The Wednesday Horror Writer Blog Hop

Yep, it's another one of those self-interviews, but I was asked by Mandy DeGeit to do this, so here I am.  Was also supposed to get three other people to sign on for next week, but, alas, two more was the best I could do.  So without further ado - here's my latest rumblings and mumblings.

What are you working on right now?

A dystopian novel set in the near future.  It is tentatively titled Party Lines and uses the locations and some of the people established in my novella Vengeance Is Mine.

How does it differ from other works in its genre?

Unlike many dystopian novels I've read - the story line of Party Lines is not very far-fetched considering today's political climate.

What experiences have influenced you?

Everything I've done, everything that has been done to me tend to show up in my stories.  What I write allows me to confront the demons or the demonized and work it through in my own brain.

Why do you write what you do?

I try to write the story I want to read.  For me, it's a way of figuring out what is happening in the world around me - whether that be a real or imagined thing.

How does your writing process work?

Idea, notes, research, plot, plan, write.  Basically in that order.  Then comes revise, rewrite, edit, rinse and repeat several time.  Pass the story on to my beta reader and then to my editor.  Rewrite and revise after each until it is the best story I am capable of writing.

What is the hardest part about writing?

I think if you ask any Indie Author - the writing is the easy part.  Editing is a booger for many, but I think the hardest part is the promotion.  Trying to get your work in the hands of those readers who will enjoy it the most.  That's the hardest part.

What would you like to try as a writer that you haven't yet?

I think I've tried writing in most genres already (except romance).  Some I've done well at (horror and thriller) other's like sci-fi, I've completely failed at writing anything coherent.  But everything I've tried has helped me grow as a writer - even if much of it will never see the light of day.

Who are the authors you most admire?

In the traditional world, there is of course Steven King, Robert McCammon, the late Michael McDowell, Margaret Atwood and Anne Rice to name a few.

In the Indie world, the first person to come to mind is Billie Sue Mosiman.  Not only can she tell one hell of a story, she's also prolific and helpful to those of us that are new to this whole publishing world.  She my hero and my friend.

Who are new authors to watch out for?

SuziM, Jaime Johnesse, Stacey Turner, William Cook and John Paul Allen.  All write incredible horror.


What scares you?

Snakes in the physical world (even in the nightmare world) - can't look at them on TV, in Books and will almost throw the laptop across the room when someone I'm friends with on Facebook posts a picture of one and it appears in my feed.

In the mental world - Alzheimer's - to lose my sense of self, I think would be the worst horror that could happen to me (or anyone else).

Look next Wednesday for posts from these fellow horror authors.


Kevin Saito

Kristen Duvall