"... I FEEL HAP TALKING TO ME...": SUGAR ON THE BONES' JOE R. LANSDALE

Joe R, Lansdale has come back to his characters of Hap & Leonard or as he refers to them, "The Boys". Not only does the white liberal redneck and his glay, black Republican (old school) buddy return, bu so do their allies Vanilla Ride, Jim Bob, and lethal lawyer Veil, based on his late friend Andrew Vacchs. I talked with Joe about returning to the characters, an upcoming movie based on one of his books, and a couple other things.

SCOTT MONTGOMERY: What made you want to spend time twitch Hap and Leonard?

JOE R. LANSDALE: Any character I've written about. It's good to see what they are now up to.

S.M.: What usually comes first, you wanting to put Hap & Leonard into a story or stumbling on a story that would be a good fit for them?

J.R.L.: A bit of both. Usually though, I just have a mood where I feel Hap is talking to me and telling a story with his voice is the only thing that will satisfy me, and of course, that leads to another H&L novel.

S. M.: One of the characters that turns up in a poignant point is Hap and Leonard's old friend Veil who is loosely based on your friend, Andrew Vacchs, who passed away. Did it feel like a bit like doing a eulogy for him, writing those scenes?

J.R.L.: It did feel that way. Andrew actually invented Veil in Veil's Visit. I just kept the character. We talked about writing another Veil and H&L adventure, but what was going on in our career and lives didn't allow the luxury of it. I loved Andrew like a brother and miss him.

S.M.: Another character who pops up is Jim Bob. What makes him a fun character to write for you?

J.R.L.: Because he doesn't care what you think, and he's also someone who is testy and enjoys upsetting you, and most any subject. He's also a consummate bad ass. Maybe as much as Leonard. Perhaps even a little more. Then there's Vanilla Ride. She could be the bad asses of bad asses, but she looks good being one.

S,M,: You have another film version of one of your books, The Thicket, coming out in September. So far, do you think they did you justice?

J.R.L.: I haven't seen it yet. I'll see it in Santa Fe and the Jean Cocteau theater. I look forward to it. A few days later I'll see it at the premier in Los Angeles. I'll know what I think not long before most people will see it in theaters. I have a good feeling about it, however, even though just from the trailer I recognize changes from my book to the film.

S,M,: If you couldn't write, what other is the other creative form would you want to have excelled in?

J.R.L.: I was good at martial arts, and not to be flippant, even at my age,I still am. But a teacher of history or literature is a good possibility, maybe anthropology.