Zombies vs. Vampires (vs. Pixies!)

Zombies vs. Vampires with Cynthia Leitich Smith, Daniel Waters, Carrie Jones, and Heather Brewer
First, a technical note: I wanted to use what I'm learning in school, so none of this is flash photography. I'm also in manual settings. I did use autofocus to take faster shots. (Focusing is one of my weak spots due to my eyesight.)

This panel began with a discussion of how to make fantasy characters work in an urban setting and what they wear. To the right, you can see Heather Brewer demonstrating her powers of imagination by choosing to make Vlad dress exactly like her. (Vlad is Vladimir Tod, the most recent release in the series being TENTH GRADE BLEEDS.)



She did dress for the panel, in a "Zombies Need Love Too" tee, since she was undecided about zombies vs. vampires and feeling generous in the morning. As for integrating her characters, she enjoys mentioning standard things from vampire lore that would be tricky and then subverting them. Besides, not being able to cross running water is just silly.

My favorite question of the panel was, "If the zombie apocalypse comes and you and three other authors are the only ones holding out, who would you choose to be holed up with?" Heather went with her panel members, since they were already with her and would thus survive due to her being prepared for this exact possibility. That sounded good to Carrie Jones, who was pretty sure she'd be dead meat when faced with zombies. (I think she could throw her totally cute shoes at them. It worked for Clara against the Rat King.) However, Carrie did when for most terrifying zombified supernatural, as pixie zombies would be unstoppable. (She wrote the pixie-laden NEED, which I reviewed here.)



Vampires couldn't be zombified, of course, since one must die first and vampires remain undead. Heather proposed that vamp blood could cure zombism, although the audience was divided on the issue. Cynthia Leitich Smith did see on satellite radio that salt can be used to restore zombies to their former humanity. Resident zombie expert Daniel Waters wasn't sure about that, but he said it couldn't hurt to add salt to your zombie kit. (Doubt his zombie credentials? Check out KISS OF LIFE, which I reviewed here.)



Speaking of Daniel, he didn't have a true preference for the three authors he'd take with him. He only knew that they needed to be slower and tastier, rather than more skilled. Cynthia, on the other hand, did have a team picked out. Her ringer? Local author April Lurie, who used to be a nurse. Her medical knowledge would be handy, though she would later disavow her use when told of being picked at a later panel.



Then, when questioned about what they could write about if they couldn't use zombies or vampires, the authors got creative. Cynthia noted that her series, containing TANTALIZE and ETERNAL, had a werearmadillo among many other creatures. Carrie noted that she'd started in contemporary YA . . . and then threatened to write about curtains (among other things). Sitting beside her, skeptical Heather was skeptical. Daniel was less so, but this is the man who admitted he would kiss Tinkerbell (but not a male vampire, whether he be Vlad or Edward).

It was a very fun panel, and Ms. Anderson of BookPeople did a great job moderating. (She also did her own write-up of the panel, which contains many things mine doesn't.) There's a reason everyone was laughing!

Interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the author of TANTALIZE and ETERNAL, as well as the upcoming BLESSED. Other books of hers include JINGLE DANCER, RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME, and INDIAN SHOES. She's published a variety of short stories. She's maintained Cynsations (also available on el jay and MySpace) for more than ten years, providing all sorts of information about YA and children's books.

She's very intelligent and easy to talk to, so I loved being able to interview her again. She's written fantasy and realism and does both well.

--

1. Your YA gothic fantasy series follows an interesting structure. The casts of TANTALIZE and ETERNAL are separate (and the events in ETERNAL come first), then the two casts unite in the third book. Why did you decide on this structure? When you started ETERNAL did you realize it would occur chronologically before TANTALIZE?

The overarching story that unites the three books is a "big" one--large in scope and large in terms of impact on the fictional world. This structure allowed me to show the relatively everyday folks in TANTALIZE and then those at the center of the power structures in ETERNAL before the final showdown. It also underscores that they'll have to cross lines and forge new alliances when it becomes clear that a larger threat looms over them all. Beyond that, I've always had an affection for non-linear storytelling. I come from a Native writing tradition, where it's more common. With this particular story, it's important for reader identification and character arc reasons as well.

2. I enjoyed the nonlinearity and hope to see it in more series. I know I love it in Darren Shan's Demonata series because it's fun to figure out how the pieces will fit together. Since you have experience in the Native writing tradition, are there any books/stories you would recommend?

Everyone should read Chickasaw writer Linda Hogan and Muscogee (Creek) poet Joy Harjo.

3. What do you think are the biggest differences between writing realistic fiction and writing fantasy?

In fantasy, you have to succeed at everything you would in realistic fiction, plus make the fantasy elements hold together logically and earn their place in terms of character, plot, and theme. Beyond that, you can in some ways go more dramatic with your theme because the metaphor dilutes the risks of it being too on the nose.

4. Do you ever worry about the metaphor becoming too obvious? (Of course, this is contingent on how obvious you want it to be.)

You know, I used to. But I've found that too many readers don't go beyond the surface plot and struggle to deal with more sophisticated elements like, say, an unreliable narrator. It worries me, actually. I don't think we pay enough attention to the development of critical-thinking skills. I suspect this may be augmented by the emphasis on standardized testing and memorization-based curriculum. But in any case, it has tremendous real-world implications from personal relationships to political choices.


5. You've been published for nearly a decade and you recently celebrated the ten year anniversary of Cynsations. What is one of the best things to happen to you due to your involvement in young adult and children's literature?

I'm part of a whole new world. When I was a little girl, I read all of the Newbery books. Now many of my best friends write Newbery books. If someone had told me when I was a kid or teenager, that growing up would be this fun... Wow. Let's just say, getting bullied by the queen bee or dumped for another girl would've seemed...okay, still lousy. But through it all, I would've had stars in my eyes.

--

Cynthia is giving away a copy of her new release, ETERNAL. Rules are available here. She'll be signing books at BookPeople on April 11th, so if you're in the area stop by. You just might meet me as well as her.

Any responses to the interview? Do ya'll have any differently structured stories to recommend?

Review: Eternal

Remember that mini-interview I did? Read mine with My Favorite Author and Sophie of Mrs. Magoo Reads.



By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Zachary's pretty new to the guardian angel gig, but he's doing well enough. Sure, he's fallen in love with his current charge, but what's the worst that could happen? He could save her from a broken neck only to usher her into the arms of a fate worse than death. Not that Miranda sees it that way - she's now beautiful, powerful, and respected. All she has to do is deal with her periodically abusive "father."

I remember TANTALIZE coming out because users on a forum I frequent (Sheroes Central) kept talking about it. As the forum is filled with nothing but sharp cookies, I paid attention and finally got my chance to read and love the book. I wondered how ETERNAL would compare, but I quickly fell into the story. I knew it I would absolutely love it by page 63 of the ARC, wherein the archangel Michael directs an underling to Yahoo! Maps.

Those little touches of humor keep ETERNAL from getting too dark. Cynthia Leitich Smith does not shy away from making her vampires monstrous. (Or, as Father calls them, eternals.) Miranda's maker is the current Dracula, complete with a basement full of caged food. Miranda possesses a large appetite after her change and cuts a swath through certain sectors of society. Tongues are cut out. Miranda must exchange her Cowboys jersey for a lesser team.

Like TANTALIZE, bits of media are inserted between the chapters and offer glimpses outside of the characters' POV. There's a girl who misses her friend as well as angelic beauracracy. There's also an ad, this time for a personal assisstant - the perfect chance for Zachary to reenter Miranda's life and try to redeem both of them.

I enjoyed getting inside the head of both of these characters. In Miranda's, I wondered how Smith could redeem her giving her initial embrace of the vampire lifestyle. With Zachary, I admired his devotion and his desire to do right by everyone in the mansion - workers, prisoners, and Miranda. I enjoyed the blossoming of their relationship and the fact Smith didn't offer them an easy way out. Both of them learn, forcefully, that their actions have consequences even if they aren't always the ones to pay them.

I loved how ETERNAL expanded on the world of TANTALIZE. Quincey was an outsider to vampire culture, but Miranda is in the center of things. ETERNAL isn't just one person's struggle with temptation. Miranda can affect the entire vampire society. We get to see how their hierarchy works and who the major players are. Media darlings Sabine and Philippe are especially intriguing. I cannot wait to see how the two casts come together.

ETERNAL came out on the tenth. TANTALIZE is available now in both paperback and hardcover. You can read my review or listen to my interview with Cynthia. And guess what? She'll be here in March and you won't want to miss what she has to say. You can find out more at her blog, MySpace, el jay, or website.