BREAKING THE INVISIBLE CHAINS, A FIVE MINUTES WITH MICHELLE R. LANE

Michelle R. Lane writes dark speculative fiction about women of color who battle their inner demons while falling in love with monsters. Her work includes elements of fantasy, horror, romance, and occasionally erotica. In January 2015, Michelle graduated with an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Her short fiction appears in the anthologies Dark Holidays, and Terror Politico: A Screaming World in Chaos. Her debut novel, Invisible Chains, will be available from Haverhill House Publishing July 2019. She lives in South Central Pennsylvania with her son.

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
 
I never know what to say when I’m asked to tell people about myself. Because identity is always evolving and mutating, I never feel like the same person from day to day. But I suppose my origin story has something to do with being a multiethnic woman of color born and raised in Pennsylvania in the United States.
 
I grew up in a homogenously white, rural community and dealt with varying degrees of bigotry and racism that masqueraded as acceptable social norms. I was born in the early 70s, which was a chaotic time of racially charged outrage and political protest. The historical events and social climate of that time helped to shape the person I am today, and they have had an influence on my voice as a writer and what I choose to write about.
 
But, I’m also a single mom who works full-time, so balancing the priorities of my life can be challenging. Writing is a priority. When it isn’t at the top of my list, when I’m not writing every day, my mood shifts and I get very cranky.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love to read, but lately I don’t feel like I have a lot of time to do that. So, instead I listen to audiobooks while I’m walking to work or doing chores around the house. And, I love watching TV shows and movies. I suppose you could call me a narrative junkie. Hi, I’m Michelle, and my drug of choice is escapism.
 
I also enjoy spending time with my son and going out for a drink with friends. I like to cook, because I love to eat good food and I was raised by some of the best cooks in the world.

Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?
 
I’m a fan of all speculative fiction, so science fiction and fantasy have been major influences on my writing as well as horror. I tend to prefer the darker side of these genres, and probably have my grandparents to thank for that. Until she passed away, my grandmother collected every Stephen King novel in first edition, and they were on display in the bookshelves that lined her dining room. She also collected Richard Nixon memorabilia, which helped me learn to appreciate the complexity of the human psyche. My grandfather preferred to read Louis L’Amour Westerns, but he introduced me to The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and fostered my love of 1960s spy films and TV shows.
 
I found a copy of Anaïs Nin’s Little Birds and Delta of Venus in my early teens. I’ve been fascinated by erotica and the representation of sexuality in art and fiction ever since, which has also had an impact on what I write.
 
I spent a lot of time reading about feminist theory, queer theory, gender politics, and race politics as an English major, which gave my academic writing a certain flavor, and whenever possible, I would slip in a reference to vampires and/or fairy tales. Fairy tales have had a major impact on my work, and two of my favorite books on the subject are The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood, by Jack Zipes and Morphology of the Folktale, by Vladimir Propp.
 
The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations.  What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?
 
I think a lot of people who haven’t explored the vast range of narratives within the genre have a very narrow, and often negative view of horror. Horror is really the genre of emotions, and I think because people have a hard time confronting their own feelings, it can be difficult to enjoy stories that focus on some of the more unpleasant and terrifying aspects of human nature.
 
While I was earning my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, we were assigned a common reading that we would discuss at each residency. During one of my last residencies, we were assigned Joe Hill’s NOS4A2, which is one of my favorite books of all time. It was the first time a horror novel had been assigned since I entered the three-year program. To be fair, I think categorizing this novel as solely horror does it a disservice. It is a multi-genre novel that delves into fantasy and horror with a literary writing style. NOS4A2 is a masterpiece of fiction. So, I was very excited to talk about it at residency.
 
When we began discussing the novel, it became very clear that people who didn’t write or read horror fiction were upset about having to read the book. They couldn’t get past the child abduction, rape and murder to see that this is a very dark fantasy novel with an amazingly strong female lead who defeats a terrifying villain and saves her family. Not only could they not see beyond the horror, but they were angry with the horror writers in the program and accused us of being very sick individuals.
 
Fortunately, the faculty used this experience as a learning opportunity and had further discussions about how people view genres. ALL GENRES. We talked about some of the negative perceptions people held about romance fiction and discovered that a lot of people didn’t view the romance writers among us as serious fiction writers.
 
It was an eye-opening experience for all of us and I think it brought us closer together as a community regardless of what genre we enjoyed writing and reading. I think more conversations, more exposure to different kinds of narratives, and a willingness to share opinions can go a long way toward breaking down the stereotypes associated with horror fiction.


A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years?
 
As more diverse voices emerge within the genre, I think that we will have more stories that redefine horror on a very personal level. Stories that look at identity politics as well as horrific experiences that can only be told from the POV of people who have experienced them. I wrote a mixed-genre slave narrative with supernatural characters. Yes, there are monsters, but the history of slavery in America and all the terrible violence associated with it create the real element of horror in the novel.
 
I’ve also noticed that film and TV writers are using horror as a liberal seasoning to science fiction and fantasy narratives. Oddly enough, I think the obsession people have with reality TV has sparked an increase in the desire for sensationalism. Horror seems to appeal to more people as we examine how unsettling real human behavior can be, which may be why shows like Black Mirror are so popular.

What are the books and films that helped to define you as an author?


When I was in my teens, I wanted to write like Anne Rice. The Vampire Chronicles created a strong desire in me to write about vampires. But, as an English major, I started reading more classical fiction and philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Michel Foucault, and I began thinking about writing in a very different way. Then I discovered Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Octavia Butler and Jewelle Gomez, and realized I wanted to write like them. It occurred to me that stories do more than entertain. Language has the power to start revolutions and open people up to the endless possibilities in the Universe.
 
Images, like language, can also change your view of the world. In college, I took several film studies courses and watched many of the films that defined the art form. Classic cinema led me to explore more films based on who was directing them rather than subject matter or genre. And I became obsessed with silent films and foreign language films. It’s difficult to point to one film or director and say, “That influenced my writing.” I think the art of filmmaking has influenced my writing more than films themselves. The narrative devices, the use of scenery, or color, and the casting of characters. And most importantly, dialog and how it is used to tell a story.

How would you describe your writing style?
 
Recently, a friend contacted me and told me she had a dream in which Oprah declared me the Alice Walker of Horror. I laughed about it at first, but then started thinking about that as a concept.
 
How would I describe my writing style? Invisible Chains is a supernatural slave narrative with monsters. Toni Morrison’s Beloved is a horror novel in my opinion, Black Southern Gothic Horror. I don’t know if that’s a recognized genre, but that’s what came to mind when I read it. Morrison’s novel affected me deeply and had a lasting impression. It’s a ghost story set in the South after the Civil War and it is filled with powerful images that explore the idea that slavery had a lasting physical and psychological effect on the people who suffered under it. I wanted to achieve something like that.
 
In my bio, I claim that I write dark speculative fiction about women of color battling their personal demons while falling in love with monsters. I believe that to be true for most of my work. But is that a writing style? I don’t know.

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?
 
I have gotten some amazing reviews of Invisible Chains. It’s a little strange to have people read your work and say that some of the scenes brought them to tears. I never really expected to have that kind of impact, but I am beyond grateful for that kind of feedback.
 
I loved the review Ben Walker did for his YouTube series, Bizarre eBook Review. I was kind of amazed by the time and effort he put into it and I loved the pop culture references he chose to talk about the book.
 
But, by far, the best review I’ve gotten has been from one of the writers who inspired and gave me courage to write the stories I wanted to tell. A few months ago, I was seeking reviewers and writers who would be willing to blurb my book. I contacted Roxane Gay and she declined, but very politely. Then, I contacted Jewelle Gomez and she agreed to read the book. Her feedback was very positive, and after reading her blurb I floated around on a cloud for a few days.

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?

The self-exploration can be difficult. I put a lot of myself and the people I know into my writing and I am often shocked when I go back and read something I wrote several months or years ago and see a snapshot of the feelings and experiences I was going through at that time. It can be wonderfully cathartic, too.
 
Procrastination brought on by self-doubt can be a real stumbling block from me at times. I don’t suffer from writer’s block; I suffer from imposter syndrome and the anxiety caused by those emotions.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?
 
I tend to write about subjects that make many people uncomfortable, so I’m not sure what would be out of bounds for me.  Invisible Chains has rape, murder, and incest – something for the whole family. I like the challenge of tackling difficult subjects, unusual settings, and diverse characters. So, at this point, I don’t think there’s a subject I would avoid writing about.


How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning?
 
The names of characters are important to me. I try to find names that are appropriate for specific time periods and the cultural practices of certain ethnic groups or nationalities. I think about their economic standing as well. And their personalities. Sometimes, I’ll hear a name while listening to the news or overheard while eavesdropping and write it down to use later. And, in some cases, the names of my characters are based on real people from my life, like Carlos Velasquez, the vampire in my novel.
 
Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years?
 
When I was writing for an audience of one (myself), I really didn’t plan on publishing any of my work because I didn’t think it was very good. And, in some ways, I felt freer to write about whatever I wanted. But after I decided to apply to the MFA program and had to share my work with others, I realized that writing in a vacuum wasn’t going to help me improve my writing. Working with writing mentors and critique partners forced me to not only learn better writing skills but start thinking of myself as a REAL writer.
 
When I’m writing a first draft, I still try to write the story I want to read without listening to the voice in my head telling me to edit for an imaginary audience. It’s hard not to listen to that voice sometimes, but I find that if I can ignore it, I usually end up with a much better story.


What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
 
Books. The more you read and the more variety of books you choose to read go a long way to making you a better writer.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing?


RECON! One of my friends and unofficial writing mentors from my MFA program, Timons Esaias, told me that one of the best ways to break through a writing block, to figure out how to write a particular scene, or, you know, write that pesky middle part of your book between the beginning and end, was to find similar books within your genre and see what other people are doing.
 
You simply go find a stack of books that are attempting to tell a similar story and you read them to figure out what to do next. I ended up reading a lot of real slave narratives to see how they were written. Many slave narratives were first-hand accounts that were recorded and then later transcribed by someone else. Some were written by former slaves.
 
I struggled with finding Jacqueline’s voice for a long time, but after reading first-hand accounts of people who survived slavery, I had a better sense of how she needed to tell her story.

Getting your work noticed is one of the hardest things for a writer to achieve, how have you tried to approach this subject?
 
For the most part, I have been using social media (Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, LinkedIn, etc.) to get the message out about my novel and short stories. It seems to be working so far. I’ve made connections through friends, and I reached out to people and asked them for favors – blurbs, reviews, interviews. Sometimes, people say no. That’s okay. But if you don’t ask, the answer is always no. It helps to reciprocate also. If a friend does a review or interview on their blog, you should try to return the favor.
 
Beyond that, I don’t know. I’m planning some face-to-face events like book signings and readings, but I’m open to any advice for how to get more people interested in reading my work.

To many writers, the characters they write become like children, who is your favorite child, and who is your least favorite to write for and why?


My favorite characters to write are my villains and antagonists. I love writing dialog and the thought processes of monsters. I had a lot of fun writing the dialog between Jacqueline and Carlos, and the three-way conversations between them and Aleister Gale. I enjoyed writing their arguments, but my favorite parts to write were the suggestive comments and attempts at seduction from Carlos to Jacqueline. He is a delightful pervert, and one of my favorite characters to write.
 
At the moment, I’m struggling to finish a short story and what is most difficult is figuring out what the supporting characters should be saying to my protagonist. A lot of my stories begin with a line of dialog, or a phrase, and I just can’t seem to get these people talking to each other. It’s driving me crazy.

What piece of your own work are you most proud of?


I am most proud of Invisible Chains. It’s the first full-length novel I’ve completed, and it was my MFA thesis project. I worked very hard to bring this book into the world and I am absolutely thrilled that people actually enjoy reading it.
 
And are there any that you would like to forget about?
 
I wrote an obscene amount of Duran Duran fan fiction as a teenager that I pray has been lost in the winds of time.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?
 
One of my favorite lines in the book is, “Vampires are terrifying creatures, driven by an insatiable cannibalistic hunger and murderous urges. I was glad to have one at my side when I left the safety of the Lynches’ house.”
 
I think it shows just how complicated Jacqueline’s life is. She isn’t exactly safe in her master’s house. She doesn’t feel safe wandering the streets of New Orleans after dark. But the company of a vampire whom she doesn’t completely trust provides a sense of safety she doesn’t experience anywhere else. And, it shows us just how seductive and manipulative Carlos can be.
 
Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?


I’ve only written one book and that’s pretty much all I’ve been talking about lately. But I’ve started plotting out the sequel to Invisible Chains, which I’m tentatively calling Blood Work.
 
And, I’ve been working on another series for several years that I just need to finish. It’s an erotic dark fantasy series about a succubus promised to a demon in an arranged marriage that will prevent the Apocalypse. It examines how polyamory tests the boundaries of a long-term committed relationship between two people who are completely in love while preventing the end of the world.
 
If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?
 
I think that’s an unfair question. Tropes and clichés help define a genre and make them recognizable for a broader audience. If we’re talking about horror films specifically, there are certain things many people probably think are done to death that I still enjoy – spooky settings like a basement or attic in a haunted house, jump scares, character types like paranormal experts and wholesome families with dark secrets, and stories based on actual events that are supported by found footage.
 
Sometimes, the familiarity of a genre can be comforting. I watch horror films to relax and spend quality time with my son. We are both diehard fans of The Conjuring and Insidious franchises. We love the recurring characters and disjointed timelines that connect different parts of an unfolding story.
 
We just went to see Annabelle Comes Home last weekend and we watched Insidious: The Last Key the weekend before and loved both even though they were completely ridiculous at times. Say what you will about the clichés found in these films, but the malevolent spirits, creepy backstories of the characters, and occasional comic relief make them enjoyable films.

INVISIBLE CHAINS KINDLE EDITION BY MICHELLE RENEE LANE

Jacqueline is a young Creole slave in antebellum New Orleans. An unusual stranger who has haunted her dreams since childhood comes to stay as a guest in her master’s house. Soon after his arrival, members of the household die mysteriously and Jacqueline is suspected of murder. Despite her fear of the stranger, Jacqueline befriends him and he helps her escape. While running from the slave catchers, they meet conjurers, a loup-garou, and a traveling circus of supernatural freaks. She relies on ancestral magic to guide her and finds strength to conquer her fears on her journey.

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