Hey readers,
I have a special treat for you today! Thanks to her immense generosity, Lindsay J. Pryor (author of the Blackthorn series) has agreed to an interview for our website.
The Blackthorn series, for those unaware, is one which we've reviewed before (here, here, and here). It is the tale of urban segregation in a world where vampires and other supernaturals are regulated to living in crime-ridden slums while the elite of humanity dwell in their own districts. Each novel, a new couple of star-crossed lovers form along class lines as outsider heroines deal with the dangerous supernatural men who make the Blackthorn district their home.
Despite the United Federation of Charles not being known for its Paranormal Romance reviews, I find this series one of the most evocative titles of the genre. Its excellent world-building and well-conceived mythology appeals to both my urban fantasy as well as Gothic Punk sensibilities. The seamy Noir mood is a cherry on top of an already rich dessert.
I hope our readers will enjoy the insights shared by one of our site's favorite authors!
Q. Blackthorn is a class-conscious
place with the rich separate from the poor who are separate from the
supernatural. Where did you get the inspiration for this?
A. It was inspired
approximately eighteen years ago when I’d moved 300 miles away from home to a
city where I began my teaching career. I got lost on my way home one night and
ended up wandering the streets of this city alone in the dark. With a
non-existent sense of direction anyway and no one waiting for me at home (and
no mobile phones back then), I was absolutely terrified. I ended up in a really
run-down part of the city where they had reinforced doors and bars on windows.
The whole place screamed deprivation, neglect and a high crime rate. To
distract myself from panic, I started to plot stories (I’d already been writing
for several years by then) about social divide as I struggled to find my way
home.
Because I was
already hugely into mythology, I imagined what it would be like to have a
district where the supernatural were segregated from humans. A whole social and
political world started to form as to why the divide would be set up and how it
would be maintained. I started to get really excited about the potential of
this new world, let alone all the possibilities of how this seemingly
infallible system could be broken. It wasn’t long before romances started to
filter in. As soon as I got home, I scribbled all my ideas down and I continued
to do so over many years. What started out as individual stories of characters’
plights whilst struggling to survive against the odds in this dystopian
backdrop, gradually developed into an entire story arc for a series I never saw
coming.
Q. How did you get the idea for
humans being the oppressors of vampires rather than the more reverse?
A. Making vampires
the oppressors was too obvious. Historically, the perception of vampirism as
evil was heavily influenced by the introduction of Catholicism (hence why
crosses, holy water and sunlight – the representative of good - etc are seen as
deterrents). Understanding of vampires is now based on these beliefs rather
than the original traditions. Even today, with so many new concepts of
vampirism explored in popular media, some people still insist on established
vampiric traits as if they’re facts. But if you span back as far as the Ancient
Greeks when vampirism was first mentioned, there is only one prevailing trait –
they feed on human blood. The rest is fair game. So, basically, I wanted to
flip things on their head and explore the concept that vampires aren’t the
undead and they aren’t evil, nor were they once human, but just a misunderstood
co-existent species labeled with human-motivated tags of being a threat.
Once I’d formed
the concept behind the story – that the third species (vampires, lycans etc)
would be the ones to be contained in these impoverished core districts – I
continued to work with it. It seemed logical that if the third species started
to reveal themselves, the human authorities would have to do something to
protect their own.
Although
Blackthorn sits in the realm of fantasy, I still see it as a reflection of
themes applicable to human society. It is a world riddled with species divide,
discrimination, assumptions, prejudices, social ignorance and political abuse.
It’s about the destructive influence of control and raises questions of the
extent some will go in order to remain (or claim) top of the hierarchy.
Q. What role do prophecies play in
your setting? How are they different from other worlds?
A. The prophecies
are central to my setting because they’re the driving force behind maintaining
the oppression and subjugation of the third species through the system set-up
by the human-run Global Council who established it. The third species are
trying to make a pact of equality but in the background are whispers of a
prophecy that dictate it’s just the first step to them overthrowing humans.
As will become
more apparent in Blood Deep,
Blackthorn’s prophecies reveal pre-destined events. Ultimately though, it’s
freewill that governs them. Instead of having my heroes and heroines as
helpless puppets no matter what they do, their decisions shift the goal posts.
I think this makes for a much more exciting and unpredictable read – not least
because each of my couples are, by the very nature of their forbidden romance,
flipping the middle finger of defiance up at what destiny tells them they should be doing. Unfortunately, it’s not
without consequences though.
At the heart of
it all (because I’m an optimist), is the capability of the individual to change
the world around them. Through my leading cast of four couples, I explore how
even extreme social divide and prejudice can be overcome and that love can be
the most powerful force in making that happen.
As to how
Blackthorn’s prophecies are different to other worlds, I’ll leave that to
readers who are more widely read in PNR and UF to comment on.
Q. We have witches, werewolves,
soul-rippers, and vampires so far. Are there any other species we haven't met
yet?
A. There are. A
couple more get introduced in Blood Deep
but I’m not going to give you any
clues as to what they are. I’ll just say one is another established species but
with my usual twist on it. And there’s another new creation too, not unlike the
soul ripper from Blood Shadows.
I’ve had huge
fun developing a variety of species over the years but some won’t make it into
the series because they’re not relevant enough to the story arc. There’s always
potential for a Blackthorn spin-off one day though! ;-)
Q. Blackthorn is very solidly in the paranormal romance genre. Do you think it crosses over into any other genres?
Would you ever write outside it?
A. I’ve seen
comments about Blackthorn straddling various genres, not least urban fantasy.
It’s probably the complex extent of the worldbuilding and the thriller/action
backdrop that prompts some readers to believe it lends itself more to UF. But,
at the core, Blackthorn is a PNR because it’s the developing romantic
relationships that take centre stage and drive the plot forward. More so, it’s
the love between my heroes and heroines that ultimately influences the
decisions they make which subsequently impacts on the world in which they live.
Blackthorn was
created before UF or PNR became genres, so how people choose to label it is up
to them. It just means the series will meet some readers expectations and not
others depending on what pre-beliefs they come with. I can’t do anything about
that, only make it clear that it’s dark PNR.
If there’s any genre I believe Blackthorn crosses with, it’s Gothic Romance. I’m much more heavily influenced by the Gothic genre than any other. Gothic fiction combines the elements of both supernatural horror and romance, with suspense and mystery added to the mix. With a “damsel in distress” in an unfamiliar, frightening and atmospheric environment set against an oppressive and decaying dystopian backdrop that reflects the social issues of the time, I think Blackthorn fits neatly in that genre. Above all else, the Gothic genre is primarily based on fear and desire, and contains both physical and psychological terror, often delving into the dark and twisted psyche of the main characters. I think that goes a long way to describe Blackthorn.
As to whether I
would write outside PNR – absolutely. I’ve already done so (though all of that
is still safely tucked in my bottom drawer). Having been published for less
than two years, I’m still just at the beginning of what I hope is much more to
come for Blackthorn and other books.
Q. We've (obviously) seen a lot of
Blackthorn, will we ever see the other districts in-depth? What do you think
the flavor of the other districts are by comparison?
A. For those
unfamiliar with Blackthorn… When the third species (vampires, lycans etc) outed
themselves, towns and cities were disbanded then re-amalgamated to form
locales. Within each locale are four segregated districts. Blackthorn is the
core of just one locale. The most affluent district is on the periphery and
neighbours equivalent districts. The closer you get to the core (where the
third species are primarily contained), the greater the deprivation, let alone
fewer opportunities for jobs, healthcare, education and progression. Each
district has a guarded border that increases in impenetrability the further you
move away from the core.
In terms of
seeing the other districts in depth, I’ve had to hold back on quite a lot, not
least because the backdrop of each book needs to remain focused on the romance.
The first four books occur primarily within Blackthorn, so you’ve seen more of
that (and its neighbour, Lowtown) than any other so far. You’ll see a bit more
of the other districts as the series continues.
During the years
spent constructing Blackthorn, I’ve written short stories in all four districts
whilst trying to find my central heroes and heroines. A lot of what I have
written will never see the light of day, but I think for any author building a
complex world, they need to know every aspect of what they’ve created even if
it doesn’t make it onto the published page. Maybe one day I’ll release some of
those short stories for those who particularly love the worldbuilding of
Blackthorn.
Q. Is there a difference between
Shadows and Souls in your mind or is this just semantics?
A. The difference
between souls and shadows is explained in more detail in Blood Deep, so I won’t spoil it here.
In essence, the
Global Council needed a basis for difference to justify the segregation. One of
the key differences between humans and the third species is that humans have
light inside them (souls) and the third species have darkness (shadows). As
darkness is traditionally associated with all things evil and the absence of a
soul as being a rejection by God, it gave the Global Council moral and religious
foundations to deem the third species as a risk (supported by the prophecies of
vampires overthrowing humans). As for whether any of it is true, as with all
things Blackthorn, it’s probably best to keep an open mind.
Q. Is it difficult writing your characters
at such odds when they begin their romances? Do you think you'll ever have a
couple not quite so antagonistic?
A. The premise of
all Blackthorn romances is forbidden love and how my protagonists overcome
their significant differences to be together. As this is the basis, antagonism
is key otherwise the depths of their conflicts become invalid. These characters
are not fighting over minor things – they are fighting for survival, not least
of their own kind. The stakes are extremely high as will become more and more
apparent.
Antagonism is
great fun to work with as a writer, let alone challenging. And, yes, it is
difficult at times. The psychological warfare can get uncomfortable but, for
me, antagonism makes for a more interesting read and certainly keeps me filling
the pages as I write. I rarely hit a blank wall because there is so much
baggage my characters bring, let alone a wealth of issues they are surrounded
by. Blackthorn isn’t about light-hearted and sweet romances –particularly
because my heroes and heroines meet as blatant enemies. Blackthorn explores how
love can be dark, testing and even cruel. My couples really have to fight
against the odds, both internal and external, to be together and, for me, every
bit of antagonism is worth it to help them get there. I think it makes their
love even more worthwhile.
As for whether
I’ll ever have a couple not quite so antagonistic at the outset – not in
Blackthorn. Jessie and Eden certainly have their moments too – and they’re the
final couple for you to meet before it all kicks off.
Q. Did the third species ever have a
chance of winning equality? Would the vampires have been content with it if
they could?
A. Yes, the third
species did have a chance of wining equality and still do. Whether they would/will
be content with it, for the sake of avoiding spoilers, I’ll say, as with all
species, some yes and some no.
Q. Your relationships can get very
intense, especially the Caleb/Leila romance. Did you ever have a character go
"too far" when you were writing them?
A. There’s so much
that goes on in Blackthorn where characters go too far in my eyes – the torture
of Kane, Rob hitting Caitlin, Phia’s goading of Jask, Sirius’ entire plan for
the treatment of the third species, let alone how so many privileged humans
stand by and allow the system to continue whilst so many of their own suffer.
But as it’s Caleb and Leila you used as an example, I’ll stick with the
romantic relationships.
Whether my
heroes and heroines go too far is such
a subjective question. All of my couples skirt close to the edge in their
interactions with each other. And in order to keep them real to the darkness of
the world they live in, let alone the gravity of their issues, intensity is
definitely the order of the day.
One of the toughest
and most intense emotional journeys is between Caleb and Leila in Blood Roses. Caleb is seemingly the most
controversial Blackthorn hero in terms of going “too far” according to romance
rules (who
invented those anyway?) – that is unless you have the label of erotic PNR where
an author can get away with huge
amounts. Blackthorn is not erotic PNR but it is dark. By the very nature of
that category, it deals with issues that are emotionally challenging, that
reflect the darker side of life and deals with interactions whereby characters
do not always toe the line as far as what, according to some, is socially
acceptable. My job is to
stay true to the characters and true to the story, however far that goes.
My
heroes are dark and, at times, they are bad, but they are also strong, brave,
loyal and have the potential to fall deeply in love. They do not molly-coddle
my heroines but deem them as equals and, at times, a threat. This can lead to
some head-on battles of will and power. I let them sort out between themselves what they’re
willing to put up with or not and where they draw the line. None of my heroines
are walkovers, even someone as placid and controlled as Leila, they just have a
soft spot for bad boys – and what’s wrong with that? I’ve always though the best thing about
love stories is each is unique as attraction itself and that, ultimately,
couples make their own rules. In essence, that’s why I love writing Blackthorn.
Thank you, Lindsay! We appreciate you taking your time to do this!
-C.T Phipps
Wonderful interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThanks SO much for hosting me, Charles. It was an absolute pleasure being interviewed by you. It's had loads of great feedback thanks to your awesome questions. I just wanted you to know. :)
ReplyDeleteNo, Lindsay, thank you! I look forward to having you back for Blood Deep!
Delete