Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Buy Starblood
To buy the Kindle format ebook from Amazon.co.uk for £2.99 + VAT click on the link above. It is also available from Amazon.com
Interviews
Below you will find an interview between Sarah Fanning and myself about the writing of Starblood. I have also added links to two other interviews which can be found on blogs.
The text below is a transcript of an interview conducted by Sarah Fanning.
Sarah – What was your inspiration for writing Starblood?
Carmilla – “They” always tell you to write what you know. I’ve been part of the Gothic subculture for over twenty years. It holds a mystery and glamour that seduces many and frightens others. I wanted to write about that, and to show that Goths are fully rounded human beings too.
Sarah - With which character do you identify most? Why?
Carmilla – Probably unsurprisingly, I’d have to say Star. All my life I’ve struggled with one aspect of my personality or another. I cannot say I’ve ever felt like anything other than a misfit. I identify with her confusion and her desire to be true to herself while at the same time burying, as deep as she can, those aspects of herself she does not like.
Sarah – Are there any parts of Starblood that you’ve drawn from your life?
Carmilla – Well the Goth club was inspired by clubs I’ve frequented, but it is a work of fiction and imagination rather than a portrayal of people I know or events I’ve witnessed.
Sarah – You touch on the horrible hate-fueled murder of Sophie Lancaster (link to http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/), do you feel Starblood can help make a difference in eradicating intolerance and hate crimes?
Carmilla – In all honesty, no. I think there are so many forces in the modern world pressurising people to find scapegoats for their problems, I would be naïve if I thought one book, and a work of fiction at that, could make a difference. I would, of course, be delighted if it did.
Sarah – Magick and religious elements both influence Starblood. Do you feel that they are intertwined with the Goth subculture?
Carmilla – I believe magic and religion are intertwined in life. Worship of any entity creates an energy that magic can release. I do not believe that religion and magic are more prevalent in the Goth scene than in other cultures.
Sarah – There are many similarities between Raven and Lilith – is Star’s reaction to Lilith influenced by her feelings toward Raven?
Carmilla – While Raven is certainly in touch with her Lilith aspect, her aggression and need to be in control mask a lack of self-confidence. Star, of course, does not understand this and her image of both women become blurred as a result.
Sarah – If you were to lead a book group discussion on Starblood, on what would you focus?
Carmilla – I’d probably focus on the sexual themes of the book. I’ve always been interested in the way people are so easily controlled by their sexuality, and that theme is repeated throughout the book. As a species we strive to be civilised and look towards material goals to complete us, and yet our, often denied, sexualities always seem to have the last laugh at our expense.
http://soiwrotethisbook.blogspot.com/2011/05/author-interview-carmilla-voiez.html
http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/interview-with-carmilla-voiez-author-of-starblood/
The text below is a transcript of an interview conducted by Sarah Fanning.
Sarah – What was your inspiration for writing Starblood?
Carmilla – “They” always tell you to write what you know. I’ve been part of the Gothic subculture for over twenty years. It holds a mystery and glamour that seduces many and frightens others. I wanted to write about that, and to show that Goths are fully rounded human beings too.
Sarah - With which character do you identify most? Why?
Carmilla – Probably unsurprisingly, I’d have to say Star. All my life I’ve struggled with one aspect of my personality or another. I cannot say I’ve ever felt like anything other than a misfit. I identify with her confusion and her desire to be true to herself while at the same time burying, as deep as she can, those aspects of herself she does not like.
Sarah – Are there any parts of Starblood that you’ve drawn from your life?
Carmilla – Well the Goth club was inspired by clubs I’ve frequented, but it is a work of fiction and imagination rather than a portrayal of people I know or events I’ve witnessed.
Sarah – You touch on the horrible hate-fueled murder of Sophie Lancaster (link to http://www.sophielancasterfoundation.com/), do you feel Starblood can help make a difference in eradicating intolerance and hate crimes?
Carmilla – In all honesty, no. I think there are so many forces in the modern world pressurising people to find scapegoats for their problems, I would be naïve if I thought one book, and a work of fiction at that, could make a difference. I would, of course, be delighted if it did.
Sarah – Magick and religious elements both influence Starblood. Do you feel that they are intertwined with the Goth subculture?
Carmilla – I believe magic and religion are intertwined in life. Worship of any entity creates an energy that magic can release. I do not believe that religion and magic are more prevalent in the Goth scene than in other cultures.
Sarah – There are many similarities between Raven and Lilith – is Star’s reaction to Lilith influenced by her feelings toward Raven?
Carmilla – While Raven is certainly in touch with her Lilith aspect, her aggression and need to be in control mask a lack of self-confidence. Star, of course, does not understand this and her image of both women become blurred as a result.
Sarah – If you were to lead a book group discussion on Starblood, on what would you focus?
Carmilla – I’d probably focus on the sexual themes of the book. I’ve always been interested in the way people are so easily controlled by their sexuality, and that theme is repeated throughout the book. As a species we strive to be civilised and look towards material goals to complete us, and yet our, often denied, sexualities always seem to have the last laugh at our expense.
http://soiwrotethisbook.blogspot.com/2011/05/author-interview-carmilla-voiez.html
http://www.birdsontheblog.co.uk/interview-with-carmilla-voiez-author-of-starblood/
Starblood, the beginning...
Chapter 1
Satori stands in the centre of his bedroom. His fingers and the lace cuffs of his shirt are stained from the charcoal he uses to scribble his messages. Markings cover every surface: the bare floorboards, ceiling and walls. Even his wardrobe and door are covered in intricate black symbols.
He unbuttons his shirt, swearing as he leaves fingerprints on the cotton. After tossing the garment on to his bed, he unzips his jeans, and forces the denim over his legs and to the floor. Standing naked, he smells himself. There is no trace of her scent on his body. Realising this feels like losing her all over again.
His fragile-looking, angular body is lost in the forest of writing. It expands around him, a web of ancient knowledge. The tips of his fingers prickle with energy.
He pulls the silver rings from his fingers. Pushing back his shoulder-length hair, he removes the hoops from his left ear, and finally the silver stud from his sharply pointed nose. His jewellery jingles like tiny bells as he throws it on to the bed. They look like distant stars on the midnight duvet cover. Across his pillow, dozens of photographs lay like fallen leaves. Some are intact but most are torn or defaced. Her face holds his thoughts for a moment, pale and perfect, framed by a mass of ebony curls. He shakes his head to clear her image. After this is over he will make her love him again. Maybe she will beg for his forgiveness. A wolfish grin grows across his face at the thought of Star on her knees, begging him to take her back. He licks his lips. His face feels hot, his body cold. In spite of his impatience to start the ritual, he waits. Sucking deep breaths in through his nostrils, he collects his thoughts - he mustn’t rush. He must be in control of himself and his desires.
Whispering, he draws the same glyphs on his body. He starts with his toes and the soles of his feet, moving upwards and over his skin with practised dexterity. Charcoal drags against his skin, which blossoms pink below each mark. The growing tattoo obscures his features.
Although he knows the words he needs to say, he reads the passage again, to be certain. He draws two circles on the floor and steps into one of them. With the fingers of his right hand he traces a pentagram in the air before him. Then he recites the words, his voice slow and clear, pronouncing each syllable with care.
‘…This is my will,’ he says finally.
Lifting a silver dagger above his head, he concentrates. An excited grin spreads across his graffiti covered face. With tremendous force he plunges the knife downwards, severing the air in front of him. Through the tear he can see swirls of darkness: Chaos. He calls to Furfur, creator of love between man and woman, to share with him his demon’s power so he can win her back.
A long, slender leg steps through the gap, followed by a lily-white body. The interloper is female, naked and hairless.
‘I am Satori,’ he says. His voice quivers with fear and excitement. He coughs and tries to speak with more authority. ‘I have brought you…’
‘Brought me? I think not. I saw the door and came to see the fool who caused it to open.’ Her emerald eyes are full of contempt.
Satori’s confidence withers. Malice thickens the air like gelatine. The demon’s aura chills the room. Although he suspects it is fear rather than the cold which makes his body shake so violently. Staring at her in silence, he realises he has made an error. Through all his planning and preparation, he did not see this coming. What went wrong? Instead of Furfur, contained and compelled to do his bidding, ready to elevate him back into the arms of his beloved; he is faced with something else, something threatening. He raises his dagger above him again, ready to expel her before it’s too late. Before he can open his mouth she knocks the dagger away with the back of her hand.
‘I am your guest not your minion, and you will not dismiss me,’ she says.
Satori falls to the floor nursing his wrist. He looks at the thousands of drawings. They swim before his eyes. As she steps into view her pale feet smudge the glyphs.
‘I need clothes,’ she says.
Satori wonders whether she is making the demand of him. He watches, transfixed, as her white toes sharpen into a point and black ectoplasm spreads over them and the sides of her feet. These growths from each side meet at the back, forming a shiny slipper. Then the back of her foot is raised higher and higher, making her feet arch as stiletto heels stretch beneath the soles. He looks up at her, spellbound, and sees the same process in action. Over her breasts and stomach a leather corset is growing. Moment by moment the material becomes more defined, like the fast rewinding of decomposition. From the black leather rise five red trimmed straps. These belts decorate the front, each with a silver buckle in the centre. From her crotch, lace panties spread and a shock of red hair can be seen beneath them, over those a shiny black mini skirt, so short it barely touches her thighs. Her face is now painted. Her lips red, as is the mass of long hair which grows from her scalp. Across the seam of her closed eyes thick, black lashes sprout and above these two perfect eyebrows arch downwards toward her delicate nose. When she opens her eyes again Satori’s body responds to her beauty. She laughs.
‘I am not yours, magician,’ she says.
Those cold, green eyes sweep around the room, and her body flexes and tightens. Satori watches as a frown creases her forehead and chin.
‘Open the door,’ she demands.
‘Who are you?’ He asks at last.
‘Lilith,’ she answers. Then she seems to forget he is there at all, walking past him and towards the door.
‘No,’ he whispers. ‘I have to send you back.’
She turns to him. Crouched on the floor, he feels her judging him. He tries to stand, but under the power of her scorn his limbs feel like liquid. She steps towards him. Her movements are like quicksilver. Holding his breath, he watches. He has never seen a body, human or feline, move as gracefully or effortlessly. Fear strengthens his body; he takes a deep breath and tries to rise. The mocking smile on her face makes his stomach twist and tighten. He feels anger at her dismissal of his power, yet his penis still aches for her. His body rebels against his will. She turns away.
‘These symbols,’ she says, ‘will not hold me.’
She opens her hand and raises her palm towards the door. The charcoal shapes move and twist across the painted wood. They detach themselves with a final tug and swirl and dance through the air before racing across to Satori, buzzing around his face like mosquitoes. Confused, he bats them away with his arms, then calms himself, clears his mind and wills the air-borne glyphs away. When he opens his eyes again the swarm and Lilith are gone.
***
In a seedy Goth club, a beautiful woman dances, waiting to be set free. Along an unlit street, another Woman stumbles,fleeing her pursuer. In a darkened room, a man speaks to demons.
Starblood, the debut novel by Carmilla Voiez, is a tale of magic and horror. Blinded by love, Satori, a young magician, attempts a spell that goes horribly wrong, resulting in the demon Lilith returning to Earth. Satori knows he must send Lilith back. The dark goddess, brimming with power, makes it her mission to wreak havoc on Satori's life by ensnaring Star, the woman he loves, and her friends in a web of chaos and deceit.
Lust, obsession, terror and humiliation storm into the lives of Star and Satori, proving the age-old maxim – be careful what you wish for.
Satori stands in the centre of his bedroom. His fingers and the lace cuffs of his shirt are stained from the charcoal he uses to scribble his messages. Markings cover every surface: the bare floorboards, ceiling and walls. Even his wardrobe and door are covered in intricate black symbols.
He unbuttons his shirt, swearing as he leaves fingerprints on the cotton. After tossing the garment on to his bed, he unzips his jeans, and forces the denim over his legs and to the floor. Standing naked, he smells himself. There is no trace of her scent on his body. Realising this feels like losing her all over again.
His fragile-looking, angular body is lost in the forest of writing. It expands around him, a web of ancient knowledge. The tips of his fingers prickle with energy.
He pulls the silver rings from his fingers. Pushing back his shoulder-length hair, he removes the hoops from his left ear, and finally the silver stud from his sharply pointed nose. His jewellery jingles like tiny bells as he throws it on to the bed. They look like distant stars on the midnight duvet cover. Across his pillow, dozens of photographs lay like fallen leaves. Some are intact but most are torn or defaced. Her face holds his thoughts for a moment, pale and perfect, framed by a mass of ebony curls. He shakes his head to clear her image. After this is over he will make her love him again. Maybe she will beg for his forgiveness. A wolfish grin grows across his face at the thought of Star on her knees, begging him to take her back. He licks his lips. His face feels hot, his body cold. In spite of his impatience to start the ritual, he waits. Sucking deep breaths in through his nostrils, he collects his thoughts - he mustn’t rush. He must be in control of himself and his desires.
Whispering, he draws the same glyphs on his body. He starts with his toes and the soles of his feet, moving upwards and over his skin with practised dexterity. Charcoal drags against his skin, which blossoms pink below each mark. The growing tattoo obscures his features.
Although he knows the words he needs to say, he reads the passage again, to be certain. He draws two circles on the floor and steps into one of them. With the fingers of his right hand he traces a pentagram in the air before him. Then he recites the words, his voice slow and clear, pronouncing each syllable with care.
‘…This is my will,’ he says finally.
Lifting a silver dagger above his head, he concentrates. An excited grin spreads across his graffiti covered face. With tremendous force he plunges the knife downwards, severing the air in front of him. Through the tear he can see swirls of darkness: Chaos. He calls to Furfur, creator of love between man and woman, to share with him his demon’s power so he can win her back.
A long, slender leg steps through the gap, followed by a lily-white body. The interloper is female, naked and hairless.
‘I am Satori,’ he says. His voice quivers with fear and excitement. He coughs and tries to speak with more authority. ‘I have brought you…’
‘Brought me? I think not. I saw the door and came to see the fool who caused it to open.’ Her emerald eyes are full of contempt.
Satori’s confidence withers. Malice thickens the air like gelatine. The demon’s aura chills the room. Although he suspects it is fear rather than the cold which makes his body shake so violently. Staring at her in silence, he realises he has made an error. Through all his planning and preparation, he did not see this coming. What went wrong? Instead of Furfur, contained and compelled to do his bidding, ready to elevate him back into the arms of his beloved; he is faced with something else, something threatening. He raises his dagger above him again, ready to expel her before it’s too late. Before he can open his mouth she knocks the dagger away with the back of her hand.
‘I am your guest not your minion, and you will not dismiss me,’ she says.
Satori falls to the floor nursing his wrist. He looks at the thousands of drawings. They swim before his eyes. As she steps into view her pale feet smudge the glyphs.
‘I need clothes,’ she says.
Satori wonders whether she is making the demand of him. He watches, transfixed, as her white toes sharpen into a point and black ectoplasm spreads over them and the sides of her feet. These growths from each side meet at the back, forming a shiny slipper. Then the back of her foot is raised higher and higher, making her feet arch as stiletto heels stretch beneath the soles. He looks up at her, spellbound, and sees the same process in action. Over her breasts and stomach a leather corset is growing. Moment by moment the material becomes more defined, like the fast rewinding of decomposition. From the black leather rise five red trimmed straps. These belts decorate the front, each with a silver buckle in the centre. From her crotch, lace panties spread and a shock of red hair can be seen beneath them, over those a shiny black mini skirt, so short it barely touches her thighs. Her face is now painted. Her lips red, as is the mass of long hair which grows from her scalp. Across the seam of her closed eyes thick, black lashes sprout and above these two perfect eyebrows arch downwards toward her delicate nose. When she opens her eyes again Satori’s body responds to her beauty. She laughs.
‘I am not yours, magician,’ she says.
Those cold, green eyes sweep around the room, and her body flexes and tightens. Satori watches as a frown creases her forehead and chin.
‘Open the door,’ she demands.
‘Who are you?’ He asks at last.
‘Lilith,’ she answers. Then she seems to forget he is there at all, walking past him and towards the door.
‘No,’ he whispers. ‘I have to send you back.’
She turns to him. Crouched on the floor, he feels her judging him. He tries to stand, but under the power of her scorn his limbs feel like liquid. She steps towards him. Her movements are like quicksilver. Holding his breath, he watches. He has never seen a body, human or feline, move as gracefully or effortlessly. Fear strengthens his body; he takes a deep breath and tries to rise. The mocking smile on her face makes his stomach twist and tighten. He feels anger at her dismissal of his power, yet his penis still aches for her. His body rebels against his will. She turns away.
‘These symbols,’ she says, ‘will not hold me.’
She opens her hand and raises her palm towards the door. The charcoal shapes move and twist across the painted wood. They detach themselves with a final tug and swirl and dance through the air before racing across to Satori, buzzing around his face like mosquitoes. Confused, he bats them away with his arms, then calms himself, clears his mind and wills the air-borne glyphs away. When he opens his eyes again the swarm and Lilith are gone.
***
In a seedy Goth club, a beautiful woman dances, waiting to be set free. Along an unlit street, another Woman stumbles,fleeing her pursuer. In a darkened room, a man speaks to demons.
Starblood, the debut novel by Carmilla Voiez, is a tale of magic and horror. Blinded by love, Satori, a young magician, attempts a spell that goes horribly wrong, resulting in the demon Lilith returning to Earth. Satori knows he must send Lilith back. The dark goddess, brimming with power, makes it her mission to wreak havoc on Satori's life by ensnaring Star, the woman he loves, and her friends in a web of chaos and deceit.
Lust, obsession, terror and humiliation storm into the lives of Star and Satori, proving the age-old maxim – be careful what you wish for.
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