Interview with author Uzuri Wilkerson

"Sweet", by Uzuri Wilkerson,is a novel offering a unique storyline in the vampire genre. Her heroine, Celia, witnesses a brutal murder in which the vampire is the victim. Things become even more complicated when she becomes attracted to a sexy vampire hunter.

So, what does the author herself, Uzuri Wilkerson have to say about "Sweet"?

Q: There’s something especially chilling about the idea of vampires walking amongst us, passing themselves off as regular people. Do you think this element of the story appeals to the instinctive uneasiness most people feel toward strangers?

A: I never thought about that before. I can definitely see the correlation. The advantage for vampires, or at least the ones in my story, is that they have the magic to make humans forget. It’s a bit icky—as Celia feels—but it’s what’s needed for them to survive undetected. Maybe it doesn’t work completely if people still feel uneasy about strangers though…

Q: Why did you set the book in New England?

A: I live in Boston; it’s what I know. I love this city and what it has to offer and I wanted to capture that in the story.

Q: Lately, there seems to be a trend, in vampire fiction, to focus more on vampire hunters. Why do you think this is?

A: Maybe it’s a way of putting vampires back into the “evil” category. Vampires have always been scary creatures of the night. They’re undead. Technically, they aren’t supposed to be walking the earth. The simple fact that the sun destroys them shows that there is something off about their existence. Hunters have to be pretty badass to take on vampires because they are supernaturally strong and fast. Vampires also tend to be killers, so I find that most hunters in fiction are avenging a wrongful death. It adds more complexity to the stories.

Q: How closely do you identify with your central character, Celia?

A: I like to think that Celia says the things that I want to say to people. I’d love to call someone out when they’re acting like a jerk. She’s usually really direct with her feelings and thoughts, which is something I could learn from her. She’s also independent—she maintains a job and has her own money, she has a car, an apartment. All she needs is an overly-affectionate cat, and we’d be the same person in the aspect.

Q: Who are some of the authors who have influenced your work the most?

A: I have to admit that "Sweet" came to mind after reading the Twilight series. I was always into paranormal books but for whatever reason, that series was what inspired me. My novels aren’t always based off other books I’ve read. I have another story about a girl and a cop on the run to save her life. That was actually inspired by an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims’ Unit and by Denzel Washington. I had seen some movie where he played a cop and the idea formed from there.

Q: Are there any genres you would like to explore but haven’t yet?

A: I’ve written urban fiction and one thriller. I also have pieces of an idea for a chick-lit novel. I’ve always wanted to write an episode of Law & Order. Maybe I’ll try for a mystery or do my research and come up with a court drama. My biggest dream would be to write an epic trilogy a lá The Lord of the Rings. Possibly involving people with superhuman abilities. I’m not ready for that yet, though. That will take more time, patience, and storyboarding than I’m able to do at the moment.