Know a Nominee, Part Thirteen: Royce Prouty
Welcome to (lucky) part thirteen of ‘Know a Nominee’. Today we welcome Royce Prouty, author of ‘Stoker’s Manuscript’, nominated for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. Here Royce shares his experience of examining the original Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ & the influence it had on himself & his wife.
DM: Can you please describe the genesis for the idea that eventually became the work for which you’ve been nominated?
RP: As is a tradition in our household, every Halloween I read a scary story aloud to my wife. We put a log in the fireplace, gather the pets, and read into the October nights. In 2009 I chose Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Not just because we had recently purchased a lovely century edition hardcover of the classic, but also because I had never read it. Nor had I ever read any vampire books.
Finally, it got to October 30th and as I read the final chapter, my wife and I looked at each other and simultaneously said, “There’s something wrong with this ending.”
Why? Well, here was this gloriously written novel that ends with an inglorious ambush outside of Dracula’s Castle, a swift knife attack, followed by the count’s death. Not just his death, but Dracula turns to dust, leaving no room for a meaningful sequel.
Luckily, the volume we purchased contains much of the novel’s history and notes, and we learned that the original version actually did have a glorious battle inside Dracula’s Castle, ending with the count’s death and a lightning strike that brings down the structure. The count’s body is then carted off by these shadowy characters to an unknown burial site. We both wondered why Abraham changed his ending.
My wife then said of the alteration, “The family does not want anyone to know where he’s buried.”
I slept on that suggestion, and in the morning the entire story came into my head. As with all my stories, it hit me in a single moment— plot, setting, characters, voice, everything. Thus was the story born, and in keeping with the original inspiration, not one major plot item or character changed in the editing process.
DM: What was the most challenging part of bringing your idea to fruition? The most rewarding aspect of the process?
RP: What makes the original Dracula such an enduring and beloved, as well as respected novel is his fashioning of the villain. Not only was the count dangerous, but he carried a certain appeal, that intangible type of intertwining that rarely gets past the editors onto the finished pages.
My challenge was twofold. First, with the realization that I was undertaking a sequel to one of the world’s giant literary accomplishments, I knew I needed to make my villains worthy to be called sequel characters. And secondly, whereas I had never read any other vampire novels I had to avoid treading any covered ground.
As for the first challenge, that worthiness is not up to me to judge. That is for the readers to decide.
Regarding the second, I had never envisioned vampires as warm & fuzzy, romantic figures. I’d always seen them as sinister creatures of the night, encounters with whom tended to end badly for the human. Thus, the modern offerings of vampire novels never held any appeal for me.
I enlisted the help of my sister, Cris, an avid reader of all things vampire, and prepared a list of vampyr features and conventions that I needed to adhere to, and fashioned my own creatures in the original villain’s image. I wanted them heavy on the creep factor.
As for rewarding aspect, it’s my wife that has brought the wisdom of the ages into our household, who suggested that we celebrate each small accomplishment in the process. Thus, we celebrated when I finished the first draft, and each one thereafter. And celebrated landing an agent, Scott Miller at Trident. And then again when Scott called to announce an offer.
I remember seeing the cover art in an email from Putnam. “Don’t change a thing!” I responded.
I remember opening the box to see and hold my first book.
I remember the first time I introduced myself as an author.
I remember watching my wife prepare herself for the book launch party. She is beautiful.
I remember signing books at my launch party.
I remember reading my first glowing review of the novel. I remember reading my first critical review of it.
I remember the humbling feeling that accompanied the news that I was nominated for this prestigious award.
I remember all those things, and they are all equally rewarding.
DM: What do you think a good horror/dark fiction should achieve? How do you feel your work fits that?
RP: Good dark fiction is really defined by the size and menace of the villain. There should be a certain creep factor that lingers long after you close the book, and the best way to accomplish that is to make a villain worth remembering.
Fortunately, I chose a villain who was already identifiable, and I attempted to make him (and the rest of the Dracula family) just as large, just as villainous as the original. I hope I did. Again, that one’s on the judges’ cards.
Curious about your writing and/or editing process. Is there a certain setting or set of circumstances that help you move things along? And do you often find yourself getting stuck & why?
I gather up the pets and go into the computer room, turn on the window air conditioner to extra cold and put on instrumental music. Such an atmosphere allows me to elevate to a certain concentration
level (think college final exams level) and maintain for hours, and then days and weeks. It’s not easy, but when I’m at that level, the words, phrases and imagery just flow, as if sent to me. I only need to capture it and put it to paper.
As for editing, I employ a professional editor, Ed Stackler. I use Ed for three levels of editing: concept, story construction, and line edit. I self-edit as well. Ed has been most helpful those times when he’s said, “This doesn’t work for me.” I can without hesitation say that I would not be on your list without the patient brilliance of Ed.
As for getting stuck, I am very fortunate in that the story comes into my head all at once. Thus, I only have to sit at the computer and let the thoughts and images come out of my head, down my arms and hands, and through the keyboard to the screen. I do not see the blank canvas as something daunting, but rather as something to fill up.
DM: Many of our readers are writers themselves. What is the most valuable piece of advice you can share with someone struggling to make their way in this life?
RP: Expect rejection. Know that you are trying to break into the entertainment business, and rejection is a big part of that industry. The first ones will sting. Get up and get back on track toward your goal, and remember that the difference between those on stage and those who sit in the audience has more to do with resiliency than sheer talent.
Use the rejections and critical comments as opportunities to make your product better. Look at rewrites in this same light and you will not dread the process.
Always remember that what you are undertaking is a solitary pursuit, and while others have walked a similar path, yours will be a unique growing process. The rejections will hurt, but move past them, no matter how many there are. And with every small accomplishment in the process, try to take a moment to celebrate it as a milestone.
And be grateful for the opportunity to do it.
DM: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Bram Stoker Awards/WHC? If not attending, what is the significance of recognitions like the Bram Stoker Awards?
RP: My wife is disabled, and I am her caregiver. So while the convention would normally be first on our plans, sadly we can only do a Google Earth drive-by this time.
As for the recognition, I can only state that there is a very crowded shelf of quality new releases every year, and I am grateful every time someone chooses mine over all the others. To have mine elevated still to another level and be recognized with such a prestigious award is really stunning. I am humbled. Words fall short of expressing how I feel, as words have limitations. My feelings do not.
A simple thank you seems so inadequate, but a good start.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patrick Royce Prouty is a CPA, business consultant, and Harley-Davidson enthusiast. He and his wife live in Southern California. This is his first novel.
