Sonar4 Science Fiction and Horror Ezine July 2009

Conversation with BellaDonna Drakul Author

Writing at such an early age must have fueled your creativity, compared to now, how are your stories different?

I have always been called an imaginative/creative soul which would probably be based off of the fact that I was writing horror short stories when I was seven years old. There was always a sense of creativity within me and it grew as I became older when I wrote my first vampire story, "Blood Kin", at twelve years old. And as compared to the stories I wrote as a child to now, my stories have developed from human-like loving vampires to merciless vampires that care not for humans. There’s more of a love/hate relationship between the characters as compared to the vampires I envisioned and wrote about as a child.

Horror has been a fascination for you since you were young, what appeals so much to you about the Horror Genre?

I guess it all started when I was about seven years old and I watched "The Lost Boys" for the first time. I can’t quite explain it, but there was a feeling of completeness throughout me when I watched it. I questioned that feeling so I watched other horror movies such as "Nightmare On Elm Street" and "Friday The 13th". After watching several horror movies throughout the years, I finally realized that horror in general filled a void within me as well as something I could relate to. And after being exposed to the horror genre for so many years, I became in a sense the type of girl who would rather rip the head off of her Barbie doll than play with the doll itself.

With a husband who is into werewolves, how has that helped to fuel the muse for 'Horror' writing?

Having a husband who’s into werewolves has definitely helped my writing career as far as true horror goes. He has thrashed his way into my darker side and has shown me that vampires are not the beautiful creatures we see at the movies, but bloodthirsty diabolical souls we fear when we sleep. He has truly shown me how to break away from the sappy vampire stories I once wrote and introduced me to the sinister vampire stories that I love to write now. In fact, his lifestyle was so intriguing to me that I based one of my stories, "Howl At The Blood Moon", off of his werewolf traits alone.

You've had a journalism career, how has that helped or hindered your creative writing?

I feel that my journalism career has helped rather than hinder my creative writing. My journalism skills, accompanied by my controversial writing style, has helped me develop a book that readers can view as something out of the ordinary when it comes to vampires. Also, I have used my journalism experience as a means to establish my creative writing to a greater extent.

Vampires have become popular again, what fascinates you about vampires?

I have been fascinated by vampires since I was very young so the popularity issue is irrelevant to me. I have studied them since I was twelve years old and I think the reason they fascinate me is because I can relate to them. I have always felt disconnected from the world and when I read my first vampire book, "Vampires Among Us", I felt a sense of connection to them as a whole. I understood the lifestyle of a vampire and the curse of immortality that led them into loneliness. I related to the pain of hiding from the world and the need to feel completely whole as they do. Basically, I saw the world through a vampire’s eyes and I never looked back on my life of monotony.

Please tell us a bit about your book The Vampire Collection: Short Stories For The Vampire Enthusiast

My book is the type of book that holds the reader’s attention from the bitterness of a vampire’s love to the vengefulness of a vampire’s thirst for blood. It’s a first-person-based collection of vampire short stories and novellas unlike any that the world has ever seen. From stories filled with horrific vampire hallucinations; futuristic werewolf/vampire wars; and vampires that are made from ice, my book has everything that a vampire enthusiast could ever dream of. It also carries a bit of controversial discussion among the vampire community due to rumors that have risen about my own connections to the real vampire world.

How do you feel this book is different from other vampire books out there?

I think the reason my book is different from other vampire books out there is because it opens the eyes of the reader into a world of what it would be like if vampires reigned supreme. As compared to Romeo and Juliet books like "Twilight", my book would be classified as the horrific version of vampires that "Twilight" tried to mask. They don’t sparkle in the sunlight and they aren’t vegetarians. My characters are a darker, evil breed that would rather rip out the heart of a mortal as compared to becoming friends with them. They are sinister bloodthirsty creatures that relate to earlier vampires such as Nosferatu but with a deadlier demeanor. Also, it is written from the author’s point of view which makes it easier to relate to the creatures I’ve created as compared to other books. It’s a new age version of vampires and I feel that it is destined to bring the existence of vampires to today’s blind society.

If you had to suggest one thing to an upcoming horror author what would it be?

My advice to upcoming horror authors is the same that I would give to any author, be original with your work! If you write a book about a homicidal maniac with a machete like Jason Voorhees, make him really chase his victims. With the killer walking slowly behind you, it gives off the appearance that the victim is stronger than the killer chasing them. In my book, the hero doesn’t always outwit the villain which creates a stronger storyline and gives the readers who support the villains a chance to root for them as well as give them a good read. I think because I write from a darker perspective, I am one of those people who loves to read about the villain who wins rather than the hero who never loses. In my opinion, a true author will always find a way to keep the reader interested from the beginning to the end so always be original with your work.

Where can readers find/buy some of your work?

My book can be purchased at several local bookstores online or at my publishing company’s website, http://www.publishamerica.com. I have also set up a Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thevampirecollection/ that features excerpts and interesting author information for those who haven’t read my book or for those who have who would like to discuss it with other fans. Also for fans of my book, I have included a short story entitled "Siamese Blood" from my upcoming second book located in "Blood From The Underground Volume 1" at http://www.infernaldreams.net/graphics.html. And last but not least, readers may purchase my book through my MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/thevampirecollection.

Any upcoming projects you would like to share with our readers?

At this point in time, I am working on setting up book signings with local bookstores and television stations for personal interviews. I am also brainstorming a few new pieces for my second book that will possibly be featured in "Blood From The Underground Volume 2" in October 2009 at http://www.infernaldreams.net as well as a book review that will be featured in early May 2009 on the same website.

I have a book signing at Steve's Sundry Books & Magazines in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 22nd from 1-3 PM.

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