WC iUniverse.com Special Event Novelist, Christopher Rice Tuesday, September 5 at 10pm ET
Simulcast on AOL, the 'Net and The Anne Rice Novel Photo Gallery
Intro: Anne Rice has thrilled audiences with her dark fiction for decades. Her husband, Stan Rice is a critically acclaimed poet. Now, a new voice emerges from the house of Rice. Christopher Rice presents, A DENSITY OF SOULS.
While Christopher follows in his mother's talented footsteps writing novel length fiction, he carves a fresh path all his own in this tale of murder and betrayal in New Orleans. He stopped by the WC iUniverse chat forums to discuss his life and his debut novel. Phylwriter, Bradley Kirkland, was our host. KellyMilnerH typed for Mr. Rice.
Phylwriter: Welcome to a very special chat with 21-year old Christopher Rice. After a brief stint at Brown University, a semester at NYU's School of the Arts and a year as a struggling screenwriter, Rice went home to New Orleans to help his mother recover from a diabetic coma. While in New Orleans, his short story about four kids growing up in one of the Big Easy's most affluent communities blossomed into a Novel. A DENSITY OF SOULS was published by Talk Miramax Books and Hyperion earlier this month. Everyone, please welcome Chris tonight! Chris, is there anything you would like to open up to our guests with, any opening remarks?
Christopher Rice: Good evening and thanks for having me. I am joining you from New Orleans tonight where it is 103 degrees and my air conditioning has gone out.
Phylwriter: Too hot. But thanks again for coming. Can you tell us a little about the book? And how is your mother -- Anne Rice - feeling now?
Christopher Rice: My mother is fine. She has amazingly normal blood sugars for a diabetic. As for more about the book, it follows four young people who grow up together in the Garden district, only to have their friendship torn apart when they enter an uptown, elitist private high school. We follow them into their late teens as they discover that a friend's suicide was anything but.
Phylwriter: The next question is a multiple part question ... straight to the nuts-and-bolts, so to speak. Through Stephen, you deal with the abuse of gay teenagers in a VERY straightforward manner. Why were you so direct? Did Matthew Sheppard's death influence you at all?
Christopher Rice: Yes, Matthew Sheppard's death did influence me. Many of the things that I had happen to Stephen never happened to me or anyone I knew. But I was always afraid that they would. I thought those fears were not real or valid until the death of Matthew Sheppard. Then I saw what hatred and homophobia could really do. But it's important to remember that at times, through out the book, Stephen is his own worst enemy. And his self-hatred does more damage than the hatred of others.
Phylwriter: From Hrd: Without spilling the secret, or giving away the story, what made you decide to end your book the way you did, instead of having the secret revealed?
Christopher Rice: Answering that WOULD force me to give away the secret of the book. So I'd like to quote screenwriter Ted Tally who once said, "All books and movies could benefit from a more tentative conclusion." I'm not a fan of "nice" neat and tidy endings. I believe there should be a suggestion of more beyond the final page.
Phylwriter: Chris, you definitely seem to be a student of the craft. IZA would like you know did you grow up wanting to be a writer?
Christopher Rice: NO, I did NOT. I grew up wanting to be an actor. In high school, all my ambitions were centered around the theater. I always wrote privately, but never believed that I would publish anything. Then I went away to Brown University and wasn't even called back for my first audition. I was CRUSHED. As a result, I withdrew from theater and went to work on screen writing, having no knowledge of the craft -- just a love of movies. After my first year at Brown, I decided to transfer to NYU, but found the program entirely too limited once I was there. I did end up falling in love with the screenplay as a medium.
Phylwriter: Sounds like a lot of changes. WorldApart would like to know how your life has changed since your book came out?
Christopher Rice: After leaving school, I spent several years directionless and drifting. With the book, all of the sudden my life had structure again, like I was back in school. The amount of attention the book is getting and the turnout at readings and signings has blown me away. I never expected it. And I thought the book would end up being a niche book for young readers or gay readers.
Phylwriter: Chris, Bmhs wonders it it's true there's a screenplay in the works for your book? Anything you can share with us?
Christopher Rice: No, it is not true. The book has an agency representing it in Hollywood. But there is nothing definite enough to even comment on. It is in the process of being shown to producers and directors.
Phylwriter: Chris, just for fun sake, if you could pick any screenwriter, who would you want to write it?
Christopher Rice: I'd pick a screenwriter named Tony Gilroy who adapted DOLORES CLAYBORNE.
Phylwriter: That was quite an adaptation, I agree. Chris, we have our first question from the Internet folks. Hanker asks, "Could you please tell me who your favorite writers are and what you learned from them?"
Christopher Rice: John Irving is my favorite writer, hands down. When I first read THE CIDER HOUSE RULES, it was like a light went on. It was my first experience with a novelist who was capable of moving a huge cast of characters over a vast expanse of time and still keep it intimate. He was a great inspiration.
Phylwriter: Here's an interesting question - not about the book. Vickie would like to know how spooky is your house at night?
Christopher Rice: At night, our house is VERY spooky. Our yard is even spookier and darker. But during the day, our house is warm and filled with people. And I've never seen a ghost here.
Phylwriter: A little philosophical question. You come from a family of writers. Do you believe part of your skill could be genetic? Are writers born or made?
Christopher Rice: I believe they are more made than born. I grew up in an atmosphere of story telling with two parents who were great storytellers. And I think I learned how to put narrative into every story that I tell from them.
Phylwriter: Here's another one from the web, a little long, but I think very personal, so I'll share the entire question. J_scoggins says, "This is Luke Kurtis. I really enjoyed DESTINY OF SOULS a LOT. It's definitely one of my favorite novels in a long time. I haven't heard you comment on your fathers work. Has his poetry and/or his paintings been an inspiration to you in any way?"
Christopher Rice: I adore my father's work. I believe he has the capacity to see what is magical about seemingly ordinary, everyday events. His depth of vision astounds me. And while I may attempt crazy, large story lines, I believe my language is more influenced by my father's work. I am always struggling with the concept of "less is more." But I believe my father has mastered that.
Phylwriter: I hope you don't mind the personal questions, but it seems as though you've connected with a lot of people. GlnnMor would like to know, "Did the death of your sister at such a young age affect your writing style?"
Christopher Rice: I think to find out you had a sibling that you never really knew makes you aware of death and its power very early in life. The fact that my parents kept it a secret from me when I was young has resulted in a fascination with secrets and why we keep them for as long as we do. That theme is heavily used throughout A DENSITY OF SOULS.
Phylwriter: Yes, back to the book. You kill off a very young character relatively early on. CRUSHING moment -- the sanitation truck. Was that a tough moment to write?
Christopher Rice: It was a horrible moment to write. At times, I considered changing it, because I found it so disturbing. But in the context of the story, the death of the young boy reflected how the high school community had lost its innocence and its confidence.
Phylwriter: Chris, we are swamped with questions tonight. Everyone is enjoying your company. Bmhs would like to know if you would shed any light on the second book?
Christopher Rice: Hmmmm....not that much beyond the fact that it is going to be a murder mystery set on a college campus in the Northeast. Its main characters will be a little bit older and more self-confident. And I hope that it will be a story about identity as opposed to allegiances.
Phylwriter: Some folks would like to talk about the business of writing. Lcarter asks, "What suggestions do you have for writers just starting out, writers trying to find an agent?"
Christopher Rice: In regards to my own experience, I have to be blunt and up-front and say that my mother's connections helped me secure an agent straight away. They did not help me get an editor, but they did help me get representation. So any advice I give beginning writers should be taken, that in mind. My advice is that writers strive to constantly put themselves in a position where they can be critiqued. Try to publish anywhere and everywhere -- from the Penny Press to the New Yorker. Expose yourself and make yourself vulnerable. You can disregard criticism, but you need to learn how to listen to it.
Phylwriter: Good advice. Another one from the Internet -- Dave would like to know what is the best way to reach you? Snail mail, e-mail, can you tell fans where to go?
Christopher Rice: Well, you can write to the house directly. We have a wonderful staff that helps sort the mail. But I read everything. That address is 1239 First Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. As of now, I haven't had the time to respond to the letters I've received. But I hope to. Also, the website has a way to reach me. It's www.densityofsouls.com.
Phylwriter: Thank you! Spikyboy20 says, "Chris babe you need to smile. Second, Christopher, do you feel that you have found your calling as a writer, or do you see yourself doing something different in 10 years?"
Christopher Rice: This guy . He's in every chat. I've already told you Spikyboy -- I don't smile because I don't like my teeth. As for finding my calling, I'm too young for that. Phylwriter: PatB wonders, "Does it bother you to be identified as the 'son of Anne,' or has that been a big help to you in getting publicity?" Christopher Rice: It bothers me if it's my only form of identification. I don't mind at all if it's included in a larger picture of who I am. I am proud of my mother and have no problem being linked to her. But I do have a problem being written off as an appendage of her. Phylwriter: Okay, one more personal question, then back to the book. Many are wondering, are you single? Christopher Rice: No. Phylwriter: Okay. In the book, you don't paint a very flattering picture of high school jocks and cheerleaders. There are thousands of kids who'll back you up on that perspective. But why you? Why did you take this stance? Christopher Rice: To me, the saddest thing about cheerleaders and jocks is that only a handful of them, if any, are going to be able to turn their primary high school hobby or passion into any kind of life or career. People in high school who are obsessed with those two fields often don't have the perspective to see beyond their senior years. (Editor' Note: In the audience, Player expresses his offense in response to Christopher's comments on jocks and cheerleaders and says many of his friends have gone on to be happy and successful.) Christopher Rice: To Player, I'm sure that's true for you. But most of the jocks and cheerleaders I went to school with did not. I don't want to enforce general stereo types. But MY work is informed by MY personal experiences. Phylwriter: From optrobin, "The book seems to naturally flow with the cadence of a movie. If you had the right of first casting, who would you choose to bring your book to life?" Christopher Rice: I would have a lot of trouble casting Stephen, because secretly, I want to play Stephen. Not so secretly anymore. I would cast Matt Damon as Jordan, Reese Witherspoon as Meredith, Susan Sarandon as Monica. Then, it gets tough. I think a good Elise would be an actress named Laurie Metcalf who played Rosanne Barr's sister Jackie. And Jeff would be Scott Wolf. Phylwriter: Speaking of Stephen, many have asked about how much of this book is autobiographical. Care to comment on that for us? Christopher Rice: None of it is autobiographical. I took an environment that I was familiar with and I turned up the temperature by 80 degrees. A lot of the book is speculation on what would have happened if. But I've never lived through a cataclysmic hurricane. And no bar that I've visited has ever been bombed. Phylwriter: Could you tell us how many hours you write per day and what hours in the day is your favorite to write? Christopher Rice: My favorite time to write is late at night, after the world has kind of shut down. I do not measure hours. All I have to do is satisfy my need to advance the characters. That can happen in 8 hours or 3 hours. Phylwriter: What was it like growing up with two parents who write? Harison would like to know. And did they have any influence on your writing commitment? Christopher Rice: I think we already covered that. But to refresh, the most important aspect of growing up with two writers is to inherit a tradition of storytelling. Phylwriter: Cladduh would like to know, do you find that you have a younger audience, or is it more spread out? Christopher Rice: I'm surprised by the diversity of people showing up at my readings -- gay men of all ages, women of all ages especially, mothers and teenagers. But I think the book's major audience is young people just out of high school who are trying to figure out how important their high school experience was. Is it something they should forget? Or is it a large part of who they are? People still facing those questions are the ones most likely to respond to the book. Phylwriter: Rdsrar liked the hurricane near the end, and thought it was symbolic to the building anger and rage through out the book. Was that your intent? Christopher Rice: Yes, it was my intent. In a large part, the hurricane was supposed to be a kind of punishment -- as if the earth itself was rebelling against the collective wrongs of the characters. Also, it was necessary to provide the character of Brandon with a cover. Phylwriter: Hrd2SayGby would like me to remind you of the mailing list they started for you. To join, people just need to send a BLANK email to: allthingschristopherrice-subscribe@egroups.com . We're reaching the end of the hour, and we still have many questions left. Would you mind answering one or two more for us? Christopher Rice: No that's fine. I'll answer a few more, definitely. Phylwriter: Thank you. KariB2U would like to know if you ever had a time when the characters didn't seem to move forward fast enough? If so, what did you do? Christopher Rice: The character of Meredith had that very problem. And I figured out that it was because the book itself had one too many characters. I had created a character that was doing all the things that Meredith should have been doing, almost as if I were afraid to give Meredith responsibility. By eliminating that extra character, I was able to bring Meredith to life. Phylwriter: IZA would like to know if you have a favorite book of your mother's? Christopher Rice: THE WITCHING HOUR. It was inspired by a period that I was present for, namely moving to New Orleans and into the house where we live - the fictional home of the Mayfair Witches. Phylwriter: Did you grow up in Louisiana? Christopher Rice: I was born in San Francisco and we lived there until I was ten. Then we moved to New Orleans. Phylwriter: Maybe you could come visit us again, Chris, we have so many more questions. But for now, the last one. Kari would like to know if you ever considered writing under a pen name? Christopher Rice: I did consider it briefly. But my pride won out. And for Tracey, who I'm told always asks about workspaces -- my desk is cramped. Right now there is a pile of fan mail, which I need to read through. And I hate to admit that I'm a smoker, so there are ashes all over the desk. I have a view out to oak trees and surrounding houses in the Garden District. I see wonderful sunsets. Phylwriter: Nice. We're very glad you came tonight. Would you like to say any parting words? Christopher Rice: I think we covered everything. Thank you for having me. Chats are always a thrill. They are more engaging and alive than any other type of interview. Phylwriter: I couldn't agree more! Everyone, please thank Chris for this wonderful evening! Thank you. Christopher Rice: Goodnight everyone, and thanks again.
Phylwriter: PatB wonders, "Does it bother you to be identified as the 'son of Anne,' or has that been a big help to you in getting publicity?"
Christopher Rice: It bothers me if it's my only form of identification. I don't mind at all if it's included in a larger picture of who I am. I am proud of my mother and have no problem being linked to her. But I do have a problem being written off as an appendage of her.
Phylwriter: Okay, one more personal question, then back to the book. Many are wondering, are you single?
Christopher Rice: No.
Phylwriter: Okay. In the book, you don't paint a very flattering picture of high school jocks and cheerleaders. There are thousands of kids who'll back you up on that perspective. But why you? Why did you take this stance?
Christopher Rice: To me, the saddest thing about cheerleaders and jocks is that only a handful of them, if any, are going to be able to turn their primary high school hobby or passion into any kind of life or career. People in high school who are obsessed with those two fields often don't have the perspective to see beyond their senior years.
(Editor' Note: In the audience, Player expresses his offense in response to Christopher's comments on jocks and cheerleaders and says many of his friends have gone on to be happy and successful.)
Christopher Rice: To Player, I'm sure that's true for you. But most of the jocks and cheerleaders I went to school with did not. I don't want to enforce general stereo types. But MY work is informed by MY personal experiences.
Phylwriter: From optrobin, "The book seems to naturally flow with the cadence of a movie. If you had the right of first casting, who would you choose to bring your book to life?"
Christopher Rice: I would have a lot of trouble casting Stephen, because secretly, I want to play Stephen. Not so secretly anymore. I would cast Matt Damon as Jordan, Reese Witherspoon as Meredith, Susan Sarandon as Monica. Then, it gets tough. I think a good Elise would be an actress named Laurie Metcalf who played Rosanne Barr's sister Jackie. And Jeff would be Scott Wolf.
Phylwriter: Speaking of Stephen, many have asked about how much of this book is autobiographical. Care to comment on that for us?
Christopher Rice: None of it is autobiographical. I took an environment that I was familiar with and I turned up the temperature by 80 degrees. A lot of the book is speculation on what would have happened if. But I've never lived through a cataclysmic hurricane. And no bar that I've visited has ever been bombed.
Phylwriter: Could you tell us how many hours you write per day and what hours in the day is your favorite to write?
Christopher Rice: My favorite time to write is late at night, after the world has kind of shut down. I do not measure hours. All I have to do is satisfy my need to advance the characters. That can happen in 8 hours or 3 hours.
Phylwriter: What was it like growing up with two parents who write? Harison would like to know. And did they have any influence on your writing commitment?
Christopher Rice: I think we already covered that. But to refresh, the most important aspect of growing up with two writers is to inherit a tradition of storytelling.
Phylwriter: Cladduh would like to know, do you find that you have a younger audience, or is it more spread out?
Christopher Rice: I'm surprised by the diversity of people showing up at my readings -- gay men of all ages, women of all ages especially, mothers and teenagers. But I think the book's major audience is young people just out of high school who are trying to figure out how important their high school experience was. Is it something they should forget? Or is it a large part of who they are? People still facing those questions are the ones most likely to respond to the book.
Phylwriter: Rdsrar liked the hurricane near the end, and thought it was symbolic to the building anger and rage through out the book. Was that your intent?
Christopher Rice: Yes, it was my intent. In a large part, the hurricane was supposed to be a kind of punishment -- as if the earth itself was rebelling against the collective wrongs of the characters. Also, it was necessary to provide the character of Brandon with a cover.
Phylwriter: Hrd2SayGby would like me to remind you of the mailing list they started for you. To join, people just need to send a BLANK email to: allthingschristopherrice-subscribe@egroups.com . We're reaching the end of the hour, and we still have many questions left. Would you mind answering one or two more for us?
Christopher Rice: No that's fine. I'll answer a few more, definitely.
Phylwriter: Thank you. KariB2U would like to know if you ever had a time when the characters didn't seem to move forward fast enough? If so, what did you do?
Christopher Rice: The character of Meredith had that very problem. And I figured out that it was because the book itself had one too many characters. I had created a character that was doing all the things that Meredith should have been doing, almost as if I were afraid to give Meredith responsibility. By eliminating that extra character, I was able to bring Meredith to life.
Phylwriter: IZA would like to know if you have a favorite book of your mother's?
Christopher Rice: THE WITCHING HOUR. It was inspired by a period that I was present for, namely moving to New Orleans and into the house where we live - the fictional home of the Mayfair Witches.
Phylwriter: Did you grow up in Louisiana?
Christopher Rice: I was born in San Francisco and we lived there until I was ten. Then we moved to New Orleans.
Phylwriter: Maybe you could come visit us again, Chris, we have so many more questions. But for now, the last one. Kari would like to know if you ever considered writing under a pen name?
Christopher Rice: I did consider it briefly. But my pride won out. And for Tracey, who I'm told always asks about workspaces -- my desk is cramped. Right now there is a pile of fan mail, which I need to read through. And I hate to admit that I'm a smoker, so there are ashes all over the desk. I have a view out to oak trees and surrounding houses in the Garden District. I see wonderful sunsets.
Phylwriter: Nice. We're very glad you came tonight. Would you like to say any parting words?
Christopher Rice: I think we covered everything. Thank you for having me. Chats are always a thrill. They are more engaging and alive than any other type of interview.
Phylwriter: I couldn't agree more! Everyone, please thank Chris for this wonderful evening! Thank you.
Christopher Rice: Goodnight everyone, and thanks again.