I recently interviewed L. Marie Wood, psychological horror and suspense author. Her latest books are Crescendo, a novel, and a short story collection called Caliginy.
Heather: Tell me about your two newest books, Crescendo and Caliginy?
Lisa: Well, Crescendo is the first novel I have attempted and it took about 3 months to write and edit! It's a story about a man (James) who loses it after a traumatic event, the death of his lover. He starts to see things - he can't tell if they are real or imagined. It's during this time that his best friend and the husband of his dead lover, decides to get even. He (Pete) plays on James' fragile state of mind, manipulating the situation to drive his friend crazy. But is James crazy or are the things he is seeing real? It has a bit of mystery and suspense with a psychological horror bent.
Caliginy is my first collection of stories. Often times I get an idea that can't be fleshed out into a full length novel, but I love the idea so much, I can't just drop it, hence, Caliginy. It’s 35 tales in all, from 25 words to 10,000!
Heather: Was it hard to move from writing short stories to a full length novel?
Lisa: Not at all, just a matter of mood! I usually write short stories as a breather from my long tales!
Heather: Are there any authors that have inspired you?
Lisa: Stephen King, without a doubt! I have been reading his work since I was a kid!
Heather: What's your favorite of his books?
Lisa: Now that's a hard question! The Shining probably, though I really enjoyed Dolores Clairborne and Gerald's Game. I'll go with The Shining.
Heather: I love The Shining myself. So what do you like the best about writing horror fiction?
Lisa: The way it makes people feel. I love to see people cringe when they read a blurb or get animated about how they were afraid to turn off the lights after reading a chapter. I love it because I write about what frightens me, so I know the feeling!
Heather: So you use inspiration from your life in your writing?
Lisa: Oh yes - for me it’s easier to write what I know.
Heather: What other things inspire you for ideas?
Lisa: It can honestly be anything - walking along the road and seeing an abandoned house, seeing something out of the corner of your eye.
Heather: And how long have you been writing horror? How did you get started?
Lisa: I started writing when I was 9 years old during an English class! We had a creative writing assignment and my story was about a spooky house. It literally scared all the kids! I haven't stopped since then. Stephen King's work made me realize that I could write that kind of stuff and that people would actually read it! I didn't get serious about writing until after college.
Heather: And what are you currently working on?
Lisa: I just finished my second novel and am working on my third! The second novel is a vampire story - but not your traditional type. It’s set in West Africa, the Caribbean, and New York. I am also awaiting the release of my second short story collection Phantasma, another 35 tales. And finally, I am putting the finishing touches on my third short story collection, Anathema. I do have two editing projects going right now as well. Hell Hath No Fury is an anthology of horror tales written by the new female authors in the genre, and Eight Days is an anthology of stories all done in the same theme with the characters carried throughout each tale - like a novel written by several people.
Heather: Wow, sounds like you've got a lot going on! When is Phantasma coming out?
Lisa: Yeah - it's a lot, but it feels go to be able to churn out work! Phantasma should be out in August!
Heather: I'll be looking forward to it! Is there anything else you'd like to tell Bella Online readers about your work?
Lisa: I'd like to encourage them to curl up in a chair and relax with Crescendo, Caliginy, or Phantasma in their hands...but to be sure that they have the all the lights on in the house!
Visit Lisa's website for more information about her and her work.
