Q & A with Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris is pretty much everywhere these days. The author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, which HBO is basing its "True Blood" shows on, is working on her 10th Sookie book (due May 2010) and keeping an eye on the TV show.

I asked her a few things about the latest book out, "Dead and Gone," and a little bit about the show.

Q . Do you think Eric (the powerful vampire and love interest in the book) has grown because of his relationship with Sookie, who is human?

A. I think parts of Eric have surfaced that he thought were buried for good.

Q. What will it take for Sookie to understand the blood bond? It seems as if she is losing her ability to distinguish between her own feelings, Eric's feelings and those generated by the blood bond.

A. This is an issue in the next book.

Q. How would you compare the strengths between the bonds of vampire and sire, a vampire and his/her king or queen, and a vampire and his/her sheriff?

A. The vampire/sire relationship is the strongest.

Q . In one podcast interview, you said you didn't see Sookie turning into a vampire or even winding up with one – in the sense that she would lead a normal life and be with a human. Do you still think she will be able to do that – settle with one person? Not a vampire?

A. I said that Sookie will never become a vampire. And a vampire can't give her what she's always thought she wanted; a regular marriage with children. But that doesn't mean Sookie will end up with exactly what she wants. I see no reason why she couldn't settle with one person.

Q. What did you want readers to take away from "Dead and Gone"?

A. I don't know that I had a specific goal; I had several themes, though. The ruthlessness and inhumanity of the fae, the outrages we commit in the name of love, and the loneliness of those who simply can't fit in and are doomed by their own nature . . . those were all elements of the book.

Q. Do you have a good idea of how the series will eventually end? If so -- have you ever changed your mind about the ending?

A. I do know how the series will end. And I have never changed my mind.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your cameo at the end of season 2.

A. I'm sitting in Merlotte's at the bar talking to Sam. I'm wearing a striped shirt. I have a line. I almost hope they cut it. I'm not an actor.

Q. Alan Ball has certainly developed the HBO show differently from the books. Does his vision of the show make you think about how you're writing your current book? Have you ever gotten an idea from the show to build on in the book series?

A. I keep them separate in my mind. The book characters have been living with me for a long, long time.

read on