I don’t plot much in advance. Many of the big turning points in the books have been the result of spur-of-the-moment revelations. I’m always scattering seed in the field, though I’m never sure which will spring up and which will die in the ground. To me, that’s the fun of writing. Of course, sometimes instead of scattering seed, I’m planting land mines to blow up in my face in the future.

How much of Sookie’s personality is a reflection of yours, or is she more like an alter ego?

—JESSICA SMITH

There are definitely elements of Sookie in me—or, more correctly, there are elements of me in her. I think there’s a sliver of me in all my characters. I wish I were as brave as she is!

Is there any limit to the animals Sam can shift into? Can he shift into creatures that are more than one animal (like a hippogriff, perhaps)?

—PATRICIA RUOCCO

Sam can’t shift into mythical animals, and he refuses to shift into the form of another human being. To a true shifter, that’s a disgusting perversion. True shifters almost invariably stick to mammals when they choose their animal form, and most of them have a favorite.

Are some of the minor characters based on people you know/knew?

—SANDRA RUSSELL

The correct answer is, not entirely. I pick up on bits and pieces of people as I go through life: a physical trait, a speech habit, a character flaw or strength. I build my minor characters (though no character is really minor) based on an accumulation of observations.

Bubba seems to like keeping to himself, but I imagine he can get lonely at times. Would he ever consider creating a companion by turning one of those cats he’s so fond of?

—LINDSEY NEELY

I got a lot of questions about Bubba, so let me just condense this answer. (Animals can’t become vampires in my mythology, by the way.) Bubba does like to keep to himself. He still loves to perform, when he’s in the mood, but he hates to be reminded of his former status, so characters don’t mention his life name. Most vampires have gone through several names since they died, since they’re constantly reinventing themselves, by the way. They had to, before they were able to come out of the coffin. But Bubba will stick to Bubba.

How long did Eric know about Bill’s “mission” to seduce Sookie for Sophie-Anne ? And why didn’t he arrange for her to find out about it earlier?

—LADA KYST