Interview with Carmilla Voiez
Good Morning on this horrible, wretched, miserable day to CARMILLA VOIEZ…Just as well we brought our brolly’s today! Tell us a little bit about yourself whilst we attempt to dry off!
Well, I was born in England and have lived in Scotland for the past decade. I have two daughters and two cats. I’m a Goth and a feminist. Before writing professionally I earned my living designing and selling clothing. I studied Creative Writing with the Open University and have just finished my third novel.
It’s a shame Lenora couldn’t join us today, you and her would get on like a house on fire! So, Is writing your full time career?
That and motherhood, yes.
What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?
I worked at Miss Millies Take Away Chicken for a while. I stank all the time and was covered in fat burns.
Sound’s pretty grim! If you could have written any other book by any other author, what would it be, and why?
The Wasp Factory by the late, great Iain Banks as I think it is the work of literary genius.
I’ve been meaning to stock up on some of his works for a while now but never seem to get around to it. Maybe one day! How would you think your parents would describe your book? Does this differ from how you would describe it?
My father loves my books. My mother hopes one day I’ll write something which isn’t full of sex and violence so she can read it.
What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?
I write horror and erotica under my name, Carmilla Voiez. I wrote a YA short story for my daughter that will be published under the name, Milla V. I am working on a literary fiction novel that may or may not see the light of day in years to come.
What inspired you to write your first book?
They say write “what you know” and so I wrote about the Goth culture. I wrote the first draft during NaNoWriMo 2009. I had previously written a very short story about Lilith which led onto this first novel, Starblood.
Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?
Yes, at night time or in the shower, or sometimes when I’m out walking. I always keep a notebook with me and have been known to jump out of the shower to scribble down an idea in an eureka moment.
I often stop what I am doing too just to make notes, because you never know what they are going to turn into! Do you have a structure when you are writing, and if so what?
I tend to write very emotional scenes in a notebook first, but mostly I just sit and type and let inspiration flow through my fingertips.
Which was your favourite character to write, and why?
Freya, in the Starblood trilogy, because she was intelligent, witty and very, very crazy.
Crazy works for me…What are you reading at the moment, and why?
Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book”, for a number of reasons. It’s the Library of Darkness’ chosen book for this month, I get to meet the maestro himself in August and it’s a lovely read.
I think I will add that one to my “to be read” list! Left or right and why?
Left, politically and spiritually. It feels the less restrictive and more human way.
What is your favourite movie and why?
It changes dependent on mood. I love Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures because he creates wonderfully complex female characters and it’s a chilling but beautiful story. I have watched Breakfast at Tiffanys more than any other film as it cheers me up when I feel sad.
Do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?
I suspect we become one with the earth and so continue the circle of life that way, but I am not averse to other ideas.
What do you have in the pipeline?
I have recently finished the final book in the Starblood trilogy, “Black Sun”, I have edited an anthology of psychological horror called “Broken Mirrors, Fractured Minds”, which was released on the 2nd August. I have also penned a YA story called “Selkie” and an erotic short called “Silk” and those will be released before the end of the year. Currently I am working on a new horror novel with completely new characters.
“Broken Mirrors, Fractured Minds is on Lenora’s list to review although I have taken a sneaky peak and was so hooked that I was tempted to drop what I was doing and review it there and then. I will definitely buy it at some stage, however I just feel that seeing as she is the Queen of Horror, Lenora will do the review more justice than I would…What inspired you to be a writer?
Writing is my therapy. I love telling stories and pushing boundaries.
Pushing the boundaries is what writing is all about…What is your earliest childhood memory?
Being in a busy shopping centre at the age of 3 and leaving my mum and walking home by myself because I got bored.
OMG. Child from Hell!!! How do you overcome writers block?
Walking, running or sometimes writing through it.
If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?
I’d tell everyone I love them and have a group hug. I love hugs.
What advice would you give your 18 year old self?
Don’t let the bastards get you down.
And on that truly wonderful note we shall leave it there!!! Carmilla I am really glad that we braved the elements this morning to catch up and I am really looking forward to reading your stuff over time.
You can find this lovely Goth lady at:
https://www.facebook.com/Author.Carmilla.Voiez
