My own novels are shelved in general fiction, because they’re primarily comedies. With vampires. And romantic entanglements. And other paranormal characters. And cocktail parties. And murder attempts. I’ve given up trying to figure out what to call them.
What is the scariest book you've ever read? Scariest movie?
I made the mistake of reading William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist when I was young. It scarred me for life.
In terms of film, I really like John Carpenter movies, which have a great combination of horror, humor, and fast-paced action. I think The Thing is really under-appreciated. Carpenter’s now filming L.A. Gothic, an anthology of five horror stories.
I can’t wait to see Let the Right One In, a Swedish vampire flick that is getting worldwide raves.
I think the single scariest exchange in a movie is in the classic The Haunting (1963), which has a twisted psycho-sexual subtext. The lights go out in a house and there’s shaking and terrible things happening, and then it all stops and the lights come back on. One character says, “I’m glad you were holding my hand.” The other character says, “But I was across the room.” You don’t see anything – it’s all suggestion.
What are your plans for this Halloween?
We have family birthdays on Halloween and November 1, so there are usually family celebrations. I’d like to try to make it to some of the Dias de Los Muertos (Days of the Dead) events in San Francisco.
Is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
If they like humor and paranormal stories, please read my novels! Those interested in paranormal and urban fantasy fiction can visit my blog, Vampire Wire, and I’m always happy to get emails from readers.
Thanks for the interview, Mayra!
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