HORROR AUTHOR INTERVIEW - LANCE BARNWELL

Moonlight illuminates her porcelain skin
A black domino betwixt forehead and chin

Lance Barnwell’s Dereliction is a triumphant first step into the publishing world. His collection is full of stark and bold dark poetry that ranges from the supernatural, to the future of our world.

Lance cleverly uses ironic rhyming couplets to portray not a love story, but a dark wondering about the world we live in. He asks questions of it and gives an interesting opinion on its answers, provoking involvement and thought from his audience. His couplets are intelligent, not twee, showing a mastery of the craft.

This thrilling collection boldly steps into the world of dark poetry smoothly and effortlessly. He reveals an honest portrayal of dark thoughts, feelings and emotions that the audience can relate to feeling - even if it is not always admitted.

Followers of dark poetry will love Barnwell's collection, but its appeal stretches further than this. The book is also filled with humour, both black and light; all tastes can be found somewhere amongst his words.

With his evocative style, raw emotions and untamed feeling, Barnwell will take you through a journey unlike any other.

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Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

My name is Lance Barnwell and I live and work in the heart of Leicestershire.

I’ve been writing poetry for about the last five or six years and writing dark/horror poetry for the last three years. I’ve had two dark/horror collections published ‘Dereliction’ and my latest ‘H is for Hell’

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

I enjoy hiking and travelling, loud music, reading and horror movies.

What’s your favourite food?

Chicken

Who would be on the soundtrack to your life story?

Jimi Hendrix!

Tell us a dirty little secret?

I’m a psychopath… but I’ve got it under control (there’s not a full moon tonight)

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Think it through and don’t spit out your dummy

 Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

I can’t go into details, but it involved being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It turned into a game of hide, but don’t seek and walk this way because I need to distract you. It worked a treat – I can’t believe to this day that I got away with it.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Stephen King, James Herbert, Wilfred Owen, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis


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

Under The Dome (much better than the TV series), The Da Vinci Code (gave up on it)

What is your all-time favourite horror novel, and film?

The Stand (novel) The Shining (film)

If you could erase one horror cliché what would it be?

The obvious zombie

Which fictional character would be you perfect neighbour, and who would be your nightmare neighbour?

Van Helsing (good) Leatherface (very bad)


If you could kill off any character from any other book who would you chose and how would they die?

Pennywise the clown. I would put him up against Leatherface.

And if you had free range what fictional character would you like to write for?

Hannibal Lecter

What do you think of the current state of the genre? 

I’m not sure, I like my horror to be subtle and not gratuitous.

What do you think is the biggest problem facing horror fiction right now?

Too many zombies; enough is enough!

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

One reviewer said that when she started reading my ‘Dereliction’ collection that she couldn’t put it down, which was nice – I’m assuming she didn’t have glue on her fingers!

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

The first stanza/lines.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?

Religion as a serious concept.

What do you think makes a good story?

An unseen, but plausible, twist to the plot.

 How important are names to you in your books?

If I use names in my poetry they’re usually, but not always, an anagram with relevance to the subject matter of the poem.

What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?  

A good imagination.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?

Don’t give up your day job.


What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?

‘Your writing is highfalutin’

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Twitter, Facebook, local press and contacting every ‘horror’ site I can. Nothing works well for self published poetry, but it’s my hobby and I write for fun.

Who is your favourite character from your book and why?

The unnamed guy in the poem ‘Your Bloody Hands’, he gets to kill a clown.

How about the least favourite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

The unnamed guy in the poem ‘Slipknot’. He put his head in a noose for no good reason and paid the price – he should have done what I did and walked on by.

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

‘Telepaths’ from my latest book ‘H is for Hell’. I posted it on a dark poetry website and it caused quite a stir. Other people think ‘The Deathwatch Clock’ from my first book ‘Dereliction’ is the best poem I’ve written.

And are there any that you would like to forget about?

There are one or two poems I would like to tinker with, but nothing drastic.

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

My latest book ‘H is for Hell’. I didn’t hold back and I went as ‘dark’ as I wanted to.

What are you working on right now?

More dark/horror poetry.

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?  And what would be the answer?

Would I get a discount if I bulk buy your books? Yes, of course, 10%