 Many audiences associate horror with graphic, senseless violence and pulpy storytelling. In particular, horror isn’t always recognized for its ability to be intellectual or to convey meaningful insights. Modern creators like Jordan Peele, Michael Flannigan, and others who push the bar with fresh takes on horror tropes are helping to change those popular cultural notions. Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself? I’m a New England transplant currently living in Southern California. I write horror, fantasy, science fiction and weird west stories, dozens of which have been published internationally in podcasts, anthologies and magazines. In addition, I co-founded the San Diego chapter of the Horror Writers Association. When I’m not tending to two tiny humans, I enjoy seeking out new coffee shops, vintage X-Men comics, beachside towns, and carnivals. I also love collecting Back to the Future memorabilia. Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing? Science fiction, both in films and books, has had a big influence on me. Growing up, I loved X-Files and comics. The works of sci-fi luminaries like Octavia Butler, Ursula Le Guin, Philip K. Dick, William Gibson, George Orwell, and many others opened my eyes to various styles of brilliant writing in the genre. There’s also a lot of crossover between science fiction and horror that I enjoy. When I was younger, I was obsessed over The Twilight Zone as well as movies like the Alien trilogy, The Fly, and Independence Day. These influenced my writing in several ways: dealing with enormous stakes, subverting expectations, and facing a fear of the unknown. 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? Many audiences associate horror with graphic, senseless violence and pulpy storytelling. In particular, horror isn’t always recognized for its ability to be intellectual or to convey meaningful insights. Modern creators like Jordan Peele, Michael Flannigan, and others who push the bar with fresh takes on horror tropes are helping to change those popular cultural notions. 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? I think it’s always a good time for cosmic and sci-fi horror, especially as we’re faced with the rapidly changing (deteriorating) state of our ecological world and societal structures. A sense of unknown looms especially large in this uncertain future. That foreboding—juxtaposed with the excess of frenzied information and extreme isolation many are contending with—makes right now an excellent time to deal with fears and stressors through the catharsis of horror. What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre? I would love to see more diversity and varied women characters throughout, as well as a better male/female ratio in movies (this goes for most genres). It’s improved, but there’s still a lot of stereotypes and cliched writing in popular horror books and movies. What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult? For me, the first draft is the most difficult and intense part of writing. As fun as it is to create worlds for the first time, I also find it stressful since my process is more of a “pantser” and very inefficient—it pains me to throw away thousands of words that end up not fitting into the piece. Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? I typically don’t write excess graphic violence – I’m too squeamish to go into really extreme horror and it doesn’t serve my writing. Writing, is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years? As a kid and teen, I wrote several (unpublished) fantasy and sci-fi novels. During college I took a long break from creative writing as I tried to figure out what to do with my life. Once I settled into a career I enjoyed and my adult life became more stable, I returned to writing more seriously, first short stories, and then novels. What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing? I like the advice of not strictly adhering to any specific writing tips. I first came across this suggestion from Chuck Wendig’s blog and it was liberating. Rather than stressing over a particular writing tip (e.g., “write every day”), I try to stay fluid and experiment with different outlines, structures, schedules, etc. to see what best yields forward movement for that particular story. Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next? My debut horror-fantasy western novel, Melinda West: Monster Gunslinger (Brigids Gate Press, February 2023) is like “The Witcher meets Bonnie and Clyde,” featuring a re-imagined Old West full of monsters, diverse characters and fast-paced adventure. The main characters, stoic sharpshooter Melinda West, 29, and her charismatic partner, Lance, offer their monster-exterminating services to desperate towns in the Old West. They fight everything from giant flying scorpions to psychic bugs until they accidentally release a vengeful demon that steals their friend’s soul. They must travel across treacherous lands to track a dangerous outlaw and battle a menagerie of creatures—all before an army of soul-devouring demons descend on Earth. I’m currently at work on the second Melinda West book, which will feature even more gruesome monsters and an ensemble of new characters and towns. If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice? One horror cliché that annoys me is a character slowly entering dark rooms or basements calling out “hello.” I’d be in and out of there quickly and quietly. Also, people staring in silent horror at their blood-soaked hands is a visual that’s been overdone. What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer? I like the question, “what type of character would you be in a horror movie or book?” Personally, I’d like to be the keeper of arcane-but-useful knowledge, such as the bookseller/store owner/mystic/etc. who has the air of mystery and helps the protagonist put together the pieces of the puzzle in the second act. MELINDA WEST: MONSTER GUNSLINGER |
Archives
May 2023
|
RSS Feed
|
|