HORROR AUTHOR INTERVIEW : MATT SHAW

THE CABIN BY MATT SHAW

Matt Shaw was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit - beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.

Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.

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MATT SHAW

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

33 years old with over 40 stories (self)published. I have my first novel coming out with Horrific Tales Publishing this year (co-written with Michael Bray) which we’re excited about too.

I like to write dark pieces. I shy away from happy endings (I prefer to shock the readers and give them an ending which haunts them).

This year is an interesting one for me. I have the aforementioned novel, “ART”, with Michael Bray to look forward to, I have an extreme horror novel called “Sick B*stards” due out and I’m making my first film (based on one of my shorts) on January 10th!

Do you prefer the term Horror, Weird Fiction or Dark Fiction?

I personally try not to get labelled but I guess I’d be mostly defined as Dark Fiction because even my ‘nicer’ stories don’t tend to have a happy ending.

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Roald Dahl. He is simply the best writer to date. His children stories were great to grow up with and his dark fiction (for adults) make for entertaining reads.

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

Psycho disappointed me. The film is one of my favourite films if not THE favourite and I felt the book just fell flat. I guess I was expecting it to be exact to the film, other than a few changes here and there but even Norman Bates was described differently to how he appears in the film and, for me, that was a deal breaker. Anthony Perkins IS Norman Bates.

How would you describe your writing style?

Although I sometimes write in the usual narrative form (he said / she said kind of thing), I tend to prefer to work in the first person perspective. I feel it helps the reader get into the head of the character more.

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

Only one of the one star reviews by a bloke called Ken. He didn’t so much as tear my work apart but rather chose to tear me apart as a person instead. I couldn’t help but get angry at that. What’s the point of being a dick about someone just because you don’t like their writing? Fine, have your opinion on someone’s work but try not to make it a personal attack. For one, it’s downright rude and it’s also impossible to learn from a review such as that.

What’s your favourite food?

Steak. Fillet. Nom nom nom.

My diet is crap though. I tend to just scoff bag of crisps and sweets.

Who would be on the soundtrack to your life story?

Guns N Roses, Eminem, Beethoven, Pink Floyd.

How’s that for a mix?

What’s the most important lesson you have learned about writing?

Don’t give up and don’t take reviews to heart. Oh - and writing will not make you rich.

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

NOT writing is the most difficult. It’s in my blood. If I don’t write, I tend to get extremely narky and snappy. Some what of an asshole to live with. Just ask my wife.

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

My writing style is becoming more defined and my pieces longer and fuller. The creativeness behind the stories hasn’t changed from when I was ten years old writing my first piece, locked in my bedroom.

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

A blank page is nothing more than a challenge.

Who is your favourite character from your book and why?

I have to say Peter (Happy Ever After). Sure he is a serial killer and psychopath but he is also the star of eight books and got me my first number one on both Amazon sites.

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

I like all of my characters, even the assholes, because they’re all a part of me. The evil ones are just some of my personal demons that I’m shedding. It’s good exercise to put them into books to get rid of them.

Fame, fortune, or respect?

Respect, fame, fortune. And groupies. You can’t miss them off.

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

“The Cabin”. It’s the only book I’ve written which actually made me jump during the writing process. I was there, getting into it, writing about ghostly noises and such like when - all of a sudden - the postman shoved some letters through the letterbox behind me. I shat myself something chronic.

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

I’m next working on a book which is to accompany my film “MENU”. A behind the scenes book about the filming process. It will be educational, funny and (hopefully) inspiring for people who wish to have a crack at making their own film.

I’m also working on edits for “ART” before the deadline.

My most recent book is “Sick B*stards”. Basically I was told that, as a horror writer, it’s impossible to go too far. I wanted to prove it’s not impossible. Early feedback suggests I have proven my theory right.

I hope people do give it a go though. Behind the gore, incest, cannibalism, violence, language...Behind all that...There’s an interesting story.

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do?

Would you like to go to bed with me?

Website:

www.mattshawpublications.co.uk

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/mattshawpublications

Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Matt-Shaw/e/B0034OVM56/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1388703221&sr=8-2-ent

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