Lovers of Paranormal discussion

This month we will be interviewing Travis Luedke!!

He is the author of an adult vampire series...
The Nightlife New YorkThe Nightlife: Las VegasBlood Slave

He has donated his books as prizes for our current "We Love Vampires" Challenge and is and all around great guy!!!

Danielle will be getting all the questions together soon, but if you'd like to jump in and ask him something...go right ahead!!

I'm looking forward to this! :)

Hello everybody, Travis Luedke here, author of The Nightlife Series. I very much appreciate this honor, and I am indeed a "Lover of Paranormal".

The following Q&A is a blend of two interviews with Shane O'Neill, and Michelle Browne (edited for continuity).

The Nightlife Series:







Can you tell us who you are and why you’ve chosen this genre?

I’m just your average guy with a life-long love of horrific, macabre, escapist literature. It started with Stephen King, Clive Barker, Robert R. McCammon, and Dean Koontz. I loved these authors all through my late teens. I dipped here and there into sci-fi with Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Piers Anthony, Poul Andersen and one of my favorites, Dan Simmons (The Hyperion Series). I even played with Fantasy a bit, L. E. Modesitt and many others.

Where I really “sunk in my teeth” later years as reader, was a somewhat new category called Urban Fantasy. I read all the YA novels like Twilight, Dresden Files, and the Mortal Instruments series, and I really got into the adult stuff by Anne Rice, Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton, Sunny, JR Ward and many others.

This became my focus, adult themed Urban Fantasy. I love to read it, and I write novels that I enjoy reading. I write macabre, perverse, violent, and graphic flights of fancy involving horrific yet sexy supernatural creatures.

What is it about vampires that you find captivating?

I guess the very long lives they live is fascinating, and the passionate nature of their lives. They are seducers, consumers, and yet often they have an intense internal struggle to retain humanity, to become more than just a predator. It’s intoxicating to envision having such power and superiority over mankind. They also have this dark grace and beauty (as I see them). I know that the traditional vampire is monstrous, but I see that as a facet of those extreme moments. They have the capacity to become monstrous, but that’s not entirely who they are.

What are you hoping to bring to the vampire legend or genre that we haven’t seen before?

My creatures are of somewhat unknown origin. In later Nightlife Series novels we will learn the truth about where vampires come from. I have a fairly unique mythology, but you’ll need to wait until Nightlife Paris and Nightlife London to see how it develops.

It’s certainly not a heaven/hell-damned-for-all-eternity kinda thing. It’s more biological, a blood-borne pathogen. Mirrors and crosses and water and silver, none of this really matters. They don’t do daylight at all, don’t even function during the daylight, but that’s simply an extreme photo-sensitivity.

My contribution to the genre is a somewhat uniquely styled creature, essentially the perfect predator. They are magnetically attractive to humans, their natural prey. The drug-like effect of their bite is so powerful they can reduce a person to an addict, a bloodslave, in a single prolonged bite of a few minutes. People literally need to be bitten over and over again because the experience is like no other. This addiction is physical and psychological, and there is no cure.

The entire premise of the series is highly erotic. These creatures ooze sensuality at every turn. And they perform with supernatural prowess.

What are your influences?

I have taken influences from Young Adult storylines, Adult Urban Fantasy, Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, and a lot of Erotic Romance authors. The thing you will find about romance authors, they know how to make readers care what happens next to the characters. They are masters of dramatic interpersonal relationships.

I define my writing as Urban Fantasy Thriller with a splash of Erotica (sometimes more than a splash).

Do you have a favorite vampire book or movie?

I think it would be a toss-up between one of Anne Rice’s novels in the “Vampire Chronicles” series or one of Laurell K. Hamilton’s earlier novels in the “Anita Baker Vampire Hunter” series. It would be very difficult to call one novel a favorite.

In movies, I think the first Underworld film is a good contender for my favorite Vampire movie, either that or the first Blade film. I like action, sex, violence, drama, matrixy fight scenes, and all the snarky one-liners you can cram in there. And I’m sure somebody will hate me for saying this, but I really enjoyed the Twilight books and films. There it is, I said it, I can’t take it back.

Tell us something about your series.

The Nightlife Series is about all the seedy corruption found in metropolitan areas blended with two vampires trying to slip between the cracks of society. You have every kind of excess: sex, drugs, alcoholism, prostitution, pimps, corrupt police, gangs, cartels and mafia. Imagine living in these elements night after night, trying to escape the corruption and the debauchery unscathed. It’s a tale of two vampires against the world, and they have no one to rely on but each other when things get out of hand, as they so often do in the nightlife.

The series begins in New York, where we meet Aaron Pilan. This first novel is his coming of age story. He’s young, naïve, inexperienced, but he will soon learn his way. He changes dramatically as we follow his tale of love, sex, and slavery under vampire master Michelle.

Michelle is mostly a mystery, she doesn’t like to talk about her past, she would rather forget what she has seen and done. Michelle is a harsh mistress for Aaron, with little tolerance for misbehavior. They find love and learn to trust each other through their nightly misadventures.

From New York we move onto Las Vegas where our odd couple quickly become the target of an angry mafia boss and his Colombian cartel connections. It’s the quintessential Vegas experience, drugs, alcohol, ménage à trois sexscapades, and Aaron breaks Michelle’s golden rule, no bloodslaves, ever. They adopt a pet, bringing the food home with them. It’s a wild ride of sex, violence, violent sex, drugs, gambling, and all the other naughty Las Vegas stuff.

Aaron and Michelle survive Las Vegas, and decide it’s time to get out of town, so they are off to Paris, to Michelle’s homeland. Here we will see some new dynamics developing in their relationship, the mistakes and excesses of Las Vegas have left their mark on the couple. Michelle has to come clean to Aaron and start providing some answers, until this moment he didn’t even know her last name.

If you were meeting someone for the very first time, what would you say to them to pique their interest in your work?

Here’s the elevator pitch: The Nightlife Series is sexy, violent, and occasionally violently sexy. A quote from a 5 star review:

“If you like your vampires vicious and bloody and your erotica with a plot, this is the book for you.”

I have always believed vampires to be very erotic creatures, and yours are definitely so. Was this at the forefront of your mind before beginning this series?

When I first grappled with the idea of the Nightlife New York, I didn’t really plan a series. The idea came to me to write this book, a book I wish had been written for my reading pleasure. As it flowed out of me at all hours of the day and night, I had to face the fact that it would never be a Young Adult read. It was too gritty, too sensual. So I committed myself to embracing that aspect of my writing. I began the process of learning how to write sex scenes. That first novel has since been rewritten about six times.

By then I knew I had plans for a series and it would border on erotica. With Nightlife Las Vegas I tipped over the edge into the erotic twilight zone, and I haven’t really ever made my way back to normalcy.

Have you drawn any inspiration from anyone in the real world for your two main characters?

Aaron’s situation at the start of the series is so heartbreakingly similar to many young men today that are basically lost, falling into whatever relationship lands in their lap. I could walk into any mall in America and given enough time and observation, I’d find dozens of 19-20 year olds who fit that mold. So yes, the lost youth of America inspired Aaron’s character in all aspects.

Michelle’s character was inspired by a novel called “A Year in the Merde” about a British man fumbling through Parisian corporate politics, and chasing after French women. All of a sudden I heard her heavy accent speaking to Aaron, explaining all these shocking things. When I pictured her flippant Gallic shoulder shrug, I knew she had to be a French Femme Fatale.

As the series progresses, there are definitely inspirational moments from characters I met in real life. I have known some interesting people, and there are far more true life situations of corruption, excess, and debauchery in my novels than I will ever confess to.

You write pretty gritty, sexy stories. In addition to vampires, all three of your books feature involvement with gang and mafia violence. What got you interested in this (excellent) combo?

I actually lived on both sides of the Mexico border for four years. I had occasion to witness and experience things you might expect from a Quentin Tarantino film. I have known a number of interesting individuals who made their living in a decidedly illegal trade. I learned that Tequila has an amazing ability to loosen the tongue.
Many of the interesting characters you meet in my novels have been inspired by people and events I touched on in real life.

You tend to write about unconventional couples, including bisexual women and polyamorous situations. How do you write bisexual women that are more than man-candy?

I’m going to steal one of my favorite lines, “I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability.” ~ Jack Nicholson ~ As Good As It Gets

On a serious note, I don’t find it difficult to imagine all the things I would do to a girl, if I was I girl. I live very vicariously through my writing.

And truthfully, I actually had a very close lesbian friend at one point. We hit the bars together, both hunting for the same thing. At the end of the night we compared notes to see how many phone numbers we each collected. I usually won the competition.

You're also going to be releasing some young adult novels. What was it like transitioning from your very extreme, balls-out style in the adult novels to the young adult audience?

It’s strange for sure. It’s like cutting out a piece of my soul to remove the excess sensuality and eroticism from my writing. But I think I found a balance. To be sure, my YA is not your goody-two shoes stuff, its gritty, true-life, troubled teens who face difficult challenges as they grow to become adults. I am sticking with what I know and love, paranormal thrillers, but it’s toned down on the sex and violence for a YA readership.

What do you plan to write or publish next?

I am currently in heavy edits/rewrites of the next novel in the Nightlife Series, The Nightlife Paris. After that I will begin preparing to publish my first YA novel, The Shepherd. From there I will move on to The Nightlife London, and then jump back over to another YA novel. I should have no less than four novels published this year, if not more.

You can find me at all my major social media outlets:

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Travis-Luedke/e...
Blog http://thenightlifeseries.blogspot.com/
Website http://www.twluedke.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/TWLuedke or @TWLuedke
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TWLuedke
Facebook author page https://www.facebook.com/pages/TW-Lue...
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/TWLuedke
Wattpad http://www.wattpad.com/user/TWLuedke
Email twluedke@gmail.com
Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/104267524...

Great interview Travis!!!!

I have some more "off the beaten track" questions for you that our previous AOTMs have been asked:

Who is Travis Luedke? Describe him in 10 words!!!

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream?

Beach or Mountains?

Gold or Silver?

Beef or Chicken? Wait...or are you a vegetarian???

Do you have a wife? Kids? Want some??

If you could only read the same 5 books for the rest of your life, which ones would you read?

Who is Travis Luedke? Describe him in 10 words!!!

Obnoxious, interesting, perverse, flirtatious, sarcastic, helpful, intuitive, clever and loyal.

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

I would be a dog person, because I love dogs, but the allergies kinda get to me, and these wonderful critters do their business all over the yard, in the house, everywhere. I need to find a hairless dog that doesn’t crap every thirty minutes.

Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream?

I like the blend. I want my ice cream like my women: silky smooth with a creamy tanned color and a sweet flavor that melts on the tongue.

Beach or Mountains?

How about a beach with a mountain behind it? And the mountain is inhabited by a race of golden-skinned topless vampire chicks who’ve never seen a white man. They find me on their beach and decide to make me the king (until I am served for dinner anyway). Not a bad way to go.

Gold or Silver?

Silver. It keeps the furry things down. Gotta have something to fight off all those shifters.

Beef or Chicken? Wait...or are you a vegetarian???

The bird is the word. Mmm … Chicken fajitas, yum.

Do you have a wife? Kids? Want some??

Yes please. I have a wife and kids, but I was looking into becoming an Arab so I could grab another one or two. I had briefly considered going Mormon, but they aren’t really doing the polygamy thing anymore. A shame, I thought it was their most endearing quality.

If you could only read the same 5 books for the rest of your life, which ones would you read?


Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons


The Stand by Stephen King


Fool by Christopher Moore


Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice


The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A Heinlein

Thank you very much for the interview and the honor of being listed here in this wonderful group. This is one of my favorite groups on Goodreads.

:)

Interesting interview, Travis. I may have come late to this event, but I have a couple of questions. How do you schedule your time to write? Do you have a favorite place to write? And do you use any special software like Scrivener or just a word processor?

Good luck with your books.

I write every day, even if its really only editing. I try to get at least 2-3 hours in a day. I also do critique/edits for my critique partners, and they in-turn do the same for me.

As far as tools and location, its just me and my laptop at home. And coffee, lots of coffee.

I have recently played around with Dragon Naturally Speaking, which lets you dictate to your PC. It seems to work well with a first draft, or a complete rewrite where you read off your printed draft. Not so much for editing.

Reading your work aloud gives a whole new perspective, especially a scorching hot sex scene. Puts a smile on your face, and maybe a blush.

I have considered using In-design, solely for the export to epub features, to make it easier to do my own ebook conversions. But I am very comfortable with MS Word, been using it for years, and I do my own formatting for Kindle and Smashwords in Word.

:)

Travis, I apologize for any problems my absence has caused with the AOTM for you this month! A big thank you to you and Cristina for getting things rolling with it!!

Everyone please remember, you can continue to ask Travis any questions you may have at any point in time during the month of April!! So please feel free to ask Travis questions at any time!!! I hope to be adding some myself soon as well!! :)

Danielle (Dannie) wrote: "Travis, I apologize for any problems my absence has caused with the AOTM for you this month! A big thank you to you and Cristina for getting things rolling with it!!

Everyone please remember, you..."

Its all good Danielle. We got an interview done just the same. :)

Thank you Travis!! And a big thanks to Cristina for covering for me this month!! It is much appreciated from both of you as well as to all our members who have participated in the AOTM this month! :)

Travis wrote: "I write every day, even if its really only editing. I try to get at least 2-3 hours in a day. I also do critique/edits for my critique partners, and they in-turn do the same for me.

As far as too..."

I experimented with Dragon Naturally Speaking, and agree that it seems best suited for first drafts. Kind of makes you think differently, like you said. Dictating ideas is like a new writing exercise--a good way to mix it up.

In-design sounds intimidating and probably unnecessary, but I have never used it.

Scott wrote: "Travis wrote: "I write every day, even if its really only editing. I try to get at least 2-3 hours in a day. I also do critique/edits for my critique partners, and they in-turn do the same for me...."

I am considering In-design or some platform/software that can provide an easy interface for creating ebooks with multimedia like embedded video, music playlists, and gif animations.

I am waiting on the fence to find the tool/platform that lets me drop and drag stuff so I don't have to attempt to learn HTML or CSS.

Sounds ambitious. Learning In-design is probably a good idea. I only have one book out there and its formatting is text only.