An interview with M J Moore

M J Moore
The Deified - 2017


Ms. Moore,

Thank you for taking your time for me




Who are your influences?

Stephen King, Jeffrey Eugenedes, Charles Dickens.



When did you begin writing? 

Pretty much as soon as I could hold a pen, but professionally in 2013.


How do you come up with your stories, characters, character names, POV, etc.?

There's really no rhyme or reason to it, most of the time it just happens. Although, The Deified came to me originally as an idea for a short story about a poor family living in a trailer (a scene that is still in the book). I got the inspiration to create Jude when I was watching Killer Joe, starring Matthew McConaughey.



If you could actually meet one of your characters, who would it be?  Why? 

Jude. No contest. In a controlled setting though or I don't think I could trust myself.



Do you work from an outline? 

I definitely don't start any of my stories/books with a plan, but if I find myself stuck at a particular point, I will write out a quick little outline of what I think should happen next.



Tell me about your favorite scene in your novel(s). 

There are two. The first (and don't judge me) is the yard party massacre scene in the second chapter (that isn't a spoiler because I've made a preview video with that scene in it), and a birthday party scene somewhere in the middle of the book, where Jude sort of becomes king of the kids. I like that scene because it's touching AND creepy, given what we find out later.



Can you tell us a little about your writing philosophy? 

My philosophy is basically just to write. If I find that I've been staring at a blank scene for too long, Ill do one of two things. I'll either force it, i.e. just type and let whatever comes out come out and worry about what to keep and what to chuck later, or I'll distract myself for a while with an activity that doesn't entail thinking, (walking, housework, etc).



Have you ever tried writing in any other genres?

Yes. I actually have a short story blog going on at the moment, wherein the majority of the stories are in the Magical Realism genre. It's called PHONING IT IN, 365 SNAPS, 365 STORIES, and I take a picture of  a random object with my phone and post a story about it everyday.(also using my phone. It's a really fun exercise, although it doesn't help my farsightedness.



Do you listen to music as you write? 

When I'm just starting a book, I'll  listen to an ambient noise or binaural beats playlist for concentration, but when I'm well in and I need some ambiance,  I'll create a playlist or 'soundtrack' for it. The playlist I created for The Deified has hundreds of songs in it, most of which are late sixties to mid seventies rock , nineties rock like Alice In Chains, and weird stuff like Tangerine Dream and DeVotchka. I also have a playlist called Horror that I use whenever I need inspiration or ambiance to write a horrific scene, and it's entirely made up of horror movie themes. I don't know whether you've ever sat in the dark listening to the Sinister soundtrack, but that'll work every time.


Would you like to add anything MJ?

I created Jude from the point of view of a strong, intelligent woman who has fallen for controlling men. I'm just about the most free-spirited, independent woman you'll ever meet, but I have allowed myself to be swept away by men who tell me they know best. Not anymore, though; I'm a big girl now.



On the behalf of my reader's Ms. Moore, I would like to thank you again for your time.



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About the author  ~







Connect with  M J
 









I was born in Australia in 1972, and still live here with my son, Griff, and our two neurotic dogs.  I've been writing and reading horror since before I was old enough to do either.  The first horror novel I ever read was Pet Sematary by Stephen King (not a bad introduction to the genre, huh?).  I love horror movies, although I admit to being one of those people who watches them with her hands up to her face most of the time!

TRAILS, is a collection of four short horror stories about four people whose actions leave a trail of consequences, and who (or what) follows those trails. Very dark, very violent in places, (in other words, it's a horror book).
It's available on Kindle here: http://amzn.com/B00D9Y7DIG

Anomaly, is a horror anthology about monsters, but you won't find any werewolves, zombies or vampires (sparkly or otherwise) in these stories; my monsters are original-one-of-a-kind, and came from the scariest place imaginable - my head.  From a handyman who likes to take his clients apart, to a vile, hideous creature who teaches a town full of naughty children the hard way why it isn't wise to take candy from strangers, these are monsters of a different kind.

THE RENTAL is a neo-noir novella, in which evil socialites are being hunted down by a vigilante after they attend a bizarre Hollywood party.  Neo Noir meets exploitation.
 
LITTLE TREASURES is a gothic horror novel about the Thomas's, a well-to-do family that starts falling apart the night little Stanley Thomas dies.  Their lives are measured by their possessions; the little treasures that will also be their downfall.

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