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…….
Great interview. I adore Ms Liu’s wonderful Dirk and Steel series and am looking forward to the new series coming out in 2006.
Oooh! tells us more about your new Urban Fantasy series! It sounds great!
Also, I can’t WAIT for Roland’s book. I mean, he IS getting his book, right? Because I really really want to read more about him! and I’m sure all your other fans do, too. 🙂
Anyway, great interview!
Ooh, I love Ms. Liu’s books! (Came here from her journal, too.) I also want to hear more about the new series.
Thanks for the contest!
I’m heading over to your blog right now to find out more about the new Urban Fantasy series. How cool to have living tattoos!
Am looking forward to the new series.
Jambrea, I’ve checked her blog and haven’t found anything about her new series. If you do – can you tell what post it is? I’d like more info. Thanks! 🙂
I read the introduction to the new series “Hunter’s Kiss” in the anthology Wild Things that came out earlier this year. It was absolutely delicious!! I look forward to reading the series in 2008. I love and preorder the Dirk & Steele books as well as the anthologies and intend to keep doing this. You are one of my favorite writers. Great interview by the way, enjoyed it very much. I also like the changes you have made to your website. Love the new look!!
Living tattoos – I like it!
Hi Everyone! Thank you so much for those sweet words! That is very kind of you all.
As for the new series, I am having such fun writing it! Hunter Kiss is based off a novella I wrote for the anthology, WILD THING, and the story of that first book, THE IRON HUNT, will kick off not long after the novella ends. But don’t worry, you won’t have to read the anthology to follow along!
As for the tattoos, they live on Maxine’s body during the day, making her utterly invulnerable, but as soon as the sun goes down, they peel off her body and turn into her own little army, ready to hunt the bad guys.
Here’s a link, but I’ll be adding more information as the months go by: http://www.marjoriemliu.com/WT.html
I’m here for the weekend, so feel free to ask me any questions you have!
PS: Roland will, eventually, get his own book…but he’s a tough guy to write. 🙂
Im looking forward to your books. I mUst say, they are very pretty covers!!!!
I love the Dirk & Steele series.
Any of Dirk & Steele characters clamoring for their story to be told next?
A.
I love the Dirk and Steele books (and I enjoyed your Crimson City book as well!) and I’m looking forward to your new series – so many good books coming out!
Roland’s story will be interesting considering he knows what people are thinking/doing all the time!
I’ve heard nothing but great things about this series. Worth checking out, I think.
I’m so glad you’re going to write Roland’s story! he’s my favorite! well, actually Blue was my favorite but then I read about Artur and he became my favorite. Well.. they’re all my favorites, I can’t just choose one, heh.
I was reading about the Wild Thing anthology and wow, I have to buy it soon! 🙂
im ashamed to say even though i own soul song i still cant get into tiger eye as i wanted to read the whole series first.
Is it important to read them in order or should i try to read a different one to get me hooked?
Hello there… the premise for your next book sounds incrediably interesting. I hope that I can be on your beta reader list.
Hi Marjorie,
I’m re-reading Eye of Heaven right now, and can hardly wait for the next Dirk & Steele. As for Hunter’s Kiss, I did finally pick up Wild Thing, ohhh sooo good!
Any chance you could write faster? 🙂
The Dirk and Steele series are the ultimate for me. I was fascinated by your interesting and informative interview. All the best on your release. This one sounds really appealing.
Hi Ms. Liu,
I have to admit that I am new to you. I did pick up one of your books a few weeks ago, but have not had time to read it yet.
After reading your interview, I will be making time this weekend to do that.
I wish you loads of luck and look forward to reading your book.
Billie Jo
Marjorie,
I wanted to let you know… I loved Soul Song & Dark Dreamer! Great Series!
Well I for one am eagerly anticipating the new series – if it’s even half as good as Dirk & Steele then I am certain to enjoy it tremendously.
OMG! I absolutely love, love, LOVE the Dirk & Steele series. I remembering reading Tiger Eyes at my library. I took it out three times and I finally had to buy it. That is one of the most beautiful, sexy and moving stories I’ve read. I’ve loved all of the books in this series so far, but, the first is the best!
Good interview. Although I’m curious, what books have inspired you the most?
I recently received an ARC of Soul Song from Dorchester, I have to admit that this was the first book I ever read by you. Now I know what books have to be added to my TBR pile. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
I have all your Dirk and Steele titles on my keeper shelf, and Tiger Eye is definitely my favorite. I love paranormal storylines and your new series sounds like another winner.
hey marjorie-
great interview. can’t believe roland’s getting his book too. who’s going to be the lucky lady?! dean and miri are my fav – i hope you’ll continue to have updates about the two in upcoming installments of d & s. looking forward to living tattoos!
You guys are wonderful! Thank you so much!!!
Okay, let me get to some of these questions — if I missed any, my apologies.
— Any of Dirk & Steele characters clamoring for their story to be told next?
Well, Amiri’s book is coming up in January 2008. He’s my shape-shifting cheetah man from Kenya, who made his first appearance in Shadow Touch. I’m actually working on the revisions right at this moment. The book is set in the Congo, and follows Amiri as he tries to protect the life of a young doctor who has been targeted by mercenaries. It’s called THE LAST TWILIGHT.
After that, I think I’ll be writing another gargoyle book. 🙂
— Is it important to read them in order or should i try to read a different one to get me hooked?
That’s a good question. I try to write the books so that they stand alone, so you should be able to start anywhere. I hope!
— what books have inspired you the most?
I really love A JOSEPH CAMPBELL COMPANION, as well as the writings of Isabelle Allende, Borges, Neruda…I am a fan of Kelly Link, Frank Miller, Sara Donati, Gene Stratton Porter, Charles de Lint, Lee Child, Robert Crais, Charlie Huston…let’s face it, if a book is good, it inspires. And I love reading for just that reason. 🙂
— great interview. can’t believe roland’s getting his book too. who’s going to be the lucky lady?
Sorry, I have no clue!
Oh, I have WILD THINGS, but have not had a chance to read it yet. When I read your story in it, I get to do it knowing there’s more to come. Very cool tidbit of news to learn!
Came here from your blog site. Yay! Another book with Gargoyles! I loved Charlie and his two brothers! Charlie’s short story has become one of my favorites. Your gargoyles help fill in the gap from missing the animated series so much 🙂 I can’t believe you haven’t read howl’s moving castle! It’s so much better than the movie.
btw l’m also half chinese (chinese dad and jewish mom)
Tiger Eye…GREAT read!!!
Thanks for the interview and also the hours of enjoyable reading. Looking forward to your new series.
I’m so happy to hear they’ll be another book about Gargoyles! Charlies’s story was wonderful and what first got me hooked on the Dirk & Steele series. 🙂
I haven’t read any of your books yet. But I have two in my TBR pile. Shadow Touch & Eve of Heaven. Your covers are pretty awesome.
How different was it writing an Urban Fantasy where a HEA is not part of the package?
I love knowing there will be a HEA although I am reading one or two UF series.
Great interview!
I haven’t read any of your books yet, but your covers look soooo great and the stories sound really good. I guess that I’ll read one very soon!lol