TIH 187: Orrin Grey on Lessons from Old School Monster Movies, Making Believable Monsters, and Tips for Freelance Writers

  • January 17, 2018

  • 5 mins to read

TIH 187 Orrin Grey on Lessons from Old School Monster Movies, Making Believable Monsters, and Tips for Freelance Writers

In this podcast Orrin Grey talks about old school monster movies, how to make and write about believable monsters, tips for freelance writers, and much more.

About Orrin Grey

Orrin Grey is a writer, editor, amateur film scholar, and monster expert who was born on the night before Halloween. His stories of monsters, ghosts, and sometimes the ghosts of monsters have appeared in dozens of anthologies, including Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year, and been gathered into two volumes, Never Bet the Devil & Other Warnings and Painted Monsters & Other Strange Beasts. He also writes licensed fiction and other odds-and-ends for Privateer Press, and he likes to play Hordes whenever he gets the chance, where he is utterly devoted to his beloved Gatormen. His writing about film has appeared in places like Strange Horizons and Clarkesworld, and he writes a regular column on vintage horror cinema at Innsmouth Free Press. John Langan once referred to him as “the monster guy,” and he never lets anyone forget it.

Show notes

  • [02:45] What old school monster films can teach writers today
  • [08:20] Recent films that have impressed Orrin
  • [18:25] TV shows
  • [27:55] Kev Harrison, via Patreon, asks about essential ingredients for making a believable and frightening monster
  • [32:10] Ross Byers, via Patreon, asks about childhood monster stories that still influence Orrin now / Clive Barker chat
  • [36:55] Lysette, via Patreon, asks which monster deserves more screen time and why
  • [43:00] Andrew M. Reichart, via Patreon, asks about cultivating an appreciation for classic monsters
  • [51:00] What have you changed your mind about and why
  • [54:55] Advice to eighteen-year-old self
  • [57:10] Tips for freelancers
  • [58:20] Something Orrin believes that others don’t
  • [59:45] Popular misconceptions about horror
  • [01:01:15] New Year targets and goal setting
  • [01:05:20] Connect with Orrin

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