Interviews and guest blogs
Guest blog posts:
Writer POV: The World is My Oyster
There’s really no escaping it once you get started.
You can meet up with local writers for a drink and write session, join an online group of like-minded scribes, shoot the crap with buddies over at Twitter but at the end of the day it comes down to you. You, alone with your thoughts, in front of your laptop, maybe pen and paper if you’re doing it old school. Late at night when everyone in your home’s asleep or maybe before the sun peeks out – you’re already at it.
Forget about the inbox and the direct messages that you probably need to respond to. Forget about the comments that need to be moderated on your blog, and the “oh shoot, I have to pay that bill today” and “I need to get some groceries later” realizations. You look at your phone and there’s already several new voicemails from family and work clients. Not right now.
Right now you’ve got a fresh pot of coffee brewing / tea steeping / ice cold energy drink – and you’re fired up and ready to go with that story of yours that’s been in the back of your head since its conception. The characters are getting in your face, going stir-crazy and wanting individual attention. The truth is, you can picture all of them in your head like you went to school with them all your life. You see their faces on the faces of people riding in your morning commute. Sometimes you even see them when you look into the mirror.
Right now this is your adventure, your time, your universe. The fabric of the characters’ very existence relies on whether or not you are going to write anything significant – not later, not tomorrow, not during your lunch break, but NOW.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you,” Maya Angelou said.
So listen to your characters. Build their towns and their homes. Experience their dreams, failures, and shortcomings. Conquer their fears as if it were your own monsters.
Whatever you need to do, always make time to get the words out as long as there are stories to be told. All the buzz about marketing, the author platform, the debates on which method or route to take seem insignificant when you think of it in terms of building worlds.
If you want advice, I can only offer you one sound one at this moment: Write first about the things you yourself would want to read. If it’s not an adventure to you, it won’t be an adventure to anybody else. Become the hero, the villain, and the beast of your tales. Now I don’t mean that literally, but do get into their heads and see their world as they see it.
The threat of information overload keeps the focus away from the basic act of writing. So many things to update, so many blogs to read, and tools to aid us all in being more productive when all it’s really doing is taking attention away from our work.
The only reason I’ve managed to crank out one short story after another, a couple of manuscripts, and numerous blog posts is due to my obstinate nature. Plus if I don’t get it done, I won’t hear the end of it from ME. There’s no secret to it but to keep your focus on each project. I can’t offer you rules on writing because I break them all the time. I wouldn’t be much of a role model. I’ve only been writing fiction seriously for a few years but it’s been a hell of a learning experience. Intense and mercurial most of the time, peppered with bad habits. Nutrition, exercise, posture, sleep? What the hell are those? I’ll get back to my routine after this book is done. Seriously. Until then my circadian rhythm is all jacked up, food delivery is my bitch, the only exercise I’ll be getting is when I walk our little basset hound. That’s fine by me because that’s how I get it done. Not sure what your method of madness is but this seems to work out for me.
It’s not how you slay the beast, it’s whether or not you get it done.
- Originally appeared @ http://kobefiction.we.bs/site/writer-pov-the-world-is-my-oyster/
Many thanks to Lee Pletzers!
There’s really no escaping it once you get started.
You can meet up with local writers for a drink and write session, join an online group of like-minded scribes, shoot the crap with buddies over at Twitter but at the end of the day it comes down to you. You, alone with your thoughts, in front of your laptop, maybe pen and paper if you’re doing it old school. Late at night when everyone in your home’s asleep or maybe before the sun peeks out – you’re already at it.
Forget about the inbox and the direct messages that you probably need to respond to. Forget about the comments that need to be moderated on your blog, and the “oh shoot, I have to pay that bill today” and “I need to get some groceries later” realizations. You look at your phone and there’s already several new voicemails from family and work clients. Not right now.
Right now you’ve got a fresh pot of coffee brewing / tea steeping / ice cold energy drink – and you’re fired up and ready to go with that story of yours that’s been in the back of your head since its conception. The characters are getting in your face, going stir-crazy and wanting individual attention. The truth is, you can picture all of them in your head like you went to school with them all your life. You see their faces on the faces of people riding in your morning commute. Sometimes you even see them when you look into the mirror.
Right now this is your adventure, your time, your universe. The fabric of the characters’ very existence relies on whether or not you are going to write anything significant – not later, not tomorrow, not during your lunch break, but NOW.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you,” Maya Angelou said.
So listen to your characters. Build their towns and their homes. Experience their dreams, failures, and shortcomings. Conquer their fears as if it were your own monsters.
Whatever you need to do, always make time to get the words out as long as there are stories to be told. All the buzz about marketing, the author platform, the debates on which method or route to take seem insignificant when you think of it in terms of building worlds.
If you want advice, I can only offer you one sound one at this moment: Write first about the things you yourself would want to read. If it’s not an adventure to you, it won’t be an adventure to anybody else. Become the hero, the villain, and the beast of your tales. Now I don’t mean that literally, but do get into their heads and see their world as they see it.
The threat of information overload keeps the focus away from the basic act of writing. So many things to update, so many blogs to read, and tools to aid us all in being more productive when all it’s really doing is taking attention away from our work.
The only reason I’ve managed to crank out one short story after another, a couple of manuscripts, and numerous blog posts is due to my obstinate nature. Plus if I don’t get it done, I won’t hear the end of it from ME. There’s no secret to it but to keep your focus on each project. I can’t offer you rules on writing because I break them all the time. I wouldn’t be much of a role model. I’ve only been writing fiction seriously for a few years but it’s been a hell of a learning experience. Intense and mercurial most of the time, peppered with bad habits. Nutrition, exercise, posture, sleep? What the hell are those? I’ll get back to my routine after this book is done. Seriously. Until then my circadian rhythm is all jacked up, food delivery is my bitch, the only exercise I’ll be getting is when I walk our little basset hound. That’s fine by me because that’s how I get it done. Not sure what your method of madness is but this seems to work out for me.
It’s not how you slay the beast, it’s whether or not you get it done.
- Originally appeared @ http://kobefiction.we.bs/site/writer-pov-the-world-is-my-oyster/
Many thanks to Lee Pletzers!
Black T-Shirt (Writing horror is punk rock)
I'm learning that writing horror is pretty damn punk rock.
Chances are you have a favorite black t-shirt. Something with a band logo perhaps. Or maybe it's just a plain black shirt. You've probably worn this shirt beyond it's expiration date. It's probably looking ultra grungy at this point, has a weird smell, with parts of it fraying and possibly random holes where there shouldn't be any.
Where am I going with this? Well, surely you have an old paperback from your favorite author. Something you bought back when you were 12 because it's cheaper than a hardcover. You carried it around on the bus, the train, tossed it in your backpack. It's filled with dog-eared pages and the spine has more wrinkles than your grandma.
Now you're a little older and you write your own stories. That's freaking awesome.
As a writer you need to instill in yourself (if you don't already possess it) that punk rock DIY work ethic.
It's one thing to write the story. But it's another thing to spread the word about it.
Design and distribute fliers/covers or have a pal do it for you.
Tell people why your words are worth their time.
Of course these days our fliers are in the form of Tweets, Facebook announcements, blog posts, e-mail lists, podcasts, etc.
Same idea, different method of delivery.
Old school punk rock music is pretty fast, straight forward, raw, and loud.
So should your marketing campaign as a writer. Most folks are very busy and have the attention span of inebriated gnats. So whatever it is you're trying to say, you better be concise, and make an impact. Less is more usually. And, no it's not always about you. It's about putting out the best work you can and entertaining people with your tales.
The punk rock community is pretty close-knit.
As someone who is trying to build an audience, you should make an effort to surround yourself with like-minded people and reach out to those who may be interested in reading your stories and supporting you in your endeavors. This is easier said than done. Just be yourself, be genuine, and don't be an ass-hat.
The punk rock culture has always been synonymous to the non-conformist image.
As a writer, you should be willing to try new ideas out even when nobody else seems to be doing it. Be a trail blazer, start something different. Experiment - to see what works and what doesn't. Then adjust your game plan according to the results.
Punk rock is in your face.
Writers of horror, be bold. Get your work out there. Give some away for free. Publish it yourself if you want. Don't make excuses. Don't hold back and second-guess yourself. I know people who are stuck in perpetual revision stage; "It's not done yet, I have to work on it some more..." After the umpteenth revision you either write or get off the pot.
So get off your asses and do something. Make some noise and leave your mark. And don't forget to wear your favorite black t-shirt.
- Originally appeared @ Feckless Goblin's Blog
Many thanks to Ziggy Kinsella!
Chances are you have a favorite black t-shirt. Something with a band logo perhaps. Or maybe it's just a plain black shirt. You've probably worn this shirt beyond it's expiration date. It's probably looking ultra grungy at this point, has a weird smell, with parts of it fraying and possibly random holes where there shouldn't be any.
Where am I going with this? Well, surely you have an old paperback from your favorite author. Something you bought back when you were 12 because it's cheaper than a hardcover. You carried it around on the bus, the train, tossed it in your backpack. It's filled with dog-eared pages and the spine has more wrinkles than your grandma.
Now you're a little older and you write your own stories. That's freaking awesome.
As a writer you need to instill in yourself (if you don't already possess it) that punk rock DIY work ethic.
It's one thing to write the story. But it's another thing to spread the word about it.
Design and distribute fliers/covers or have a pal do it for you.
Tell people why your words are worth their time.
Of course these days our fliers are in the form of Tweets, Facebook announcements, blog posts, e-mail lists, podcasts, etc.
Same idea, different method of delivery.
Old school punk rock music is pretty fast, straight forward, raw, and loud.
So should your marketing campaign as a writer. Most folks are very busy and have the attention span of inebriated gnats. So whatever it is you're trying to say, you better be concise, and make an impact. Less is more usually. And, no it's not always about you. It's about putting out the best work you can and entertaining people with your tales.
The punk rock community is pretty close-knit.
As someone who is trying to build an audience, you should make an effort to surround yourself with like-minded people and reach out to those who may be interested in reading your stories and supporting you in your endeavors. This is easier said than done. Just be yourself, be genuine, and don't be an ass-hat.
The punk rock culture has always been synonymous to the non-conformist image.
As a writer, you should be willing to try new ideas out even when nobody else seems to be doing it. Be a trail blazer, start something different. Experiment - to see what works and what doesn't. Then adjust your game plan according to the results.
Punk rock is in your face.
Writers of horror, be bold. Get your work out there. Give some away for free. Publish it yourself if you want. Don't make excuses. Don't hold back and second-guess yourself. I know people who are stuck in perpetual revision stage; "It's not done yet, I have to work on it some more..." After the umpteenth revision you either write or get off the pot.
So get off your asses and do something. Make some noise and leave your mark. And don't forget to wear your favorite black t-shirt.
- Originally appeared @ Feckless Goblin's Blog
Many thanks to Ziggy Kinsella!
Interviews:
Interview by fellow author / blogger M.E. Anders
* Do you judge a book by its cover? Why or why not?
Most of the time. Unless it’s by an author I already follow, this is how I usually go about choosing a random book by a writer I’m unfamiliar with.
I have a background in visual arts so it’s just something I’ve always been into. I wouldn’t completely discount a book that has an unappealing cover but one that has a superb one definitely gets brownie points. It’s like being at a grocery store, there’s just a lot of other products competing for your attention and the packaging just has a few seconds to make an impression. The cover design is what grabs you by your shirt collar and tells you “Hey, this is worth looking into.” To be fair, I’ve never purchased a book just because it had a mind-blowing cover.
* What is your prime motivation for reading a novel? Non-fiction?
It needs to be a genre I’m into, a story that sounds different from anything else I’ve ever read. For non-fiction books, it’s just whatever I’m into at the moment. Right now I have about a dozen self-sufficiency / survival type books I just picked up, a lot of psychology, some marketing, and entrepreneurial material.
* If you could only choose one book on a deserted island, which would it be?
Ha! You see those survival guides I have will definitely come in handy. For practical reasons, maybe the SAS army survival guide. For sentimental reasons, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, because it was my first ever favorite book in grade school.
* Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
You know, it used to be just fiction. But these days, I’m embracing more of the latter.
* Which fiction genre is your favorite?
I dig speculative fiction in general. Specifically horror, dark fantasy, and a bit of scifi.
* What book(s) is/are lying on your bedside table right now?
My anatomy textbook, and my tablet – I just downloaded The World Without Us, Wastelands, The Fall, and Never Let Me Go…for starters. I have this habit of downloading new books to read when I can’t sleep so, yeah, there’s a growing collection.
* Name one book that gave you happy dreams…or nightmares.
That’s easy. IT by Stephen King. I’ve had this irrational fear of clowns since I was 8 or 9. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not severe, just enough to make me feel great discomfort when I see an image. Anyway, I was trying to be brave when I first read the book, it kinda just backfired actually.
* If you could morph into one author for a day, who would it be?
Neil Gaiman, of course, the day after, he’d be wondering why he has a tattoo on his arm that says “Ro was here.”
* Are you a fan of short stories? Why or why not?
Yes! I fell in love with this format when I was in grade school and we read “The Lottery” in class. That just blew my mind. After that, everytime I went to bookstores I’d always search the anthologies. I love reading them because it’s an instant gratification of sorts. In comparison to novels, it basically feels like a snapshot. It’s perfect for a train commute; I’m able to consume it in a shorter period of time or to give my brain a break from whatever work I’m doing at the moment. As a writer, it allows me for a great deal of experimentation.
* Read the Book or Watch the Movie? Which do you prefer, if given the choice?
Read the book first, then watch the movie.
* Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles or Indie Bookstore?
Amazon for ease of use and convenience. For an actual bookshop I like Half-price Books (when I lived in Texas), and here in NY that would have to be Strands in Union Square
* E-book or Print?
Both. Each one has pros and cons which I really don’t dwell much on. As long as it gets people to read something, that’s all that matters.
* Do you write in the margins of your books? Why or why not?
No. Not even if I had multiple copies of it. It feels too much like graffiti, like I’m tagging my own home.
* Public Library Junkie or Book Collector?
I’ve gone through each one as a phase. I’m now on my eBook collector stage. I purged about half my collection, what’s left of it is currently in temp-controlled storage. I brought just a few of my favorites as well as my antiquarian collection for our move back to NYC.
* Are you a fan of audio books?
Not really. I usually end up dozing off when I listen to them for some reason. Audio drama (as in the old-time radio stuff) are cool though.
* What was your favorite bedtime story as a child?
My parents were not big bedtime storytellers. I got my story fix from my aunt, mostly of myths, legends, and folk tales.
* If you could become one book character, who would it be?
The type of books I read, I really don’t think I’d want to be any of the main or secondary characters.
* Which non-fiction most impacted your life? How did it change you?
I wouldn’t say it changed my life but Voluntary Simplicity was really inspiring. It coincided with me going through a minimalism stage. You can also add The Art of War on that list.
* Happily-Ever-After or Unexpected-Turn-of-Events Endings?
A Happily-ever-after moment right before an unexpected turn of events ending. I want to make you feel safe then yank that safety net from underneath. That’s when human psychology gets really interesting, the true nature comes out.
* Who most instilled in you a love for reading?
Who most instilled in you a love for reading? A couple of teachers come to mind, I can’t remember their names but I see their faces. One I wasn’t fond of but he introduced us all to more interesting works. The other one encouraged critical thinking and writing essays about what we’ve just read as a class. He was passionate about books, and it was infectious.
* Any other comments you would like to share?
“I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.” And thanks so much for having me over.
Originally appeared @ http://mindi.authormeanders.com/2011/10/ro-van-saint-horror-author-interview/
Many thanks to M.E. Anders
* Do you judge a book by its cover? Why or why not?
Most of the time. Unless it’s by an author I already follow, this is how I usually go about choosing a random book by a writer I’m unfamiliar with.
I have a background in visual arts so it’s just something I’ve always been into. I wouldn’t completely discount a book that has an unappealing cover but one that has a superb one definitely gets brownie points. It’s like being at a grocery store, there’s just a lot of other products competing for your attention and the packaging just has a few seconds to make an impression. The cover design is what grabs you by your shirt collar and tells you “Hey, this is worth looking into.” To be fair, I’ve never purchased a book just because it had a mind-blowing cover.
* What is your prime motivation for reading a novel? Non-fiction?
It needs to be a genre I’m into, a story that sounds different from anything else I’ve ever read. For non-fiction books, it’s just whatever I’m into at the moment. Right now I have about a dozen self-sufficiency / survival type books I just picked up, a lot of psychology, some marketing, and entrepreneurial material.
* If you could only choose one book on a deserted island, which would it be?
Ha! You see those survival guides I have will definitely come in handy. For practical reasons, maybe the SAS army survival guide. For sentimental reasons, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, because it was my first ever favorite book in grade school.
* Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
You know, it used to be just fiction. But these days, I’m embracing more of the latter.
* Which fiction genre is your favorite?
I dig speculative fiction in general. Specifically horror, dark fantasy, and a bit of scifi.
* What book(s) is/are lying on your bedside table right now?
My anatomy textbook, and my tablet – I just downloaded The World Without Us, Wastelands, The Fall, and Never Let Me Go…for starters. I have this habit of downloading new books to read when I can’t sleep so, yeah, there’s a growing collection.
* Name one book that gave you happy dreams…or nightmares.
That’s easy. IT by Stephen King. I’ve had this irrational fear of clowns since I was 8 or 9. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not severe, just enough to make me feel great discomfort when I see an image. Anyway, I was trying to be brave when I first read the book, it kinda just backfired actually.
* If you could morph into one author for a day, who would it be?
Neil Gaiman, of course, the day after, he’d be wondering why he has a tattoo on his arm that says “Ro was here.”
* Are you a fan of short stories? Why or why not?
Yes! I fell in love with this format when I was in grade school and we read “The Lottery” in class. That just blew my mind. After that, everytime I went to bookstores I’d always search the anthologies. I love reading them because it’s an instant gratification of sorts. In comparison to novels, it basically feels like a snapshot. It’s perfect for a train commute; I’m able to consume it in a shorter period of time or to give my brain a break from whatever work I’m doing at the moment. As a writer, it allows me for a great deal of experimentation.
* Read the Book or Watch the Movie? Which do you prefer, if given the choice?
Read the book first, then watch the movie.
* Amazon.com or Barnes & Nobles or Indie Bookstore?
Amazon for ease of use and convenience. For an actual bookshop I like Half-price Books (when I lived in Texas), and here in NY that would have to be Strands in Union Square
* E-book or Print?
Both. Each one has pros and cons which I really don’t dwell much on. As long as it gets people to read something, that’s all that matters.
* Do you write in the margins of your books? Why or why not?
No. Not even if I had multiple copies of it. It feels too much like graffiti, like I’m tagging my own home.
* Public Library Junkie or Book Collector?
I’ve gone through each one as a phase. I’m now on my eBook collector stage. I purged about half my collection, what’s left of it is currently in temp-controlled storage. I brought just a few of my favorites as well as my antiquarian collection for our move back to NYC.
* Are you a fan of audio books?
Not really. I usually end up dozing off when I listen to them for some reason. Audio drama (as in the old-time radio stuff) are cool though.
* What was your favorite bedtime story as a child?
My parents were not big bedtime storytellers. I got my story fix from my aunt, mostly of myths, legends, and folk tales.
* If you could become one book character, who would it be?
The type of books I read, I really don’t think I’d want to be any of the main or secondary characters.
* Which non-fiction most impacted your life? How did it change you?
I wouldn’t say it changed my life but Voluntary Simplicity was really inspiring. It coincided with me going through a minimalism stage. You can also add The Art of War on that list.
* Happily-Ever-After or Unexpected-Turn-of-Events Endings?
A Happily-ever-after moment right before an unexpected turn of events ending. I want to make you feel safe then yank that safety net from underneath. That’s when human psychology gets really interesting, the true nature comes out.
* Who most instilled in you a love for reading?
Who most instilled in you a love for reading? A couple of teachers come to mind, I can’t remember their names but I see their faces. One I wasn’t fond of but he introduced us all to more interesting works. The other one encouraged critical thinking and writing essays about what we’ve just read as a class. He was passionate about books, and it was infectious.
* Any other comments you would like to share?
“I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.” And thanks so much for having me over.
Originally appeared @ http://mindi.authormeanders.com/2011/10/ro-van-saint-horror-author-interview/
Many thanks to M.E. Anders
Interview alongside writing buddy A.R. Braun promoting Tales From The Abyss
MTM: For you dark fiction and horror fans out there, allow me to introduce you to R. Van Saint and A.R. Braun, co-authors of the upcoming anthology, Tales From The Abyss. This collection will be available exclusively through R. Van Saint’s website, www.zerotorockstar.com for readers who sign up for the Zero to Rockstar Media newsletter. To lift a line from RVS’s description, Tales From The Abyss consists of “weird-ass and scary stories for weird-ass and scary people.”
Sign me up!
I appreciate both of you taking the time to conduct this interview. Let’s get started.
What would you like for readers to know about you and your work before they delve into it?
ARB: I can't speak for Ro, but with my work, I try to find answers to why people act the way they do, when they act strange. It makes me feel better when there's a reason, like the people who tell themselves, "That person must've had a rough day." It just makes me feel better about people. I also tend to be very brutal, but that's not because I'm an evil person. Life is brutal, so it makes the work realistic.
RVS: I like to challenge the rules and experiment with format. The subject matter to my stories is usually dark, weird and sometimes absurd. I've dabbled in film and animation so I tend to set up my scenes and dialogue from a cinematic standpoint. I think that helps readers envision the story as they're reading it. I like to write stories around a character typically. I spend a lot of time picking a character's head before I even start a story.
MTM: I think we can all agree that the human mind can be a dark and scary place. What do you think it is about horror and dark fiction that fascinates us?
RVS: The fact that it makes us acknowledge the unspeakable aspects of the human condition. It makes us confront the things that make us uncomfortable. As for the unknown and unexplainable, it's just exciting to explore the what ifs that the genre has to offer.
ARB: It's fun and it's cathartic. We're just ambulance chasers, aren't we? Ha-ha. I saw a study one time on TV saying that we need the feel-good, fake scare to face our fears in real life. I like to think there's a purpose to it, but sometimes it is just because it's fun.
MTM: What are your thoughts on recent books and films within the genre?
ARB: I don't think there's a lot of great ones. It's the same way with music. I'm picky. I don't like a lot of bands. I prefer 70's authors because they were scarier, but that's all a matter of opinion. I think Rosemary's Baby is the scariest—Ira Levin's amazing—but there are some high-quality, new works out there: Scott Smith's The Ruins; Gary A. Braunbeck's Coffin County; Jeff Long's The Descent; The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King and others. With films, I think they've lost the scare factor present in so many movies made in the 60's, 70's and early 80's and have replaced it with CGI. We get about one great movie a year: Prey, The Ruins, The Descent and The Ring are some that I've liked recently.
RVS: A lot of it is derivative but once in a while you come across something different. Derivative is ok if you're in the mood for a blockbuster summer hit mindless entertainment kind of thing. I'm not a big fan of the new remakes that are coming out. If it was great the first time around, don't futz with it. Some of the recent movies I've seen that I actually enjoyed - Let The Right One In & Triangle. Three...Extremes (came out around 2005 I think) was pretty damn original. Dead Snow was fun to watch. As for books - I've enjoyed The Strain by Del Toro and Hogan. Neil Gaiman's work is mind-blowing. I also dig Sarah Langan and Joe Hill's work. I think the sub-par horror films rely too much on gore and violence and not enough on the build-up of suspense. I'm actually doing the opposite - I'm getting into more of the older films (pre-1960s). The last one I watched was The Virgin Spring by Bergman. Wes Craven even said The Last House on the Left is basically a reworking of that film.
MTM: I enjoyed The Ring as well. My wife is from Japan and talked me into watching the original Japanese version before the U.S. remake came out. We watched it on a bootleg video no less, which adds to the freaky factor given the subject matter. Let The Right One In is my favorite vampire film of all time. The upcoming Hollywood remake of that one worries me, but I digress. Is there a particular author, book, or film that has profoundly influenced you as a writer?
ARB: Of course. That's how you avoid writer's block—you read like a fiend and become inspired. I had to read "The Telltale Heart" as a reading assignment in high school, and that was the first time I ever enjoyed my homework. That's when I knew I wanted to do this. Whoever I read at the time will influence a certain short story. One tale up for consideration had rich descriptions influenced by Ray Garton's Live Girls. Other notable influences include: H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Reece, Tamara Thorne and Gary A. Braunbeck.
RVS: Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman. They're all prolific and I love their short stories. Chuck Palahniuk for his unique style. I'm a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Night Gallery. I'm also into comic books, one of my all time favs is Rising Stars.
MTM: I am a comic buff myself. Anyone who doesn’t think comics are relevant to literature should read Gaiman’s Sandman series. Amazing stuff. How did the idea for Tales From The Abyss come about?
RVS: Alan and I were just tossing around ideas and this was one of them. We decided to contribute a couple of stories each and make it available for free a) to help spread the word about our individual works and b) to give readers a sample of what we do.
Plus, I've never collaborated with another writer so I figured this would be a fun thing to try.
It's also subscription only and absolutely free, so you have to join the list to receive it on June 1. The list has other perks but this is the initial launch.
ARB: I've always wanted to collaborate with another writer, but it just never happened. There was one time I was going to collab' with Elizabeth Herrington, but it just never came to be. So I was thrilled that Ro was willing to do it. "RSVP" is the first story we wrote together, but it isn't included in Tales. I don't want people to get the wrong idea. Tales is two stories from her and two from me, free, just to give you a taste of what you'll be getting later. The next book will have even better stories and, depending on whether the one we wrote together is published in one of the pro-payment 'zines or not, "RSVP" could possibly be included in the next book. That is the most brutal story I've ever taken part in, so if any of you get a chance to collab' I'd definitely jump at it. Two heads are better than one, the old cliché goes.
MTM: The concept for “RSVP” is intriguing. How does the process for co-authoring a story differ from writing on your own?
RVS: A little bit of compromise goes a long way. It was surprisingly not difficult, for this particular story anyway. I had the idea in my head so I started the story then I sent it off to A.R., I gave him a rough idea of where I needed the story to go but he was free to craft additional characters and just go crazy with it. I was pleased with the result and he just made some minor edits. I expected a little bit of ego clashing from both of us but it wasn't even an issue. I think the secret is to let the other person do what they do best. If you combine your strengths then there's no way to f**k things up really. Plus, we set a realistic deadline and communicated well, which definitely helps.
ARB: Well, to begin with, I wasn't sure how the process even worked. She and I being in different parts of the world, I just guessed that one would start the story and another would finish it. The plot was Ro's idea, so she started it, and I added all the gory details. It worked very well that way so we'll probably continue to do that.
MTM: What can readers expect from Tales From The Abyss? Can you give us a teaser?
ARB: I'll let Ro describe her stories. As far as my pieces, "Alien Consciousness" is what the title suggests. It's about a part of your body taking on a sentient consciousness all its own. I originally wrote the tale for Everyday Weirdness, but it didn't strike the editor's fancy. "The Woman in Black" is a ghost story.
RVS: My stories "The F Bomb" and "Arc of Descent" are connected, using one of the scenes as a link between the two. It's a subtle link but if you're paying attention you'll get it. "The F Bomb" is written during one of my experimental moods, it almost reads like prose and it's a glimpse of the alien and human interaction in an earth where alien beings act as overlords, just because they can and because there are humans who are willing participants to their schemes and experiments. "Arc of Descent" is about one of the experiments I just mentioned. You'll be seeing more from this universe, I think.
MTM: Individually, what is next on your writing agenda after the collaboration?
ARB: We'll collaborate on one more short story e-book, then a novella together, then a novel
RVS: My main focus right now is a zombie novel called Panic in Year 2020, which is a direct result of a short story I wrote. I plan on releasing it in podcast form, completely unabridged, as I'm writing it. This puts a lot of pressure on me to just crank the sucker out but I work best under pressure. I have two other novels right behind that, just taunting me. I have a short story collection that I'm compiling and I'm really excited about, I'm shooting for a Fall 2010 release date for that one. My Sid Valentine universe is expanding as a serial. I'm also writing a script for a graphic novel that I'll be illustrating myself. On top of that, additional collaborations. I'll be posting detailed stuff of all my writing adventures in my production journal (Hooligans only, so you better sign up kids!) once I get that set up. I think that's plenty enough to keep me insanely busy.
MTM: Okay, now for something fun. I love to hear authors’ thoughts on the “Hollywood treatment.” Assume you have just won the equivalent of the literary lottery and a major film studio wants to turn your work into a big-budget motion picture. Which of your stories would you like to see as a film, and who would you want to be involved (actors, director, etc.)? Also, CGI or no CGI?
RVS: This is a tough one, Sid Valentine series would be fun.
Directed by Robert Rodriguez/Q.Tarantino
Sid can be played by Bruce Willis or Will Smith. I'm leaning towards Will Smith, he's more charismatic.
Sid's cousin, CEO of Discord, Inc. can be played by Nick Cage.
(yes, my characters are creatures from myth, folklores, fairy tales living in a modern day metropolis, so I say there's no racial boundaries here in terms of family members).
CGI is fine but shouldn't overpower the film.
Soundtrack - varies, as long as it's bad-ass.
ARB: That would be total dream actualization and the best thing that could happen! *Fingers crossed* I'm counting on all of my solo novels becoming movies when I get an agent and a publisher but, for the sake of this interview, "RSVP," of course. No CGI. I like the horror movies made in the 60's, 70's and early 80's the best. They used the scare element instead of relying on FX. As far as actresses: Emily Perkins, Tatiana Maslany, Katherine Isabelle and Jenna Malone. I don't know about actors. Probably the guys from House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects.
MTM: I hope to see those on the big screen someday soon. I will be looking for my VIP tickets on opening weekend. Big thanks to both of you for taking the time for this interview. I look forward to reading Tales From The Abyss soon!
ARB: Thank you very much for your interest in our labor of love, Mike.
RVS: Thanks for the kick-ass interview and allowing me to embrace my inner media whore. That's always fun.
MTM: If it makes me a media pimp, then I’ll take that as a win!
- Originally published @ MT Murphy's Blog
Many thanks to MT Murphy!
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I appreciate both of you taking the time to conduct this interview. Let’s get started.
What would you like for readers to know about you and your work before they delve into it?
ARB: I can't speak for Ro, but with my work, I try to find answers to why people act the way they do, when they act strange. It makes me feel better when there's a reason, like the people who tell themselves, "That person must've had a rough day." It just makes me feel better about people. I also tend to be very brutal, but that's not because I'm an evil person. Life is brutal, so it makes the work realistic.
RVS: I like to challenge the rules and experiment with format. The subject matter to my stories is usually dark, weird and sometimes absurd. I've dabbled in film and animation so I tend to set up my scenes and dialogue from a cinematic standpoint. I think that helps readers envision the story as they're reading it. I like to write stories around a character typically. I spend a lot of time picking a character's head before I even start a story.
MTM: I think we can all agree that the human mind can be a dark and scary place. What do you think it is about horror and dark fiction that fascinates us?
RVS: The fact that it makes us acknowledge the unspeakable aspects of the human condition. It makes us confront the things that make us uncomfortable. As for the unknown and unexplainable, it's just exciting to explore the what ifs that the genre has to offer.
ARB: It's fun and it's cathartic. We're just ambulance chasers, aren't we? Ha-ha. I saw a study one time on TV saying that we need the feel-good, fake scare to face our fears in real life. I like to think there's a purpose to it, but sometimes it is just because it's fun.
MTM: What are your thoughts on recent books and films within the genre?
ARB: I don't think there's a lot of great ones. It's the same way with music. I'm picky. I don't like a lot of bands. I prefer 70's authors because they were scarier, but that's all a matter of opinion. I think Rosemary's Baby is the scariest—Ira Levin's amazing—but there are some high-quality, new works out there: Scott Smith's The Ruins; Gary A. Braunbeck's Coffin County; Jeff Long's The Descent; The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King and others. With films, I think they've lost the scare factor present in so many movies made in the 60's, 70's and early 80's and have replaced it with CGI. We get about one great movie a year: Prey, The Ruins, The Descent and The Ring are some that I've liked recently.
RVS: A lot of it is derivative but once in a while you come across something different. Derivative is ok if you're in the mood for a blockbuster summer hit mindless entertainment kind of thing. I'm not a big fan of the new remakes that are coming out. If it was great the first time around, don't futz with it. Some of the recent movies I've seen that I actually enjoyed - Let The Right One In & Triangle. Three...Extremes (came out around 2005 I think) was pretty damn original. Dead Snow was fun to watch. As for books - I've enjoyed The Strain by Del Toro and Hogan. Neil Gaiman's work is mind-blowing. I also dig Sarah Langan and Joe Hill's work. I think the sub-par horror films rely too much on gore and violence and not enough on the build-up of suspense. I'm actually doing the opposite - I'm getting into more of the older films (pre-1960s). The last one I watched was The Virgin Spring by Bergman. Wes Craven even said The Last House on the Left is basically a reworking of that film.
MTM: I enjoyed The Ring as well. My wife is from Japan and talked me into watching the original Japanese version before the U.S. remake came out. We watched it on a bootleg video no less, which adds to the freaky factor given the subject matter. Let The Right One In is my favorite vampire film of all time. The upcoming Hollywood remake of that one worries me, but I digress. Is there a particular author, book, or film that has profoundly influenced you as a writer?
ARB: Of course. That's how you avoid writer's block—you read like a fiend and become inspired. I had to read "The Telltale Heart" as a reading assignment in high school, and that was the first time I ever enjoyed my homework. That's when I knew I wanted to do this. Whoever I read at the time will influence a certain short story. One tale up for consideration had rich descriptions influenced by Ray Garton's Live Girls. Other notable influences include: H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Reece, Tamara Thorne and Gary A. Braunbeck.
RVS: Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman. They're all prolific and I love their short stories. Chuck Palahniuk for his unique style. I'm a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Night Gallery. I'm also into comic books, one of my all time favs is Rising Stars.
MTM: I am a comic buff myself. Anyone who doesn’t think comics are relevant to literature should read Gaiman’s Sandman series. Amazing stuff. How did the idea for Tales From The Abyss come about?
RVS: Alan and I were just tossing around ideas and this was one of them. We decided to contribute a couple of stories each and make it available for free a) to help spread the word about our individual works and b) to give readers a sample of what we do.
Plus, I've never collaborated with another writer so I figured this would be a fun thing to try.
It's also subscription only and absolutely free, so you have to join the list to receive it on June 1. The list has other perks but this is the initial launch.
ARB: I've always wanted to collaborate with another writer, but it just never happened. There was one time I was going to collab' with Elizabeth Herrington, but it just never came to be. So I was thrilled that Ro was willing to do it. "RSVP" is the first story we wrote together, but it isn't included in Tales. I don't want people to get the wrong idea. Tales is two stories from her and two from me, free, just to give you a taste of what you'll be getting later. The next book will have even better stories and, depending on whether the one we wrote together is published in one of the pro-payment 'zines or not, "RSVP" could possibly be included in the next book. That is the most brutal story I've ever taken part in, so if any of you get a chance to collab' I'd definitely jump at it. Two heads are better than one, the old cliché goes.
MTM: The concept for “RSVP” is intriguing. How does the process for co-authoring a story differ from writing on your own?
RVS: A little bit of compromise goes a long way. It was surprisingly not difficult, for this particular story anyway. I had the idea in my head so I started the story then I sent it off to A.R., I gave him a rough idea of where I needed the story to go but he was free to craft additional characters and just go crazy with it. I was pleased with the result and he just made some minor edits. I expected a little bit of ego clashing from both of us but it wasn't even an issue. I think the secret is to let the other person do what they do best. If you combine your strengths then there's no way to f**k things up really. Plus, we set a realistic deadline and communicated well, which definitely helps.
ARB: Well, to begin with, I wasn't sure how the process even worked. She and I being in different parts of the world, I just guessed that one would start the story and another would finish it. The plot was Ro's idea, so she started it, and I added all the gory details. It worked very well that way so we'll probably continue to do that.
MTM: What can readers expect from Tales From The Abyss? Can you give us a teaser?
ARB: I'll let Ro describe her stories. As far as my pieces, "Alien Consciousness" is what the title suggests. It's about a part of your body taking on a sentient consciousness all its own. I originally wrote the tale for Everyday Weirdness, but it didn't strike the editor's fancy. "The Woman in Black" is a ghost story.
RVS: My stories "The F Bomb" and "Arc of Descent" are connected, using one of the scenes as a link between the two. It's a subtle link but if you're paying attention you'll get it. "The F Bomb" is written during one of my experimental moods, it almost reads like prose and it's a glimpse of the alien and human interaction in an earth where alien beings act as overlords, just because they can and because there are humans who are willing participants to their schemes and experiments. "Arc of Descent" is about one of the experiments I just mentioned. You'll be seeing more from this universe, I think.
MTM: Individually, what is next on your writing agenda after the collaboration?
ARB: We'll collaborate on one more short story e-book, then a novella together, then a novel
RVS: My main focus right now is a zombie novel called Panic in Year 2020, which is a direct result of a short story I wrote. I plan on releasing it in podcast form, completely unabridged, as I'm writing it. This puts a lot of pressure on me to just crank the sucker out but I work best under pressure. I have two other novels right behind that, just taunting me. I have a short story collection that I'm compiling and I'm really excited about, I'm shooting for a Fall 2010 release date for that one. My Sid Valentine universe is expanding as a serial. I'm also writing a script for a graphic novel that I'll be illustrating myself. On top of that, additional collaborations. I'll be posting detailed stuff of all my writing adventures in my production journal (Hooligans only, so you better sign up kids!) once I get that set up. I think that's plenty enough to keep me insanely busy.
MTM: Okay, now for something fun. I love to hear authors’ thoughts on the “Hollywood treatment.” Assume you have just won the equivalent of the literary lottery and a major film studio wants to turn your work into a big-budget motion picture. Which of your stories would you like to see as a film, and who would you want to be involved (actors, director, etc.)? Also, CGI or no CGI?
RVS: This is a tough one, Sid Valentine series would be fun.
Directed by Robert Rodriguez/Q.Tarantino
Sid can be played by Bruce Willis or Will Smith. I'm leaning towards Will Smith, he's more charismatic.
Sid's cousin, CEO of Discord, Inc. can be played by Nick Cage.
(yes, my characters are creatures from myth, folklores, fairy tales living in a modern day metropolis, so I say there's no racial boundaries here in terms of family members).
CGI is fine but shouldn't overpower the film.
Soundtrack - varies, as long as it's bad-ass.
ARB: That would be total dream actualization and the best thing that could happen! *Fingers crossed* I'm counting on all of my solo novels becoming movies when I get an agent and a publisher but, for the sake of this interview, "RSVP," of course. No CGI. I like the horror movies made in the 60's, 70's and early 80's the best. They used the scare element instead of relying on FX. As far as actresses: Emily Perkins, Tatiana Maslany, Katherine Isabelle and Jenna Malone. I don't know about actors. Probably the guys from House of 1,000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects.
MTM: I hope to see those on the big screen someday soon. I will be looking for my VIP tickets on opening weekend. Big thanks to both of you for taking the time for this interview. I look forward to reading Tales From The Abyss soon!
ARB: Thank you very much for your interest in our labor of love, Mike.
RVS: Thanks for the kick-ass interview and allowing me to embrace my inner media whore. That's always fun.
MTM: If it makes me a media pimp, then I’ll take that as a win!
- Originally published @ MT Murphy's Blog
Many thanks to MT Murphy!
