by Ed Gross
Author of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula and Midnight Brunch, Marta Acosta was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. At six, she learned to read and she liked it so much that she still reads today. She remembers her excitement when she was seven and her father brought home a box of used books. Growing up with three brothers, Marta learned how to throw a ball, how to express her opinion, and how to tell a joke.
She received a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Stanford University and is a frequent contributor of humor, gardening and design columns to the San Francisco Chronicle and The Contra Costa Newspapers. She’s had too many jobs to recall, none of which she enjoyed as much as writing at home.
Marta lives with her husband and son. An avid gardener, she likes independent films, funny novel, loud music and lively conversation. Hopefully she counts this interview with Vampires & Slayers as fitting into that category.
VAMPIRES & SLAYERS: As a lifelong fan of vampires myself (as a kid I used to watch Dark Shadows every afternoon after school), I'm curious what it is about the vampire genre that appeals to you.
MARTA ACOSTA: Paranormal stories allow you to follow characters who are trying to deal with crazy things, yet not able to seek the usual recourse. You can’t go to the cops and say, “Hey, there was this undead bloodsucker floating outside my window last night and I’d like to file a restraining order.” Characters must use their wiles, imagination, and courage in dealing with deadly situations. As a writer, there’s the challenge of creating a believable and intriguing world where vampires exist. I think vampires have a particular appeal because they’re creepy – but we can still identify with them. We are drawn to their power, immortality, and the intimacy and violence of their feeding.
