Syrie’s Comments (group member since Jan 19, 2011)

Syrie’s comments from the Q&A with Syrie James group.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about Michael and Nicole, and letting me know that the book touched you. I have some intriguing ideas for a way to continue their story. One day, I hope to write it!

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "Do you have a version of the song of tales from the vienna woods that you imagined them dancing to? I have a faster version on my comuter. I wish you had msn or yahoo messenger and I could somehow ..."

I'll look for the version of that song that I listened to for inspiration. It's been nice chatting with you. If you're looking for my novel Nocturne, just to note it's spelled N O C T U R N E. (There is no K) Take care!!

Megan wrote: "I am a big fan of the Gilded Age/Edwardian Age/WWI period. There are many interesting women in that era and the world was changing very rapidly in many ways - especially socially and new inventions..."

I love those time periods too. Have you been watching "Downton Abbey" on Masterpiece Theater? It's awesome! Thanks for participating in this Q&A. It's been fun chatting with you!

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "How long do I have to ask more questions? I really talking with you and learning more about the book. "

The Q&A continue through the end of today (or possibly tomorrow?) You may also email me at [email protected] or leave a private message for me on Facebook and I'll try to answer your questions as time permits.

I really hope you can find a way to read NOCTURNE. Based on your questions here I believe you'll love it. There are no plans for an audio book as of yet, but I hope there will be eventually. In the meantime, with all of today's wonderful new technology, I hope you have a way of "listening" to the novel.

Thanks for your interest in my work! Keep reading/listening and listening to music. I admire your tenacity and communication skills (one would never guess that you are blind), and I really enjoy and appreciate your enthusiasm!

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "The clothes and broach Dracula gave Mina, I like the way you describe it. did you imagine that? I love it. Here's a great song and it's one of my favorite classical peices. Thanks for including it ..."

Yes, I imagined the beautiful gown and broach that Dracula give Mina in DRACULA MY LOVE, along with every single other detail of their love story. There is no romance whatsoever in Stoker's novel; his Dracula is a blood-thirsty monster and his only scene with Mina is a horror scene. It was thrilling to completely invent all aspects of the romance between Mina and a very different Dracula-- a handsome, charismatic, cultured, magnetic, and very accomplished man.

I had great fun envisioning and writing the scene where Dracula waltzes with Mina to "Tales From the Vienna Wods" and literally sweeps her off her feet! (He is such an amazing dancer...)

This version of the song you linked to is slower than the ones I've heard, and what I envisioned for their dance at the pavilion--but it's an awesome song, isn't it?

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "Here's another song by one of my favorite singers, Jade anderson. I have the full song. this is the edited version but it will give you an idea. Tell me if this song relates too. I'll find more. Th..."

Very cool. I love the lyrics that describe her lover as mystical and hypnotizing/mesmerizing... just like Dracula.

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "Okay. This song is called final goodbye by rihanna. It's a great song. Maybe I'll find more. I think I found another that I will post. This one is the sad song for the immages of the book. Paste th..."

This is a beautiful song, and although as a pop song I think it's a bit too modern-feeling for this novel, it does reflect Dracula's heartfelt feelings for Mina in Dracula, My Love!

Since you love the way music relates to literature, (and you love vampires) I guarantee you will love my novel NOCTURNE. It is very romantic and full of references to music and specific songs. There is a lot of classic music in the book-- piano pieces by Rachmaninoff and such-- and here's a song you can listen to on YouTube which is the theme song for NOCTURNE. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBCQMW...

Meredith wrote: "A sequel for Nocturne is IMPERATIVE!! I feel as sense of restlessness and unresolve. It was a fantastic story and I was so sorry to see it end. But I completely understand why you ended it the w..."

Thanks, Meredith! If enough readers ask, maybe the publisher will approve a sequel to Nocturne! :)

Readers often ask: "Do you have any plans to do other historical/diary/biographical fiction type stories, like your novels about Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte?" The answer is Yes, I'm developing a proposal for another book of that type, and in the meantime would love to hear from readers about the subjects they'd love to read about! Please share your thoughts!

Meredith wrote: "You might have answered this somewhere else, sorry if this is a repeat. Do you have any plans to do another historical/diary/biographical fiction type stories?"

I'd love to write another book of this type. I am developing proposals for two new novels of that type, and will see what the publishers are interested in. I'd love to know what subject matter my readers would like to read about and will post a new topic about that right now!:)

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "It's interesting how Mina also had visions of things, dreams that really happen. I like the fact of that too. was that something in stoker's book? I have a song that might relate to the dracula boo..."

The element of visions/ Mina's ability to know things that might come to pass is something I created when envisioning and fleshing out her character (it is not in Stoker's book.) I thought it worked really well with the new plot twists and turns, and (without giving anything away) I had fun creating the back story/family history to support it. I hope you agree.

I'd love to know the name of a song that you feel exemplifies themes in Dracula, My Love.

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "did Brame stoker's novel have anything in it describing Lucy?Also, did Dracula's real name come out of your imagination as well?"

The physical description of Lucy in Stoker's novel is inconsistent; in one place he describes her as having black hair, and in another her curls are "like sunlight." (She does, however, come across as a boy crazy flirt.) Yes, I did invent Dracula's first name (since Stoker did not.) And I thoroughly researched the history of the monster Vlad the Impaler before deciding if and how he would be involved in my Dracula's past.

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "how did you come up with the plot for each person in the story? ... Is it okay to mention the names in the story, as far as Dracula and all?"

I studied all the characters in the classic novel, Dracula, and came up with the back stories I believed were most fitting and fascinating. It was especially thrilling to invent a history for Dracula; since Bram Stoker never revealed a thing about his past, I was free to invent it myself.

And just to note (without giving away any spoilers): although other writers have chosen to imply that Dracula was in fact the horrible tyrant Vlad the Impaler, and there is indeed a tie to Vlad in "Dracula, My Love" ... you will discover in my novel that my Dracula is NOT Vlad at all!

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: " how did youcome up with the charictor of Mina, and how she looked and all that? did you watch any dracula movies to find out how she was portrayed?"

I relied on Bram Stoker's novel, not the movies, as my only source. There was absolutely no physical description of Mina in Stoker's Dracula, so I used my imagination. The only thing we learn about Mina in Stoker's novel is that she knows typing and shorthand, is very smart, sweet, logical, and orderly in thought, and loves Jonathan. There's nothing at all about her courtship with Jonathan and just one sentence that says she never knew her parents. I took that and ran with it, creating an entire back story for her--and had such a great time doing it!

It was a thrill dreaming up her secret, passionate romance with a dashing, charismatic, and accomplished Dracula, and inserting it into the gaps of the plot of the original classic. I like to think of it as the steamy romance that Bram Stoker didn't realize was going on inside his own novel.

Jessica :) wrote: "PLEASE!!!!! Let there be a sequel to NOCTURNE. It moved me to tears. I LOVED IT"

Thanks so much, Jessica! If only it was up to me to decide about a sequel! I've been advised to tell you that the best way to pursue a sequel is to post a review on Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads, and/or blog about it … anywhere and everywhere you can get the word out.

You may also feel free to write to the publisher:
Vanguard Press
The Perseus Book Group
387 Park Avenue South, Floor 12
New York, NY 10016

Again, thank you so much for your enthusiasm and support. It means the world to me!

Jessica :) wrote: "First date was the Vans Warped Tour. Strange I know. That was July, engaged for X-Mas, moved to Colorado and married in April. I was 19. 13yrs together, 12yrs married "

Great story! I was also 19 when I met my husband. We met in April, were engaged 3 weeks later, and married in January. You can read the story on my new blog post: http://www.syriejames.com/blog/?p=151...

Jacquelijacqueline wrote: "Hello Mrs. James. I'm Jacqueline Young from America and I'm totally blind. I listened to your audio book of Dracula my love, and apsolutely loved it! Your writing was so good, I couldn't put it dow..."

Thanks, Jacqueline. I really enjoyed writing Dracula, My Love, and I'm still haunted by the story and characters. The ending is open to interpretation. Did Dracula really die, or not...? What do you think?

I, too, would love to write a sequel to that novel. Feel free to write to the publisher and request one, or post a review on Amazon! And please tell your friends. (For those unfamiliar with the novel, you can read reviews of "Dracula, My Love" here if you wish: http://www.syriejames.com/DraculaRevi...)

I'd be happy to answer all your questions about the book here. Fire away (but please do not give away any plot spoilers!)

Megan wrote: "I think it's true love when it hits you like a ton of bricks that any day or future cannot be imagined without that person - that one's mind can't even get around that thought.... Long separations (thanks US Army) were very difficult but just made it stronger! "

I know what you mean! My husband and I attended different universities, and the nine months we were apart before I finally graduated (early, after taking 26 units in one quarter so we could get married) were excruciating painful. We feel very lucky to be together today, and can't even imagine ever taking a vacation apart, as some couples do.

In "Nocturne," Nicole and Michael spend four magical days together and are both utterly transformed by the experience. I had a similar experience when I met my husband of 35 years. We fell in love overnight and became engaged 3 weeks later.
(You can read the story if you wish on my blog: http://www.syriejames.com/blog/?p=151...)

Have you ever had a whirlwind courtship where you fell deeply in love? How did it turn out?

Victoria wrote: "I really loved Nocturne. The fact that it didn't end like so many others was nice. I do wonder if you'll ever have write a novella where we catch up say 10 years down the road?"

I've had many readers ask for a sequel to Nocturne. I'd love to write one! I believed for many reasons that Nocturne had to end the way that it did. However, as I said in my Author's Note at the end of the novel, in my mind and heart, Michael and Nicole's story is far from over. I believe in the power of true love... that somehow it always finds a way.