John,
Who are
your influences?
I always have a hard time with this question since so many writers have
influenced me in many different ways, good and bad, that the list could be
pages long. I would say my best
influences were those who made me see the world or the writing process in a
different way. John Irving, Stephen
King, Margaret Atwood, Harry Crews, and Kurt Vonnegut would lead that list.
When did you begin writing?
I’ve been writing as long as I can remember, which was
distressful for a number of grade school teachers. Professionally I started quite late, around
2002. Prior to that, writing was a
luxury that came rarely, only after all the pulls of child raising, employment,
relationship, and life in general, were satisfied.
How do you come up with your stories, characters,
character names, POV, etc?
Stories are often inspired with things that raise an emotion
in my, one way or another. I am a strong
supporter of the underdog and I am terrily troubled by abuse of any kind,
especially the abuse of women and children,
a theme that occurs in a lot of my work, like novel Hannahwhere and a few of
my short stories, like “Paint it Black”,
“Infliction”, and “Smokey”.
When looking for writing ideas, I think the most important
question is “what if…?” For me, it works
every time.
Characters are
easy. They are usually based on people I
know, or people I don’t want to know. I
like people-watching (which can get you some strange stares). Character names are sometimes plot centric,
like Justice in “Paint it Black” or
Chris Tana (an anagram for anarchist) in “Make
a Choice,” otherwise I Google and find something that tickles my ears.
POV are one of my favorite parts of writing. I enjoy first and third person the most. Gone North is the story of two
teenage, African American sisters, told in first person perspectives. I like to challenge myself. I have never, am not now, and don’t expect in
the future to be either female, or African American.
Ect? I cannot answer
that. I have been sworn to secrecy.
Do you work from an outline?
I have, but I hate it.
I’m far too spontaneous and perpetually change things, which ultimately
gets the outline deep-sixed. I scribble
notes galore.
Tell me about your favorite scene in your novel(s).
I think that would have to be the opening scene in Hannahwhere,
where twin-sisters Hannah and Anna Amiel witness the murder of their mother at
the hands of her meth-fueled boyfriend.
It is an intense scene that sets the tone for what’s to come in the
novel.
Can you tell us a little about your writing
philosophy?
There is no quick and easy answer for this on. I write because I feel I have stories to
tell, views to share, and that I can do it in a way you find entertaining…and
because I love doing it.
Have you ever tried writing in any other genres?
Yes! My collection inflictions
is a good example. Although
labeled as primarily horror, it has stories that fit in mystery, sci-fi,
fantasy, humor (even some slapstick) and mainstream fiction. My next novel Gone North is mainstream,
and I am working on three other novels Corruption (suspense), The
Elephant in the End Zone (YA – dealing with depression), and Are
You Experienced (Horror).
Do you have any interesting writing-related anecdotes to
share?
In thirty years of attending and co-coordinating the yearly
horror convention NEcon (www.campnecon.com),
I have many, most of which would involve censorship.
Do you listen to music as you write?
Quite often. I’m a
progressive rock enthusiast, so the likes of Yes, Porcupine Tree, and Dream
Theater usually get top billing in my earbuds.
Thank you John for taking the time for Buttonholed Book Reviews
Thank you for reviewing Hannahwhere and allowing me to
ramble.
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| John McIlveen |
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