What am I working on?
I'm working on a rewrite of a thriller novella as requested by a publisher. I'm also working on the first draft of a frontier story featuring zombies and a novella that I seem to have been working on for years based on "The Fall of the House of Usher." When I'm not working on the stories above, I'm writing chapters for a novel with Lyn Perry about werewolves among the Pilgrims.
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I like to mix elements of fantasy, fairy tales, and horror. I often draw on age-old stories for inspiration. The thriller I'm editing takes its inspiration from the Greek myths about Iphigenia, whose father Agamemnon had to sacrifice her before his ships could sail to Troy to rescue Helen.
Why do I write what I do?
I have ideas swirling around in my head and I feel compelled to put them on paper. I think my interest in the macabre comes from reading too much Poe and Greek mythology in my formative years. Living in a part of the country with four distinct seasons, plants are either sprouting or dying; snow is accumulating or melting. Nothing is static for very long, a constant cycle of death and rebirth, tragedy and joy. Maybe that's why I like tragedies and cautionary tales. I don't know.
How does my writing process work?
I like to have at least the beginning and the end of a story in mind before I start writing. I take a few notes. I'm too lazy to make any sort of detailed outline so I keep most of the ideas in my head. The story often changes as I go but I keep the end point in mind so I don't sail off the edge of the world. Some of my longer stories have been passing through editors which has been great for my development. While many writers do a lot of cutting during editing, I tend to "edit up," adding more detail to flesh out scenes and dive into character's thoughts and motivations.
Up next week, check out blog hop posts from:
Lexa Cain. Lexa lives a stone’s throw (if you throw it really hard) from the beautiful beaches and turquoise waters of the Red Sea, Egypt. She writes YA and NA Horror and Thrillers, and recently published a YA Horror/Romance called Soul Cutter.
Kat Heckenbach. Kat is the author of the Toch Island Chronicles: Finding Angel and Seeking Unseen. Her novels and short fiction range from YA, fantasy, sci-fi, and horror.
Robert G. Evenhouse. Robert is a novelist, blogger, and founding member of the Weaklings Writers Group and the JOT Writers Conference.
Cool post. For crying out loud, folks, check out Jeff's tales. Scary and poetic. I envy his mad writing skills. Highway 24 is an awesome ghost story. The House Of Crooked Coins still gives me chills. Get off that sofa and read.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stuart. "Get off the couch and read"--I can see that on a button or t-shirt.
DeleteGreat post! I can see how the mythical and archetypal play into your writing. Thanks for the shout out! In a twist straight from a book plot, I contacted Stuart yesterday and asked him to do the blog hop - and HE's the one who asked you! There were red faces all around. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lexa. That's too funny that you asked Stuart.
DeleteAloha.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I love reading about how other writers get their ideas and motivations. I liked how you have a lot of books in the go at once too. I write like that too.
Aloha Meg. :-)
Thanks for stopping, Meg. I'm not sure if having a lot of projects going at once is a good idea. Sometimes I feel like I never finish anything, but no matter my intentions, I always wind up with a bunch of open projects.
Delete"too much Poe and Greek mythology" - is that possible? Great interview - seems you're as busy as ever on the writing front...
ReplyDeleteGood question, Simon. I'm willing to read more and find out.
DeleteHow is the novel collaboration going? I haven't tried it yet -- other than with the Mrs., and the results were silly fun.
ReplyDeleteIt's going well, slowly, but well. The historical research is fun but also time consuming and sometimes frustrating when you can't find answers to simple questions like how much does a plate of sausages cost at a tavern in 17th century England. Lyn has taken the chapters on one character and I've taken the other character. We'll have a very well-rounded protagonist versus a very well-rounded antagonist. Should be a very fun read. I hope.
DeleteNice interview, Jeff as well as your website. You have a lot of published works to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteI took a class both in high school and college on Greek mythology. Interesting stuff. And I like Poe.
Thanks for stopping, Susan. The Greek myths and Poe never become stale.
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