VIRAL BLUES - C. S. BOYACK — Martin Matthews

Viral Blues

Someone knows about the hat. The creature from another dimension that helps Lizzie fight against the creatures of darkness.

They are summoned to a cryptic meeting with a secret society, where they meet other people with enhanced skills. It turns out someone, or something, has been tampering with the world's vaccine supply. The goal doesn't appear to be political or financial, but biblical pestilence.

Can this group of loners come together in time to make a difference when even the proper authorities are obstacles?

This week, I’d like to welcome writer and blogger C. S. Boyack to MartinMatthewsWrites.

Thanks for inviting me, Martin.

Quite welcome. Before we jump into your new book, Viral Blues, tell us a little about yourself.

I like to tell everyone I grew up in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not actually that old, but my hometown is hundreds of miles from anywhere that resembles a city. People used to ride horses on the city streets when I was a kid.

We used to go out in the country and were a hundred miles from the nearest telephone. Even getting a radio station in the truck was questionable at best. I’m glad I grew up this way, and I have a neat perspective on fending for myself. You can bet I apply that to my characters, too.

We live in Boise, Idaho now, but that isn’t really a big city to most people. We still like to get out in the woods with our camper and two bulldogs.

I’m just glad Idaho is still private. Tell us a little about your latest book, Viral Blues.

This started out as a sequel to a book called “The Hat.” It’s my best selling and best reviewed title. This one has two “characters” who form a symbiotic relationship that allows them to fight against the forces of darkness.

Lizzie and the Hat get invited to a cryptic meeting, and someone knows about the Hat. He’s a being from another dimension who helps her fight against things that go bump in the night.

This meeting reveals there are more people with “special” skills, and they’re up against something pretty terrible. The nation’s vaccine supply has been compromised, and there are supernatural clues all over the evidence.

This is a team-up story involving characters I’ve previously written. Because it’s intended to be a sequel to The Hat, I filled it with dark humor and snark.

Snark is the glue that holds some books together! And speaking of vaccines, I just got my flu shot yesterday. Call me a baby, but my arm hurt like a sonofagun all day. Anyhoo, I like the sound of Lizzie and this Hat fella. Tell us a little more about the players in this game.

I’ve already talked about Lizzie and the Hat, but I brought in some of my most popular characters to become part of this team. Clovis is a retired thug for hire, and his girlfriend is a Voodoo practitioner. Jason Fogg had a science fiction based accident, and now he can turn himself into vapor to enter virtually anywhere. You’re familiar with Lisa Burton, the robot girl. She’s also one of the major characters in this tale.

I used other characters to flesh out the story, including Dr. Gina Greybill. She is the head of a secret society that also fights against supernatural forces. She is infected by a parasite that allows her to see across the veil. I used her as the cryptic leader that brings them all together.

I totally dig the idea of Jason Fogg — it gives me some Castlevania Symphony of the Night vibes. And yes, who doesn’t love Lisa Burton, our favorite basic pleasure model turned radio host? Seems like you’re not hurting for imagination here. Where did the idea for Viral Blues come from?

It began as a sequel for The Hat. The idea of recycling some of the other characters wouldn’t leave me alone, and after dedicating some thought to the process, I decided it worked pretty well.

The fun part was taking characters from science fiction and paranormal tales, then finding a way to use them in a common tale. Some of these characters were super popular, so if they appear, they needed page time. I don’t think fans of any of the characters are going to feel gypped. In the end, I decided if Marvel and DC can do it, so can I.

Yeah, because Marvel and DC definitely have a thing where they use characters and make a lot of money. Like, a lot. But in all seriousness, your writing tends to lean more toward the larger-than-life, right?

This really is character driven fiction, and with over-the-top personalities, it was a lot of fun putting them in the same room. I also had to allow for some of their traits to shine through, whether that is Lisa’s shopping habit, or the fact that Lizzie and the Hat also front a cover band to make a living. I had to give a nod to the fact that Jason Fogg is married, but I didn’t bog down the story with those details.

So, going out on a limb here, but I’m assuming there’s no deeper message hiding in the narrative?

Heck, no! I’m here to blow stuff up, use over-the-top personalities to deliver snarky comments, and have a great time. My idea of something for Halloween is more Ash Williams or Elvira than Jason Voorhees or Chuckie.

Come along for the ride, and I think you’re going to have fun.

Groovy! Okay, so who or what are some of your biggest influences?

I have a pretty varied list, so I’ll try to stay focused. You can see a love for comics in Viral Blues. Deep down in it’s gooey center, this is a superhero type story.

I also like a good joke, and try never to take myself too seriously. I’m into Zombieland, Army of Darkness, Sean of the Dead, that kind of thing.

Lizzie and the Pythons are the cover band. I had a great time searching for bluesy rocking tunes for the band to play.

Finally, I grew up in an era of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Charles Bronson. I’m not afraid to let my characters be badasses, or get things done by brute force. Once you meet Clovis, you’ll understand completely.

I think Clovis is my new BFF. What are you currently reading?

A lot of people are working on short stories these days, and I love them. I recently read one called Voodoo or Destiny, by Jan Sikes, and one called Red Eyes in the Darkness, by D. L. Finn. I gave them both five star reviews.

Recently a friend sent me one called The Graveyard Girl and the Boneyard Boy. Sounds perfect for my Halloween reading list.

I hear that last one is something else. Are you working on another novel? Can you tell us anything about it?

I’m always working on something. 2019 is my year of sequels, something I’ve never dabbled with. Voyage of the Lanternfish is becoming a trilogy. I published the first one on New Year’s Day. I have a supporting novella finished and ready to go after Halloween. I’m also part way through the second book in the trilogy. This one is a pirate fantasy, and also has humorous moments.

Aside from that, I love a good stand-alone novel. I’m part way through a cyberpunk tale that ought to be available in 2020.

Continuing with the sequel concept, Lanternfish is in process, and I have several more stories outlined for Lizzie and the Hat.

What’s next for Lizzie and the Hat?

Glad you asked. I have a storyboard (my preferred outline method) for some classic monsters. One for another kind of classic monster, then we’re going to revisit the witchcraft that trapped the hat here in the first place. That one might also explore the dual personality caused by symbiosis with another entity. I also have a loose idea for a saint that is anything but what you imagine a saint to be.

I’ve never been a series kind of guy, but I’m kind of into it now that it’s happening.

Well, it’s that time again. Have to say, it’s been a blast catching up with you and getting to know a little more about your amazing cast of characters. I’m going to check out this series right away, along with your back catalogue. Can’t wait to dive in. C. S. Boyack, thanks for your time today.

Pleasure stopping by. Thanks for checking out the interview, and I hope everyone will give Viral Blues a chance.