Writer’s block isn’t a problem for Caridad Piñeiro, who has written 14 novels while working as a partner at the law firm of Abelman, Frayne & Schwab. She’s a specialist in intellectual property, but she explores different genres with her paranormal, suspense, and women’s fiction stories. She moves comfortably from the gritty streets of New York in her vampire novels to the sultry hotspots of Miami in her South Beach Chicas’ books. She’ll even head into the Amazon Rainforest for an upcoming paranormal called Moon Fever.

Caridad, who also teaches workshops and attends conferences and conventions, found the time to talk to the Biting-Edge about the exciting new release, Blood Calls, in her vampire series, The Calling.

Marta: You're a full-time attorney as well as a prolific writer of paranormal novels, romantic suspense, and contemporary fiction. Do you think that your education and experience as a lawyer affects your writing style and choice of themes?

Caridad: I definitely think that my training as an attorney has helped with my writing. As an attorney, you're taught to think about the logical progression of the argument you are presenting and that training is a real help when you are creating a plot since it is basically the same thing -- following a logical progression of steps to reach a believable conclusion.

So far though, my career as an attorney hasn't influenced the themes in my novels, although some would say there's not much difference between vampires and lawyers since both are bloodsuckers. Seriously though, I have had characters who were attorneys and when I did that, I tried to include real life issues that female attorneys sometimes face.

Marta: You write in a variety of genres, and I wonder if you have a favorite? Do you decide what's next, or do you get guidance from your agent or publisher?

Caridad: I would have to say that the paranormals seem to appeal to me on various levels. I find that melding real life issues with the otherworldly aspects of the paranormal world let me explore the darkness of the characters and I enjoy those grittier aspects. However, it's tough being dark all the time and my women's fiction novels help me get away from that and explore the humorous side of my personality. As for deciding what to do next, my agent and I stay abreast of what's happening in the publishing world and we discuss the projects that I'm mulling over. We decide where the market is headed and which of my projects are not only right for the market, but which projects display the strongest aspects of my writing.

Marta: Who are the writers who've influenced you? Are you also influenced by movies, television, or art?

Caridad: I'm influenced by a number of writers and also, television shows and motion pictures. I'm very much a media junkie and find that the time I spend either reading or watching will oftentimes inspire new ideas. In fact, I usually am watching television when I write since I find the visual stimulation helps me a lot with my work.

Marta: What do you think is the allure of paranormal stories? Can you tell us a little about they way you came up with the rules for your paranormal stories?

Caridad: I think paranormal stories are inherently based on the universal struggle between good and evil. That battle appeals to all of us and involves us in the story since we want to see good prevail. As for the rules for my paranormal world, I started off by researching some of the more popular vampire mythologies. After establishing which rules were
hard and fast and which I could bend, I started crafting my own mythology. Being a science geek, I gave my vampire world a scientific basis that has emerged in a number of the novels (like Danger Calls) and will be developed slowly over the course of the upcoming novels.

Marta: You're writing stories featuring smart, successful, appealing Latinas. Is there something you want to say about your culture by using these characters?

Caridad: I want to say that Latinas are part of the mainstream and are smart, successful women. I think that does a number of things for not only Latinas, but for all women. First it demonstrates that women have attained many goals that a generation ago were harder to reach. Second, I hope it inspires younger women to reach for their dreams by portraying empowered women, many of whom have overcome hardship to get where they are. Last, but not least, the fact that they are Latinas helps to build awareness of Latina culture to many. Hopefully with that awareness will come the realization that we are all not that different.

Marta: Tell us a little about a normal day for you.

Caridad: I usually get up around 5 a.m. in the morning to get ready for work. As you previously mentioned, I still have a full-time job as a lawyer in Manhattan. By 6 a.m. I'm on a train to New York City. During the train ride, I'm almost always at work on my laptop, writing a story (I probably owe NJ Transit a dedication one of these days). When I get to NYC, I walk to my office. It's a nice way to clear my head and get ready for work.

At the end of the day, it's a walk back to the train station where I plot out what I will work on during the trip home. At night, I usually relax with my family unless I've got a pressing deadline or promo materials to create. Weekends are when I do the bulk of my writing, normally 3 or 4 hours on Saturday and Sunday.

Marta: Okay, you have one supernatural ability: what is it and why?

Caridad: Only one? Since I'm afraid of heights and flying, it would probably be great to have the ability to fly. Hopefully that would let me overcome those fears.

Marta: What are we going to see next from you?

Caridad: Blood Calls, May 2007, is the next installment of The Calling. Starting in December, The Calling will continue with a Christmas vampire novella titled Fate Calls and after that, there will be three other novels in The Calling novels in 2008/9. I'll also have a romantic suspense, Secret Agent Reunion, in August 2007 and my edgy women's fiction, South Beach Chicas Catch Their Man, in September 2007. I love switching from one genre to the next because I find that it helps keep my writing fresh.

Marta: Is there anything else you'd like to tell readers?

Caridad: I love to hear from readers who can visit me at either http://www.caridad.com/ or http://www.thecallingvampirenovels.com./ I have a monthly contest for readers and they can subscribe to my newsletter and be automatically entered in each monthly contest by sending an e-mail to caridadpineiro-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.