Anne Rice's "Servant of the Bones" Diary

On Metaphysics, Howard Stern and the Pleasures of Tab

By Anne Rice

Aug 26, 1996 | a bus tour is "a moveable feast" to use the old religious expression with a nod to Hemingway's reuse. There is no sleep to equal the sleep in a contained bunk, covered with down comforters and cradled by pillows as the bus moves inexorably through the night from one booksigning to another. Think about it. Then, there's TAB. I'm hooked on Coca Cola's all-but-abandoned child, TAB! Well, we can carry cases of this rarity on the bus into territories where it's not sold. Which brings me to Canada where we have only just been, at one of the dreamiest signings so far -- a media-event in a gorgeous oval ballroom with Wedgewood blue walls, soaring colonettes and white mist, which made the entire experience divinely special. When the pianist began to play the "Moonlight Sonata," I was in ecstasy. The Canadians were charmers in Ottawa Chateau, Laurier, the Adams Ballrosa, in Kingston and Toronto and Burlington, and lots of our beloved black-clad Goths showed up as well. Biggest surprise so far? That the mainstream audience is increasing enormously. Guys, tell me: What is it I write? Are these books metaphysical thrillers? Is that the best term? The more I talk to readers about my hero, Azriel, the more I want to write new books about him. Of course he has Lestat's ruthless streak (so do I) but he also has tremendous power. Do I see a sequel? "Azriel Unbound?" Not sure. Which brings me now to another point. Children of the Night and the Day, Beloved Readers: Please don't ask me anymore to do a sequel to "The Mummy." "The Mummy" is complete -- and it's also in James Cameron's hands. He's probably going to make a genius film of it. I have not come to terms with Ancient Egypt or its mummies. I still can't watch a mummy movie by myself! There is something so mysterious in those wall paintings, those curses, that I can't abandon it. A writer must listen to her dark muses. And now they are speaking of ghosts, of spirits, of Azriel, and the ghost who haunts my latest manuscript, Violin, and even of Julien's ghost in the Mayfair books. In the ghost story there lies our deepest and most thrilling dramatization of our fear of death. Do we dissolve in death? Or is this life only the beginning of an indescribable adventure? Give me five minutes with the ghost of Hamlet's father. . . Getting back to Azriel, what's your take on him? Am I just warming up to the character in "Servant of the Bones"? I keep flashing back on ancient Babylon, as well as the centuries since then. Let me know what you think of Azriel's choices. As I see it, in "Servant of the Bones," he makes two -- and both are crucial. Remember my old-fashioned phone line in New Orleans --- 504-522-8643? I check my messages (your messages) every night. Beautiful. Immediate Goals: To be the greatest writer of my time and yours. To go on the Howard Stern Show. Do you think Howard would let me touch his hair? Love from Rochester, New York. And soon I will have answers to your latest questions via Salon! Love and love again,

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