Charlaine Harris: “I did not kill Bill.”
Cassie White with ABC News had the opportunity to ask Charlaine Harris a few fan questions recently, and got some feisty responses. Here’s an excerpt:
Jane Blount: Why would you kill Bill? He is the most fascinating character I’ve read in years – so mysterious, cool and dark. I’d kill to hear his voice, as you describe it … and I want to finish your wonderful books without crying.
“I did not kill Bill. Alan sort of said something at PaleyFest in an interview. He said ‘Charlaine thought about killing Bill in the last book but she was talked out of it.’ That was something of a mis-statement and I certainly wish he hadn’t made it! In casual conversation I mentioned that had been one of the possible endings for Dead and Gone and that I’d thought about it and discarded it. But the truth is, and I think almost every writer does this, I’ve considered killing every character at one time or another, and some of them I follow though with. But some I decide I need to be alive.”
khansen: I read recently that you said you didn’t understand why so many fans love Eric so much? If this is true, why was he written to always be there for Sookie, give her what she needs, always tell her the truth, and be emotionally awakened by her, and happier with her than he had been in hundreds of years? He seems perfect for her. Have I read all of the books wrong?
“I’m not denying that’s one side of Eric, but he’s also a ruthless killer and I think some of my readers tend to forget that in their enthusiasm for his sexier habits.”
Read more answers to fan questions on Cassie’s The Shallow End blog, and see the full interview with Charlaine at ABC News.
Related posts:
We don’t ignore his ruthless, killer side! It’d be one thing if you was just randomly killing people for the gory fun of it! It’s completely different if he has semi-valid reasons, especially if it’s to protect Sookie. All of us want someone that’s willing to kill in order to protect or avenge them. With Eric, Sookie gets that PLUS all the sexy vampireness.
I meant if HE was randomly killing.
I totally agree with Niki Lynn! I don’t ignore his ruthless side, I love it. He isn’t some psycho serial killer, he has relatively justifiable reasons for the kills he makes. (I’m not condoning murder, just sayin’… haha)
I kinda wish she would have killed off Bill. ;o) Then Sookie wouldn’t have to choose. Hehe.
Come on CH, I love your work, but give AB a break. He didn’t just come out in an interview and say it to get everyone in an uproar. I read the interview and it seemed as though he said it casually in passing while trying to explain his take on Bill and how it might differ from the book series. I don’t see what it matters really, Bill isn’t dead. As to the Eric thing, I think she hit it right on the head, although some fans do see both sides, many have a tendency to only see the sexual aspect of their relationship.
This was a really good interview with Ms. Harris. For the Bill issue, I can understand to an extent the uproar. I’m certain that if it had been Eric that this comment was made about, I would be just as upset as all the Bill fans are. But I hope that I could be able to remind myself that they are her books and her characters and her story. I hate that it’s become an issue though…I know what it’s like when one little comment gets blown out of proportion and I think that had been what’s happened to both CH and AB here, but again it’s understandable because of how passionate the fans of this series are. Stuff like that is inevitably going to happen again and again.
As for the Eric stuff, well, it’s plain that I am one of the ‘rabid Eric fangirls’ as we’ve been called before. But I don’t think that I’ve ever forgotten that Eric is a ruthless killer. But for me it adds to the appeal for this fictional character because you know he is such a bad guy, but you see him being such a good guy for Sookie over and over. If he was real, I’m sure it would be a different story, but as a Fictional character… the everpresent danger he presents just adds to the love story. You know in the back of your mind that he has no problem whatsoever with killing anybody, but yet you see him time and time again protecting Sookie, helping her, and caring about her. I, for one, don’t forget about his ruthless side, I just focus more on that other side of Eric.
Furthermore, in regards to not understanding the Eric love, what about Pam? I love Pam just as much (though probably not in the same way, hehe) as I do Eric and she is even more of a ruthless killer than he is, imho. How many people cheered when they heard the SPOILER SPOILER rumor about her getting to go on a killing spree in Book 10? I know I did. Pam is a scary bitch and we love her for it. Would we want to be besties with her in real life? I’m sure probably not, but as a fictional character in a fictional world-for sure!
I personally don’t care if Bill’s alive or dead. He’s whiny, and Eric is a much better fit for Sookie. The whole “I would DIE for you Sookie (insert southern accent for dramatic effect)” is a little obsessive. I prefer Eric’s answer of if you died I would mourn you but I would move on. You don’t want someone obsessing over you and pining away forever, you’d rather someone who would do as you wish, not turn you because you didn’t want it, (as i’d suspect Bill would turn her for himself, not as she wanted it. Bill pissed me off, okay. ) Also, if Eric was being paid and told to follow her, he WOULD TELL HER. Eric is healthy for Sookie, and besides… she is his type.
Thats pretty asinine saying that Bill being ready to die for Sookie is obsessive, its beautiful & even Sookie see’s it. I would die for my husband if it came down to it and in no way shape or form am I obsessed with him, I just happen to love him that much.
Also Bill would never ever turn Sookie. She even thinks about when he saved her human life. It’s pretty apparent that Bill would never hurt Sookie which she states in DAG.
So how about instead of rambling on about how you dont like Bill you can just ramble on about what you like about Eric.
And Bill was not being PAID to go to Sookie
Wow…this is almost as bad as the IMDb board…they have had posters over there saying book Eric wouldn’t do that or this…he would not be with other women, he is chaste…yeah, I know…he is kind,loving blah,blah..funny, how much book characters can stir up the masses…personally, I prefer Season 1 Bill…the danger, the edge..the bad boy..hope he comes back, plus I enjoy seeing the bad side of Eric…these are vampires you know…they drink your blood….
Ouch. Comparing the comments here to what goes on at IMDb? I’d like to think True-Blood.net commenters are better behaved than that!
I don’t think the true-blood.net members are the culprits…I think it is the casual passersby who just want to be nasty are the ones who are guilty
mmm…sexier habits…anyone else not able to way for season 4 and an elusive shower scene that had better be in the show! lol
err…wait* I was too overwhelmed thinking of Alex all naked and wet…I mean. Opps.
Ruthless: merciless, cruel….Eric may be these things, but I do not remember him killing anyone unless they were a threat to him or his people, or to Sookie. And usually he was provoked or he was protecting those he cared about. Remember, as with Sookie’s uncle, Bill was also capable of doing the same thing.
Remember, those words are coming out of Charlaine’s mouth. These are her characters. So if she says something about one of them that makes it TRUE.
Bill killed Sookie’s uncle because he molested her as a little girl
So that makes it okay? bill and Eric are both killers in their own way…just because she said that people forget Eric is also a ruthless killer doesnt me she thinks bill is a saint
Shoot! We all have our opinions, but are not being paid to write the books or scripts! I like the fact of Sookie and Eric getting together for some kind of love (caring) but not for sex. Now the idea of them having sex is very alluring. It is appealing (to me anyway) to have this powerful Vampire, Eric, somewhat entralled by Sookie. To me it would be great that the suggestion and little fantasy or dreams Sookie has should all it be as far as sexual contact. But I like the idea that Eric is so mezmerized and maybe even loves Sookie, but is sort of waiting for her okay to proceed. This to me is so powerful that this woman could potential bring Eric to his knees for her.
I do believe the Bill and Sookie love should continue to grow/be strong, but having the shadow of Eric and Sookie is great for viewers (always wanting more skin contact) between them!
Other characters: Layfette is a hoot as is Tara’s sharp tongue!
I really like all the characters that I have seen on the screen so far. I believe the actors/actresses are doing a terrific job portraying them!
Shoot! I would even pet Sam even without his tongue wagging!
Well, enough for now. I would love to start a Harris bookclub in my community, starting with True Blood volumes!!! Anyone interested??
hahahaha i dont like bill but i dont mind bill and sookie together. i absolutely adore eric and dont really care who he’s with just as long as he remains eric!!! tho him and sookie have amazing chemistry!
and im so tempted to read the books now but i only read the first two and will read the 3rd only after season 3. i dont want tthe show ruined… i guess it wud be different if i read the books first.. but i didnt.
Bill is ugly and boring.Eric is exciting and gorgeous.Out with Jessica and Evan Rachel Wood,More Eric and Sookie, the end of season 2 was the best, especially the dreams…book 4 is my favorite, followed by book 9, as Eric and Sookie are TOGETHER !
Stephen is a sexy sexy man. Obviously ANNA thinks so too.
Quit bashing on Bill because your threatened by him.
I dont think people should bash Bills looks but bill fans bash Eric just as much ive witnessed it on this site and many others…ive read that people think hes ugly and wish hed get killed off the show so it happens on both sides…
Vampires are dangerous period. I have loved Eric beginning to show more humanity in his dealings with Sookie. Eric seems to be a far more complex character than Bill. Pretty bored with Bill. He is certainly not the nice character he is portrayed to be. None of the vamps do. However, I am team Eric all the way and Alex Skarsgard has brought him to life from the books.
In my mind, I’m neither Team Bill or Team Eric….
I’M TEAM BOTH!!!!!!!
Yeeee hawwww!
…Personally, I read the books and watched the show for entertainment purposes. I don’t like how CH pigeon-holed Eric fans; bottom line? This is a book, a work of fiction. Adding his ruthlessness in a book makes him more appealing, every girl loves a bad boy. Now if this were real life? Sure, it couldn’t be ignored.
I think some on here are going a bit overboard with insulting any character on the TB show.
After that comment by CH, I’m a bit guarded about rushing to buy her books; she created a character that she placed alot of attention into [Eric] to bite the hands that feed with that comment, just stunned me. I don’t swamp the books for just his sexiness, his ruthless behavior wasn’t emphasized enough for me [the whole 4th book part of him cowering was unattractive], so yeah a bit stung.
I’ve read a few of your comments.. and, well.. I think this is not a place to argue but to give our opinions and allow the author to consider our thoughts as well as other people, but I would like to say that in one of the books we learn that Bill IS more or less paid to get closer to Sookie. I think it has something to do with his computer program?
Anyway I prefer Eric, because he is more likely to defend Sookie. I like that he is willing to kill for her. Of course, I like the whole “I would die for you” thing, as I think most females do. We all want a man who is completely in love with us. But Bill is too willing to back down in my opinion.. for example when Eric challanges Bill, Bill backs down.. and maybe that is because he knows that he cannot win against Eric, but that is only another reason I don’t like him. Eric can take care of Sookie better because he is stronger, and as we see later in the books, Eric has many sides, and I would surely like to see more of this relationship after what happens with the Witches, and I would truely love seeing Sookie take a chance with Eric, I think she would really like the results. Bill is never around for her, and none are any of the other guys. I also agree that Eric, in general, does not kill for fun but for other reasons. Mostly defending Sookie, who is always in danger it seems. haha. Even if Sookie does not get with Eric, I would like to see him come to her rescue more often.. or maybe that can be Sookies reason for giving him a chance.
Sorry, Bill lovers, this is only my opinion, please do not take it personally. Bill of course has good sides, too, I just happen to prefer Eric.. (Eric is sexy, and Bill is cowardly and whiney, in my opinion.. sorry.
In all my readings of these books I have not seen where Eric has done anything for Sookie because he truly cared about her. Every one of his actions seems motivated by what he can get in return. His burgeoning interest came about because he was intrigued by her “otherness”, her fairy blood bouquet and the fact that he thought that his underling Bill had no business having this “rare” human to himself. His honesty comes about because he doesn’t think that humans are worth anything and so he has no concern for hurting their feelings. I just can’t see the virtuous guy that I keep seeing being commented on, only a wholly self-serving being who keeps using his power to manipulate people.
I’m glad that kill Bill is still in the story, because Sookie needs him there to keep things in perspective and I still think there is a chance for those two. Bill is the better man, who constantly has his hands tied because of the nature of vampire politics and the fact to he is answerably to a manipulative, covetous, amoral, if gorgeous, vampire. Dead and Gone was a turning point for Bill and Sookie and I think she will be more forgiving now that she knows that Bill would give up his long existence for her. Niall’s words at the end will make sense to her eventually.
Just in case you all couldn’t tell – I’m a Bill fan all the way!
Ive read all of charline harris books and ive watched both seasons DVDS every night for the past six months ‘,I love True Blood it has helped me survive since the death of my son. I love
the love scenes of bill and sookie, you can actually see the love between them, Bill backs down
from Eric, just like Stan did with Godric, Its a vampire thing about you must obey your
sheriff. Bill has always been there for sookie even if it meant his life , He may have started out with sookie becaue of the queen, but i feel he really fell in love with her when she awakened
feeling in him,and now that is why eric wants her, Both vamps are handsome and desirable
thats what draws the fans to the show. Eric is desirable in a devilish kind of way with that devilish smile and lilaught. I hope there are a lot more sookie stackhouse novels coming out.
I read onr a day. Charlaine [;ease keep on writing. Thanks a lot