Meet Some Good Peeps: Charles O'Keefe

October and chilly already!  Today we shall have a chat with the man who brought our very own Newfoundland Vampires to life.  Charles O'Keefe is a self published writer who puts a local spin on vampires. A great lover of music, gaming and animals he writes from the heart and that comes through in his novels. 

So Charlie...

Q: Where are you from?

A: I'm from here, Newfoundland, born in St. John's but have lived almost all my life in CBS.

Q: Why do you do what you do?

A: I really love writing, I find it both relaxing and rewarding to engage in. I also love to receive feedback and talk to new people about my books and writing in general.

Q:Who/what inspires you?  (In relation to your craft? )

A: I guess initially a friend of mine writing a book was an inspiration. Now it's my for my own sense of accomplishment and some recognition. I hope that my writing makes a difference in some people's lives and maybe even raises awareness of a few issues.

Q: What is your favourite part of your craft/process? What takes the longest?

A: When I initially plot out a book, that's a lot of fun. When I can clearly see in my mind what will happen in a scene/chapter and it just flies onto the page, that's another great moment that I really
get into.
The least favorite would be the editing afterwords, fixing grammar is tedious and taking out stuff I really like is never fun but it's all part of the process. For book 1 I spent more time editing than writing, for book 2 it's the promotional activities that take the most time.

Q: What do you think craft means to NL?

A: I think Newfoundlanders are very talented and that crafts are an important part of our culture. Whether it's a homemade sweater or the favorite dessert  your grandmother made these are part of most people's childhood (who live here I mean). The fact that so many wonderful craftspeople live and work in Newfoundland speaks well our heritage/culture and the sense of pride Newfoundlanders have.

Q: Words to live by?

A: "Above all else, to thine ownself be true" Shakespeare

Q: Do you have any pets? What kind and what are their names?

A: I have two cats I love very much. Jude (male black cat) and Esther (oranage tabby) Jude is actually in my newest book :-)

A: Youngsters?

Q: Nope, no kids, I had a vasectomy too so I'm not having any. I enjoy my freedom, free time and my sleep too much for them. Being an uncle is plenty for me =)

Q: Favourite food?

A: I would pick oranges right off the vine. For homemade there is nothing I love more than pumpkin-chocolate chip/nut cookies (very hard to get right and almost no one makes them, hint! ;) )

Charlie will be in attendance at Some Good Market in Makinsons October 12 and in St. John's at Some Good Market Goes to Town - Happy First Anniversary October 19.

He can also be reached in the following ways:

http://www.charlesokeefe.com/

http://twitter.com/#!/TheNLVampire

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=826155483

thenlvampire@gmail.com