Information we learned during the Question/Answer portion of the book signing event. Listen to the podcast to hear more about Book 10, True Blood and more!
General:
Charlaine Harris just signed a contract with Penguin for three more Sookie books.
Charlaine’s grandmother had a friend named Sookie, and that is how she came up with the name.
Not True that Charlaine knew who Sookie would end up before she started writing the first book. When Harris wrote Dead Until Dark, she wasn’t sure if it would be picked up for more novels.
She sold the Dead Until Dark for $5,000 and it took 2 years to sell it.
Charlaine Harris chose telepathy as Sookie’s “disability” because it was the best disability for her. Although she seriously considered a prosthetic leg.
Charlaine states she does not write by committee, she is the Queen, she makes the rules in Sookie’s world.
Charlaine Harris is planning another series. She will have two series going.
Charlaine chose northern Louisiana for the setting of her books because Anne Rice had already taken southern Louisiana.
Charlaine likes to listen to bagpipe music, movie soundtracks, Zydeco and Yo-Yo Ma.
Bon Temps is modeled on Mendon and Arcadia Louisiana, however Charlaine said that if you’ve been to one small Louisiana town, you’ve been to them all.
Charlaine Harris will continue to write Sookie short stories, but will not write a short story that affects the essential part of the Sookie story. (Example, the book Bite)
Charlaine has written a Sookie short story called “Two Blondes”. It’s a story about a roadtrip with Sookie and Pam.
Eric and Bill are such a part of Charlaine Harris that she cannot choose a “team”.
Sookie still has the bullet she pulled from Eric, but it will not be brought up again in the series.
Charlaine has written a short story about the Britlingens in Must Love Hellhounds called "Britlingens Go to Hell".
Other Harris Books:
November will most likely be the last Harper Connelly story. Harris says the series is hard to write. The only characters to stay the same is Tolliver and Harper, she must reinvent a new physical, mental, and emotional setting.
Aurora is a combination of all the best qualities in Charlaine’s best friends.
True Blood:
“Ryan Kwanten is gorgeous”
Charlaine said her best move was accepting Alan Ball’s offer when so many were on the table. Alan is a genius.
Bubba will likely NOT appear in the tv series because of legal issues and licensing.
Charlaine Harris did not pick the actors for True Blood. She’s very happy with the cast selection.
Favorite character from True Blood is Jessica. Great actress. Charlaine wishing she had thought of that storyline.
Charlaine filmed a cameo appearance for the Season 2 Finale. She is in Merlottes and has a stripped shirt on.
Book 10 - SPOILER ALERT!
Charlaine is two thirds into Book 10.
Eric’s maker makes an appearance in Book 10.
Bubba is not in the next book (so far).
No Quinn in next book.
Alcide very much in book 10. He’s already in the 2nd or 3rd chapter.
Bill is very ill from the silver poisoning and is a major concern in book 10.
Eric feels both guilty and the blood bond when he says "You're killing me" in book 9. We'll find out all about it in Book 10.
We are not affiliated with Charlaine Harris or her publisher.
