Today we’d like to welcome author C.J. Ellisson to Blood Reads. Per our announcement last week, we will begin releasing the first seven chapters of her novel, Vampire Vacation, next month, on July 6th (see schedule below).  Today we introduce C.J. to our readers by asking her a few questions about her writing and lifestyle.  If you have any other questions for C.J., leave a comment below, and get the conversation rolling.

About Vampire Vacation

Meet Vivian. She’s a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot—a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true.

Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body, convinced that he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests.

Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn’t easy. Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets that Vivian would kill to protect?

How did the idea for Vampire Vacation come to you?

I got tired of reading a bunch of strong female protagonists that have a wreck of a love life. By book seven, she’s on boyfriend number three and still botching up her personal life as she saves the world. Why can’t the story go on after she finds true love? Why can’t they battle the enemy together? Who says adventure ends when you’re married? And why not tell a tale with a real relationship for a change? One that shows a couple who snark, throw sarcasm, tolerate each others foibles, and still love one another passionately after they bicker?

I’ve loved fantasy, and especially urban fantasy, for many years. But I couldn’t find a series with a happy couple, and almost nothing written from a female vampire’s point of view. I wanted to portray true intimacy in a relationship, the type that comes after years of being together, not the kind that is thrown together in a whirlwind romantic adventure. I saw what was lacking in the genre and decided to write it.

How many books are planned for this series?

Four so far. Three in this story arc and one that goes back to the past and tells the story of the main characters lives before they met and how they got together. But if the series takes off and people enjoy it, I’ll gladly keep writing it.

Who is your favorite character in this book, and why?

It would be a toss-up between Vivian and Rafe. I pour a lot of my own voice into Vivian, but also gave her personality traits I’ll never have. She’s more ruthless, less trusting, and doesn’t care about anything besides Rafe and their resort. Rafe, on the other hand, is very subtle. He manipulates the strong vampire and juggles her quirks and flaws like a master, although his expertise is easily missed (which is why she doesn’t catch on).

Can you tell us three reasons people should read your series?

1) Great hook. How come no one has thought of a resort for the undead above the Arctic Circle before this? (and no, 30 Days of Night was not a resort) 2) Fast paced story-line with a gripping sense of immediacy—but a first-person present-tense tale can do that like no other! 3) Hot monogamy wrapped up in a murder mystery with bloodsucking, suspense and intrigue.  Need I say more?

What inspired you to write Vampire Vacation?

I was pretty sick and going through a ton of medical tests. I needed an escape from the day-to-day drama and something to focus on. I could no longer pursue my old career, I was stuck at the house, so doing something to distract me soon took on a life of it’s own.

Have you ever encountered someone who said, “You write what!!! “?

Oh, yes! All the damn time. For a while, I was embarrassed to say what I was writing -”Erotic what?” I knew most all of the people I associated with did not read my genre or any of the authors I enjoyed. But luckily, I had a few who did. I let those close friends read my work and when they didn’t laugh, run away screaming, or never accept my calls again I figured I was off to a good start.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I’m not really sure. Start to finish on my last one was four and a half months – but I was learning how to write, how to edit, how to critique and learning more “rules” than I knew what to do with! I got diagnosed with a third disease this past fall that has really taken a toll on my body and my mind (Lyme Disease).

I wrote for three weeks in November and recently for three more weeks, putting me at the 40% mark on my second book. I know that everyone creates at a different pace. Some days, while I battle through my fourth round of antibiotics and face that I’ve now had this illness for over fourteen months, I’m amazed I’ve written anything worthy.

You just have to take one day at a time when you write. If you never give up you’ll have a book before you know it. And if you did a good job, others will think so too.

Do you plot everything out or do you just write and see where it takes you?

I plot loosely. I know where the story is going, who the killer is and their motivation, all my subplots and how I want to weave them in, the ending – but the actual scene itself and how things will unfold come to me while I’m writing. My outline is a basic four to six sentence paragraph on each chapter, pretty simple, but it works for me.

How do you spend time relaxing?

I love to read while soaking in a bath or a hot-tub. Baring warm water being available, I’ll settle for the couch, comfy chair, or a doctor’s waiting room. That is truly the best thing about reading—no matter where you are, it can instantly transport you to a much more relaxing place.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be – please explain?

Shut-up and Do It. I’ve never been the type who likes excuses. I hate listening to them and I hate having to refrain from yelling at the person delivering them. We all have excuses for what we can’t do, but there’s only one thing from stopping you from doing anything in life: You.

I am a fly on your wall today, what would I see during your day?

Today…hmm… today was an okay day, but rather boring. Perhaps instead I’ll write about any average day I have. I return emails, skim the news, read blogs… generally it’s filler as I wait for my coffee to kick in. Once it does, I’ll read over the last few pages I wrote in my current WIP. I usually spot a few typographical errors, make swift corrections, and try to get myself in the mindset of the scene. Some days the words flow and other days they don’t. If it’s a good day I’ll push myself to exercise during a writing break, if it’s a bad day I’ll waste hours online and scratch my head as the kids are about to get off the school bus, wondering where in the hell my day went.

What are your reading habits?

I read every day. Some days I take a break from everything, especially if my symptoms are bad, and while away in the comfort of a book. When I first started writing, I ran into people who were writing mysteries, but didn’t read them. I certainly don’t have that issue! I read mystery, suspense, fantasy/paranormal, action-adventure—even some horror & erotica. Cross-genre is where it’s at in my tastes – and judging by the bestseller lists, I’m not alone!

If you had paranormal powers what would they be?

The ability to mind control. Finally… my family would do exactly as I tell them, the first time, and not drive me insane with their inability to listen and follow directions. I’m a controlling bitch. I have learned to accept this about myself and move forward

What is your most important feature in a hero?

To stand next to his heroine and fight to the death right alongside her. Never doubting, never wavering, to always give a united front when it counts— even if they just argued about who hogged the covers that morning.

Thanks to C.J. for dropping by to share a little about herself today.

You’ll find C.J. on the following websites:

• Website: http://www.cjellisson.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/c.j.ellissonfanpage
• Group Blogs: http://wickedwriters.com AND http://writeintheshadows.com

Blood Reads will release the first seven chapters of Vampire Vacation on Tuesdays, twice a month beginning in July. Below are the specific dates:

• Chapter 1 releases on July 6th
• Chapter 2 on July 20th
• Chapter 3 on August 3rd
• Chapter 4 on August 17th
• Chapter 5 on September 7th
• Chapter 6 on September 21st
• Chapter 7 on October 5th