Open Book Society discussion

Mark Everett Stone is the author of the interestingly (to say the least) named Things To Do In Denver When You’re Un-dead and What Happens in Vegas, Dies in Vegas. With titles like these, I know these are books I would snap up without needing to know anything else! Mark has been kind enough to share his thoughts on writing these books and writing about Kal, Denver and Vegas.What sparked your love for the fantasy/paranormal genre?

I guess it would be reading Greek Mythology at age seven. I devoured The Odyssey and The Iliad and then moved to Norse Mythology. From there I went on to sci-fi, then Tolkien. Suckered in at an early age, ruined forever for mainstream literature.

From a writer’s perspective, what is it about the genre that you love diving into the most?

I love history, the back story on every character and event. History defines us, makes us who we are as a person and a people.

What inspired Kal?

I had an uncle named Kalevi who was a big man like the Kal in the book, a bit of a smart ass, but a good guy. He was the template I used for the character, but I added healthy doses of sarcasm, mixed in some serious angst, some self-recrimination, stuffed it in a blender and hit frappe.

See the full interview----> http://openbooksociety.com/article/ma...