1. What does the word “horror” mean to you?
Anything that entails giving someone a fright. Something twisted or menacing that makes someone tremor at the thought. It’s not always about shock factor for me, but rather an idea—that small inkling at the back of your mind—that makes you doubt what is or isn’t.
2. Why write horror? What draws you to writing in this genre?
I’m not sure that what I write is considered straight horror, but the concept is there. I love creating images that, when someone really thinks about it, can be found gruesome and somewhat disturbing. Even though my books are more on the supernatural side, and a bit quirky in a way, I enjoy mixing a bit of horror with things that are otherwise unbelievable, because I want to open people’s mind. What if these things were possible? How horrifying would it be to see the dead, or to have them entering your body to cross over? What if the impossible were possible?
3. What reactions have you received after telling people that you are a writer of horror? Any interesting anecdotes to share?
For the most part people say: “But you seem so normal and nice,” to which I laugh and laugh until it becomes manic. Sometimes I’m amazed at what my mind comes up with ’cause I’m like: Man, that’s messed up. What is wrong with me? hahaha
4. I always tell the traumatic story of my first viewing of Poltergeist when I was in third grade and how it scarred me for years. Do you have any stories of fears to share? This has been a huge topic on our blog.
I’ve experienced a lot of frightening things in my life. One in particular I don’t typically share, but there was a time when my friends locked me in a bathroom to play Bloody Mary. It took me years to get over the trauma. In fact, I still hate looking into mirrors when I’m the only one home. Also, I was terrified of Freddy Krueger as a kid. One day I woke up from a nap after a terrible nightmare of him hiding under my blankets, to find a long scratch down my leg that was bleeding profusely. Maybe I did it to myself in my sleep, but as a kid I was like: I’m ruined. That it’s. I’m dead.
5. What is your favorite horror novel? Horror movie? Why?
Honestly, Anna Dressed in Blood gave me the chills, and not many books do this to me. I could say something by Stephen King or something like that, but I’m gonna have to go with Anna. Also, My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews was super creepy to me. Heartbreaking, really. Movie-wise, I’d have to say Sleepaway Camp. That ending… I will never get that out of my head.
6. Where do you get your inspiration from?
It took me a long time to figure that out, but I think a lot of my inspiration comes from Ghost Adventures. I’m so not kidding. And not the guys, necessarily, though I love them. But I mean the paranormal aspect. When I hear those EVPs or see a shadow caught on camera, oh my gosh, it gets my heart going. I love watching that show when I’m alone because once that fear gets going inside of me, my mind starts racing with ideas. So maybe I should say fear itself is my inspiration.
7. We love music here at The Midnight Society, especially when it helps us to write creepy stories. Any songs or playlists you can share that have inspired your writing?
I don’t listen to music when I write, or much of anything for that matter. I’m weird that way, I know.
8. Any writing tips you can share with us?
For the love of all that is holy, just write. Don’t slow down your writing by editing while drafting. Just get those words in and go back to them later. I never, ever edit when I start on a new manuscript. That would drive me crazy.
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Website: http://heathermarieya.com/
Kathy Palm
I can’t wait to read Gateway!
Kissed by Ink
You will love it!
krystal jane
You know, I have a weird Bloody Mary thing, too. I don’t like being in front of the mirror in the dark. It always, ALWAYS crosses my mind. It’s like, that was over a decade ago, come on. Lol!
Also, editing and writing at the same time does drive me crazy! I swear I’m working on it.
Kathy Palm
Now I’m more excited! And yes! Editing and revising all come AFTER the entire first draft is written or you’ll dig, dig, dig and never get out.