Since that time, Steven Van Patten has come out with the follow-up book to Brookwater’s Curse. I am currently reading that, and will be providing a review for that as well. But I took the time before finishing the second book to interview Steven.
Michael Vass: Congratulations on the second book being published. It must be a thrill to continue to see your work being in published form and accepted so well across the world.
Steven Van Patten: Thanks Michael. It has been exhilarating to hear the responses I've been getting. I mean, when this whole thing started, it was just me, a laptop and my overactive imagination. Now, it's non-stop e-mails and praise and I'm still very much an underground hit. I'm very grateful for whatever happens from this point on.Michael Vass: For my readers that are unfamiliar with you, please tell us a bit about yourself.
Steven Van Patten: Well, I'm a Brooklynite -- born and raised. I went to Long Island University, where I majored in Media Arts and Minored in English. Grew up in Fort Greene but I'm currently living in Crown Heights. When I'm not our trying to grow the Brookwater's Curse franchise, or home writing feverishly, I'm usually out stage managing any number of TV shows. I've worked regularly on shows like Total Request Live, and BET Tonight with Ed Gordon, but I also done countless concerts, major sports events and things like that.
Michael Vass: Did you always imagine that you would be a writer?
Steven Van Patten: Well I always had a knack for it. In school, the grades spoke for themselves. And I always had this imagination thing. It's definitely my blessing and my curse. It's a blessing because it's definitely a gift from God. It's a curse because sometimes I can't control it.
Michael Vass: Was your education a major factor in your desire to be a writer? What did you take in school?
Steven Van Patten: Honestly, school was only part of it. I don't think my teachers expected what I was capable of, so many of them let me be. My mother pushed me pretty hard to broaden my learning scope past school. So I read voraciously as a kid and still would be if not for the fact that I've been too busy writing my own stuff to get into anything new these days.
Michael Vass: What were early influences for you? Are there specific books that inspired you?
Steven Van Patten: Aside from the million comic books currently living in a closet at my mother's, Stephen King, James Baldwin, Walter Mosley were big literary influences. So, Dracula, Frankenstein and Interview with a Vampire all got same time and attention as Go Tell It On the Mountain and Devil in A Blue Dress and The Fire Next Time.
I should also mention that movies were another big influence -- and the movie Blacula left an indelible mark on me -- no pun intended. From a special effects standpoint it certainly has not stood the test of time, but it is one of the first examples of a person of color maintaining a high level of dignity during a horror movie.
Michael Vass: What made you decide to pick a vampire story for your book?
Steven Van Patten: I wanted to explore how the world we currently inhabit would seem to a black man who had been around during the slavery era. So for me it was the matter of my taking two things I love -- vampires and black history -- and meshing them in a compelling way.
Michael Vass: What was your motivation to have almost all the major characters in the books to be African American, Hispanic, and Asian?
Steven Van Patten: I'm big on leaving stereotypes behind, and I wanted to create something new. The world is full of flavors -- so to speak -- so why not use them all? How often do we get to see or read about a black woman turning into a werewolf? Or an Vampire Samurai Lord? I mean, I look out my window and I see everyone, so why not put everyone in my story?
Michael Vass: How long did it take you to write the book? And your second novel?
Steven Van Patten: The first book, what with the trip to Africa and all the research involved, took 7 years. This is also during the time I was working at MTV almost full time. The second book took 3 and a half, because there was less historical stuff to double check.
Michael Vass: Was it hard to get the book published? Did you get any requests to change the characters or storyline?
Steven Van Patten: I'm self-published, so as far as all that goes, the decision making stops here.
Michael Vass: Often writers include a bit of themselves inside the stories they write. Is there any character that reflects a bit of you in these books? Do any reflect other people you know, or are famous?
Steven Van Patten: I'd say they all do, but none more than Christian Brookwater. He is my mouthpiece and my gauge. He is my Darth Vader, my Kermit the Frog, my Mickey Mouse, my Spider-man. He's the cornerstone of the franchise and I feel a certain kinship to him, even though he only exists in my head.
Some of his romantic exploits may mirror a few of my own in a vague sense, but I was careful to stay away from specifics. No one character in my stories is one person in particular exclusively. There is a lot of mix and match.
Michael Vass: How much has the works of Bram Stoker and/or Anne Rice, or the multitude of films about vampires affected your writing. You seem to have included some parts of the mythology and excluded others, how did you come to that conclusion?
Steven Van Patten: Every person who dabbles in this genre plays with the rules a little. From silver, to stakes to sunlight. No two writers agree completely. I decided that I wanted to be logical. I wanted to come up with some ways that vampires could have been around and just undetected. So yes, for example, my vamps cast reflections and eat real food, and therefore don't give themselves away to the general public so easily. When Bram Stoker and Anne Rice put their stories together, they did what made sense to them and ultimately, their belief in what they were doing helped the books resonant. I can only hope the same holds true for me.
Michael Vass: Your books have strong influences from Africa , werewolves, and Asia. How did that come about?
Steven Van Patten: My love of history, whether it be African-American, American, or Asian is a large part of who I am. I enjoyed Bruce Lee flicks as a child just like everybody else. The only thing is, Bruce Lee inadvertently led me -- thanks to a film festival, to the work of Akira Kurosawa... which led to a host of things, including me studying Kendo for two years. And of course, the birth of one of my other main characters, Lord Ebichara Tanata.
As far as werewolves go, they are just as fascinating as vampires, because they are part-time monsters who have to reconcile the two sides of themselves. It's the ultimate analogy for the addictive personality. I love it. The possibilities are endless.
Michael Vass: Taking a peek into the future do you see yourself continuing to write about the supernatural characters found in your first 2 books? Is there another genre that you want to delve into?
Steven Van Patten: I am going to draw the line with Volume III as far as Christian Brookwater goes. I may do a spin off book at some point featuring Jeremiah the new werewolf, maybe, but I feel this part of my work is over soon. The 2nd book really burned me out. Also, to be honest, the creation of the villain Emmanuel took me somewhere I don't normally go. Not sure how many times I can stare into that abyss, coming up with what motivates these evil creatures while I sit alone in the middle of the night.
Of course, I'll contradict that now by announcing that I have plans to do a serial killer story. As with the BC series, it will be unusually multi-cultural. But there will only be one of those. After that, I have a comedic side that I intend to start exploring soon.
Michael Vass: How has the publishing experience been?
Steven Van Patten: Like anything else, it has it's ups and downs. The hardest lesson for me has been that coming up with the story and selling the story involve two completely different sets of skills.
Michael Vass: Do you have any book signing or other appearances coming up that my readers might be able to see you at?
Steven Van Patten: I will be attending Wagfest in Atlanta the week of October 2-4. There may be some other stuff before that, but that's the big one.
Michael Vass: I like to ask in all my interviews if there is a cause or organization that you champion. I always like to help promote a good cause whenever possible. Is there any organization or cause you would like to present to my readers?
Steven Van Patten: Ever since the Iraq War started, I've made it my business to send a few bucks to Disabled Veterans of America as often as I can.
No matter what your stance on the war is, the troops deserve our love and respect.
Michael Vass: Speaking directly to my younger readers in the world, is there something you would like to share with them?
Steven Van Patten: Pull Your Pants Up. That and there is more to the world than just Hip-Hop. Not everyone is going to be a rapper, so let's get some other skill sets going.
Michael Vass: Where can my reader purchase a copy of your books?
Steven Van Patten: The easiest way would probably be Amazon.com, but if you want an autographed copy you can hit me up at www.brookwaterscurse.com.
I thank Steven for the interview. I hope that it has inspired future writers and given my readers the desire to check out Brookwater’s Curse and the follow-up book. I look forward to speaking with Steven more in the future as his next book is ready for the public.
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