[Kevin] How important is feedback from readers? How does reader feedback influence your writings?

[Darth Skeye] I really love feedback. I love it. Writing, although fun, is also work. And it is great to know I'm appreciated. And I do thank everyone who has commented. Mostly I get thank you notes saying keep up the good work, which is always great to hear. But some people give a constant stream of feedback, telling what they liked and what they didn't. That is quite helpful. I know which themes are liked and which are not so liked (everything is basically liked by the way). I do write for myself, but I definitely have curbed to the "audience." There have been some truly great suggestions given to me for a plot line or character creation that I am thankful for.

[Kevin] You introduced the major character of Petris in your stories. Why did you do this? Why not a character that appeared in Xena or Hercules?

[Darth Skeye] Simple. Petris = me. I wanted to inject myself into Callisto's world. It makes things so much more fun to write. Petris is my age, my size, height, weight, and he has the same basic persona as me too. (Petris would kick my butt though.) And it is like living out a fantasy. Roaming the plains of ancient Greece, fighting bandits, camping under the moonlight and as the reader soon finds, falling in love with a gorgeous warrioress. Who could ask for more? I have included many of the colorful band of characters on the shows, but I wanted somone original. I wanted a part too.

[Kevin] Each of your stories has continued in the same "Universe" as the previous one. Have you thought about writing a different sort of Callisto story?

[Darth Skeye] The last story is still in the same universe, just maybe a different sector or something. Callisto is living in Manhattan in 1998, so that is different. But Petris is still around, as are others the reader soon finds, and Callisto is characterized no differently, so it is still more or less the same. I have thought about others. I wanted to write a Callisto/Highlander crossover. The problem is I like to be original. I like to stand out a bit. So since my universe is... well mine, that is my original starting point. Moreover, I like the world I created. I'm not tired of it, in fact I always have more things to do. From feedback, others don't seem to be tired of it either. So if it aint broke don't fix it.

[Kevin] "Callisto and the Crow" by Pharo seems to use your "Universe" as a starting point. How do you feel about that? Are you flattered? What do you think about the Petris' death?

[Darth Skeye] Well whoever said imitation is the highest form of flattery was right. I am truly flattered. It feels so good to know that I created a character, and a world, that is so tangible, so real that others not only like it, they want to take it an expound upon it. It is really wonderful. All I ask, and I have been graciously accomodated, is that people don't forget where they got it so to speak. That's not to say I want written credit or groveling permission at all. Just the courtesy of letting me know, and again I have been more than satisfied with how it has worked out with Pharo as well as others who utilize Petris. I don't have any rules either. I mean don't take the name Petris and slap it on a serial killer, but fellow writers can modify and evolve Petris to their hearts' delight. It again, truly flatters me to know that people like the character so much. As for Pharo killing him off... like I said before Petris is me, and you never would want read about your own death. But I of course don't hold any grudges... too much... and am flattered that he even got a mention in what I think has the makings of a great story.

[Kevin] Thank you kindly for answering my questions. Tune in next time when I interview... well, you'll find out soon enough.