In 2008, HBO will air the True Blood television series (tentatively scheduled for March) based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries. The printed books feature mind-reading waitress Sookie Stackhouse from Louisiana, who is intimately involved with the vampire subculture.
1. Even though you’re the author of Southern Vampire Mysteries, you’ve had to cede creative control to Alan Ball (producer of Six Feet Under). You obviously have a lot of trust in him, but how could you let go of your own creation?
It will no longer be my creation when it is on television. It will be Alan’s creation and a completely different animal. I really want to see the books from a completely different point of view.
2. Producer Alan Ball is obviously a Southern Vampire Mysteries fan. What information have you shared with him about character development, especially Sookie?
I think everything I need to share is right there in the text. When I was trying to decide who to go with, out of the offers in front of me, Alan was the one who convinced me that he understood what he was doing with the books.
3. Have you made any suggestions for the True Blood stories? Will any of the novels be the basis for an episode?
The pilot episode is Chapter One of Book One, “Dead Until Dark”. The plan now is to follow the books chronologically.
4. Has shooting started? Have you been on set, and if so, what was it like for you?
Shooting starts June 7 (2007), last I heard. I was on set while it was still being built, and I put some of the production crew on it. Without exception, I was impressed with their questions, his interest, and his knowledge of the books. It was a very pleasant surprise to find that they cared about the books and hoped that their vision would enrich mine.
5. What do you think of the actors that have been cast? What do you think they will bring to their roles?
I trust Alan and his casting director have cast the right people for the right roles, because that’s what they do for a living and their track record says they’re pretty good at it. I don’t know much about acting, and I’m really fascinated by the process. You might learn something about the characters by watching their interpretation!
6. Will there be any kind of publicity tour or interviews that include you to help launch the series?
I don’t intend to tour. . . I just did a tour with ALL TOGETHER DEAD, the seventh Sookie. I’m doing quite a few interviews about the show, and I’m sure there will be more closer to the premiere, if that’s not too big a name for it.
7. How firm is the January 2008 release date?
I have no idea. After HBO execs see the pilot, that will be confirmed.
8. Will there be a preview of the first episode? Will you be involved in this or will you see it for the first time along with the rest of us?
Alan has mentioned that I should go to Los Angeles for the shortlist and I’m thinking about it. It depends on what’s going on with my family then.
9. Any other comments you would like to make are welcome.
I have read the first two scripts and I couldn’t be more happy and excited.
10. Do you have any comments you would like to make to the library community? Is it an impact on you or your work?
Insurance. My mother (until her retirement) was a librarian, and my sister-in-law (until her untimely death) was a librarian, and I think it’s a great job. It is no coincidence that two of my best friends have been librarians. When I think about how much libraries do for the people who need the dreams and the information the books contain, I regret not getting a title… although I realize it sounds very silly, as my daughter would say.
This interview was conducted in June 2007 in preparation for the Library Journal column From Shelf to Screen (October 15, 2007).