There isn’t a part of the horror genre I don't like. I like it creepy, filled with suspense, or even brutal with intense torture scenes. My favorite horror movies have always been slasher movies; give me the gore.
I was born and raised in Shoshoni, WY, a small town in the middle of the State with very little to do. Growing up in a small town wasn't easy for me. It was very dark, which I give credit for my continuing fear of the dark. Yeah, it's a little strange for a horror author to be afraid of the dark, but doesn't it actually make me a subject matter expert in fear?
Around the third grade, I knew I was different from the other kids and tried to keep my secret from everyone all the way through high school. I thought I did a good job, but, alas, everyone knew that I was gay. I've used some of those experiences growing up in my books. As an LGBTQ+ Author, I sometimes find myself hiding when I don't need to.
I earned my Associates of Art in Art in 1990 from Central Wyoming College and have never used my Degree for anything but designing my book covers. I am also a licensed Cosmetologist as I didn't know what to do with my life after graduating college; I quit tossing hair in 1999 and found a job completely outside both fields.
When I started writing my first novel, Dreamwalker: The Second Plain, I had no idea that I had more books in me because writing it was a therapy tactic I was using to take my mind off my dying father-in-law; my husband didn't know I wrote it until I told him that I was a published author. The following books just seemed to explode from me.
People always wonder who my horror idols are, and the biggest is Clive Barker. The worlds he creates are beautiful and frightening. The first horror novel I read when I was ten oddly was The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson and remains one of my favorite books of all time; I even love the movie.
I read other genres, too, though the books I identify with the most always have something scary intertwined in their hearts. C.S. Lewis's Narnia series and Lewis Carroll's Wonderland books are at the top of my list too.
Music has always been a great contributor in my life by means of entertainment and my personal soundtrack. When I write, I listen to different music types to set the mood of the scene I'm writing. Eurythmics will always be at the top of my playlist, but many other bands and genres occupy my mind.
Everyday life gives me a lot of inspiration, from watching people at work or the store to a day trip to the mountains to spark my imagination.
Something I don't speak of much is spirituality, though if you've read any of my books, you can see how important it is in my life. While I don't practice any religion per se, I'm not agnostic. I believe forces larger than us influence us constantly, and they inspire me to write about them. Yes, I think some have contacted me when I've asked to help me tell their stories.
Let's not forget my cats, even those who are no longer with us have inspired me to add them to my stories, giving their unique personalities the spotlight.
I post on my blog and Social Media about books, movies, and other authors that I find extraordinary. Well, not all of the movies are great, but spreading the word is important. Someone may like something I didn't and vice versa. Cross-promotion is important, so my followers will learn about something they didn't know and enjoy it as much as I do.
I believe every work of art deserves feedback. That's why I find it important to write a review for what I've seen or read, whether good or bad. It's what keeps the artist going and perfecting their craft. As an Indie Author, it's crucial to me to get reviews of my books. So, whenever you read a book, write a review, it doesn't have to be lengthy, and it can just be thanking the author.
Writing what I see before it's too late.