Charlaine Harris Answers Questions About “Dead and Gone” and More
We recently had the opportunity to a Q & A session with Charlaine Harris about her new addition to the Southern Vampire collection, Dead and Gone, as well as some of her other book series’.
1. I’ve read that you’re a fan of True Blood. With all the deviations Alan Ball has taken from your book, which change do you like the best?
Making Tara a woman of color. I should have done that in the first place.
2. Do you have a favorite character on True Blood? Is that favorite different than your favorite in the books?
I can’t possibly pick a favorite. I think all the actors are doing such a fantastic job. I know this sounds very brown-nosey, but it’s true.
3. Is there a particular scene from Living Dead in Dallas that you are curious to see how it looks on screen in Season Two?
Yes, the scene where Godfrey meets the sun. I don’t know if that’s going to be included in the series, but it’s one of my favorite scenes I’ve written.
4. How do you feel about the music they have chosen for the show?
Isn’t it great? I love to listen to see what they’ll use. I got to meet the music director, and Jace Everett, at the premier. I got to tell them in person how much I was enjoying their work.
5. Have you entertained any thoughts on writing ’spin-off’s’ for some of the other characters in Sookie’s world? If so, who?
No, Sookie takes up a lot of my time as it is. Maybe when I feel the series is drawing to a close, I’ll think about that.
6. Do you have a specific scheme in mind about how Sookie came by her telepathy, or is it just a random phenomenon in the world you have created?
That remains to be seen.
7. Do you know how many books you are going to write in the Southern Vampire series?
No, I’m not sure. I have enough material for three more after Sookie 10, I think.
8. Have you already thought out the end and how you are going to get there, or do you get new ideas when you start writing a new book?
Yes, I’ve thought out the end, but I don’t know how I’m going to get there. I get new ideas all the time.
9. What is Jason’s ultimate purpose in the books? He seems to do nothing more than cause more problems for Sookie.
Sookie needs some living family, and he’s what she’s stuck with. I like writing Jason, having known quite a few guys who qualify for Jason-dom. And they’re always a lot of trouble.
10. How much more of Sookie’s ancestry will we explore?
There are developments in DEAD AND GONE.
11. Will we see and find out more of her Grandfather soon?
You mean her great-grandfather, Niall? Yes, you will.
12. Can you drop us any tidbits on the upcoming Harper Connelly book?
Hmmm. Well, Harper and Tolliver go to see their younger siblings in the Dallas area, since Harper’s been hired to do a job in Texas for a millionaire and her sister and brother. But the family isn’t too happy with Harper’s discovery, and Harper’s aunt isn’t too happy that Harper and Tolliver are a couple.
13. We understand that you are busy with Sookie and wrapping up Harper’s story, as well as family affairs, but we have to ask: are there any new stories with new characters on a burner somewhere? As fans of your writing, we look forward to everything you do.
Yes, I’m thinking about a new novel. I don’t know how far I’ll go with the planning, but it’s always fun to consider a new project.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions, Ms. Harris. We look forward to Dead and Gone and the new Harper book, and we wish you all the best! Thanks back at you.
I just recieved “Dead And Gone” in the mail today. I will try to read slowly. But that usually doesn’t work for me. I have to admit, from the beginning I always wanted Sookie and Bill to be together. The romantic in me. We’ll see if I get my wish.
I read Dead and Gone the day it was released. I was thrilled to see more happen between Eric and Sookie and look forward to the developing story. Hopefully, Eric is the vampire Niall was referring to at the end of the story.
I have not read dead and gone yet as I am still waiting for it to come by post, and i have to say i really hope Sookie and Eric end up together. I know Bill is the fav but i am keeping my fingers crossed. loving all the books in the series and always read them the day they arrive. Also much love for Harper and Tolliver. so glad they finally got together.
I am a big fan.I started to watch the show when my mother in law showed me .she has every book.She ask me to read them I read every one in a week.Love Sookie with Eric.I hope there are more.When does the next book come out the one after dead and gone. love your biggest fan
I loved dead and gone so much. And i just want Sookie to end up with either Bill of Eric because i love them both. I can’t wait to see what will happen in the book after Dead and Gone. Charlaine Harris PLEASE HURRY UP
i am reading dead and gone at moment and i really really hope its eric i think he care for sookie more than bill and she always feels happy and has a feeling when kissing eric
Just finished dead and gone… now cant wait for dead in the family. i really hope sookie ends up with eric. they just seem very right for each other. sorry, but Bill is just too much and too serious – a bit dull really. even though the summary for dead in the family suggest that sookie and eric is now heading towards a relationship, so much can happen but in this case i hope not. she is already “married” to him so i’m hoping very much it only progress from there.
Is anyone else out there puzzled by what Eric said (and didn’t say) after Sookie was rescued from the 2 faeries just before the big fight, and he said (I’m paraphrasing since I don’t have the book here) “you’re killing me, you’re killing me, I’ll explain later (why he wasn’t there to save her)”, then there was never any explanation? I just finished last night and I thought I had missed something, so I re-read a little and I’m still stumped. Any thoughts?
Yes, the next book comes out in May of 2010. Sookie’s story is not finished. If you have read the other Sookie Stackhouse books, you will remember that Charlaine Harris always ends her books on a cliffhanger. Your questions will most likely be answered in the next book or the books yet to be written.
I just finished all 9 books! ( I listened to the audiobooks on my way to work) and I gotta say all roads are leading to Eric/Sookie.I am not the biggest fan of the Eric/Sookie pairing, but I enjoyed Eric in Dead and Gone. I just gotta say it, I think Sookie screwed Quinn, I soooooo disliked her treatment of him!!! I cant wait for for Book 10!!
I love Dead and Gone. I agree that the way Sookie ended it with Quinn was awful, but I am glad. I really want Sookie and Eric together. I was for Bill in the beginning but than I became such a big fan of Eric. I guess we will see in book 10 or more hopefully. Can’t wait:)