HORROR INTERVIEW : 5 MINUTES WITH SCARLET NORTON-DUPERRE

Scarlet has  been writing short stories and books since she was 11, and published her  first short story at the ripe old age of 13. When she looks back on the stories she created in those days  she realizes how naive she was but also how creative. Her  writing has changed become more adult and less childish, it is dark and more often than not contains erotic material as well, but the tingle of excitement she received as a child when writing or reading has never changed. She  tries to keep the happiness for writing and the imagination she has alive in everything she writes. She prefers writing horror stories and horror will always be her first love

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Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? 

I was born in Ohio and lived most of my young life in New York and Pennsylvania. I started writing stories as soon as I could write letters. My fascination with the horror genre started at the age of five when I watch the movie Dracula with Bella Lugosi, I was terrified all night but loved the thrilling feeling of anticipation.  I have lived in almost every state in the union and enjoy traveling a great deal.  When I’m not writing horror, I write non-fiction articles for several blogs and magazines, a few attorneys, publishers and medical professionals. I also do music reviews for a popular music site online. I also help write, produce and make short films. I am a member of the Horror Writers Association and am the Chair of the Grievance Committee; I am also a member of The Authors Guild and the National Writers Union. I currently live in Texas with my husband and two corgis’, and several aquariums full of insane fish. Honestly, all of the animals in my family, from the dogs to the fish, and I am including the crazy squirrels and owls that live in the backyard, are all completely insane and for some reason they all think they are human.  

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

I prefer Horror or Dark Fiction, mainly because I do not consider what I do as weird. Lately I have been referring to my work and genre as Horror-Sci; it just feels like the best definition. 

Who are some of your favourite authors?

I love and adore Brian Lumley; he has been the greatest influence in my work for the better part of twenty-five years. I was influenced by Poe, Bradbury, Lovecraft and Wells of course and I really enjoy Stephen King and Joe Lansdale and hold Clive Barker in the highest of regard. I am also a big Poppy Z Bright fan. 

What are you reading now?

Oddly enough I am reading several anthologies as I am on the Bram Stoker Jury for the Anthology category.  I am also reading all George Martin’s, Game of Thrones books, as well as reading material for research on a new book. 

How would you describe your writing style?

I think I combine allot of different styles in my writing, most of them dark, some erotic and as of late, psychological with a humorous edge.

Describe a typical day spent writing. Do you have any unusual writing habits?
 
A typical day usually starts with a pot of coffee and me trying to find any and all excuses NOT to write. Once I do away with all the excuses, which usually includes doing housework, shopping, playing with the dogs and allot of other pitiful excuses, I sit down at my desk, put on my ear phones, find some motivational music, usually opera or classical, or heavy mental, unless I am writing a romantic or love screen, which is truly rare in my work, then I spend about six hours non-stop writing whatever comes to me. I usually write about seven thousand words a day so either fiction or non-fiction is irrelevant. 

I refuse to allow anyone to read my material until it is finished and only if they are at least 100 miles away. This seems to be the limit that I will travel in order to correct them if I feel their opinion of my material is incorrect. 

What’s your favourite food?

Tacos can’t get enough of them, ever!

What’s your favourite album?

Queensrÿche – Empire, I love the story the songs tell. But truthfully my favourite will change depending on my mood.

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

You will never regret the stories you have told, only the ones you haven’t.

Fame and fortune, or respect?

I don’t like the word or but if I had to pick one I would say respect. Fame and fortune come and go, but respect is something you can have for a lifetime. 

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

A relatively new story that won’t be published until 2014 – The Leeching. It is the first story I have written that went exactly the way I planned it, and might be my best work to date. It combines everything I love in a story without any unnecessary fluff.

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

My latest work can be found in several anthologies out this month from Horrified Press (Silent Screams), Dark Moon Press (A Slow Afternoon) and Diabolic Publications Diabolic Tales III (The Jester) and Dying to Live (Halloween) as well as a poetry collection being published by Chupa Cabra House in their Unpredictable Change Quarterly Magazine.

I am currently working on two books, one that will be pure Sci-Fi and one that is true Monster Horror. I am also working on several short story projects for various publishers and a screen play for a short film project. 

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Purchase Scarlet's book on Amazon HERE