The Chaos Stories: Charles O’Keefe

Posted: November 1, 2017/By: achristay@aol.com

Please welcome Charles O’Keefe author of the Chaos Stories

Charles O’Keefe author of The Chaos Stories will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

THE CHAOS STORIES

by Charles O’Keefe

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GENRE: Supernatural/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

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INTERVIEW: The Chaos Stories

What or who inspired you to start writing?

I got inspired to write when my friend had a book published (The Dying Days by Shannon Sullivan) in 2006. I helped him edit it (and got mentioned in the acknowledgements). When I saw my name in print I decided it was time to get back to my own long-suffering novel (which I started in 2002), if he could write a book I could do! So, it was a good kick in the pants for me.

How did you come up with ideas for your books?

I got inspiration from writers I enjoy like Stephen King, Anne Rice, Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway and Peter David. With my “Newfoundland Vampire” books I’ll admit to taking a shortcut, the main character is highly based on myself, so I started with imaging a younger me becoming a vampire and everything else just flowed out. My new work, “The Chaos Stories” is a substantial change for me as it is mostly short-stories. For these the ideas came from various sources, one story is based on a character I’ve played in D&D, another from an accident I had in real life, one is me poking fun at Disney and another is my thoughts on Trump and what could be really happening with the Russians. I’ve been lucky that I’ve never suffered from writer’s block and even if an idea I come up doesn’t initially appeal to me, I just keep writing and making changes until I’m satisfied with the story.

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I do have a degree in English, so I did a course in Grammar and study lots of different novels, short-stories and poems. To be honest, though, I think it takes a lifetime to become an expert at anything. I will say, however, that I have read a lot of vampire stories, seen a lot of movies, watched a lot of TV shows and even did a course in Gothic fiction. When it comes to vampires I do know perhaps a little more than the average person. The same goes for when I write stories based on Dungeons and Dragons (a role-playing game). I have been playing it for so long (about 30 years) that I have learned to some truly hateful/memorable characters.

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I would like people to know how much I love comic books, reading and collection. They are a wonderful way to relax and while I love Batman and Superman, I have to say overall Marvel does more high-quality comics than DC. I would also add that if you love comics, own a tablet and don’t have the Marvel Unlimited app, you are missing out! Every Monday I have at least 4 new comics to read, it’s something I look forward to every week.

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I just submitted a story to a local publisher for a collection (of horror stories) so I’m hoping that gets published. I’ve self-published my last two books and while I’ve enjoyed the freedom, it’s a lot of work and a lot of money. I am going to try and get signed on with another publisher (I’ve been with two before, who both went bankrupt sadly). I will finish writing my fourth vampire book, which is most likely the end of the series and after that hopefully put out another short story collection.

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

This is an easy one for me. The character from my Newfoundland Vampire series, Joseph, is a younger version of me who made different choices (and became a vampire) so him for sure! As for why, he’s young, strong, immortal, has a gorgeous ancient vampire girlfriend and still gets to be a geek and hang out with his friends (when he’s not fighting for his life.) Those are the good points, in the story Joseph does go through trouble (and has to experience some truly horrific sights) but is a great character and is part of a fascinating underground society. I think no matter what the cost I would never be able to turn down immortality and eternal youth.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your leading roles?

While it might sound strange the only young actor I can think of to play Joseph would be Tom Holland (the new Spider-man). He can play geeky and I think he’s a good actor. He also has brown hair like me and is the right age for Joseph (who is 22 at the start of the book). Deborah Ann Woll (from “True Blood” and “Daredevil”) would be an excellent Cassandra (Joseph’s girlfriend and vampire sire). She has already been a vampire, is about the right age and is a good actress.

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I am a firm believer in an outline. I always do an outline for a book, usually just a brief description of what happens in each chapter along with the sections of the book. I always stay at least three chapters ahead of what I’m writing, and I leave it open to change as the story develops or I feel some parts aren’t working or won’t work.

Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you’ve gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books?

Yes, I have a few hobbies and they do have a direct carry over to my books. The main character of my “Newfoundland Vampire” series plays D&D, as I do in real life. In my first book there is even a whole chapter where Joseph hangs out with friends and plays a session of D&D.

What is your favorite reality show?

For a long time, I was anti-reality shows, I’ll admit though I’ve come around to like a few. There is a Canadian version of Dragon’s Den that I really enjoy. It’s fun to see real products that people come on with and it’s also a laugh to see the crazy schemes people have.

Anything else you might want to add?

Thanks so much for having me on your blog. I hope this isn’t too long. Excellent questions, it was fun!

BLURB: The Chaos Stories

Here you’ll find nine new short-stories, some which have been from my life, or things that could have happened. One is inspired from the many games of Dungeons and Dragons I’ve played over twenty years while another is from the Call of Cthulhu role-playing game. Some are even some from other authors, who kindly contributed to my collection.

As a treat for fans of my series, I have included six deleted chapters, two from each of the three Newfoundland Vampire novels, which have been all cleaned up and have been made better than ever for your reading pleasure.

I have also included not one, but two chapters from the upcoming fourth book in the Newfoundland Vampire series, War of the Fangs. I’ve filled this collection with tales that will make you laugh, or will scare you, and will hopefully make you think a little about the world around us and the people in it.

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EXCERPT: The Chaos Stories

“I’m not leaving you behind, no man gets left behind, GET MOVING!” Marlon screamed the last part at the top of his lungs and they bolted forward. It wasn’t easy with all the roots and holes in the ground. Larry fell once as did Marlon, painfully twisting his ankle so that now Larry had to help him but they moved on, spotting one mark on a tree and chalk on another. The mist had started to rise, it was at their ankles now.

“Mar I can’t feel my feet, it feels as if I’m running on blocks of ice. We need to get out!” Marlon looked about frantically, the trees were still thick, he couldn’t see the tall grass from where they had started this morning. Everything felt tight, his chest felt like it was going to explode, his heart felt like it would leap out through his throat at any second. The trees seems to be closing in on them, he felt like he was back in France, just waiting for the first bullet to split the air.

Marlon looked down for a second, legs are numb up to my knees but somehow I’m moving, I don’t feel the pain in my ankle. “We’ll get out, you are the best woodsman I’ve ever seen. I know you can do it.” Larry nodded and Marlon was glad to see a small smile creep onto one side of his face, he pointed with his right arm to a mark, an arrow pointing to the east, the way they were going. You better be, he thought, I’ll be damned if I die in a forest by some mist, I made it out of the war, I’ll make it out of here!

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Charles O’Keefe lives in the beautiful province of Newfoundland, Canada, with his wife and two feline ‘children,’ Jude and Eleanor. He is a part-owner of a beauty wholesale business. He enjoys many hobbies and activities that include reading, gaming, poker, Pilates, Dungeons and Dragons, and of course, fantasizing about vampires. Charles is the author of three books in the Newfoundland Vampire series, but this is his first collection of short-stories. Look for the fourth Newfoundland Vampire book sometime in the near future.

To find out more about Charles or his other books, go to Twitter and Facebook or visit his web site at http://www.charlesokeefe.com

Tweets by TheNLVampire

https://www.facebook.com/charles.okeefe.75

https://www.amazon.com/Chaos-Stories-Tales-Terror-Passion/dp/1775046508/

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/739546

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chaos-stories-charles-okeefe/1126899838

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

PLEASE MENTION THE PRIZE THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:

Charles O’Keefe will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2456

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