At a time when “Twilight” has become one of the most famous book and movie franchises in history, and shows like “True Blood” and “Vampire Diaries” are on many peoples’ must-see lists, a former DVC student has written a Bay Area-centric vampire novel. Elle Peyarre recently self-published her first novel, “The Two Courts,” a sexually charged, erotic vampire drama. Her story of a fierce clan of blood suckers focuses on the journey of a female vamp trying to find her place in the world with all the sex and violence a reader could want. While she gears up to publicize “The Two Courts,” Peyarre shares the heartache of being rejected by publishers, plus talks vampires, pornography and using writing as an escape.
How did you come up with the idea for your novel?
The concept of a vampire family living in a castle near the bay has been with me ever since I was a kid. With “The Two Courts” I wanted to write a story that had all the elements I wanted to read, something very raw and visceral, chaotic and full of rage. Give me love, rejection, betrayal, anger, madness, obsession, revenge. Give me great sex and food, also. And in the end, I want a lesson.
Why did you end up self-publishing your book?
I was getting rejected left and right back in 2007 and thought “why am I going to wait? I should do something.” If I’m taking my last dying breath I want to at least say I accomplished something and so that’s what I did.
Why did you decide to write an erotic vampire story?
I see romance novels, but they’re all so romantic and I’m like, I want to get hard and dirty. That’s the kind of sex I like and this would be good for guys too. The fantastic thing about reading erotica is that you can be transported into an uninhibited world where your mind is free to explore and run sexually wild.
The female vampires in your novel were brought up believing in romantic love and happily-ever-after endings. Were you brought up that way?
I think I should sue Disney [laughs]. Just kidding, but I think that every girl wants to be a princess, wants that romance, but now that I see it, it’s not like that. You can’t expect a guy to come and rescue you.
There is a lot of sex in your book; do you enjoy pornography?
My favorite porn star is Manuel Ferrara. The way he does “it” is inspiring. I think he should open up a school. If guys can be like him in bed, women would probably be so much more satisfied.
When did you first become interested in vampires?
I think it was the “Lost Boys.” I think it was the movie that did it and it was those old vampire movies. I’d never seen vampires so close to women, so romantic. … I think it was very sensual between them and I love vampires. I mean, I’m not like a fanatic or anything, but I think it was the sensual part that got me. They’re powerful, sensual, and ruthless creatures to me – ferocious predators.
Why do you love writing?
It has been my way of handling the bad, shameful stuff going on in my life, when I felt powerless and not in control. I remember many periods in my life when I was so miserable and hating reality that I would just write and write and write.
Contact Ariel Messman-Rucker at [email protected]