January 2011
Terror
What was the first movie or book or television show which scared you?
First book: Tales of Mystery and Imagination by Edgar Allan Poe, which I picked up in a book bin when I was about seven, along with The Jungle Book. I remember almost nothing about the latter, but Poe’s stories have been imprinted on my mind ever since. For television: there were episodes of The Outer Limits (the one with the earwig) that disturbed me greatly. I also remember being terrified by The Eyes of Laura Mars.
In literature, which do you find more scary, supernatural forces, like vengeful ghosts pulling you into the TV, or manmade dangers, like serial killers with specific tastes?
With the supernatural stories, there are more possibilities to be scary, because literally anything can happen, and the stories don’t have to adhere to any real-world logic. Even so, a well-crafted suspense story will stay with me longer because the next time I go into a dark room or out into an empty street, I can imagine that someone like that could really be there. I don’t believe in ghosts or supernatural monsters, so I can easily dismiss the possibility of one in the house—but I am a firm believer in homicidal maniacs.
What are you afraid of in real life?
I’m not a big fan of bugs, but it’s not a phobia. I think most of us are creeped out by the idea of a spider getting in bed with us. I don’t like snakes, but that’s mostly an abstract fear since I rarely encounter them. I’m afraid of that phone call telling me that a loved one has died or has been in a serious accident. I’m afraid of suffering a debilitating illness that leaves me locked-in for the rest of my life, or vegetative. Were I in the hands of a psycho, I’d be afraid of the pain he might inflict.
In what ways do you feel a dark mindset goes hand-in-hand with horror tropes?
I don’t claim to have a dark mindset, so I’m not sure I know how to answer this. I’m generally a pretty cheery, optimistic guy! My mind can go in a zillion directions at once, so I often come up with dark outcomes from normal situations, but that’s mostly for fun rather than because I’m dark or pessimistic or dour.
Does a storyline seem more or less frightening to you, when BDSM themes are included, such as those in Hellraiser or Ichi the Killer?
I’ve never seen those films, and I rarely watch anything that has BDSM themes. Nothing comes to mind. Being restrained and at the mercy of someone else, though, is just about one of the worst things I can imagine.
Do you find fear — in yourself or in others — erotic? If so, how would you describe or explain the connection?
No, not in the least.
Genre
What 2010 horror releases (film or book) did you find most notable?
Does Inception count as horror? I thought that was clever. I really enjoyed Peter Straub’s A Dark Matter and King’s Full Dark, No Stars and got a kick out of Horns by Joe Hill. Mr. Peanut by Adam Ross might qualify, too. To be honest, I rarely watch horror films and only occasional read horror fiction.
What genres do you most enjoy?
I read more crime fiction than anything else. Detective novels, mostly. Legal thrillers on occasion. Suspense novels. I went through my science fiction/fantasy phase in university but now rarely read in those genres.
Do you feel noir is more a subgenre of horror or mystery? Why?
I’d weigh in on the side of mystery or crime because that’s where it emerged from. The pessimistic, jaded detective who has seen the worst in people and used that to define his world view. Horror tends to be pessimistic by nature, but detective novels (like Sherlock Holmes or those of Agatha Christie) were upbeat, with quirky, charming characters who always solved their cases. Then along came Hammett and Chandler and everything changed. There was no more black and white and sometimes the right answer was the wrong one (e.g. Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane). There can be mainstream noir, but I don’t see noir as a facet of horror.
Do you prefer extreme gore or psychological horror?
Definitely psychological. I watched my fair share of graphic movies back in university once VHS became widely available, but I don’t have a stomach for them much any more. They don’t do anything to me, and I find that mostly they’re aimed at shock value rather than anything intelligent. Boom – guts – scare – done. Instant gratification without any lasting impact. A really clever psychological horror story can remain with you much, much longer.
Do you enjoy novels or anthologies more? Why?
I probably read more novels because there aren’t that many anthologies being published by the mainstream press, and some of the ones coming out of the small press are uneven at best. I enjoy a good anthology, savoring the different flavors from each author, and I like writing for anthologies, trying to come up with a new spin on the book’s theme. So, equal enjoyment but I read more novels.
What are some of your favorite horror movies or books of all time?
I’m afraid I’m no good at favorites lists or top 10s. My mind freezes up. For movies, there would probably be a good mix of Hitchcock and noir crime films like The Maltese Falcon. I honestly don’t know how people can pick favorites from the vast number of movies or books we’re exposed to in a lifetime. How do they settle on what’s number six as opposed to number seven? Sorry, I’m stumped.
What are your favorite monsters and what specifically appeals to you about them?
I have a hard time writing convincingly about real monsters, since I don’t believe in them. I find it difficult to take them seriously. If I write a story about a werewolf (for example, “Silvery Moon” in When the Night Comes Down) the odds are that he probably isn’t really what he seems to be. I’m less interested in the monsters themselves (especially mindless monsters) than in the reaction of characters to their existence. ‘Salem’s Lot isn’t interesting because there are vampires in town—it’s interesting because of how the characters band together to stave them off.
What do you think about the zombie trend?
The thing I like most about zombies is the notion that these terrible creatures were once loved ones who have been horribly perverted, and that anyone alive will likely experience the same fate, ultimately. I remember the scene in The Walking Dead when the two sisters mused about their parents. Imagine how terrible it would be to realize that your parents are probably wandering around, mindless, chewing on other people. A fate worse than death. I’m not terribly interested in stories that simply pit people against zombies with no insight into what it means for the living. In the few short stories that I’ve written that could be called zombie stories (Zombies on a Plane, Groundwood), the zombies are very much in the background.
Do you feel Frankenstein monsters qualify as zombies?
Well, I expect an argument could be made to justify that, but there’s much more going on with Frankenstein’s monster. He doesn’t emerge from death on his own or because of some inexplicable phenomenon – he’s manmade. There’s the whole subtext of hubris going on there – man acting as god – as well as the notion of the man ignoring his creation and the consequences of that. If I had to vote, I’d say no.
What do you think about the vampire trend?
I don’t have much interest in love-struck, mooning teen vampires. When I was invited to write a short story for an anthology of contemporary vampire stories (Evolve, edited by Nancy Kilpatrick), I went in a different direction. Instead of writing about hip and cool and trendy vampires, my thought was that if vampires became known in modern society, they would be ostracized, marginalized, ghetto-ized. So I wrote a crime story called “A Murder of Vampires” about a serial killer who preyed on vampires, most of whom just wanted to live their lives quietly and without interference from others.
What do you think about paranormal romance being (a) tagged paranormal romance and (b) marketed to teens? Is this a problematic dilution or a boon to writers and readers of dark fiction, which expands the horror market?
I have no argument against anything that gets teens (or anyone else) to read. While I’m not altogether convinced that these books will become a gateway to something else, I live in hope.
e-Publishing
What are your favorite places (online, in print, on television) to find out what is going on in your areas of interest?
I’ve been a faithful subscriber to Locus magazine for over two decades. I read Publishers Weekly and Publishers Lunch to see what’s coming down the pipeline. I frequent a few author web sites and look for interesting items on Twitter and Facebook. I subscribe to publishers’ newsletters.
Do you own an e-book reader such as a Kindle or Nook or iPad?
I’ve had a Kindle 2 since June 2009
Do you like reading in e-book format, such as PDF, on your computer or e-book reader such as Kindle or Nook or iPad?
I do most of my reading on my Kindle these days. I will read PDF short stories on my computer, but if a work is longer than that I’ll transfer it to the Kindle. If I could get more publishers to send me electronic galleys for review, I’d be very happy.
How do you feel e-books compare to printed ones?
In general they are much lighter. While reading the latest Stephen R. Donaldson novel in hardcover my wrists ached. Beyond that, it’s much easier to find specific text in an electronic book, but more difficult on a Kindle to browse through the pages looking for something general. I’m a 100% convert to e-book readers, though. I rarely buy a physical book any more.
How do you feel web publications compare to printed magazines?
I’m still old-school enough to prefer print publication. eMags seem transcendental. I was published in a few in my early days that are completely gone. It’s like they never existed. No one will ever find back issues of those publications (except maybe on the Wayback Machine). For some reason it doesn’t feel like I’ve been published the same way as if a story is in a book. Where are the author copies? How do you sign something for a fan? How can you put it on your shelf to impress visitors?
What do you think of Twitter, its current role, and its future?
It’s fun. I like peering inside the head of someone creative who blogs about his or her process. It’s the fastest way to propagate news that I’m aware of. Will it last? Who knows? I’m not a prolific tweeter (is that the word?) but it has its uses.
What do you think of Facebook, its current role, and its future?
For the most part, I see Facebook as a social network. I do post links to publications when they are available but for me it’s more of a way to stay in touch with family and friends and to share funny videos and LOLcats. Some people have latched onto it as a marketing platform, but it doesn’t really work that way for me.
What do you think of MySpace, its current role, and its future?
If Facebook added a plugin that allowed bands to stream their music the same way that MySpace does, I think MySpace would cease to exist. I canceled my account a few months ago. I rarely visited it and when I did I never found much of interest. Its days are numbered, I think.
Lifestyle
What conventions, if any, do you attend or speak or exhibit at, and which ones do you plan to go to this year?
I’ve attended World Horror, World Fantasy, the Stoker conference, the Edgar Award weekend, NECON and CrimeBake, as well as local conventions. This year I will definitely be attending World Horror in Austin and possibly NECON.
What are your favorite soundtracks for horror? Specific bands, performers, genres, types of mood evoked?
When I write, I often listen to music, but it tends to be instrumental or classic rock that I’m very familiar with. Favorites are Alan Parsons, Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Mike Oldfield. I also like techno music like Goldfrapp or Shpongle. I rarely listen to music while I’m editing or proofing.
Why do you think it is the case that more subculture-identified people (gothic, punk, etc.) appear in horror literature than any other genre?
It’s the genre that your parents hate, isn’t it? Maybe that’s not the case so much any more, but in my day, it wouldn’t be unusual for someone parental to read a crime novel, but horror? Plus there are all those creatures to be emulated. Pale makeup for vampires. Besides, vampires especially are seductive creatures. They can make you eternal and give you the ability to control other people. Attractive powers for young people searching for an identity.
Do you like going to writer or actor signing appearances?
I’ve gone to many author signings, both at conventions and locally. I rarely attend actor signings. The only ones I can think of were at a Star Trek convention I attended nearly 20 years ago.
What do you do over the course of a typical average day?
Write in the early morning, go to my day job, exercise. In the evenings I watch TV, read, write book reviews and/or revise works in progress.
Do you tend to sleep easy without nightmares or are you often victim to insomnia?
I rarely suffer from insomnia, and don’t have nightmares often, either. I have vivid dreams from time to time, rarely remembered, and occasionally work out math problems or plot conundrums in my sleep.
What are your favorite drinks and how do you take your coffee?
I don’t drink coffee. With meals, mostly milk. During the day I drink black tea with milk. I like Guinness beer, wines, and frozen margaritas.
Does your mode of dress come across dark?
No. Mostly polo shirts or button shirts and jeans.
Where do you live now and where are you originally from?
I’ve lived in Texas for the past two decades. I’m originally from New Brunswick, Canada and have lived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Oxford, England and Zurich, Switzerland.
Writing
What are some of your published credits?
I have two books: The Road to the Dark Tower (NAL-Penguin) and The Stephen King Illustrated Companion (Fall River Press-B&N). My short fiction has appeared in places like Cemetery Dance, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Apex Science Fiction & Horror Digest, Evolve, Tesseracts Thirteen, The Blue Religion and Thin Ice. Four of my stories appear in When the Night Comes Down from Dark Arts Press.
What genres do you write in?
I don’t often think about genre, but I suppose I write mostly in horror and crime fiction. Suspense, a little science fiction/fantasy, a little mainstream.
At what age did you know you wanted to write?
I started my first novel when I was a teenager. My high school teachers were complimentary of my writing skills, and my eighth grade English teacher said the story I submitted to him for a class assignment was good enough to be published. I wrote short stories as an undergraduate but never did anything with them beyond sharing them with a few friends. It wasn’t until a little over a decade ago that I renewed my interest in writing and made the time to do something about it.
What is your educational background and do you feel it informs your writing?
I have a Ph. D. in chemistry but, surprisingly, I rarely write about anything that pertains to my scientific background or my day job.
What do you do to find new things to write about (reading, education, travel, contemplation, etc.)?
Travel is good inspiration, especially for settings. I took a course in classic literature a few years ago and that gave me some good ideas for theme and archetypes. I’m an avid consumer of news and often find articles and items that I clip and set aside for future reference.
Do you feel it is better for a book or story to be classified as horror or mystery or literature?
As much as people fight against classification, I think genre tags have a use. When I go to a bookstore, real or virtual, and I want to buy a mystery novel, I head over to the mystery section and browse the shelves. It’s more tightly focused than if I had to wander through the entire fiction section looking for a crime novel from among everything else. True, that means that I don’t accidentally stumble across something different, but that’s not a big deal to me. I have other ways of finding out about those sorts of books. The biggest issue, though, is when a writer produces something that defies easy classification. Something that blends genres or evades them. That gives publisher’s fits and may lead to a rejection even though it’s a perfectly good book.
How often do you write and how do you find the discipline and time to write? Tips?
Discipline is a big part of how I’ve been able to get as much done in the past decade as I have. I write every weekday morning from 5:00 to 6:45. That’s my most creative period. In the evenings I can work on non-fiction or book reviews or proofing/editing but rarely on any new fiction. On weekends I work at least a few hours each day, but I consider that bonus time and if anything else comes along I don’t mind if I can’t write then. I picked the 5 a.m. slot because it was a time of day when my writing wouldn’t interfere with family activities. The fact that I’m a morning person helps, too. Each person needs to find a time that’s best for them. Someone who isn’t a morning person probably won’t succeed getting up that early.
Do you like doing readings and signings?
I really enjoy getting the chance to interact with people who’ve read my work. Signings are always fun, and there’s enough performer in me to enjoy reading to an audience. I’ve gotten better at it over the years.
Do you think it is valuable for fiction writers to blog? Why?
I don’t know if it’s valuable or not—I have no way to measure it. I think some readers enjoy getting to know more about the authors whose work they read, so I believe I’ve built some loyal followers who read my blog.
How do you feel fiction-writing and screen-writing compare?
They require two completely different skillsets, as far as I can tell. I’ve only written one produced script for a short film, but it was a vastly different experience than anything else I’ve done.
What awards, if any, could you win and find meaningful?
Winning is nice, but I was thrilled simply to be nominated for an Edgar Award and to participate in that process. A Stoker would be nice because the trophies are so cool.
If you had to label your work, what genre tag would you put on the bulk of it?
Suspense, probably.
What writers have influenced your own writing the most?
Everyone I’ve ever read, naturally. Their influences come in different ways. Ray Bradbury’s passion and flamboyance inspire me, but I hardly ever attempt to duplicate it. I can’t think of anyone who has done so successfully. Lots of crime writers, like Hammett, Chandler, Ross MacDonald, John D. MacDonald, Agatha Christie, Ian Rankin. The author who has most fired up my creative juices is probably Graham Joyce – I just love how he handles the ambiguity between the supernatural and reality-as-perceived. Stylistically, I’m impressed by Ian McEwen’s deftness with the omniscient point of view. For straight-forward plotting, Lawrence Block. For dialog: Robert B. Parker. For an example of how to combine edification with plot: Michael Crichton. I could go on all day.
Any new or upcoming releases or anything you are currently working on which you would like to tell our readers about? Depending on what you have going on, we may also use your answer here as a jumping off point to follow up for future feature interviews. Thanks again!
My most recent and forthcoming publications are:
- “The Bank Job,” which won the Al Blanchard Award and appears in the anthology Thin Ice from Level Best Books
- “Chain Reaction,” which was shortlisted in the New Scientist’s flash fiction contest.
- “It is the Tale” in Shivers VI. I’ve had a story in all of the even-numbered Shivers anthologies
- “Crane House” – a round-robin Halloween story that will be published by Cemetery Dance
- “Red Planet” – a science fiction vampire story in Evolve2