Author Cinsearae (Mistress Rae)
A Conversation with Author Cinsearae (Mistress Rae)
October 2007
Hello Lovely Cinsearae, or do you prefer Mistress Rae?
Oh, Mistress Rae is more fun.....(evil grin)
Oh, I bet you're very excited, it's your favorite time of year! Any big plans?
Oodles. Plaguing all the Halloween stores for one! This is also the time of year I give away Halloween goody bags just for the asking. Folks can just go to my site for the details! I love playing "Mrs. Claws". LOL!
I enjoyed reading your bio and realized that you began writing at a very young age. How old were you, and how did you know that's what you wanted to do?
Let's see, I was 8, so that was 3rd grade. It all started with a writing assignment our teacher had us do to use our vocabulary words for the week. Just a small, 'finish the story' kind of thing, and we only had to fill in just six blank lines. Well, I scribbled some sentences down, filpped the paper over, and just kept going until I felt the story was done, and I was already past using the vocabulary words! LOL! The next day, I saw my paper on our hallway bulletin board, and the teacher had actually hand-written my whole story down on those huge pieces of paper for everyone to read, with "A++ Superior!" written on top. I was embarassed and happy at the same time. Needless to say, I was called a 'nerd' after that. Afterwards, I was always writing something. I had a little baby-doll that I used to pretend was my 'little sister', and her and I would go on adventures in my stories. (of course, I made her 'alive' in them!)
Tell us a bit about your Gratista Clan, and how you came up with the series.
The Blood Touch series started in the late '90s, and the characters were based on a few acquaintences I knew while I was attending a trade school. I was very much into the Goth scene and Vampires (still am!) and for some weird reason, a couple of the guys in my class inspired me to create vampire characters out of them. I started out drawing them, altering their looks slighty to give them a more Gothier look-- but then those drawings started 'speaking' to me. It quickly turned into a full-blown story!
The Gratista Clan is a solitary bunch, sort of a "don't mess with us and we won't mess with you" kind of group. Their clan name is derived from the Spanish word for "free" (gratis)--they are a clan free of human rule, free to live their lives how they want, and without bothering anyone.
So, will there be any more books to look forward to in the Gratista Clan series?
Oh, definitely! My main antagonist, Sallos, has his own book, telling of his life before and after he became a vampire, and the Clan's second-in-command, Antonio, will be coming out with a book along the same lines. I had put the series aside for a bit to finish a book (not of the series) this year, so now I will go back to my "old friends" and have more of the Blood Touch series out by next year.
What are some of your other works?
My latest release "In The Beginning" is an apocalyptic story with our well-known Archtypes (St, Michael, Gabriel, Jesus, Lucifer, etc.) having the most unusual quirky pesonalities and in a situation most odd, as Lucifer is trying to 'force' the apocalypse to come sooner than God deemed it, to try and 'prove a point' to Him....
You always have the most beautiful photos of yourself in costume. Do you attend many formal events?
I try! LOL! I LOVE to play 'dress up' any chance I can. We have the Dracula's Ball and Libertine Ball here in Philly, so I usully go to those. Every now and then just for the fun of it, I'll dress up and have my finace' take pics, especially around Halloween!
I wanted to ask about the latest photos of you with the beautiful face paint artistry. Did you do that yourself? It is gorgeous and I love those eyes!
Yes, I did (and can you believe I did it out of boredom? ) I never painted my face entirely like that, so I was 'experimenting' one night. Now I'm tempted to do more with different colors...lol!
Now, I'm going to try to make a point to ask every featured author this next question! What is the most surprising fact about you that your fans would love to know?
I hate, Hate, HATE spiders. Not scared of them, just don't like them. I've been bitten one too many times by small ones. The bigger and stranger looking they are, the more they creep me out. And just for laughs, I always wanted to be Lily Munster when I grew up. HA!
Is there anyone who has had a truly positive effect in your life?
My first crush experience was when I saw Frank Langella in the 1979 version of "Dracula". I was ten years old! Then there was Vincent Price too...those guys more or less enforced my dark side, whch was a good thing! LOL!
What's your favorite sinful indulgence???
Honey-roasted Almond Godiva truffles. To DIE for!!! Oh, and Moose-Tracks icecream too....
So, what does a fabulously ravishingly beautiful vampiress do in her down-time?
Take my two crazy-ass rat terriers, Hades and Chaos out to the park so they can bark at everyting. LOL! While I'm there, I might take photographs of nature. If not that, I'll be reading or watching horror movies!
You now have a zine that you send to your fans. What is it about and how can people subscribe?
Dark Gothic Resurrcted is (naturally!) Goth/vampiric in theme, full of short stories, poetry, artwork and articles. I do my best to get a few good interviews on folks that are pretty well known in the scene somehow, or will showcase 'new blood' too. Folks can go to the storefront http://www.lulu.com/gratistavampires and find past issues there. I always list who's in each issue!
Anything new or upcoming that you'd like your fans to know about?
Well, "In The Beginning" was just released, and in the "Store" section of my Blood Touch website, folks can find gothic and fantasy art prints, postcards, Blood Touch mini-prints, stickers, buttons, magnets and handmade jewelry all done by yours truly for purchase! I'm always adding things monthly!
What a pleasure it's been chatting with you. I wish you much continued success in your writing!
Thank YOU, Jfay! This was a lot of fun! Hugs!
Please Visit Mistress Rae Online at http://www.bloodtouch.com to find out all the latest on the Gratista Clan Vampires. You can even join the Clan!
The Fall 07 Issue of Dark Gothic Ressurected is now available: http://www.lulu.com/content/1294997
The following are Books in the Spotlight Features for Mistress Rae:
Blood Touch and the Bloodtouch Candle which carries the symbol of the Gratista Clan
The Blood Touch Saga Continues ~ The Gratista Bat Candle
