FIVE MINUTES WITH: JOHN MARROWS

John Marrows is an american playwright and author by night and paranormal explorer by day. Since 2015, he has worked seasonal jobs allowing him to travel with everything he owns in one suitcase. All of his works are free to read at JohnMarrows.com. Follow his paranormal adventures on Twitter and Instagram: @iMarrowsJ.

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
 
I’m an epileptic queer who loves all things horror.

To get the ball rolling and get everyone relaxed, here is a hopefully lighthearted question to break the ice, which one of your characters would you least like to meet in real life and have them complain at you about they way you treated them in your work.

Fuck me. I’d say Twitch from my ‘All My Friends Are Freaks’ series only because I understand his pain and even just writing a few thousand words on it, it was a shit journey to face my own demons. It would be like facing a younger version of myself asking “why it hurts so much?” or “will it ever get better?”. Writing part two took a lot out of me emotionally and honestly, I don’t think I’d be able to handle it.

Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?
 
I’d have to say, my own experiences and trauma have ultimately shaped the way I write and how my characters are portrayed. In 2010, I was nothing more than an unemployed drug addict disinterested in everything life had to offer. Something about surviving a suicide attempt after going through the most horrific withdrawal symptoms makes you want to tell a story or two, you know?
 
 
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?
 
Well, I mean, the term “horror” is so subjective. Even the definition is extremely broad leaving so much room for the imagination. As far as my feelings towards the term, I think people should educate themselves further on the different subgenres of horror. I really do think there’s horror for everyone out there. Similar to the idea when someone hates metal music because it’s all “screamo”. If you take the time to understand what the various subgenres of metal have to offer, you might find a new taste for it. (I hope to see you in the pit.)   

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?
 
Along with some of my own creative goals, I definitely see horror coming to the stage in the next few years. Live theatre productions in off broadway or alternative theatre settings are on the rise. I look forward to seeing this grow for the horror community.

Given the dark, violent and at times grotesque nature of the horror genre, why do you think so many people enjoy reading it?
 
Why are so many fascinated by serial killer documentaries? It’s out of the ordinary, the strange, the unknown. Society has this fascination with what they cannot fathom to be in their reality. You hear all too often. “That could never happen in my town.” or “They were the nicest person, I never suspected they would do that.” As much as they “can’t believe it,'' they love to talk about it.

What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre?
 
I want to say more LGBTQ+ representation but I feel it’s already in the works.

In the past authors were able to write about almost anything with a far lesser degree of the fear of backlash, but this has all changed in recent years.  These days authors must be more aware of representation an the depiction of things such as race and gender in their works, how aware are you of these things and what steps have you taken to ensure that your writing can’t be viewed as being offensive to a minority group?
 
My aim is never to offend, but definitely to challenge. I write to face my own demons and I hope my readers find comfort in the fact that their feelings are valid and they’re not alone. In my most recent short story series, The Gatekeeper, the main character is a trans teen navigating life in a rural conservative town. Although I happen to be a genderqueer individual, I’ve made an effort to not involve my own identity struggles with this character because they’re not the same at all. If my content contains potentially triggering material for my readers, I always place a warning before the story begins. Some say that ruins the idea of horror, but I’d rather my readers know what they’re signing up for. I think of it as a virtual seat belt before hopping in the passenger seat as I speed down the highway to Hell that is my twisted imagination.

Does horror fiction perpetuate its own ghettoization? For example Julia Armfield’s latest collection Salt Slow has a cover that most horror fans would walk past in a bookshop, and is one that probably is not marketed as horror, does the genre’s obsession with horrific covers cause harm than good?
 
I think if a potential reader is looking for the most “horrific cover” as they peruse their local bookstore, they’re missing out on some choice titles. Again, the term “horror”, to me, can be so subjective. I’ve read some dramas and mysteries that I found to be more “horror” than some titles with those ‘bloodied and beaten’ cover art.

What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice of?
 
T.J. Tranchell, dedicated to provide a fresh take on horror. His collection of short stories, Asleep in the Nightmare Room, inspires me to this day to continue writing. His newest novel has a mormon exorcist, what the fuck else would want to read about? He’s definitely underrated as an author and can see big things coming his way.

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

The Body by Stephen King
A Child Called “It”: One Child’s Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

Once upon a time while I worked as a stage actor, after opening weekend of one of my first professional theatre shows a local critic really shit on me. Ha-ha. His honestly lacked empathy of any kind, which really wasn’t ideal but definitely made me step back a take a look at how I approach performing.

What aspects of writing do you find the most difficult?

Recently, finding the time to read as much as I write.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?
 
Sexual abuse. Some demons should be left unwritten. It’s unfair to place my audience in that uncomfortable position. It’s something I still struggle with as a survivor and understand how uncomfortable that can make someone.

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 my characters, unless it’s a period piece, often come to me while I’m writing. I’ll have full outlines of stories with “?” where character names would go. The same goes for their gender identity. As the story forms, so does the character.
 
Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years?

I don’t think any writer is “developed”, creativity is an infinite journey between the artist and their demons they wish to share with the world.
 
What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing?

If you’re stuck, change the weather.

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?


Ethan, from ‘All My Friends Are Freaks’ is definitely one of my favorites. He’s so humble, yet challenged by his anxiety. Impressionable, but formed. I relate to him and think we would have been close friends when I was younger. Especially on the unit.

For those who haven’t read any of your books, which of your books do you think best represents your work and why?

All My Friends Are Freaks, no question. These short stories are the ultimate collection of not only my interests as a writer, but my struggles as a human. The reader is getting an inside look of who I am, what I’ve been through, and how fucked my imagination can be.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?
 
“Having someone watch you poop finally getting to you, huh?”
 
Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?
 
The last story I published, Snow Child(ren), was originally drafted as a screenplay but ultimately worked better as a flash fiction. It’s engaging, enticing, and aims for the audience to ask a lot of questions. A fun read for any horror enthusiast. I’m currently drafting part two of my latest short story series, The Gatekeeper, which is my first take on dark fantasy.
 
If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?

For film specifically, and maybe my opinion as a photosensitive epileptic is bias, but flashing lights. Unless it actually adds to the story somehow or the motivations of a character, just quit it already.

What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?

Last great book I’ve read: The Institute by Stephen King
 
What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?  And what would be the answer?
 
Question: Other than writing, what keeps you going?
 
Answer: Teaching and Metal Music.