| Join us as DiDi interviews debut author Delilah S. Dawson
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| DiDi’s Wicked As They Come Review |
I am excited to have the chance to interview the creative genius behind WICKED AS THEY COME.
WICKED AS THEY COME is a WICKED good book. What inspired you to write a paranoramal/steampunk/romance?
Delilah – Thanks so much for having me, and I’m so very glad you liked it! I adored the review! DiDi – blushing, I loved WaTC, I was telling everyone they need to try, most likely got on some of my facebook friends nerves =)
WICKED was actually inspired by a dream, cliché as it sounds. I was watching the entire run of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, watching an episode or two a night. And then I listened to the album Like Vines by The Hush Sound. That night I had a dream that I woke up naked on a rock in a forest with a very hot vampire guy watching me. He said his name was Criminy Stain, and he talked like Spike from Buffy, and his world was built around the songs from Like Vines. The story grew from there. DiDi – I love his name, Criminy Stain, in my mind I think Crimson (blood) Stain, so clever for a vampire’s name.
DiDi – I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Gypsy, Carnival angle. This is an unusual type of Hero, Was Criminy a Gypsy/Magician from the moment he came to you?
Delilah – Oh, yes. Criminy, and Sang itself, pretty much sprang from my subconscious fully formed. I knew he was a carnival ringmaster, that he did magic, and that he had a clockwork monkey, and the caravan just followed naturally from there. It really is a fantastic way to be autonomous and creative in a world that seeks to exert control over the populace. Criminy is pretty much my imaginary boyfriend, and I’ve barely ever had to edit his words or actions. He practically writes himself! DiDi – That is AMAZING!
DiDi – What is your favorite part about WICKED AS THEY COME?
Delilah – I love Criminy and the caravan. I pretty much threw every single thing I like into that part of the world. The inside of Tish’s wagon, Criminy’s desk, the carnivalleros, the costume car—they’re like things from a Pinterest board that I love. First time authors get accused of using their characters as stand-ins for their dreams a lot of the time, of putting everything they wish they were into their hero or heroine. In my case, I think I turned Sang into my dream world, with all the things I find visually and emotionally beautiful and exciting.
I also love that I was able to partner with one of my favorite perfumers, Brooke of Villainess Soaps, to bring three of WICKED’S main characters to life. Scent plays a big part in the book, and Brooke perfectly captured Criminy, Tish, and Tabitha. You can buy artisan perfumes, handmade soaps, or a sample set of all six products on the Villainess website, http://villainess.net/wicked/. Smelling my characters is a dream come true, and Criminy is now my signature scent! DiDi – Note to self, go check it out, would love to smell Criminy
DiDi – Do you have plans for future Blud books? Any hints or teasers on who they may be about? Will Criminy and Tish make appearances in future stories?
Delilah – Oh, yes! Pocket contracted a three-book series with a different couple in each book. Here’s what I know so far. An e-novella called The Mysterious Madam Morpho will be out in October featuring a hot romance set entirely in the caravan and starring an enigmatic gentleman mentioned but never seen in WICKED AS THEY COME. The first few scenes are of Tish and Criminy, but the new romance takes over quickly. Book two will be out next spring. It’s called WICKED AS SHE WANTS and is a play on the story of Princess Anastasia—if she were a Bludman forced to travel on an airship brothel with a certain handsome musician from Criminy’s caravan. Book three, as yet unnamed, will take place in the cabarets of Paris, a sort of Sangish take on Moulin Rouge. I’m hoping that there will be opportunities in the future to share more of Tish and Criminy’s stories, as I had a 3-book arc planned for them before the books sold and would love to take them on more adventures. DiDi – OMG! I am so excited and both hands are up saying “PICK ME” for the ARCS.
DiDi – One last question – Guilty Pleasures, we all have them. What are your Guilty Pleasures?
Delilah – Cake. Cake and cupcakes are my very favorite food. I try to eat slow-carb, mostly grassfed beef and cruciferous vegetables, but… I just love cake and can rarely turn it down. One of the most exciting things in planning for the book launch party was ordering a custom cake from my very favorite local bakery, Cakes by Darcy in Roswell, GA. Red velvet with almond buttercream! *dies* DiDi – Sounds delish, red velvet is a favorite of mine too.
DiDi – Thank you so much for chatting with us, is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I’m just so glad you liked it and hope your readers will, too. Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review WICKED AS THEY COME and for offering to host me. I really enjoyed the interview! And if your readers have any questions for me, they can always find me on my blog (http://delilahsdawson.com), on Twitter (http://twitter.com/DelilahSDawson) and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/DelilahSDawson).
Contest Time
Have you ever had an idea or thougth happen in a dream so vivid, that you decided to implement in your real life?
Two lucky commenters will win a print copy of WICKED AS THEY COME. US only, no PO Boxes. Winners will be selected using random.org on 4/3.
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I almost never remember my dreams, so no.
I’m really looking forward to getting a copy of this book, if only to stare at the cover.
Back in the day, I had a couple of dreams that recurred several times which helped me to remember them. I actually wrote them
down, thinking they might be the basis for
a couple of stories. They are still in my
files somewhere!
Pat Cochran
I’ve had a few dreams that I’ve wound up turning into the basis for short stories, but I’ve never really enacted them in real life.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I love this cover! It screams read me! Great interview! I’m a reader, not a writer. I write in my dream journal, but that is far I write about it. Thank you for the chance to win!
DeAnna Schultz
The dreams I remember aren’t things I could really implement. Like flying or running endlessly.
My dreams always appear vividly. And the only way I’ve used them is in art projects and to analyze things that are going on in my life.
Well, I had this dream that kept repeating itself every so often and finally I took the bait and have been working it into a very sultry story. It remains to be seen if it will amount to anything, but it was one hell of a dream! 🙂 Thanks for the interview, ladies. Really enjoyed it. This is a very unique basis for a PR and I am anxious to read it.
I love to use my dreams as reminders
That I shouldn’t be scared to try something new–they are great when you are in love!
KatieL
Tiglilygirl at yahoo dot com
I dream about weird stuff.. Airplanes landing in my yard, car wrecks, and just crazy stuff. Thanks!
I rarely remember my dreams.
Geesh, I keep forgetting the email
brandypm (at) optonline (dot) net
Dude, I don’t have dreams, I have movies. It’s been like that since I was a kid.
Great interview Didi! Dreams, it’s really strange but I rarely remember dreams and when I do it’s usually about a book I’ve recently read. I never dream about me or my family. Now my hubby, it dreams are down right strange and scary. I don’t know if I’d sleep if I had his dreams!
Great interview. I have read so many great things about this release! I cant wait to read it.
I don’t really remember my dreams, but something could have bled through, you never know.
(entered under the name Krysta Banco)