Dhfan4life
asked
Laurell K. Hamilton:
Hi Laurell, First off have to say your Anita Blake series was one of the very first series I read that transitioned me from YA fantasy to Adult Urban Fantasy. And I haven't looked back ever sense! My question is: Did you ever foresee how far you would be able to take the character Anita Blake? Meaning being such an successful female alpha in a genre that sometimes caters to the alpha male trope so often.
Laurell K. Hamilton
No, I had no idea that Anita would be this popular. I don't think any writer sits down to create a serious and is sure that it will be a #1 New York Times Bestseller, or hit #1 on any list. But I created Anita Blake to even the playing field in the mystery hardboiled detective field which at the time was mostly men writing male main characters. I wanted fantasy where the woman wasn't the damsel in distress waiting to be rescued, but the rescuer. Horror was still full of more female victims than anything else, and it was a clear morality play. If the woman stayed virginal and pure she could live, but sex meant she died. I wanted to write a character that changed all that, and happily for me and Anita, there were a lot of people who wanted to read exactly that kind of change.
More Answered Questions
NCChris
asked
Laurell K. Hamilton:
I'm obviously way behind, since you announced the book over a year ago, but I'm really looking forward to Sucker Punch coming out. Can we look forward to a check in on Richard? I've been re-reading the early books and am feeling a little nostalgic for him, even though I understand why the distance had to happen for Anita & Jean-Claude. Thanks!
Sam
asked
Laurell K. Hamilton:
Hi! Huge fan of Anita Blake! With such a huge cast of characters, how do you keep track of all of them? Do you ever reflect on who's had attention lately to decide specifically who you want to include in a new novel, or do you sort of let them pop up when they want to?
Felicia Delgatto
asked
Laurell K. Hamilton:
In your books, some of your bad guys are pretty twisted. How did you manage to write them so well? And did you ever sit and think that people would think you were messed up because you could think up something like that? Not saying that you're messed up or anything, I'm actually a big fan. I am asking because I am having a hard time finishing my book because of how twisted the bad guy is turning out to be. :-(
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