Interview with Author David Burton and a Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to interview David Burton, author of Blood Justice that I reviewed the other day.  Thanks David for taking time out to visit us today!!

Me: Where did you get the idea of mixing a revenge/thriller book with paranormal elements?

David: The idea of someone dying for the first time came unbidden out of the ether. As a writer you immediately assume that if there is a first time dying, then there has to be at least a second time dying. Then you start asking, Why? and What if? If the first death is metaphorical, then what caused it? The idea of violent death or murder came quickly, leading right to Revenge. The idea of dying a second time and waking up a vampire wasn’t far behind. Then comes the fun part, when fireworks shoot out of your eyes and smoke spouts from your ears and you walk around with a huge grin and saying, “Yes. Yes.” and “That’d be so cool!” figuring out the how, when, and by who (or is it whom?)



Me:  Justine is a very strong character. Did you base her character from anyone in particular?
 
David: The short answer is no. Most of the women in my life have been strong women, but Justine isn't based on any one. When I wrote my second novel (Fear Killer, now only available as an e-book at Smashwords.com) I was tired of it always being women who were slaughtered by male serial killers, (it’s a wonder there are any pretty young women left!) so I though it was time for equal opportunity in the serial killer business. That idea has carried through into other stories. Ladies, you don’t have to go as far as Emily in Fear Killer, but these days you don’t have to take any crap from men, so don’t.



Me: I love the characters of Teresa and Harry. If you could put them in a movie, what celebrity would star as them?
 
David: This is a tough one. For Teresa the only actress I can think of off hand is Lauren Velez who plays Lt. LaGuerta on Dexter. Though I’d take a call from J.Lo, any day.
 
For Harry, how about a serious and disheveled Matthew Broderick? Or Misha Collins, Castiel from Supernatural? Only taller. Of course, if Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp or Tom Cruise are interested, the film rights are available. Call me.


Me: The vampires in this story are very  scary, yet Simone seems to have some human traits. What persuaded you to give that to her and not the others?
 
David:  Simone isn't as nasty as other vampires because she's an accidental vampire. She woke up in 1650 a vampire with no clue what to do. She had no one to indoctrinate or corrupt her. She had to learn on her own, and being basically a good person before she died, she quickly learned that if she helped others, mortal or otherwise, they would help her.
 
At some point I'd like to write her biography. You can read an expanded story of her first weeks, An Accidental Vampire, at my occasional blog, http://davidburtonwriting.wordpress.com/.
Of course that’s not to say she won’t do what has to be done to protect herself, her friends and her Young Bloods, of which Justine is one of few.

Me: Are you working on another novel? If so, can you tell us a bit about it?
 
David: I’m working on the sequel to Blood Justice, tentatively titled Blood on the Water. It continues the story a few days after Blood Justice ends, as Justine, Simone and Teresa go in search of Antonia.


I also have the beginning of another slightly supernatural novel, Ancient Mariners, which is the novelization of an as yet unsold screenplay of the same name. It’s a coming of age story of another strong woman, in this case 15-18 years old, in which Death in the form of an Albatross plays a part.

It was a toss up which one to write, but I’m a believer in working on one project at a time. Although, if anybody out there is legitimately interested in the script, I could be persuaded to switch.

If any of you live  around San Diego - Encinitas, CA David will be at the Encinitas Fall Street Fair on Nov 21. The Read Local San Diego booth, 9-11:30 am

 http://bylightunseenmedia.com/bj.htm -- is my page on the By Light Unseen Media's website. It has links to all the places Blood Justice is available.


http://davidburtonwriting.wordpress.com -- Is my occasional What If? blog with a few story ideas for writers.


www.smashwords.com/profile/view/davidburton -- Several novels available only as e-books.

David has graciously offered one of you an autographed copy of his book, Blood Justice! I'm telling you, you are in for a real treat!!

USA and Canada Only.

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Winner will be selected by random.org on November 29th.