What are you working on right now?
Right now I am finishing up my second collection of short stories. (I know... I know... The first one isn't even out yet, but that's not my fault! If it had of been released last year when it was supposed to, then this would be the perfect time to get another ready. But I've learned that if you wait around for people to do something for you, you never get anything done. You never progress!)
So yeah, second collection, and I'm really excited about it. How much I have grown as a writer in the last few years is reflected in this book.
I'm also working on a Novella in the background, but I'm not going to say too much about that just yet..:)
What experiences have influenced you?
As I mentioned above, the experience of waiting, wishing, willing, and hoping, for my first collection to be published has taught me a lot. At the beginning when it was accepted I fell away from writing because I was excited for it to come out, then it didn't, and still hasn't. The despair you feel waiting for it to happen, been told it was gonna happen, and then it doesn't, really takes it's toll on you. I've learned though that once it's out of your hands you have to let go of it, (no matter how hard it is) and move on to the next story. Always move on! It keeps you from loosing focus of your dream when others don't even know they are destroying it...
How does it differ from other works in its genre?
Does one collection really differ from another? Of course they do, but that's only in the way the stories are told. It's my Voice that makes it different. It's me, it's how I tell and create stories that makes my book differ from others. It may be good, it may be terrible, but it's me, and that's what makes it different.
Why do you write what you do?
When I think back to my childhood I remember being told loads of ghost stories. As an adolescent my brother got me hooked on Stephen King, and I read as many of his books as I could get my hands on. So basically I've been around Horror my whole life, and I love it. Books, films, games, you name it, anything goes. :)
How does your writing process work?
Basically I get an idea in my head and go with it. Unless I have this vast idea, I won't sit down and plan it out. I just write, I suppose I write as a reader. I'm not sure if that's a good thing, or a bad thing, but that's how I do it.
What is the hardest part about writing?
Keeping motivated, as I said above. Also, staying focused and committed to writing everyday. Some days you just get lazy and that will roll on to the next, and the next, and before you know it you're at the end of the month and way behind on your word target...
What would you like to try as a writer that you haven't yet?
A Novel.
This is the one thing that has eluded me so far. I've had attempts at writing ones but I seem to loose focus and move on to something else. I have a novel attempt from four or five years ago sitting at 33,000 words. I've one I started last year sitting at 25,000 words, and another at 15,000, but somehow I just can't stay with it long enough to finish it, yet.
My stories are getting longer though. They are turning into Novelettes and Novellas, where as before they would have ended up somewhere between 1,000 and 4,000 words. So maybe it's just progress, and to be honest, it's probably working out better this way.
Who are the authors you most admire?
Stephen King, James Herbert, Neil Gaiman, are the guys I've been reading for years. I recently got into reading George R.R. Martin, and I love his A Song of Ice and Fire series.
An up and coming Author I really admire is, Ray Cluley. I found Ray's work in the pages of Black Static and I've loved them all. Ray is the future of Horror! Yes, you heard it here first!
Who are new authors to watch out for?
Ray Cluley - Seriously, check this guy out! You'll love him.
Emma Ennis - Her collection is brilliant, and she has more in store for us!
Thom Erb - Thom's Novella, Tones of Home is amazing, and will be released real soon.
Charles Day - The future master of YA Horror.
Brady Allen - Another master of the craft. Go check out his awesome collection.
Mark Taylor - My publishing brother! You'll love his collection when it comes out.
What scares you?
In terms of Horror, reading/writing/watching... Well then that would be possession. That shit creeps me out!! I don't shy away from it by any means, but it does give me a wave of goosebumps...
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That's enough from me for one day, but next week I pass the buck to a few good friends of mine. Don't forget to check them out and see what answers they come up with.
Thom Erb
Charles Day
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