children’s book I did that with when I was nine-years-old. Bill, The Worm Who Ran Away is a well-known piece of literature in my family.

Michael Vass: What is it that motivated you to become a writer?

Victoria Morris: For me, writing is like breathing – I can’t NOT do it. Write or die, that’s my motivation… life!

Michael Vass: What made you decide to take the publishing route you chose?

Victoria Morris: I worked on a history piece for a local group that I sold for $2 each. Those booklets were actually my first real source of writing income. After that, I decided my writing had some value and from then on, have not written for free other than a few Letters-To-The-Editor in local papers. I never considered any of the Self-Publishing companies out there. If I were any good at all, shouldn’t someone be paying me for it instead of the other way around?

Michael Vass: How have you found the private publishing process to be? Is it harder than you thought?

Victoria Morris: I think the hardest part was actually finding a publisher interested in my work, especially something as non-mainstream as BDSM-based erotica. Once I found them, it’s been incredibly easy. They are great people, very personable.

Michael Vass: How rewarding and difficult has the private publishing process been?

Victoria Morris: I’ve enjoyed working with my publisher right from the start. They even let me have a great deal of say in what I envision for the cover art, which is something very, very few writers get to do. I commissioned a private artist for the first two covers but was, sadly, unable to get him for the third. He is incredible!

Michael Vass: You have written 3 books so far, what is that experience like? What do you do to prepare?

Victoria Morris: Actually, I’ve written 9 novels, but only 4 have been published and only those four are erotica-based. The first drafts of almost all my novels were written in long hand in a steno pad. I don’t outline at all. I’m what is called an organic writer. I just go with the flow of whatever direction the characters take me. Some people find it funny when I say even I don’t know what’s going to happen next most of the time, but it’s true. Some of my characters get very cranky if I try to tell them what to do. That’s a good thing. It means they have a life and that’s what readers want.

Michael Vass: How long does it take to write a book? What gets you motivated to write?

Victoria Morris: Love In Chains took just about a year to write. That includes the final draft. That has been about the same pace for all my books, about a year. The plot and characters motivate me and the need to get out a good story and share it with others.

Michael Vass: How hard was it to write your first book? Did it get easier after that first book?

Victoria Morris: Every book is difficult in its own way. The second erotica, To Love, Honor & Disobey, was much harder to write than Love In Chains. The characters were more influenced by what was going on in the world beyond Greenbrier Plantation. The erotica is more than just erotica, it is historically correct erotica. I had to know what battles were going on where and how those things would influence what my characters could and could not do. At one point, Dr. Addams meets with Gen. Thomas Jackson. I had to make sure that would have been possible considering where Gen. Jackson was at that time in the War.

Michael Vass: Where do you get the inspiration for your characters, and what happens to them?

Victoria Morris: My characters come from little bits of myself, from my family, from my friends. I warn people that they may just find themselves in one of my books one way or another and some of them already have.

You’d think I’d have more control over the plot than I actually do. As an organic writer my happiest moments are when I have no idea what’s going to happen and am writing as fast as I can to keep up with the action in my head. Sit down and watch a movie you’ve never seen before and start writing what you see and the dialogue as you go. That’s a little bit what it’s like when I’m in The Zone.

Michael Vass: What inspired the time period that your stories take place in?

Victoria Morris: As I mentioned earlier, I’m a research junkie and have always been interested in the Victorian era, specifically the U.S. Civil War time period. I had attended several re-enactments prior to getting involved in it myself as a re-enactor. Contrary to what people might think, the Victorians were hardly prudes, they just kept all their sexuality hidden and secret. What better time period to set a BDSM novel in? Secret sexual practices abounded back then. I could pretty much make up anything I wanted!

Michael Vass: Has the subjects of your books made it harder to distribute your books?

Victoria Morris: Definitely. Unlike my other writer friends I can’t have a book signing at the local Mall or at any of the larger, better known bookstores. And because of the small size of my publisher, they are really unable to afford going through the more popular places online.

Michael Vass: The subject you write about is taboo for some people, what brought you to write about that?

Victoria Morris: Long before chat rooms, there was (and still is) a place called LambdaMOO. It was created by a bunch of Dungeon & Dragons people who wanted to be able to interact with more people. It allows you to create characters, build various rooms and objects and allows you to interact in real time with other people all purely in text format.

My first character there was Lady Vivianne, a vampire Mistress. It was a game and one I was told I played very well. I found that I was damn good at creating a sexual, sensual and believable atmosphere with my fellow players and that kind of got me thinking about writing an erotic novel.

Michael Vass: Are you actually involved in the alternative lifestyle or do you just write about it?

Victoria Morris: I have been actively involved in the Lifestyle for about 10 years now, but I have not done ALL of the things that are described in the books. That’s what research is for. Sometimes the scenes in the books are scenes I’ve watched taking place right before me. Others were simply suggested to me or were things I read about.

Michael Vass: At what point did you learn about the alternative lifestyle? What drew you to it?

Victoria Morris: I didn’t really understand it until about fifteen years ago when I started watching and participating in online scenes at the aforementioned LambdaMOO. I think what drew me in was the sense of power and control I felt within myself.

I didn’t have that in my own life at the time. I wanted to be able to have more say in things than what I felt I did. Becoming an online vampire Mistress was very empowering. Through that and other characters I had, I learned what worked and didn’t work for me as well as what I did and didn’t want in a real relationship.

Michael Vass: Have you ever had family and friends read your books? How did they react?

Victoria Morris: Yes, I have had family and friends read my books. My cousin has been my first Reader for years. My mother has copies of all my books, too. She’s read Love In Chains and admits she was a little scared at first. Once she got into it though, the sexual stuff really didn’t bother her so much because there was such a strong plot going on, too.

The few friends that have read the first book maybe don’t quite get it as far as the kink is concerned, but they have been supportive even as they eyed me rather warily.

Michael Vass: Often writers include a bit about themselves in their stories, is there any specific parts of you in these stories?

Victoria Morris: Lucy, the main female lead, is very much into Spiritualism and the occult, though she passes herself off as a devout Episcopalian. That combination comes from my grandmothers.

One was Episcopalian and I was even baptized as such. The other was very interested in Spiritualism, so much so that for my 13th birthday she bought for and taught me how to use a Ouija board.

Mistress Vivianne is a re-creation of the first LambaMOO character I had. The first Vivianne was anything but nice. She was full of rage and man-hate. I was going through some difficult times in my life and used her to vent safely.

Michael Vass: Is it difficult to be in the alternative lifestyle? Does it interfere with your daily life?

Victoria Morris: Sometimes the general public bases too much of their opinions of people on what we do in the bedroom. That’s really unfair. In some ways it does interfere with my daily life. As I have kids, I have to be extremely vigilant in keeping my writing and research materials secure. I can’t leave manuscripts just lying around. I can’t even put copies of my books on my own bookshelf. Being a writer is such a vital part of who I am, and to have to hide that from them on some level really nags at me.

Michael Vass: Some readers will likely want to know if you believe the alternative lifestyle restricts you as a woman? Does it hold you back in your career or life choices?

Victoria Morris: I don’t think it holds me back as a woman, so much as being able to be open and honest with everyone about who I am as a person. It’s a bit restraining (no pun intended) to have to keep such an important part of myself tucked away from prying and judgmental eyes.

So far, being exposed to and participating in the Lifestyle has only enhanced my career as a writer and in doing that has encouraged me to expand and improve on my writing in other genres.

Michael Vass: Considering that you focus on the alternative lifestyle in your book, have you had any positive or negative feedback from readers?

Victoria Morris: All the reviews I’ve seen have been very positive, as has been the feedback I’ve gotten from people in person. They seem genuinely grateful that what I’m writing is not just all sex, sex, sex, but that my characters come across as real people.

Michael Vass: For those interested in writing their own books, what might you suggest?

Victoria Morris: Do it because you love to do it, not because you think you’ll be the next Ernest Hemmingway or Patricia Cornwall. Chances are very high you won’t be.

Write what you know. If you don’t know about a specific thing you want incorporated, don’t fake it – do the research!

Don’t be afraid to let others read your stuff. It’s the only way you’ll know how well, or how crappy, you are. A good Reader is a godsend. They will be 100% honest with you just like a real editor will be. You need to be able to take that sort of blunt honesty right from the start so get used to it.

Michael Vass: I always like to ask anyone I interview a question about the causes and organizations that they believe in, if any. Is there a cause or organization you support and would like to mention?

Victoria Morris: I have been a member of The National Trust for Historic Preservation since 1995. I’m a big advocate for preserving and remembering where we come from, be that public building, a battlefield, a private home, a covered bridge or personal papers and documents.

Every single one of us comes from somewhere. I think it’s enormously vital to remember where that place is and who those people were.

Michael Vass: Are you working on another book now?

Victoria Morris: I’m always working on at least one book. Without going into too many details, the one that is the furthest along centers around a colony of vampires residing in contemporary West Virginia.

I’ve personally had enough of the saccharine sweet vampires we’ve had stuffed down our throats lately. I’ve always found vampires to be incredibly powerful, sexy creatures, but not necessarily in a romantic way. If you watch how Christopher Lee portrays Count Dracula in the Hammer films, you’ll see what I mean. He could be sexy as hell, but he wasn’t nice about it.

Michael Vass: Where can those interested learn more about your books, and purchase them.

Victoria Morris: The very best place to purchase is directly from the publisher at www.pinkflamingo.com. From there you can do an author search under my name and it will bring up all my titles. Everything is available on eBook, too.

Michael Vass: What would you recommend for those interested in learning more about the lifestyle?

Victoria Morris: Research!! This means being able to ask discrete questions at your local adult toy or bookstore. They are in the erotic business and just may know if there are any groups in your area. There are groups online like alt.com but I tend to steer away from those just because people can be so fake behind a computer screen. It’s better and safer to meet new people in a large, public setting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, lots and lots of questions.

I want to thank Victoria Morris for the interview. I hope that this interview has shed light on an author that I believe deserves more attention, but due to the subject is harder to receive it.

In addition I hope to have also removed a touch of the stigma associated with this genre of entertainment; and perhaps removed a bit of the mystery surrounding alternative lifestyles – particularly BDSM. I admit that my knowledge of such was very limited and little more than what is in the general consciousness, but this has added to my general understanding.

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of this interview for me, besides being in touch with an excellent successful writer, is to learn that unlike the taboo we all are instructed to accept without basis - the people in the alternative lifestyle are just regular people too. It’s a prejudice I didn’t realize I had, and am glad to count it as one fewer that I have in my life.

So in conclusion, if you are willing to visit the wilder side of your imagination and enjoy solid writing, do purchase a copy of one or all the books of author Victoria Morris.