We’ve tried something a bit different with Ms. Rene Lyons author of the fabulous Templar Knights series. We were able to conduct the interview via IM. The format is definitely different than what you may be used to, but it sure was fun.

Serena: FAR would like to welcome Rene Lyons tonight. She has been very gracious in allowing me to stalk, er talk with her tonight via IM.

Rene Lyons: Hi Serena. Thank you so much for having me! I looked forward to coming back to you guys for another interview. I always have fun here with you all.

Serena: So, Templar Knights, do tell all.

Rene Lyons: Ah. My Templars. They are a group of five Templar Knights who were damned by God as vampires in 1310. Sebastian of Rydon is the voice of reason. Constantine Draegon is the fiercest one of the bunch. Lucian of Penwick is all that’s noble. Raphael de Vere is the devil-may-care one. And then we have Tristan Beaumont, who is the leader and the one who bears the burden of their damnation the most.

Serena: We've met Sebastian in Midnight Sun, Constantine in Daystar, and Lucien is hiding in the wings in Tempting Darkness. What is it about immortal men with swords that does it?

Rene Lyons: If I had to list everything that appeals to me about an immortal warrior we’d be here all night. Let me just say that a man who’s strong enough and fierce enough to wield a sword is majestic and beautiful. And I get to spend my time writing about them! lol

Serena: I've noticed that while the books are about the same group of men, there's still a distinct voice to each. Is it hard to continue a series and keep it original?

Rene Lyons: I couldn’t even imagine not writing a series. I love to revisit my characters. For me, it’s like going “home”.

The voice is different with each book because each Templar is different. Who they are sets the tone for their book even more than the plot or the complete cast of characters. In fact, I’ve already begun Eternal Sin, which is Raphael’s book. Though the story is just as dark as the others, Raphael is the drop of humor in the Templar’s world. His book reflects that.

Serena: Ok, so, there's Sage, Rogue, Dragon, Knight, and Guardian. Their nicknames are fabulous windows into their characters, but they all have a degree of angst to them. I found Constantine's past to be the hardest to read. When you came up with this series, did you have it all plotted out beforehand? Backstory and all?

Rene Lyons: I’m actually a seat of the pants writer. I rarely plot out anything. When the series came to me, it came in the form of these incredible warriors. They represent pieces of my own personality, so when I looked into myself I saw them. Their appearances came next. Once I had that clear in my mind Midnight Sun began to play out like a movie in my mind. Each night as I wrote it I saw another scene and wrote what I “saw” the next morning. The same thing happened with the other books. It’s how I’ve always done things. It amazes me that I can retain the books in my head when I’m really pretty flighty in my every day life. lol

Serena: Well, being a stay at home mom of a rambunctious 2 year old does tend to make life a bit, frantic. How do you balance your home life with your writing?

Rene Lyons: When my daughter was younger it was easier for me to write in the morning. Now that she’s older and is learning the world around her she needs me more. I’ve taken to writing sporadically at best in the morning. I use that time to do promo and mundane tasks so that my nights are freed up to write. I put her to bed around seven and write from that time to about eleven. I’m sure as she gets older and life around us changes, my writing schedule will change again. I’m fine with that. As long as I get in some writing almost every day I’m good.

Serena: Do you find it hard to write detailed erotic scenes when your daughter or husband are in the room? I had heard a rumor about a silly little issue you have with a word. Can you tell us?

Rene Lyons: You’re evil, Serena! Okay, I have an issue with the word “nipple”. To me, it’s a ridiculous word. I can’t use it when I write because I feel silly using it. I have no idea why. All I can say in my defense is everyone has a “thing” and the word “nipple” is mine. I also make no bones about being a bit, um, weird.

As for writing a sex scene with my daughter running around, I save those for after I’ve put everyone to bed for the night and it’s just me and my muse. Although, there have been times when I had to write one and I had the Teletubbies or the Wiggles playing in the background while my daughter danced around the living room. Thank God for my friend Mandie. Without her I’d never have been able to do those scenes justice.

Serena: So, the Templar Knights are only one of the many stories that have been whirling in your mind, aren't they? Any info you can spill on the Fallen Angels or The Order?

Rene Lyons: The Order of the Rose is a sisterhood of vampire who, in life, were the unwanted and the unloved. I’ll begin writing them once I finish Blood Covenant—which is the fifth book of the Templar Series. I can’t wait to dive into their world. It will be an experience to say the least to be with them for a while in their world of blood and shadows.

The Seraphim are three short stories about three fallen angels who fell to Earth to guard stones that hold the hearts of three demons. The number three is significant to this series, as three is the number of the Holy Trinity.

Serena: Now, do your family and friends know that you write romance?

Rene Lyons: Of course they do! They're my biggest fans.

Serena: That is SO cool! Do you have a certain way that you write, er other than by the seat of your pants? Does your tea have to be in the perfect place? Child quietly (giggle) watching whatever is on TV, or is it whenever it hits, it HITS?

Rene Lyons: I used to be able to write in the middle of a hurricane. Now? Not so much. In the morning I’m more or less resigned to writing in the middle of chaos. Come the night I need things to be quiet and peaceful or else I lose my train of thought.

I also need to write to music. I have certain playlists for each book. The Templars, though, have one main song that never fails to draw me into their world: The Price by Twisted Sister.

Serena: I know we've had the whole 'geek' conversation, but I gotta bring it out into the open. Original series? or Next Generation?

Rene Lyons: Next Genration, of course! I have a serious thing for Jean Luc Piccard. But then I also have a massive crush on Stephen King... lol

Serena: Um, see, you say Stephen King and do I think of his books? No, I think of his performance in Creepshow...."Meteor sh...." Sorry, sidetracked there. Ok, are there any particular things you like to do to unwind?

Rene Lyons: No, not really. I love to play Caesar 3 when I need a quick get-a-way. Or I like to get lost in an epic movie (Gladiator or Braveheart work wonders!).

And I loved my boy in Creepshow

Serena: What do you see happening in your future. Say five years down the line?

Rene Lyons: I hope that in five years all the Templars and Seraphim books are published. I hope I’ll be deep into the Order of the Rose as well as working on another little vampire story I got cooking up.

As for my personal life, I hope to still be as happy as I am right now.

Serena: You mentioned that you visualized the Templars, is there someplace we can see them?

Rene Lyons: I have pictures of who I used for models of them on their very own MySpace page.

http://www.myspace.com/templarvampires

Serena: You have Andrei Claude on the cover of Midnight Sun and Daystar, but what about Tempting Darkness, he's new, can you tell us about him?

Rene Lyons: I’d be happy to tell you about him. His name is Andy Douglas. He’s one half of the tag-team The Naturals, who wrestle for TNA (Chase Stevens is his partner). He’s an amazing man who was kind enough to lend himself for the cover. Without him I’d never have been able to bring Lucian to life… er, death… Oh! You know what I mean. Lol

Seriously, Andy was the perfect model for Lucian. He has a deep love of vampires, which made having him the cover all the more special to me. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have him connected to this series.

Serena: Do you have anyone else in mind for Eternal Sin?

Rene Lyons: Well, I used a picture of David Beckham as the muse for Raphael but he’s not who I see as Rogue when I imagine him. I really have no set man in mind, just an image of a rugged, but carefree, blonde.

Serena: Rene, it has been fun, as always, thank you SO much for taking time away from your hunk-o-licious vamps to talk to me. I cannot wait to see where you take us next.

Serena: If you'd like to learn more about Ms. Lyons and her worlds, check out her website at www.renelyons.com

Rene Lyons: As always it’s been a pleasure talking with you too, Serena. It’s always nice to sit down with a friend and have a great conversation.

Interviewed by: Serena