Insight into White

Ever since the release of my first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, this past November, people continue to ask me the same two questions: “What was the inspiration?” and “Will there be a sequel?” The answer to the second question is the simpler of the two. Even as I was drafting Blue is for Nightmares, I knew I wanted to work it into a series. I think part of the reason is because I grew up loving serials of all types—the Anne of Green Gables series and the Chronicles of Narnia; episodes of the Lost World and Charlie’s Angels—oh, yeah, how much did I want to be Jacqueline Smith?—and the Nightmare on Elm Street movies.


Even now, I sometimes I feel like I schedule a bit too much of my personal life around series. When Scream II came out, I think I was the first person in line at the ticket counter; ditto for the second movie in the I Know What You Did Last Summer series. I won’t leave the house Tuesday evenings between eight and nine pm, nor will I answer the phone, because I’m too busy watching The Gilmore Girls—there are actually several instances of this sort of TV-lock-down time in my house during the week. And, I think I’ve read every L.J. Smith series at least nine times, the Forbidden Game being one of my all-time favorites. So, yeah, I suppose you could say that series are a big part of my life. And I have even been known to weep over the ending of a series—90210, Party of Five, Felicity, Dawson’s Creek—yes, I am completely hopeless.


So, I guess it isn’t too much of a surprise that I decided to continue Blue is for Nightmares with White is for Magic. The novel takes place one year after the horrible incidents that occurred at Hillcrest Prep. While in Blue is for Nightmares, Stacey Brown, the main character, was having recurring nightmares that her best friend Drea was going to die in four days; this time Stacey’s having nightmares about herself. And, if she doesn’t figure out who is after her and how to stop it, she may not last another week. Like in Blue is for Nightmares, Stacey uses some of the spells and home remedies passed down to her by her grandmother to try and figure things out. Though, having learned much about the art of kitchen witchery from last year’s experiences with premonitions, Stacey also begins to develop some of her own spells. Amidst this obviously life-challenging dilemma, Stacey also must deal with boy problems, jealousy issues, issues with her mother, and bouts of extreme nausea—I ask you, how does a girl deal?


One of the aspects that I really like about White is for Magic is the reconciliation Stacey makes with her mother. She learns that she is much more like her mom than she once thought. For years, Stacey saw her mother as the person who disapproved of her witchcraft and lifestyle the most. But in White is for Magic, when the two begin to communicate more, to open up about past secrets and present fears, they actually realize that they have a lot in common.
Another aspect of the sequel that I really love, without revealing too much, is the course that Stacey’s love life takes—oh forbidden love can be so juicy.


So, getting back to that other question that people ask me—what was the inspiration for writing this series? Well, I guess you could say I’ve always had an interest in dreams and spells, not to mention all things scary. Like my main character Stacey, my grandmother also experienced premonitions. She would know before anyone else when something bad was going to happen. She would even be able to give details about it, hours in advance of the occurrence. She knew when her young sister had died and she knew when my brother had to get rushed to the hospital. I think part of the reason she was able to sense these things is because she was blind during a period of her childhood; perhaps because of the blindness she was able to develop her other senses more keenly. She and other members of my family, those I never had the opportunity of meeting, also practiced a number of home remedies and prophecy readings, some of which have inspired some of the spells and readings that Stacey performs.


So, after writing all this, I suppose now the question on everyone’s mind is will White is for Magic be the last of my series. What do you think? My next book is slated for publication in February 2005. And, as we say in the serial business—until next time….