A Peek Inside Horror Author Joe Hart's Brain (Yikes!)

Today I'm sitting down with emerging horror author Joe Hart. When I heard he was working on a novel, I knew I needed get the inside scoop. Always the gentleman, Joe was kind enough to spare some time out of his busy schedule to talk with us. 

Griffin: Your awesome collection of dark horror stories, Midnight Paths, has been selling exceptionally well. What can you tell us about it? 
Joe: Midnight Paths is my first collection of short horror that I compiled last summer. The ideas for the stories just started coming to me as I was writing a longer project and I couldn't ignore them so I decided to shelve the other project and focus on them instead. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. Basically they're an eclectic array of subjects, from a good old-fashioned monster story to the horror of the human mind. I think if someone is a horror lover they'll find something in there that will satisfy them!

Griffin: Describe your journey as a writer. 
Joe: My journey as a writer began when I was about 9 years old. I had always loved to read, my mom really instilled that in me by never missing an opportunity to visit our local library when I was young. I remember sitting down at her electronic typewriter to punch out my first story. It was a scary one with monsters and a knight on a quest. From then on I wrote a lot of poetry and several short stories in high school and college. For awhile after college I was adrift, knowing I should have been writing more but something always seemed to come up. About two years ago I got down to business in earnest and wrote a screenplay which is incidentally in New York as we speak, hopefully being passed around with the right people. After discovering Direct Publishing on Amazon I decided to switch gears and started writing the short stories that eventually became Midnight Paths. Since then I've been writing almost everyday.

Griffin: I see you're working on a novel. Anything you can tell us about it?
Joe: Absolutely!  The novel is a supernatural thriller set in my home state of Minnesota. The better part of it is set on the North Shore of Lake Superior. It's about a writer who had a pretty horrible childhood, and in the middle of a fairly successful career finds himself stuck with terrible writer's block. He's drawn to a house on the North Shore and some strange things start happening to him. I'm almost finished with a first draft and it should be out in digital and paperback late this summer or early fall.


Griffin: Speaking of writer's block, has it ever happened to you and if so how do you deal with it? 
Joe: I've been really fortunate and haven't had to deal with too much writer's block so far. I have had minor bouts of it within a few of my stories and now my novel, but it usually just takes a little introspection and the answer always seems to surface.


Griffin: Do you have a daily writing schedule and if so what is it? 
Joe: I do have a writing schedule.  I actually work a full time job as well as write, so my time during the weekdays is relegated to the evenings. I try to write for at least an hour and lately I've been pushing to get about a thousand words down each session. On the weekends I like to write in the mornings and early afternoons so my evenings are free to be with my family.

Griffin: How much planning, outlining and research goes into each of your books?
Joe: You know my short stories aren't structured at all.  An idea comes to me and I let it stew there for awhile. Slowly it takes shape and when I'm ready I just sit down and knock it out. For my longer works I do an outline which really helps. A bigger work always seems so daunting when looked at in a whole, but if you break it down into sections and sequences, it loses its intimidation factor. As far as research goes, I try to be as realistic as possible without boring the reader with facts and statistics. I think that a story bogs down when the research begins to bleed through into the fiction.

Griffin: What authors inspire you? 
Joe: Oh wow. Well, Stephen King of course. He's basically my hero. As far as I'm concerned no one does characters better than King. He can broad stroke a character in a page so well that you feel like they're almost real.  I really admire that. The others that come to mind are Robert McCammon, Dean Koontz, Richard Matheson, Blake Crouch, Cormac McCarthy, Kealan Patrick Burke, Rick Yancey, Joe Hill, Richard Adams, and Justin Cronin to name a few.

Griffin: What's the best thing about being a writer? 
Joe: The best thing about being a writer is knowing that you've created a world for others to get lost in. If I can write something that lets people imagine a place or scenario that they never would have on their own, then I've done my job. I've been lost in books for hours before and there's nothing like it. That's what I want to create.

Griffin: What's the worst thing about being a writer? 
Joe: The worst thing about being a writer is that inevitable feeling that you get from time to time that you have no talent whatsoever. I think every writer experiences it once in awhile. You'll be reading something you wrote days before and all of a sudden you ask yourself, "Really?  I wrote that?  It's complete drivel." Those are the bad times. But I've found they're only temporary low spots. Usually you can see some good even in the worst of it. I know if you gave in every time you doubted yourself you wouldn't finish too many projects. It's all about continuing on and revising where you need to.

Griffin: If you weren't doing this interview right now, what would you be doing? 
Joe: Probably spending a little time with my family. They're really why I do everything I do and it's their love and encouragement that's kept me going a number of times.

Griffin: Thanks so much for stopping by! Any last words?
Joe: I just want to say thanks for having me as a guest, I really enjoyed all the questions!

No problem Joe! Was really great having you. You'll have to return after your book goes live. 

You can find Midnight Paths on Amazon Kindle and get it for free with a Prime account there also. I'd love for everyone to follow me on Twitter and I update my own blog when I get time over at www.authorjoehart.blogspot.com.

About the author:
Joe Hart grew up on a lonely 91 acres of farmland in Northern Minnesota and without many playmates or company, began writing when he was 10. His first literary love was Stephen King (and still is) but he has expanded his scope to other influential authors. He published his first poems at age 17 and his first collection of short horror stories at 29. He is currently working on a novel and is editing a screenplay. If it's up to him, you'll be seeing a lot more of him on Amazon along with everywhere else that sells books.

Amazon Bestseller Keith C. Blackmore on the Writing Life

I'm thrilled to be hanging with bestselling horror and fantasy writer Keith C. Blackmore. He's probably best known for his Amazon blockbuster--and all-round awesome book--Mountain Man. Keith was nice enough to sit down and share some of what makes him tick as a writer.


Griffin: In December of last year you released a zombie novel called Mountain Man which has been doing quite well. Tell us a bit about it.

I was channeling "I Am Legend" in that one. I wanted to do a zombie story where we have a ordinary guy (Gus is a housepainter) who, by some miracle of fate, managed to survive a zombie apocalypse for two years on nothing more than common sense and not taking any chances. He doesn't have any training in anything, isn't a scientist with a cure, and doesn't have a cache of high tech weapons, but he does manage to get by on instinct and a healthy sense of fear and loathing for the undead.


Griffin: Any plans for a MM sequel?

Just finished the second part. The book was supposed to be one long story, but I realized that I wouldn't have the second part done in time for 2011 Christmas and the rumored rush of sales coming for writers of all genres in the new year. I needed the cash badly, so I took the gamble of releasing the first half just before Christmas. Luckily it worked and the money I've made off the first half has essentially kept me from seeking a day job and delaying the release of the second half.

"MM:Safari" should be on the market around early May with luck.

There is also a third book, which I'm working on now and hope to have ready for a summer release.


Griffin: Describe your journey as a writer?

Long man, long. Been doing this for maybe 22 years+ now and still learning. Gave up on traditional publishing about six months after I learned I could publish the books online and sell them through Amazon. Haven't looked back since (although come close in the last year to giving up and going back to a day job to raise funds once again). Taught overseas for 14 years while trying to put together novels to sell to (at the time) publishers. My goal all along was to work until I could make the transition from teacher to writer.


Griffin: You seem to write in several different genres. Which is your favorite?

I have pretty eclectic tastes. I like fantasy just because I grew up reading a lot of pulp fiction from Robert E Howard. Also grew up reading a lot of Stephen King. There were other writers in there as well of course, which all led to me dabbling in the two genres now. I like the world building of fantasy, as well as the sword on sword action, while with horror, I'm a sucker for well told monster/ghost stories. Science Fiction is in there too because of the world building and action.


Griffin: Do you have a daily writing schedule and if so what is it?

Get up at around 7am, go through the morning routine, take a walk, get at the PC around 9 and try to hammer out at least 1500 words by 4 or 5 pm. On good days I get around 4000. On great days, I reach 5000. Weekends are off.


Griffin: How much planning, outlining and research goes into each of your books?

Research can take up a lot of my work during the day--just finding stuff on the net, in reference books, or talking to professionals and taking notes. It can be a chore and really slows down actually producing. On really heavy days, I'm lucky to get 1500. Planning and outlining doesn't usually take so much time as I do it in my head most times--getting things straight on what I want to do and where the story is heading during my morning walk.


Griffin: How do you deal with writer's block?

Walk. Mountain Bike in the summertime. Works for me.


Griffin: Which of all your characters have you enjoyed writing the most?

Characterization is my weak point and I try really hard to get it right. I'm closing in on it, but it's still hard to get the voice right. I can still read dialogue (without seeing the names of who is saying the lines) and wonder, "okay who is that?" Very difficult.

Having said that, the latest one "Gus" is probably my favourite cuz he's the most recent attempt.


Griffin: Finish this sentence. If I wasn't a writer I'd be...

...teaching until I could afford writing full time.


Griffin: How do you come up with your ideas?

Everywhere, although I try not to read genres if I'm working on something in that genre--zombie books were out while I wrote MM. I did watch AMC's "The Walking Dead" though. My first horror novel "The Missing Boatman"  is derived from a Greek myth about immortality that I came across while taking a course in university.


Griffin: What's the best thing about being a writer?

It's the job I've always wanted (cliche I know but *shrugs*). Always. Every job I've had up to this point was just paying the bills and supplying life lessons until I could make the final transition.


Griffin: What's the worst thing about being a writer?

Writer's block. Missing Boatman had a 3 year block once. And the fear of one day not having a good idea.


Griffin: What's your favorite flavor of Hot Pockets?

Never had one. Them's pizza thingys?


Griffin: If you weren't doing this interview right now, what would you be doing?

Working on a gunfight scene with one guy and a mess of zombies. And keeping an eye on the stove fire (still winter here in Newfoundland).


Griffin: Where can people go to satisfy their Keith C. Blackmore itch?

My blog is at www.keithcblackmore.com and other than that, my work's on sale at Amazon.

Thanks for having me here :)

Thanks for dropping by Keith! Can't wait for MM:Safari. 

Malice now on 3 Amazon bestseller lists!

So the promotion over the weekend has yielded fantastic results. Malice is now sitting on Amazon's bestseller lists for Horror, Occult and Ghosts. With a little help, I'm hoping it might stay there a while.

For any of you who are scratching your heads and asking, "What is this Malice your people speak of," here's a bit about it...


When a series of shocking suicides rock the small town of Millingham, Massachusetts, the authorities are left with a single, chilling question. Why are all the victims gouging their eyes out?

Only seventeen-year-old Lysander Shore knows these aren't suicides at all. There's a serial killer stalking the people of Millingham. One that murders at will and never leaves a trace.

Before long, the trail of bodies leads Lysander to a dark secret that traces back to a witch's trial and execution 350 years ago. The deeper he digs, the more he realizes the victims aren't nearly as random as they seem. In fact, the killer has a list and Lysander is next.


Click here to visit Malice on Amazon.

My supernatural thriller Malice is FREE on Amazon March 23&24!

My supernatural thriller Malice is FREE on Amazon today and tomorrow (March 23&24), so grab a copy while you can! And remember, it's not my fault if you sleep with the lights on after reading it.

Enjoy,
Griffin

New Release: Dark Passage

Hi all,

Wanted to let all my faithful fans know that my new horror thriller Dark Passage is now live on Amazon! Here's a blurb to wet your appetite.

Blurb:

Tyson Barrett has carried a terrible secret his entire life. A secret that haunts his dreams and threatens to destroy the happiness he's worked so hard to build. But those nightmares don't just want to torture him. Somehow, they've found a way out ... and now they want him dead.

Praise for the work of Griffin Hayes

"Nail-biters beware: Griffin Hayes will have you chewing off your arm!" 
-- Hugh Howey, best-selling author of WOOL

"Griffin Hayes brings to-the-point characterizations, a crisp writing style, and well-written action scenes." 
-- Keith C. Blackmore, best-selling author of MOUNTAIN MAN

"Hayes writes at a sprinter's pace with a new horror at every turn. Don't let your guard down for a moment because the scares are relentless." 
-- Joe Hart, author of MIDNIGHT PATHS

Desi Moon on Writing and Going off the Deep End

I'm proud to introduce a wonderful new voice on the romance scene, Desi Moon. Trust me when I tell you her schedule for 2012 is jammed, so I was thrilled when she agreed to take some time to sit down for a chat. 


Tell us about your forthcoming release. 
Accidental Intent-- A romantic murder mystery that has gone to the dogs and some really killer footwear.

Describe your journey as a writer. 
Oh I think the term "journey" is way too tame, this is more like a foray through the wilderness armed only with a machette and half a bottle of bug repellant.

Do you have a daily writing schedule and if so what is it? 
I try to get writing done every day while my youngest is in school, I attempt to write when she is home but then Bert, Ernie and Oscar the Grouch seep into the story line and my characters tend to go off the deep end.


Funny, cause my characters tend to start off the deep... How much planning, outlining and research goes into each of your books? 
I've known authors who plot and plan right down to their characters favorite ice cream and what pair of underwear they wore last Tuesday. That doesn't work for me. I love the air of mystery when I sit down to write, the wonder of watching the story unfold organically. And discovering for myself what type of underwear they prefer.

How do you deal with writer's block? 
By walking away and doing something very menial, like baking, or watching a TV show. I need to stop thinking before I can come up with a solution.

What authors inspire you? 
The absurdity of Christopher Moore is inspiring, I absolutely love his wit and the way his mind works.
Janet Evanovich's zany characters and the situations they find themselves in. And Jasper Fforde's whimsically creative (Creatively whimsical?) worlds. I aspire to be so bold and think outside of the box as they do.

What's the best thing about being a writer? 
I am given the opportunity to explore every inch of new and exiting worlds, as a voyeur that is a rare and lovely gift!

What's the worst thing about being a writer? 
The tediousness of editing- I understand it needs to be done, but Oi!

If you weren't doing this interview right now, what would you be doing? 
Editing, which is where I am heading now!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Any last words?
Thank you so much for hosting me!!!! Looking forward to your next book--
Accidental Intent comes out March 17th-- keep tabs on what I am up to at my Blog or
on Facebook

On Twitter: @DBMoonbook

Goodreads, Amazon, YouTube

Author bio:
My name is Desi Moon- I am a writer, dog trainer (Almost all of my stories have at least one dog mentioned) and a Project Runway junkie.
I am living the fractured fairy tale with my wonderful husband Eben, who is a board game designer and a writer as well (Helps to have another creative neurotic in the house)
My family includes two great kids who keep me on my toes (mentally and physically) three entitled cats, and one issue plagued but none the less loveable dog.

Hive FREE for 48 hours!

The giveaway I did for my debut novel Malice earlier this week was such a smashing success (it's currently burning up the Occult bestseller list), I've decided to do the same thing for my zombie novella Hive (Amazon only). Of course there isn't a Hive II just yet, I'm working on that as we speak, but still, I wanted to give readers a no risk chance to read some more of my work. Hive's like nothing else I've done before. From story down to the writing style it's quite unique.

Here's the blurb:


Nearly two hundred years after the planet was ravaged by millions of undead Zees, the human race is still struggling to rebuild. The Zees may be long gone, but so too are centuries of scientific advancement.


A group calling themselves The Keepers of Knowledge have set out to retrieve and protect what little technology survived the fall. When four of their Prospectors go missing, the Keepers turn to a no-nonsense mercenary named Azina and her eclectic crew of hardened veterans to find them.


The search leads the group to a crumbling underground city. But what looks like just another ruin from a bygone era isn’t nearly as deserted as it appears. Soon, a simple rescue mission becomes a slippery descent into hell as Azina and her men unwittingly awaken a savage, bloodthirsty world. Who will stand and fight, and who will be lucky enough to stay dead?


Hive free on Amazon until Friday at midnight.