Celluloid Diaries: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Interview at Rachelle's Window

author interview creepy horror

Here's an interview I recently did for Rachelle's Window. Enjoy!

What drew you to the horror genre?

I’ve always been fascinated with horror movies and the paranormal. As a child, I tortured my Barbie dolls and loved going to video stores to look at the covers of horror movies, hoping that I would be able to see them one day. Writing horror was a natural progression.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Which character from A Good Man should you be dating?

To celebrate the release of my new supernatural thriller "A Good Man", take this super fun quiz to see which character best suits you.


Should you be dating Vincent or Louis?

Vincent DucasseLouis Caron


Vincent and Louis both love to travel, have their insecurities, and are hopeless romantics—but while they share those things, Vincent is human and Louis is not. Vincent is in his twenties and Louis is in his fifties. Vincent loves Wax Tailor and Vitalic and Louis is all about Bach.


1. What is your favorite book?

a.      “White Nights” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (short story) – A man is never smitten with the woman that truly loves him.
b.      “Shangai Baby" by Wei Hui – Exotic, urban, steamy.
c.      “Nevermore" by Kelly Creagh – Supernatural creatures exist.
d.      “The Unbearable Lightness Of Being" by Milan Kundera – I think I have a dark side, but I'm positive and balanced in real life.

2. What do you want to eat tonight?

a.      Spaghetti allo Scoglio - Can we go to that romantic Italian restaurant near the lake?
b.      Cheesecake - Let's just grab something small before we go out.
c.      Hemoglobin - I think I have some leftover blood in the fridge.
d.      Falafel and salad - Vegetarian, please.

3. What is your dream destination?

a.      Budapest - The city of romance.
b.      London - Dining and music.
c.      Hereafter - One way ticket.
d.      Prague - Architecture and culture.

4. What pet would you like to own?

a.      Dog – It matches with the image of the perfect family unit.
b.      No pets – I don't want the responsibilities that go with it.
c.      Vampire bat – There's something strangely familiar about these animals.
d.      Cat – I'm a total cat person.

5.  What is the best season?

a.      Spring – Flowers, dresses, romance.
b.      Fall – Perfect time for a city trip.
c.      Winter – It gets dark early.
d.      Summer – Reading in the park.

6.  What is your favorite color?

a.      Pink – Maternity, protection, fragility and love without passion.
b.      Red – Ambition, confidence and independence.
c.      Black – Suppression of desires and worldly aims, hidden depths, inner longings.
d.      Green – Harmony, balance, peace and patience.

7.   What job do you want your man to have?

a.      Accountant – Stability is the magic word.
b.      DJ – Music is sexy.
c.      Temp – I don't want to stay in the same country or city for too long.
d.      Retired (or almost) – I have a thing for older men.

8.  What movie do you watch over and over again?

a.      The Good Girl – You rarely get what you want in life, particularly in love.
b.      L'auberge espagnol – Living abroad, meeting people, having fun.
c.      A Good Man —A new vampire movie that shows us vampires the way they really are.
d.     Brief Encounter – They don't make movies like that anymore.

If you answered...

Mostly a's: After a series of short-lived love relationships with men that can't commit, you want to settle down with a serious guy that treats you right. Chances are that Vincent may be the one who sticks with you, but you'll never know who else is on his mind.
Mostly b's: There's a fun concert tonight. Wanna be Vincent's date? If you play it cool, he'll be head over heels with you.
Mostly c's: You are probably a vampire, just like Louis! You will have a lot in common with him, but he'll hate you for it.
Mostly d's: Go and read your book in the park instead of on the couch and you might be lucky enough to stumble upon Louis. Love is in the air!

***


Louis Caron is a good man. Vegetarian, he feeds the homeless, takes care of animals and is concerned with the ecological future of the planet. But his altruism has a sinister edge - he's a vampire - and local detective Taglioni is becoming increasingly suspicious. Louis' attempts to escape the police will take him on a journey into his own private hell where he is not only forced to confront his worst fears, but also to destroy the lives of those he cares about most.

Purchase
Amazon (ENG) * Smashwords

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Music that inspired A Good Man

To celebrate the release of my new supernatural thriller, A GOOD MAN, let's have a look at some of the music that inspired this unforgettable vampire story!

Wax Tailor - Fireflies
Because it mingles so well with the atmosphere of the story, I often listend to Wax Tailor's album In The Mood For Life when writing A Good Man. Fireflies in particular would be a great accompaniment to the beginning – Louis seeing Nathalie for the first time on the street, then entering the bar when the more catchy part of the song starts...


Holly Golightly - My Love Is

I imagine this song playing in the background in one of the scenes where Louis is watching his neighbour, Nathalie. The lyrics summarize well what he feels for this woman, but he knows that his insecurities will prevent him from ever telling her that personally.


Vitalic - Poney

One of Vincent's favorite songs; he often plays it in the bar where he's DJ'ing. The song also eludes the feeling of youth that his older friend, Louis, longs for. It's in strong contrast with the calm, often classical, music Louis listens to at home that reflects his unwillingness to take any risks.


Cinnamon Chasers - Luv Deluxe
Another one of Vincent's favorite songs that he often plays in the bar where he works. The girl in the music video reminds him of his ex-girlfriend Céline.



Chinese Man - I've Got That Tune

I've Got That Tune would be the perfect song for when Louis comes home after his somewhat destastrous date with Martine, drinking wine alone in his apartment. Solitude, loneliness, love... It's all there.


Wax Tailor - Seize The Day

Wax Tailor's Seize The Day has always been the perfect song to accompany the last two scenes of A GOOD MAN. We all know that we should seize the day and enjoy the small things in life without worrying too much about the bigger picture. Unfortunately, most of us realize this when it's too late.



***

Do you like Dexter and American Psycho? Then chances are you will love A Good Man.

Louis Caron is a good man – he's a vegetarian, feeds homeless people, takes care of animals and is converned with the ecological well-being of the planet. But his altruism has a sinister edge – he's a vampire and local detective Taglioni becomes increasingly suspicious of him. Louis' attempt to escape the police will take him on a journey into his own private hell where he is not only forced to confront his worst fears, but where he will also destroy the lives of those he cares about.

Purchase
Amazon * Smashwords

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Interview at Words In Sync

I had a great time answering questions for the lovely Shah Wharton over at Words In Sync. It turned out to be a rather philosophical interview about life in general and my work as an author/screenwriter. Here's some of the questions and answers. The rest of the interview can be found at the Words In Sync website.

Do you have a mantra or motto?

Become your dream.

 Become Your Dream

What is your favorite cuisine?

Anything extremely spicy.

Spicy Goulash

What do you most value in your friends?

Their willingness to love me the way I am.

Jennifer Vangindertael

How much of your creative ability do you think is innate and how much is learned?

That's an interesting question. I believe that every creative ability starts with passion. From then on, you get better with time and practice. I once read that it takes about 1,000 hours to become competent at any skill, about 5,000 hours to master any skill and between 25,000 and 35,000 hours to become world class. Having a great mentor and being focused greatly speeds up this process.

Salvatore Ferragamo's Il Borro

What was the last movie you went to see?

A Danish movie called Beast, about a love relationship that becomes so obsessive that it externalizes in a Cronenbergian way.

Christoffer Boe's Beast

If you had a license to brag, what would you brag about?

I would brag about my cat Avalon. This sweet, neurotic cat is the star in his own web comic. He also 'acts' in the movies I wrote.

Cat Comics

What's your idea of total happiness?

Happiness equals freedom - being free to do whatever I want to do and whenever I want to do it. Happiness is also spending time with the people I love, attending film festivals, eating out, enjoying the sun and cuddling my cat.

Santorini Greece


Your turn... Take one of the above questions and answer it in the comment section below. Looking forward to reading your answers ;-) 

Sources: 1, 2, 4, 7

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Writing on Ibiza

One of the advantages of being a writer is to be able to work from anywhere in the world. This past May, that happened to be Ibiza, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea where my beloved cousin Kate lives. The perfect moment to write in some new, exciting places.

My early mornings on Ibiza centred around the balcony of Kate's apartment or on one of the sun loungers near the private swimming pool. For hours, I sat there with my books and laptop, filling in e-mail interviews for the promotion of my latest release A GOOD MAN and sprouting ideas for new stories. Is there a better way to start the day?

Ibiza - Swimming Pool

Once the mornings turned  into noon, I exchanged the balcony or swimming pool for a local cafe in the harbour with a view on the old town and the luxury yachts of Ibiza's jet set regulars.

Ibiza - Harbour

Ibiza - Old Town

The best places to write and hang-out at night were definitely in and around the old town, Eivissa, where the buzzing nightlife of bars and restaurants sits together in a mix of magnificent 16th century walls and local handicraft shops.

I was lucky enough to visit Eivissa during the Medieval, a local food and music festival that adorns the old town with Roman and Arabian inspired stalls and decorations.

Ibiza - Eivissa

Ibiza wasn't all about writing though. Some of the afternoons were reserved for excursions... and food! Kate showed us some of the sought-after places of the locals...

Some were obvious, such as Benirràs, a beach in Northern Ibiza where the hippies spend their days making music. Part of the movie Hook with Julia Roberts was filmed at Benirràs.

Ibiza - Benirràs

Ibiza - Benirràs Hippies

... or the colourful hippie market in Santa Eulària des Riu (in case you're wondering... Ibiza is full of hippies).

Ibiza - Hippie Market

Others were not so obvious, such as a well-hidden cave in the cliffs near Cala D'Hort that was visibly inhabited by hippies (here they are again).

Ibiza - Cave

Kate also took us to a cute restaurant - Es Boldado in Cala D'Hort - hidden from the view of passing tourists and known for serving the best paella on Ibiza.

Ibiza - Es Boldado


Friday, July 6, 2012

Haunted Lakes and Creepy Villages


haunted lakes creepy villages

Last month, the website City Girl Who Loves To Read interviewed me about the haunted lake and creepy village in my novel Drowned Sorrow. Here's the interview in case you missed it.

Why did you choose the setting of Moonlight Creek?

Moonlight Creek is a remote town where water has become a supernatural element that can think, move, and kill. The imaginary village - with its haunted lake and worn-out, musty buildings - is literally alive and thus one of the characters in Drowned Sorrow. Old Saybrook and Chester in Connecticut (which were also the filming locations for the movie Let's Scare Jessica To Death) fit the description and formed the basis for Moonlight Creek.

How is this village a fundamental part of your overall theme?

Water and its symbolic meaning (cleansing, rebirth) is the main theme of Drowned Sorrow. Everything in Moonlight Creek reminds us of this topic: the lake, rain, leaking walls, damp atmosphere, and shops that sell nothing but water.

How do you transport the reader there through your writing?

In order to have a constant feeling of impending doom, it was important that readers understood Moonlight Creek was alive and breathing; the organic feel of the village had to be present on almost every page without being repetitive. The best way to do this was to make the village part of the action.

How do you introduce them to an area they may not be familiar with?

The reader discovers Moonlight Creek the same way the main character does. Because Megan visits Moonlight Creek for the first time, she initially gets an overall feel of the place before the vague menacing atmosphere slowly turns into something more specific and sinister.

***



A story of suspense, mystery and water... Lots of water...

Megan Blackwood has just lost her son in a terrible accident. Now she has come to Moonlight Creek with her teenage daughter, Jenna, hoping that a change of scenery might help to put their lives back together. But something odd is going on in Moonlight Creek. When rain falls over the village, its inhabitants commit grisly murders, leaving the place deserted with the first rays of sunshine. Beneath the lake's surface, an eerie presence watches... and waits... Waits to reveal a tragic past drowned in mystery and fear. One that doesn't bode well for visitors. By the time Megan realizes that her daughter's life is in danger, it might already be too late.

Purchase


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