Author Post and Giveaway: Sierra Dean

Today's author post is from Sierra Dean.

Welcome!

Howl at the Moon vs Blood Sucking Fiends – Which monsters have more fun

Howl at the Moon vs Blood Sucking Fiends – Which monsters have more fun

I’m told vampires are so over, as far as fiction goes.

But I’m pretty sure people have been saying vampires are “so over” since Dracula came out. The reality of it is, there will always be vampires in fiction, because they’re fun to read, they’re fun to write and people love them. They’re dark, they’re mysterious, they’re cool and aloof, and they’re just the tiniest bit better than everyone around them. I mean, who wouldn’t cultivate an attitude of total confidence after living two hundred years. Vampires are awesome.

Werewolves are a different story. Shifters are usually broody and gruff. The men are alphas, the women are just as strong as their men. They’re usually bossy, stern and keep to themselves (and their packs, of course) But when they shift, it’s a different story. They’re literal animals, in touch with their wild side, connected to nature and the outdoors. They’re rough and tumble and a little alien. 

So which monsters rules supreme?

My love for both vamps and weres was what led me to write the Secret McQueen books in the first place. I liked the idea of the two separate creatures but wondered, “What would happen if someone was both?” And thus, Secret was born. She was from both worlds but part of neither (until she was suddenly in charge of both), and that made her fascinating to me. What strengths would she have, what weaknesses? There was so much to draw from. In the Secret books I tried to focus equally on both parts of her heritage, but the vampire half often got more focus.

With the Genie McQueen books, things are different. Genie is all werewolf, and in spite of her abilities as a natural witch, she has nothing getting in the way of her werewolf skills. It’s different than it was writing with Secret, because I don’t need to worry about balancing powers, I just have to let Genie be Genie. She’s familiar with being a wolf, she accepts the nature of the pack and the wild part of herself in a way Secret never did, so it’s a whole different ballgame this time around.

If I hat to pick, I don’t know if I could. Writing with more focus on the werewolves has been fun. I like delving deeper into their royalty system and seeing how the dynamics between different pack members plays out. The power struggles will become Shakespearean down the line, and it’s a lot of fun to lay the groundwork for that. 

At the same time, writing Secret was a joy, because she was so unique and I could make up all the rules for her without any canon to worry about. 

Ultimately, they’re both great. I’m not done with vampires. They still exist in the Genie world, and we’ll see them in future books. But between werewolves, witches and the other creepy crawlies in Genie’s universe, I think I’ve got plenty of other things to keep me busy in the meantime.

Thanks!

Giveaway

1 ebook copy of one of Sierra's books (not Bayou Blues)

Check out her books in the link. She has YA, UF and contemporary (I say give Secret a try if you have not, or any of the other books really :)

1. Open to everyone

2. Ends March 28th

3. Enter by commenting

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