BLEEDING VIOLET: Interview with Hanna

So far on this blog I have interviewed many "fictional characters," including a mermaid, demon, werewolf, nymph and satyr. But, why stop there? I am pleased to announce that today I have with me, Hanna.

Hanna is the Main Character in Dia Reeve's novel, BLEEDING VIOLET. And since I'd like to share this book so much I am offering one lucky commenter a copy for their very own! Just be a follower, leave a comment and spread the word through Twitter or a mention on your own blog. I'll have my kids pick the lucky winner out of a hat and announce the results on Thursday.

A little about the book:

Love can be a dangerous thing....

Hanna simply wants to be loved. With a head plagued by hallucinations, a medicine cabinet full of pills, and a closet stuffed with frilly, violet dresses, Hanna's tired of being the outcast, the weird girl, the freak. So she runs away to Portero, Texas in search of a new home.

But Portero is a stranger town than Hanna expects. As she tries to make a place for herself, she discovers dark secrets that would terrify any normal soul. Good thing for Hanna, she's far from normal. As this crazy girl meets an even crazier town, only two things are certain: Anything can happen and no one is safe. (taken from Simon Schuster's website)

Now, lets begin:

Hanna, why don't you tell us a little about yourself for the readers that don't know you yet?

I'm biracial (Poppa is white and Finnish, and Momma is black and American). I like to make my own clothes and meet new people and travel. I'm manic-depressive--more manic than depressive, though. When I'm manic, I hallucinate and may occassionally bash people over the head, but what can I say? We've all got problems.

What made you first believe in the supernatural things that live in this world, when so many people just ignore their existence?

I started to believe when the people around me--people I trust like Momma and my boyfriend Wyatt--admitted to seeing things, too. Things like flesh-eating creatures and evil spirits. At this point I can't remember what it was like not to believe in the supernatural.

What's the strangest thing you've seen?

Where do I even start? The weirdest thing are these creatures called lure because they lure you to them so they can drain all the life from you. They live in window glass and are just so random they're really hard to explain to people who haven't seen them.

Is there anything you don't believe in?

I don't have the luxury of not believing in stuff. I live in such a strange town where anything is possible that it's important for me to keep my belief system flexible.

What's next for Dia?

Dia's next book, Slice of Cherry, comes out January 4, 2011. It's not a sequel to Bleeding Violet, though. It's a tale of two outcast sisters--daughters of a notorious serial killer--who decide to put their murderous genes, and latent powers, to good use by only killing people who deserve it. It takes place in Portero, the same as Bleeding Violet, and it has the same level of weirdness and romance, so never fear. :)

Finally, what's your favorite book?

My favorite book of all time is The Gunslinger by Stephen King. It's about this hardcase named Roland who has to track down a wizard who can tell him how to get to the Dark Tower, a place Roland has to go in order to keep the world from dying or "moving on" as he calls it. I would marry that book if I could, I love it so much. It's the first book in the Dark Tower series, and all the books are awesome, but The Gunslinger is the best.

Well, thank you Hanna for visiting today! And thank you Dia for letting her. I truly enjoyed reading the book and getting inside the head of a mentally ill individual. That for me, really made the voice sing. It isn't for the feint of heart, but I love a dark and edgy teen book. I can't wait to read Slice of Cherry!

Interview with a Nymph and Satyr

Welcome everyone! Thanks to Abigail and Bookaholic's suggestions, today I have with me two very special...um...people. Harvey the Satyr and Theodora the Nymph. You should know that they are separated by a magic forcefield at Theodora's request. Now lets begin!

ME: Theodora - what is it that makes Nymphs so irresistible to Satyrs?

THEODORA: Well, it isn't -

HARVEY: HEY! How come she gets to go first? Typical! Ignore the guy who has furry feet and focus on the gorgeous woman. OUCH!

ME: Harvey watch out for that forcefield. I'm not playing favorites. Just be patient, please.

THEODORA: As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted.. It isn't just Satyrs that chase me. It's everyone. And I can't really say I blame them. I mean look at me! Oh wait, I'm sure you already have. Are you going to put my picture on the computer?

ME: I wouldn't want to cause any problems with overloading the circuits or anything.

HARVEY: She won't get sarcasm. Believe me, I've tried.

ME: So, Harvey, why DO you chase Nymphs?

HARVEY: Because it's just so much FUN! Ouch!

ME: Harvey please control yourself. Theodora, I'm sure you want to take this opportunity to let everyone know that Nymphs are more than just a pretty face, right? Harvey stop snorting.

THEODORA: I'm sorry, did you say something? I got distracted looking in the mirror.

ME: Uh, huh. Harvey - how about Satyrs? What is it about you that most people just don't get? Stop chewing on my cushion.

HARVEY: Sorry. Yeah, I would like to let people know that Satyrs are much deeper than we're given credit for. I'm more than just a hot bod. OUCH! Damn forcefield.

ME: Wow, maybe this wasn't such a great idea in practice.

HARVEY: Are you kidding? This is the closest I've gotten to her in about a decade without her turning into a tree.

ME: Lets try one more thing. Theodora, isn't there anything you like about Harvey here?

THEODORA: Well, you do have to give him credit for persistence. I mean, most guys give up after running into a rock, a tree or a bush full of thorns, you know? He's been chasing me for almost a century.

HARVEY: Yeah! That's right, baby. You're the only Nymph for me.

THEODORA: I've seen you go after Monica that water sprite before.

HARVEY: Only for practice. I only want OUCH! You.

THEODORA: He is kind of cute in a teddy bear sort of way...

ME: Are you saying you're willing to give him a chance?

THEODORA: One movie. I get to pick. Then...maybe.

HARVEY: Woohoo!! Hey, Lisa, can I borrow forty bucks?

Well, there you have it. This was quite the experiment! I guess my degree in psych wasn't completely wasted. We'll have to check back in and see how the date went, don't you think? If any of you have any other questions for Theodora or Harvey please leave them in the comments and they have both agreed to get back to you.

Interview with a Werewolf

Welcome! Today I have with me, Seth. Seth looks any normal sixteen year old boy, but let me tell you he's anything but. Every month at the full moon, he turns into a - well, lets ask him. What do you turn into Seth?

First of all, I can change anytime I want. It's just that its forced during the full moon. I can't really control myself and it can get a little hairy.

Literally?

(rolls eyes) Yes. That too. Sizes vary, but since I hit my growth spurt at about thirteen, I've been turning into a six foot tall - on all fours - brown and white wolf.

Have you always been a werewolf?

No. I went camping with my dad when I was six and I got bit. Some advice - don't take small children into the woods, especially at the full moon.

I'm so sorry.

Naw. Don't worry about it. It's actually pretty cool now that I'm older. I mean girls are all into this whole Jacob thing, you know? I can totally milk it.

Which brings me to some questions from my readers. C. Lee wants to know which movie or book depicts your lycanthropic nature the very best?

You mean like Shiver? Uh, sorry, but I kind of don't really read that stuff. I mean most of those books are for girls. Plus, I really like graphic novels and comics. Even though most of us are depicted as monsters, like in Tracker, but then again, serial killers can look like you normals too. Movies though, I can handle. I sort of like New Moon, you know? Mostly cuz like I said, it attracts the ladies. But in real life? Naw. I'm cool with vampires.

I guess Heather's question won't work then. What's your favorite werewolf book?

Well, I saw Heather's picture and you can tell her I'll read her book when it comes out.

Settle down there, Seth. You're only sixteen.

Sorry. I guess I'd say I love reading the old Werewolf by Night comics by Marvel. You know, just for fun.

Catherine wants to know if you still have to fear silver bullets?

Dude, nobody uses silver bullets anymore. Too expensive. So, for the most part no. But would it hurt me? Yeah. I think a real bullet would probably hurt too though. And silver is poisonous to me. So I just tell people I'm allergic.

Ruth wants to know if you really burst out of your clothes when you transform and if what you do when you change back?

(Grins) Wanna see? Just kidding. I usually know ahead of time and I can get ready for the transformation. If I ruin clothes my mom gets pretty mad and I get grounded. Plus, like you say, when I change back - well, I have to be careful where I am.

Christi wants to know if you would legally change your name if it was a dead giveaway like "Remus Lupin?"

Ha! That's pretty funny, Christi. Naw. Seth isn't much of a giveaway. Plus I don't hide it all that much. Like I said, it helps with the ladies. I do have a friend whose a vampire and his parents have an awful sense of humor and named him Vlad. That kind of sucks. Get it? Vampire? Sucks?

Yeah. Thanks for joining me today, Seth.

Readers if you have any other questions for Seth, leave them in the comments below and he'll take a look.