You never know who you're going to find hanging out on Facebook. From authors writing science fiction to the romancers and their happily ever afters.
And then there are the dark ones, the ones who haunt the night and write both fantasy and nightmare in their stories. The vampire mistresses and masters, the fiends who get us as addicted to drinking blood as their characters are.
And, not saying anything here...but, who better than a Romanian Native to write to us about the vampires who inhabit her territory?
Wait, wait...vampires are actually aliens!?!?! Now I just need to know more!
Please help me in welcoming this upcoming Vampire Mistress of the Book World...
Iuliana Foos
One drop of imagination can change the world.
Why did you first start writing? What was the inspiration for your first book?
When I was a teenager, I visited Dracula’s Castle. It was then, when the vampires came to live in my mind. I walked through dark and dingy corridors, cold stone rooms, and spiral slippery staircases. I was convinced that if vampires were real, they would live among us, blending in. I have never believed in ghosts, undead, cursed souls, so I figured that vampires must come from somewhere else. I am a firm believer in life beyond our blue planet, so it was just a matter of time until I connected the two. It is why my vampires are of alien descent and have super natural powers.
Growing up in Romania, under the communist regime, I couldn’t read what I wanted, or as much as I would have liked. Translated books from authors other than Romanians, were not easy to find. But the black market helped.
In my late teens I started to make my own stories in my mind. To most it looked like daydreaming and I got in trouble a few times. When I reached mid-twenties, I started to hand write in Romanian some of the stories starting to take shape in my mind.
But the first story ever, the one about vampires, I never wrote until two years ago. It changed and developed into a trilogy.
How many books do you have published now?
One published, ‘Bloodline Origins’, the first in the series. The next two, ‘Bloodline Destinies’ and ‘Bloodline Revelations’, are already contracted with my publisher, and waiting in queue for their release dates.
Do you have any books in the works at the moment?
With the trilogy done and out of my mind, there was some space and more ideas filled in quickly. I started a new series, ‘Star Class’. I am planning on seven books, each taking place in a different world. I am going to explore more the science-fiction, mix in some romance, and a good dose of adventure. I am already half way through writing the first one.
How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?
Names are most important to me. I choose my characters names according to their personalities. They have to fit and they always have a meaning in my mind.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Writing in a language that is not my native, it is challenging. Thank God the accent doesn’t come through in writing.
Can you tell me a bit about your series?
The ‘Bloodline’ series is the saga of a vampire family. The first book takes place in present time, with incursions in the past, when their kind came to existence, close to two thousand years ago. Books two and three are set five hundred years in the future. You will get to see the Earth how I imagine it five centuries from now. And there will also be aliens, the vampires' makers will be back.
What is the appeal, do you think, about writing with/about supernatural/paranormal characters for readers picking up your books?
I would have to say the unexpected and the freedom of imagination. Writing about worlds that only exist in my mind is fascinating. I love bringing those worlds and the creatures/people living there to life.
If any one of your novels was to become a movie or a TV show and you got the chance to work with the casting director for it, do you know who you would want to play your characters or who your inspiration for those characters were when you were writing your novel?
Definitely. There was a time when I kept a picture of this actor (no names) to help me write my male character. The whole cast is in place before I start writing. It helps me visualize my characters.
Dragons…or wolves? One-word answer is not enough! We must know! What is your favorite supernatural creature?
Dragons! Now I will have to have one in one of my stories at some point.
*****
Thank you so much to Iuliana for taking the time to introduce herself to me and let me ask her all these questions.
She is such an amazing person, and I'm so looking forward to getting to know and read more about her "vampires" stories!
But, if you're like me and can't wait much longer, you're in luck, because she's given me permission to share a short excerpt with you!
Hope you enjoy, and don't forget to check out Iuliana's links down below!
EXCERPT:
“Some had pale skin with dark tattoos. Others had darker skin with luminescent body markings. White eyes beamed toward us, empty, emotionless. Most of them had slightly pointed ears. They were taller and bigger than most people I knew. Some glided, others walked, and all wore long black robes.”
That’s kind of cool. Ana tried to visualize those chained, and the tall silhouettes gliding inside the cave. It made her shiver.
“They inspected everyone in the room and separated us into groups. We were the lucky ones, they said, chosen to rule the Earth.” Jonas ran his hand over the lower half of his face. “They spoke our language with ease.” He leaned against the backrest of his chair again, as if he wasn’t used to sitting, or he was uncomfortable. “It seemed the ones with darker skin and luminescent tattoos were higher ranked. One of them signaled, and more came in.” He glanced at Ana. “On some floating carts, motionless human bodies were piled up, and we each got one dropped at our feet—”
“Where they dead?” Ana interrupted.
Jonas shook his head. “No. They showed us how to feed. That was the first time I drank human blood.”
He stopped again. Ghosts seemed to be haunting his eyes, as if trying to escape.
Ana gathered her legs, curling them under her frame. She had dismissed the earlier lesson from Mara in regard to the posture.
“Who were they?” Ana slightly leaned forward, devouring every word.
Jonas stared at her like her words woke him from a trance.
“They told us they were from Vamphora. Called themselves Vamphorians and named us vampires.”
“Wait. Are you saying they were aliens?” Ana couldn’t believe her own words.
“Yes.” Jonas nodded in agreement. “They were searching for a new home. Theirs was on the brink of extinction.”
LINKS:
Website: http://www.iulianafoos.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iulianafoos
BOOK LINK: hyperurl.co/irv7ss