Adventures in Death and Romance: Vrykolakas Tales – an interview with Monette Bebow-Reinhard

Ciara Franck

Today we are talking with Monette Bebow-Reinhard, the author of Adventures in Death and Romance: Vrykolakas Tales.

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Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

I'm too honest! People keep asking me for reviews but they don't realize I tell the truth about them. Honesty and perfectionism tend to get me in trouble, but we are who we are, right? I just don't want people to stop trusting my reviews in order to be nice to novels that don't deserve the praise. Some might think it's because as a novelist I'm competitive but I don't think that's it. My mother said my father was so honest he wouldn't bring so much as a paperclip home from the office.

 

What kind of books do you write?

Historical mostly. My first ever novel was contemporary but I had to do a lot of research on the vampiric character to make it come to life. After that I got contracts on my two authorized Bonanza novels while going through my BA and MA in history.

 

What inspired you to write?

I have to say Bonanza. And Grimm. My grandmother was a Grimm, so I always thought I was meant to put out a short story collection someday. And with Bonanza, I first saw the fun of putting fictional characters into real historical settings. And I realized that so much of historical events do involve movement by people we'll never know.

 

What makes your writing stand out from the crowd?

I love psychology and getting into the human psyche. My first published novel is all about this, and really, what good is reading if we're not finding out more about ourselves as human beings? So many books I read are superficial – a lot of words strung together without depth. I don't write genre for the reason of depth. I want people to keep my books, and re-read them. I can't crank out a book every six months or even every year. Some of my books take a long time to develop.

 

What is the hardest part of writing – for you?

Knowing when it's ready. I had only four edits to get Mystic Fire out in order to be ready for a book signing opportunity. I wish I could have done more, but my publisher at the time thought it was too long as it was. It was supposed to be my epic saga. My most recent novel, Vrykolakas Tales, went through a LOT of changes, had agents, had contracts offered that I turned down, all part of its evolution. I don't like to self-publish because I'm not a good enough judge of my own work. Right now I'm editing Dancing with Cannibals, a novel I had to self-publish (SP) at Amazon because my co-author forced it. I got some readers that way, though, and am now ready, I think to have a print copy made.

 

Where do you like to write – what is your routine?

Seriously, I have to force myself away from the computer. I'm always writing. I have no routine. I have deadlines, most that I give myself. I have projects that I sincerely believe need to be in the world and every day plan what to work on before lights out. I guess being alone, with no one making any demands on me, helps. Not that I want to be alone. It's not really a choice. But I do think I've been obsessed with writing for so long that people see me that way–as wanting to be alone.

 

What do you do when you are not writing – do you have a day job?

I lucked out with this day job. I had to get one, and move away from all that I knew. I've been an administrative assistant off and on my whole life, so when I was forced to get a day job, lucked into one that never had anyone as efficient as me before. Most of it entails waiting for someone to give me work that needs editing. This frees up more time to do my own editing. I've also done editing for other writers. I'm waiting for one client to finish his book. He's his own publishing firm, and has hired me as his editor. He's quite adept at first drafts. I could never share a first draft with anyone!

 

Do you work with an outline or just write?

I have a wonderful article that I cannot get published, and have given presentations on this. My belief is that when a writer gets a good idea, they should just start writing – write write write. And then when they get stuck – if they do – then sit back and write out the rest of the story as briefly as possible. Like a story treatment for a movie. Most of the writers I've talked to (I've been in a number of support groups) say they get stuck by chapter 3 and just keep fine tuning them without knowing how to continue. That's when you outline. NEVER think an outline limits you. Characters DO take over. And the outline can be adapted as they do. And then you have your synopsis, already written! (And now I've just given away my whole article.)

 

What advice would you have for other writers?

Be passionate. Let your material absorb you. If it doesn't it won't absorb anyone else. You may think you have a good idea, but honestly, there are no more good ideas. There are only different ways to present them. And please, don't put the word “author” after your name on Facebook. It looks cheap! (pet peeve here). I also don't see why authors need a separate FB page for their work. I mean, I have 665 friends on my home page, and 8 friends on my Grimms Etc. page. Where do you think I should announce my writing news?

 

How important is marketing and social media for you?

I thought this recent book launch would help make my novel a best seller. Didn't work. Far from it. I spent a lot of time sending individual emails to everyone at yahoo – well over 300 blasts. My family isn't helping, and reviews are not pouring in, although the few I have are good. I think it's nearly impossible these days to make a break with a novel without some kind of major media attention, which is nearly impossible to get. My local newspaper, for instance, refused to run my press release, saying they don't do those anymore. They once interviewed me on my change Columbus Day movement, it went out on the AP and before I knew what was happening I got a call from the Daily Show! Without that kind of media attention, we're just another SP looking for sales. And I'm not SP.

 

What's your next step?

I'll get Dancing with Cannibals edit up and then buy my Google ads. My website isn't working as well as I want and I have to get them to help me get the search to work better. And my other novel that's been contracted needs to get readers/reviewers ahead of time or so that publisher tells me. I am finished edits on two other novels, both very different from anything else I've published. And I've got two books on the Vrykolakas that I'm working on — in case sales warrant. So yeah, I'm pretty set for a while! I also have two other completed books that are being submitted.

 

Adventures in Death and Romance: Vrykolakas Tales by Monette Bebow-Reinhard is available here

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2 Comments

  1. Saurabh Chandra

    Brilliant interview..
    I do not know Monette from quite a very long time.. but its ain’t about how much you know about a person, its all about how much you understand that person and the work he/she does, and how much time and energy the person devotes to his/her passion. Monette is excellent at her writings and it is her passion. She lives her passion without any serious help and support from others. I wish her all the best. Keep rocking Monette.

    • Monette Bebow-Reinhard

      I know writers need support to be successful and I sure wish I had more. I really appreciate yours, Saurabh, thanks!

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