Author Interview: Delilah S. Dawson

Today, I'd like to welcome Delilah S. Dawson to the blog! Last month, she celebrated the release of Wicked as They Come which was a fantastic blend of Paranormal Romance and Steampunk (review coming soon).

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Sara: How would you describe Wicked as They Come, for readers who haven’t heard of it before?

Delilah: It’s a steampunk paranormal romance that unfolds in a dark Victorian world where half the population and most of the wild animals are blood drinkers. A gypsy caravan, clockwork animals, a kraken, a ghost, and a very smoldery hero await!

Sara: In three words, how would you describe you main characters?

Delilah: Criminy Stain – corybantic, magical, wicked
Tish/Letitia – good-hearted, spunky, tenacious

Sara: Do you have a favorite character to write? Is there a character that’s a bit harder than the rest to write?

Delilah: Criminy all but writes himself, and his banter is especially fun. I had trouble writing Elvis because he’s such a nasty, prejudiced little dude.

Sara: What sets Wicked as They Come apart from the other Paranormal Romance?

Delilah: The world is entirely unique, merging paranormal with magic with steampunk. It’s dark but doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a new spin on vampires. And what other book has blood-drinking bunnies?

Sara: Where did the idea for Wicked as They Come come from? Is it a novel you have always wanted to write or did it sneak up on you?

Delilah: Totally snuck up on me! After watching a lot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and listening to the album Like Vines by the Hush Sound, I had a dream that I woke up naked on a rock in the forest with this extra-naughty, long-haired version of Mr. Darcy staring at me. The story just naturally flowed from that moment, with little hints from the songs on Like Vines.

Sara: Can we look forward to a sequel? Are you working on any other projects?

Delilah: Yes! Wicked as They Come is the first in a three-book series, each book of which will follow a different romance. The next offering is an e-novella out this October called The Mysterious Madam Morpho, which takes place entirely in Criminy’s Clockwork Caravan. The second book, Wicked as She Wants, is out next spring. It’s excerpted at the end of Wicked as They Come and follows a much debauched and fallen Casper on his adventure with a character based on the story of Princess Anastasia -- if she was a blood drinker. Book three is tentatively slated to be Sang’s version of Moulin Rouge. But I hope I’ll have more chances to write about Criminy and Tish, because I had an entire story arc planned out for them...

Sara: Tell us a little about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Delilah: A little of both. I spend a long time meditating on the story seed, and I pretty much know from the beginning how it will end. I have a loose sort of outline with lots of room for adventure in between plot points. I start at the beginning and tramp straight through to the end without stopping and save the fleshing out for later drafts. If I get stalled out, I can jump start the story by running a bath in the dark and listening to music and basically putting myself into a trance. It always works!

Sara: What are your influences both in and out of Paranormal Romance?

Delilah: If we’re talking strictly books, then I love Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series the most, with a big nod to Anne Rice and Charlaine Harris for being my gateway to the genre. When I’m gearing up to write the Big Smex Scene, I reread Karen Marie Moning and Gena Showalter to remind me how it’s done. Outside of PNR, Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander first showed me that romance books could also be stories that touched your heart and mind. And I love Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julie Grey series, too.

Sara: What are you currently reading?

Delilah: I’ve got Blood and Bullets by James R. Tuck in my purse, Paper Towns by John Green on my bedside table, and Timeless by Gail Carriger on my Nook. Oh, and my husband bought my copy of Matthew Stover’s Caine’s Law today, which I’ve been waiting on forever! The really cool part is that I’ve gotten to know James, Gail, and Matt online and love their books all the more, knowing what warm and lovely people they are.

Thanks so much for interviewing me! If anyone has any burning questions, I can always be found on Twitter (@DelilahSDawson), on Facebook (facebook.com/DelilahSDawson), and on my blog (delilahsdawson.com). I don’t bite. Probably. =)

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Thanks for stopping by, Delilah! And here's some more information for anyone interested in Wicked as They Come!

Title: Wicked as They Come
Author: Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Blud #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Steampunk
Release Date: 03/27/12
But the Book:

Summary:

Have you ever heard of a Bludman? They’re rather like you and me -- only more fabulous, immortal, and mostly indestructible. (They’re also very good kissers.)

Delilah S. Dawson’s darkly tempting debut drops her unsuspecting heroine into a strange faraway land for a romantic adventure that’s part paranormal, part steampunk... and completely irresistible.

When Tish Everett forces open the ruby locket she finds at an estate sale, she has no idea that a deliciously rakish Bludman has cast a spell just for her. She wakes up in a surreal world, where Criminy Stain, the dashing proprietor of a magical traveling circus, curiously awaits. At Criminy’s electric touch, Tish glimpses a tantalizing future, but she also foresees her ultimate doom. Before she can decide whether to risk her fate with the charming daredevil, the locket disappears, and with it, her only chance to return home. Tish and Criminy battle roaring sea monsters and thundering bludmares, vengeful ghosts and crooked Coppers in a treacherous race to recover the necklace from the evil Blud-hating Magistrate. But if they succeed, will Tish forsake her fanged suitor and return to her normal life, or will she take a chance on an unpredictable but dangerous destiny with the Bludman she’s coming to love?