Interview with Marjorie M. Liu

Vamps and Scamps Blog Interview with Marjorie M. Liu:

V&S: What were some of your favorite t.v. shows/cartoons growing up? Did any influence your imagination to write the wildly creative stories you come up with?

Marjorie M. Liu: Oh, my. I had (and still have) a serious love for TRANSFORMERS, THUNDERCATS, DANGER MOUSE, DIAPER BOY, GI JOE, and later, GARGOYLES. And while I can’t say for sure what influence those cartoons have had over me, I’m certain that there wasn’t any harm done to my imagination – or my love for the wild and crazy. It’s all good, man. My one regret is that I don’t see the same quality of animated television on the networks anymore.

V&S: Was there anything in particular that inspired the Dirk and Steele books?

Marjorie M. Liu: At its most basic level, TIGER EYE is what started it all, and that book began – as they usually do – with a first line that I could not turn away from. I wrote those words, and simply had to keep going – and going, and going – until a month later, I had a book. It was like my brain had caught on fire. I ate, breathed, and dreamed that book – with little thought to the future, or whether it would make a good series. Though, admittedly, at the end it did cross my mind, and I marketed it as such when I began submitting to the slush piles.

So, TIGER EYE was the root. But the inspiration for the entire series was the characters, the desire to explore the idea of family and trust and friendship, all of which are tremendously important to me.

V&S: What type of research have you done for your books?

Marjorie M. Liu: When it comes to researching settings, I’ve traveled a lot, which has helped in some instances, but in others, I rely heavily on interviews, books, local newspapers, the internet, documentaries, and so on. Every little bit helps when striving for the soul of a place. As for other types of research, I use the same strategy. You do the best you can.

V&S: What is one thing about you that surprises people?

Marjorie M. Liu: I’m the wrong person to ask! I’m the most boring person I know.

V&S: Name three books that you’ve read recently.

Marjorie M. Liu:

KILLING FLOOR by Lee Child (this is my third reading of that book)

HELL AND BACK by Frank Miller (second reading)

THE KNIFE THROWER by Steven Millhauser

V&S: Name three books that you want to read soon.

Marjorie M. Liu:

HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE by Diana Wynne Jones

IF HIS KISS WAS WICKED by Jo Goodman

RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES by Scott Lynch

V&S: I’ve heard you have a serious love for Wolverine. Is this true?

Marjorie M. Liu: Is that a trick question? Ha! Yes, Wolverine will always have a special place in my heart. Right alongside Batman, Superman, Captain Malcom Reynolds, Dr. Who, Vincent (from Beauty and the Beast), and many others.

V&S: What are you working on right now?

Marjorie M. Liu: THE IRON HUNT, which is the first book in my new Urban Fantasy series about a woman covered in living tattoos – her own demonic army. Set for release, I believe, in July 2008. You can find out more at my website.

Marjorie is giving away a Dirk & Steele tote bag. To enter, all you have to do is join in the conversation… FYI, comment as much and as often as you like, however, you’ll only be entered in the drawing once. Sadly, I feel the need to point out that wordpress does log IPs and that’s how your name will be drawn, so please don’t try posting under separate names. Yes, ladies, it’s sad, but it’s happened several times with my contests. Thanks for understanding! Contest will run from now until… oh… hmmmm… Sunday afternoon because I’m heading out of town.  Marjorie will try to drop by to ask questions, so ask away!~Shi

Marjorie, thanks for joining us and for offering such a cool prize. BTW, I just finished Tiger Eye and I can’t believe I waited so long to read it. Talk about… goooooooodddd…….