I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for thirty-one years and to keep insanity at bay, I took up writing. Not to worry. The insanity isn’t catching – much. Other than the addiction to chocolate and the twitch in my left eye, I’m good. I’ve had my weird but true stories published in newspapers and magazines. My first book was The Ghost Wore Polyester, a murder mystery/comedy set in Sedona, Arizona. Just My Luck, a science fiction romance, was reviewed by Chris at Night Owl Romance and received four out of five hearts. Lisa at Joyfully Reviewed called it an incredibly fun read. My new book The Warlord’s Comeuppance, is the second in the series about the Coletti Warlords. I’m currently working on The Nasty Vamp, a fantasy. I’ve also worked with producer, Bonnie Forbes of Fortress Features on several reality TV series.
Questions and Answers:
What inspired you to write your first book?
I started writing in 1985. I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea of what a real emergency is. Take this for an example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am, but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone, I took up writing.
What book am I reading now?
Karin Tabke’s Master of Craving. I read to escape (the psychotic neighbors) and I love a good historical where the good guy’s a bit on the scary side. Ya know, the big bad. And the love of the right woman turns him into a big ole’ pussy cat, with teeth.
What are your current projects?
I’m currently working on The Nasty Vamp. 911 Magazine is also publishing Reflections of a Demented Dispatcher, my true life story of the thirty-one years I worked as a 9-1-1 dispatcher and all the wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre behavior and outrageous demands I dealt with. The History of 911 was published in April by 911 Magazine.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
The Nasty Vamp is a paranormal romance. Here’s a little preview:
All I wanted was to be a normal teenage girl whose biggest worry was what to wear to her sixteenth birthday party. I needed for a few hours to forget about my mother’s murder and the monsters that inhabit the night. With all my heart I wished for a little romance, for a man who could make me forget the bloodshed and death. I longed for a prince charming who would sweep me off my feet and kiss me under the stars. Then fate kicked me in the teeth and granted my wish.
My perfect Prince Charming turned out to be a vampire. If I hadn’t been so blasted drunk I might have noticed his fangs a bit sooner. Not when they were buried in my neck and the super nova of orgasms was tearing through me
I had given my virginity to Ian McGregor, a master vampire who knew I would become a slayer on my sixteenth birthday. The bastard had deliberately lured me to his bed to take my powers. Only Uncle Fester’s timely intervention saved my life.
My dreams shattered and in a royal snit I tracked McGregor down and blew up a garage full of his expensive antique automobiles. Big mistake but who knew a Highland warrior that had been turned way back in 1186 would be so rabid about his cars?
I certainly didn’t need Uncle Fester’s snarky comment that riling up a master vampire was about as smart as whacking on a hornet’s nest with a stick. You’re gonna get bit, repeatedly.
Uncle Fester dragged me to a creepy old witch and held me down while the bitch magically welded an Amalfi Medallion to my neck. I was now stuck with a freakin’ silver dog collar complete with spikes and weird carvings. The Amalfi would supposedly protect me from McGregor. What I really needed was something to protect me from Aunt Tessa.
After a two hour lecture on the stupidity of spreading my legs for a vampire, Aunt Tessa promptly shipped me off to Alfred school. Where I could put my talent for blowing stuff up to good use and the instructors would teach me some badly needed discipline.
Since I could no longer be a slayer, it was a good fit. Alfreds are weapons, explosives and surveillance experts.
My name is Ann Dragos but everyone calls me Bunny. I got stuck with this swell nickname because I look so cute and cuddly. Gag me. My psychic abilities are the only reason I’m still breathing. My mom was forced to drink from a vampire when she was pregnant with me and that transfusion has given me some pretty nifty powers.
Powers the nasty vamp couldn’t take away. I’m telepathic which lets me eavesdrop on all of McGregor’s dirty little plans and stay a step ahead of him. My ace in the hole is I can’t be mesmerized and forced to do their bidding. This allows me to get up close and personal with my Mister Pointy. Another gift is the ability to read auras and sense any supernatural beings within a mile of me. Since vampires are freakishly fast, it gives me enough time to set up my booby traps and fry their asses.
McGregor placed a million dollar bounty on my head and five years later still actively hunts me. I guess I should quit blowing up his cars.
How long does it take you to write a book?
My first book, The Ghost Wore Polyester, took a year. My second, Just My Luck, came to me in a dream. Scout’s honor, a dream. A dream, that wouldn’t go away until I wrote it. I whipped that sucker out in about six months. I have a really vivid imagination but most folks just think I’m nuts. Hey, you work 9-1-1 for thirty-one years and see how sane you are.
What animal do you think makes the best pet and why?
Dogs, of course. They’re love on four legs and no matter how bad your day has been they always greet you with a kiss. Hey, a girl’s got to get it somewhere.
Do you hate how you look in pictures? Why or why not?
Ewwwww. All those wrinkles! I know I earned everyone of them, but yikes. Scary! And it’s little depressing when the men running shrieking in the opposite direction. Aw c’mon, I got a bag over my head, what more do they want?
What’s my strangest habit?
Talking to myself. It’s a dispatcher thing. Okay, it’s also a sign of insanity, but we won’t go there.
When you looked in the mirror this morning, what was the first thing you thought?
Eeeeek! Another wrinkle!
If you could wish for anything, what would it be?
World Peace. Oh wait, that’s the Miss USA thing. I’d really love to go back to Australia and do the Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock.