Thanks for your time and work!!
— Talani Casariego

Yes, you're right. When I wrote "Interview" I was terrified that God did not exist. I mean I was in a panic over it. But I believed desperately in goodness and in trying to create the kingdom of heaven and earth in a new sense. Louis and Lestat suffered the tragedy of being cast out of any possibility of making that kingdom. Their despair was a reflection of my feeling of being cast out, having lost my Catholic faith, having lost my mother, having lost my child.

My questionings, through 17 books, have led me to a far more complex conclusion. Though I have no belief in a personal devil (who needs one when we have Hitler and Attila the Hun?), I have come to believe in God. Right now the Gnostic Gospels have me obsessed and there will definitely be another Biblical book from me soon, a real shocker — rather more outrageous than "Memnoch the Devil" ever dared to be. I do not believe in the Catholic god. I don't think God cares about French kissing or about same-sex marriages. I'm not sure he cares about us. But I know he cares about beauty and the unfolding of pattern, and I love him. My books reflect my beliefs as a whole. That is, no one character speaks for me at any given time. But the whole book —its obsession — reflects my obsession: Why are we here? What does God want of us? Why does he let suffering happen? How could he have been so stupid as to create a bunch of people whose sin would necessitate God's own son being scourged, crowned with thorns and crucified? That's dumb!!!!

Anyway, more for me in this matter, more outrageous writing. I live now in the world of those who walked the earth in the first century of the common era.

Having had the experience of sitting and standing among a multitude of your readers last night in Sacramento, I was struck by the power of the energy of the group that gathered for the opportunity to have their books signed. For both my 13-year-old daughter and myself it was a memorable experience that we will both carry with us for many years to come. I saw many people who were more than just literary fans or groupies awaiting their opportunity for a signing. Do you, as an author, recognize and regenerate yourself from the energy that is so apparent around these signings, or do you find that your own creations and messages as you have described it are better obtained through the solitude of your own writing space?
— Paul McCarty (and Katie)

I am definitely rejuvenated by seeing the readers. They give me personal, priceless and unforgettable feedback and verification of what I have achieved for them in my books. Nothing takes the place of this one-to-one contact. The press distorts the accomplishments of books. The press cares nothing about the real audience of any given author. I go on the road to see for myself.

Yes, to write I do have to retreat to solitude. I have to lock myself in my messy room, full of scribbling, notes, busts of Beethoven (there are now three), statues of Christ, piles of books and write in a trance undisturbed.

But the tour part of the year is very important to me. I get many inspirations on the road. I keep a handwritten diary and I take home the love with me, like so much warmth.

Sometimes I cannot believe the generosity of my readers. I am grateful that they come to share their feelings with me. I feel my life resembles more that of a rock musician than a writer and always will, and I love it. I'm blessed. The gods gave me what I asked for. But they have not destroyed me. At least not yet.

Have you read "Mission" by Patrick Tilley? I bought this book about 15 years ago and recently tried to purchase a second copy and found the book is out of print. I contacted the publisher who forwarded my request to the author. Mr. Tilley was gracious enough to send me a copy.

I think you would really be interested in this book. It tells a unique story of the mission of Christ to impart the true nature and struggle of good and evil to the present time utilizing time travel to New York City and a New York attorney.

I'd love to send you my second copy but would only do so if you were interested in reading it (I'd hate to part with it for any other reason!)
— Renee Newstein

Renee: Sad to say, I have not read the novel "The Mission" by Tilly. I read almost no fiction. I cannot. I read only scripture and history and archeology and books on politics. But the book sounds very interesting and I'm more than pleased that you have connected it with me and my work.

Has there ever been a subject or passage that you had in mind but did not write? Some new direction for an established character to go, some act of perversion or blasphemy that seemed too "over the top" to put to pen? A nightmare you did not wish to share? Is there a subject so taboo that it should not be written of? And would you write it knowing you might place yourself in the same position as Salman Rushdie?
— Lance Arthur

I'm fighting all the time to get closer and closer to the transgressive ideas that I have feared to write, to get more and more courage to create the purely outrageous in the name of truth, to take all characters in their destined direction, regardless of how shocking. I am getting more and more successful as "Memnoch the Devil" and "Servant of the Bones" indicates. I expected big-time condemnation for the Jewish community for "Servant of the Bones," but didn't get it. I think there is a key reason. The book was reverent, accurate and I never, never, never ridicule religion. I may come close to blasphemy but I don't satirize or joke about it at all. But definitely I am trying to loosen up and become ever more transgressive because that is my vocation. God wants that I challenge Him in the most courageous ways.

You have touched some on the ancient religions in "Taltos," but I believe you could do wonders with the ancient true religion of the Goddess in her many guises. There is so much legend and myth around the faerie and the priestess. It could make for a wonderful tale, Anne Rice-style. What do you feel about this?
— Belinda Petri

In college I had a thorough and fascinating grounding in Goddess Worship and how it underlay the later patriarchal religions of the Mediterranean and Greek world. I am fascinated by it, but do not see a novel with that particular focus right now. I am on a different wavelength. I read all the time in anthropology and archeology and deeply respect the mysteries that surround the goddess. I am occasionally distressed by the poor scholarship that makes inane assumptions about goddess worship. But there is bad scholarship in every field. Again, it's not my obsession, the goddess. Even as a Catholic I was never a talker to the Virgin Mary. There were saints I preferred —Saint Rita, Saint Teresa, others. I follow my obsessions. Also, there are plenty of writers dealing with goddess worship.

I continue in my search and with my obsessions.

My thanks and love.

Anne Rice