An interview with Black Dagger Brotherhood author, J.R. Ward…
We will start easy, tells us about Lover Awakened. (for the five people who don’t know, this comes out today)
First, thanks for having me! LOVER AWAKENED is Zsadist’s book. Out of all the Brotherhood, Z is my favorite… (I’m also a huge V and Rehvenge and Qhuinn fan but who’s counting).Z is probably the most dangerous of the Brothers. He’s the one who, in the words of his twin, is ruined, not broken.
Held as a blood slave for a century, he was horribly abused and emerged violent, unpredictable and essentially soulless. The book is about him and his mate, Bella, a beautiful aristocrat, and the love they find together.
Out of the four books you have completed, what has surprised you the most?
When I started to write the series, I kind of expected each book to feel the same. I mean… in terms of tone. But they’re not.
To me, DARK LOVER reads differently than LOVER ETERNAL and LOVER AWAKENED and LOVER REVEALED. I suppose it does make sense as whichever Brother is on deck sets the beat of the book and as they are different, and their conflicts are different, the stories vary accordingly. But that was a surprise. I will say that LA is the darkest of the series so far- and originally, I didn’t think anything else would come close. Instead, Vishous’s book, LOVER UNBOUND, is also a dark one. Rehv’s and Qhuinn’s will be likewise
Do you think we can ever have too many vampire or paranormal books? What do you think of the explosion of the genre?
I think that straight contemporary romance is very hard to write in a fresh manner (there are undoubtedly some who do it but I think it’s hard!) At this time, in modern society, there are very few external restrictions to romance. I mean, consider the strictures of historicals for example where social rules and values prevented free sexual expression. A lot of these barriers to love no longer exist: pre-marital sex is not the no-go it once was, for example, so if you have it, you’re reputation isn’t completely ruined and you don’t end up banished to the wrong side of the tracks.
What I love about paranormals, and why I think they are so popular, is that you can bring contemporary speech and settings into an environment where external conflict can still be imposed. For example, in the Brotherhood world, males need to drink from females of their own species. So if a male, such as Rhage, falls in love with a human, his physical need for the blood of another is a conflict that is going to have be resolved somehow. And strong conflict breeds strong emotion which can translate into a great read.
I think the popularity resides as well in the limitless world-building you can do. I mean, as long as the rules of the world are internally consistent and you write convincingly, there is almost nothing you can’t do or explore. So that’s why you see some really fresh, interesting takes on old myths as well as some wild, fantastic imaginary places.
I also think paranormals have gained momentum as all current fades do, creating their own kind of centrifugal force in the market place. The issue is always going to be quality, however. No matter how great a trend is, readers are not going to fooled by lackluster plotting or characters. So to answer your question: I think we can never have enough really good vampire or paranormal books. After all, it’s what we’re all looking for: a great read!
Do you ever wake up and go, I so don’t want to write about the brothers today. And want to write something else? These guys are set to be at least the next six years of your writing life? Will there be time for anything else? And if so… what?
LOL! I haven’t yet! It doesn’t mean that some days I don’t want to bury my head in the backyard (while it’s still attached.) But I really am captivated by these books. There are other things I want to write, however. I have another series that I’ve planned out, but I’m sitting on it right now- with the Brotherhood books coming out every six months, I need to be really focused on them. I don’t want to crack open another series unless I feel sure I can do both well.
Who is next? In fact can you give us a run down of the order of the series?
Okay, so after LOVER AWAKENED, it’s Butch’s turn. The cop’s book, LOVER REVEALED, comes out in March ’07 and it’s all finished. Vishous is up thereafter. I’ve just started V’s book, LOVER UNBOUND – I’m about 90 pages in so far. Then it’s Phury’s book.At first I thought the series was going to run a total of ten books. But as I’ve written it, more and more people have come forward. Now? It’s open ended. I mean… I HAVE to write Qhuinn’s book. Just have to.
If you’ve got any questions you want to ask, I’d be happy to try and answer them!
Marianne, you will most definately see more of Phury’s history- absolutely. And soon, too! 🙂
Valkyrie- for real? V would most definately take his size 14 sh**kicker and plant it all over my non-existent booty. YUP! 🙂
Hey Butter! You ask a great question:
Do you ever get stuck while in the middle of a story? If so, how do you get out of it?
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You know, I don’t. Because I just let the pictures in my head take over and write what I see. The only time I’ve gotten into trouble is when I’ve tried to impose my will on the stories. What that get me? V’s boot in my non-existent booty. They like me to get out of the way so that’s what I do. As long as I’m just the scribe everything seems to go well! 🙂
Pixiefire! I’ve had a lot of fun here, and Syb asks great interview questions!
Nicole, I’m just grateful you all came out!
Susan- you know what? Z gets/got to me as well!
Jennifer- THANK YOU! 🙂
Heather… about Tohr. His book is actually quite beautiful. I know what happens to him. I think at first people are going to be shocked and maybe a little angry… but then they will see the beauty in his future and his happily ever after. *sigh*
WARDen! I just had to mention:
I picked up LA before work and since it was a really slooooow day, I was able to read for most of my time there. Your books make me…er…rather vocal “Squeak! He didn’t!!” or “OMG!!!” etc etc. I pimped DL to a co-worker today and he happened to walk in during a particular scene which got him so excited, he went out and bought LE and LA right after he got off of work. Yay male fans!
JennyBrat- the first romance I read was a Harlequin Presents. I read it in a rose garden in the summer and it was… lovely and moving and touching and I swear, I read it and something clicked. I was like fifteen I believe. And I can still picture exactly where I was when I read it…
Oh! And Butch’s cover is my favorite!
LadyGodgifu1057 said…
Hi WARDen, I know this is slightly off topic, but did you ever mention how Spike, from the Moorehouse series, is related to Z and Phury? I can’t find it. Thanks!!
LOL! I haven’t explained it yet! 🙂 It’s in Spike book though. Basically, his father visited his mother and took off. His father was the relative of Phury and Z… 🙂
I have noticed reading some of your Jessica Bird books that a few of
the characters in my mind resemble Brothers. Do you think its possible
you were channeling the Brothers before they stepped forward in your
head?
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Actually, no. The Brothers are very clear to me and rather different than the other heros…
BUT I have always loved alpha heros and to the extent to which previous heroes are very alpha, then it would seem logical that they would remind you of the Brothers… 🙂
Will drinking vampire blood have adverse effects on a human? Does the
amount of blood drunk factor in?
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There are adverse effects, very definitely. It’s an incredible stimulant and there are other things that happen. I’ll have to give a keep reading on the rest, though.
🙂
Kamie!! I’m thrilled you liked Z!
And freg- MUUUUUUAH baby! *sigh* see you Saturday!
Elizabeth, thank you for your kindness. And Beth and Jo, too, thank you!
Tigerlily, you are just the best and I still love your Z AVI better than any one I’ve seen- actually that whole BDB plate is awesome!
Brezofleur! Excellent pimping job! Thank you! And BTW, that’s what it’s like for me to write them- I’m always like OMG! EEEK! WTF???
Sair- absolutely, the Blind King is talked about outside the vampire community and yes… Wrath is sometimes seen as a myth.
It is going to be very interesting to see how the sympaths view him which is part of the reason I’m very interested in writing Rehv’s book… 🙂
I’d love to hear what the urban myths are?
As you know I love to be creative, but the writing process fascinates me, how you make the whole story unfold, some parts end and some begin, and some keep evolving.
I definitly couldn’t do it, not even in a short one off story!
Have you ever written something that went against what the brothers told you, or do you always get the finger? lol Stubborn guys they be… 😉 I know that you’ve only completed four and into V’s, but which book do you think will be the hardest for you to write?
Wonderful job, Warden! I can’t wait to read Butch and than V and than Phury….awww Phury. Gosh, I love him more and more. thankyou so much for all you hard work…:) ruth
I just want to thank you everyone for all their support- I mean… honestly, you are so generous.
🙂
And if I missed anyone I’m very sorry…
The winner will be announced tomorrow!
Great job as always, Warden! Absolutely love this series!! Tell the brothers to keep talking to ya because there are many, many addicts out here and we need our fixes! 🙂 Julieanne
Hi JR!!
Great cover! Sound like a wonderful story!!
Hugs!
Lisa
Sybil and J.R., thanks for the great interview!
I imagine that everybody is hoping for a lot of books in the series, I know I am :O)
J R!!! Heyyy, how are you doing? Went to Barnes and Noble when they first opened today to get LA and…it wasn’t on the shelf!!! Wasn’t in the backroom either…it was on something they called a ‘dump”, lol…which apparently is a cardboard standee filled with all 3 books. Took almost 30 minutes to find it tho, and I even had employees looking for it too. Big stores 🙂 I absolutely loved the fact that you gave a shout out to the Cellies in this one…as I am one, it was cool. Thanks for another awesome book, I am eagerly awaiting Butch now… **MUAH!!**
Hi JR,
Happy release day!!!
I thought it was a great interview today and thanks for replying to the questions people asked.
Hopefully the book will be available here Down Under in just a few weeks.
Can’t believe you (mostly) got away with describing Butch as “wicked long” ;> I’m trying very hard not to say anything about that, LOL!
Today I found out the title of V’s book, Lover Unbound. Somehow, the “un” doesn’t seem to fit. Can’t imagine why 😉
Anyway, really looking forward to Z when he gets here.
thank you for a wonderful world where i can immerse myself.
keep them coming, especailly the feeding scenes!
Wow, WARDen. There is just about nothing else to say in regards to LA. It had it all, laughter, tears, sexiness, fighting action, mysterious characters – incredible job.
*muah*
Tee
Your series is awesome! I have just read lover awakened and all I can say is wow! It was a dark book, though, which made it incredibly hard to read. But i’m so glad Z got his HEA.
WARDen! I just finished LA! Took alittle over a day and a half and I did it. I’m still in a daze, my eyes glassy eyed and mind buzzing with questions and worries and oh! I’ll stop before I reveal anything. Love it all, all the Brothers and you!
I always knew that magic exists for those who believe. The series allows me to day dream about the books and the characters…..macncheese.