What first attracted you to horror writing?
I’ve been drawn to darker elements for as long as I can remember, not necessarily just horror. I don’t think I ever sat down and said, “I want to be a horror guy.” That just sort of developed on its own, with the short films I was doing at the time starting to pick up festival awards and win contests. The very first thing I ever wrote was about a guy looking out his window into murky darkness, then going outside and disappearing. I was 3. It was quintessentially primal, if you think about it.
What is your most notable work?
I have a few different answers for that. Depends on whether we’re talking commercially or personally. I guess a strong case can be made for New Terminal Hotel, since it’s not every day an independent film garners the amount of articles we were seeing when we were still in pre-production, then hits the international news wires upon release, largely as a result of cast deaths and mysterious set fires. NTH curse? Maybe. I died too, back in 2009, but only for about 2 minutes.
What are you working on now?
Currently writing, cutting my teeth on some literary works, which is from where all this shit springs forth.
Who do you admire in the horror world?
On screen, John Carpenter in his prime was the best we’ve seen. I don’t read very much modern horror, but the stuff I’ve checked out hasn’t surpassed King’s character development. He’s where he is for a reason.
Do you prefer all out gore or psychological chills?
Either, depending on what serves the story best.
Why should people read your work?
I don’t latch onto trends or write to serve a genre. I give a shit.
Recommend a book.
Hmm… Scarla.
