Asha Greyling lives in Maryland with her furry four-footed muses, Gwin the terrier and a guinea pig who thinks she’s a cat. She likes nothing more than swinging in the playground (unless the local children scare her off), collecting acorns, or sitting down with a good book.
Greyling's new novel is The Vampire of Kings Street.
My Q&A with the author:
How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?Visit Asha Greyling's website.
I think The Vampire of Kings Street is a very posh, elegant title with a bit of punch. It’s the kind of title that screams elite society – and then throws in a vampire. I think it does a great job setting up the historical vibe of the book, while suggesting darker undertones.
What's in a name?
One of my favorite characters in this book is Evelyn More, the vampire. I remember it jumped out and surprised me when I realized the name sounds like “evermore.” I love Edgar Allan Poe’s writing, so this interesting twist on “Nevermore” from a vampire’s perspective—being bound to this worldly existence evermore, instead of nevermore—I just couldn’t resist.
How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your new novel?
Sadly, not surprised at all. My teenage self was singing musical numbers from Sweeney Todd in the shower.
Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?
The middle is the hardest for me. I reach a point where I’m thinking, is this really that good? Will anyone enjoy reading this? I have to go back and review, and get my energy back from reading what’s come before to assure me that yes, this book is worth writing.
Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?
I think every character I’ve ever written has a little of myself in them. For me, writing is like acting. If I can feel it, I can write it.
What non-literary inspirations have influenced your writing?
Computer games! Movies! Music! Music especially helps me visualize the story. I feel like I owe a lot of this book to the music I was listening to at the time, like The Razor Skyline’s “Vittoria” and—on a more classical note—Laura Wright’s beautiful rendition of “Canon in D.” Give those songs a listen—you might be inspired, too!
The Page 69 Test: The Vampire of Kings Street.
My Book, The Movie: The Vampire of Kings Street.
--Marshal Zeringue