Adrian,
Who are your influences?
That’s a tough question for me, because I had a reviewer from The Kindle Book Review compare my writing to an author I had never read, which I thought was funny. In my formative years, however, I was a huge fan of Christopher Pike and Mary Higgins Clark. In the last decade, I’ve really enjoyed books by Clive Barker, Joyce Carol Oates, and Donna Tartt. These days I read mostly classic literature. This week I finished the Pickwick Papers, and I’m currently reading Babbitt.
That’s a tough question for me, because I had a reviewer from The Kindle Book Review compare my writing to an author I had never read, which I thought was funny. In my formative years, however, I was a huge fan of Christopher Pike and Mary Higgins Clark. In the last decade, I’ve really enjoyed books by Clive Barker, Joyce Carol Oates, and Donna Tartt. These days I read mostly classic literature. This week I finished the Pickwick Papers, and I’m currently reading Babbitt.
When did you begin writing?
The first story I remember writing was a horror story in first grade. My love for the macabre has continued to influence my writing. I recall my eighth grade English teacher handing back one of my stories and saying, “Well, that certainly was bizarre.”
The first story I remember writing was a horror story in first grade. My love for the macabre has continued to influence my writing. I recall my eighth grade English teacher handing back one of my stories and saying, “Well, that certainly was bizarre.”
How do you come up with your stories, characters, character
names, POV, etc?
Inspiration for stories comes from everywhere. I might read a science article that triggers a new idea or solves a problem in a story that I’ve been stewing on. In The Runes Trilogy, for instance, reading an article on how certain viruses attach to DNA offered the basis for the virus in the books. When it comes to naming, I treat the process like naming a baby, and I even use a Baby Name book. As far as POV, I generally let the plot decide that. Some stories are better told by a third person narrator or multiple POVs as opposed to a first person narrator.
Inspiration for stories comes from everywhere. I might read a science article that triggers a new idea or solves a problem in a story that I’ve been stewing on. In The Runes Trilogy, for instance, reading an article on how certain viruses attach to DNA offered the basis for the virus in the books. When it comes to naming, I treat the process like naming a baby, and I even use a Baby Name book. As far as POV, I generally let the plot decide that. Some stories are better told by a third person narrator or multiple POVs as opposed to a first person narrator.
Do you work from an outline?
I often make a color-coded outline to keep track of subplots and plot points and to know when something must be discovered to make sense and to move the story along. I suggest using your favorite colors so that it makes you smile when you see it.
I often make a color-coded outline to keep track of subplots and plot points and to know when something must be discovered to make sense and to move the story along. I suggest using your favorite colors so that it makes you smile when you see it.
Tell me about your favorite scene in your novel.
My favorite scene is, perhaps surprisingly, not one of the suspense or horror scenes. It takes place in the hospital between Ilene and her mother, Geraldine. Emotions are raw as someone has just died, and two others are also hospitalized. Ilene must grapple not only with the tragedy at hand but also with guilt from an affair from long ago. The guilt is overwhelming her, because she fears it’s the underlying cause of the tragedy at hand. Her mother advises her, “Live with the guilt as you have. That’s your punishment, that’s your hell. Confession isn’t for the person wronged, it’s for the guilty. It’s to make you feel absolved. But for now—you must continue to suffer.”
My favorite scene is, perhaps surprisingly, not one of the suspense or horror scenes. It takes place in the hospital between Ilene and her mother, Geraldine. Emotions are raw as someone has just died, and two others are also hospitalized. Ilene must grapple not only with the tragedy at hand but also with guilt from an affair from long ago. The guilt is overwhelming her, because she fears it’s the underlying cause of the tragedy at hand. Her mother advises her, “Live with the guilt as you have. That’s your punishment, that’s your hell. Confession isn’t for the person wronged, it’s for the guilty. It’s to make you feel absolved. But for now—you must continue to suffer.”
From the novel:
Geraldine
paused in the hallway, watching her daughter pace the floor as Alec was moved
to another room. Jason and Lucy were walking in the park across the street from
the hospital to clear their heads. Geraldine crept up behind Ilene and laid her
hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Ilene, I know what you’re thinking,
considering.” Ilene jerked, startled. “It’s not the time,” Geraldine continued.
“Mom, I
don’t know what you mean.” Ilene chewed her lower lip, absently, and realized
it and stopped, setting her jaw firmly.
“You
plan to tell Jason.”
Her
mother’s words clouded the air between them, a dark secret that Ilene thought
she alone had mastered like the owner of an evil djinn lamp. “How do you—?”
Geraldine
raised her index and middle finger to her head and tapped. “I know.”
Ilene
felt hot tears spring into her eyes. “I have to tell him.”
“For what
purpose?” Her mother’s face was neither spiteful nor stern, but placid, as if
what she were saying was so very simple. “What do you hope to accomplish?”
“The
truth! Some honesty for once!” Ilene’s words shot out.
Geraldine
blinked her eyes slowly and took a deep breath. “Would Jason forgive you? Is
that what you hope?”
“Mother—”
“Even if
he could forgive you for your infidelity”—Ilene winced at the word—“And I think
he would, he would never forgive you for telling him now.”
“Then
when?”
“Never.”
“So I’m
to live with this secret?”
Geraldine
nodded. “You made a decision. Jason loves the young man in there fighting for
his life. He is Jason’s son, and Jason is his father. Don’t take that from them
now. Not ever.”
“And
what of the danger?” Ilene stared into her mother’s eyes. “Doesn’t Jason
deserve to know?”
“What
would it help?” Geraldine leaned back in the chair. “Nothing can stop what’s
coming.”
“What
can I do?”
“Live
with the guilt as you have. That’s your punishment, that’s your hell.
Confession isn’t for the person wronged, it’s for the guilty. It’s to make you
feel absolved. But for now—you must continue to suffer.”
Can you tell us a little about your writing philosophy?
I endeavor to strike a balance between strong plot and strong characterization. I look at my writing as ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, and then I unravel how they react to the situation. I think this approach adds a concrete reality to the world of horror, which requires suspension of disbelief. I try to make the world real by creating characters who seem real.
I endeavor to strike a balance between strong plot and strong characterization. I look at my writing as ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, and then I unravel how they react to the situation. I think this approach adds a concrete reality to the world of horror, which requires suspension of disbelief. I try to make the world real by creating characters who seem real.
Have you ever tried writing in any other genres?
I would say that most of my writing is cross genre, but tends toward mystery, suspense, and horror. I have a tragic love story (not to be confused with romance) that I have written, but I am not yet satisfied with.
I would say that most of my writing is cross genre, but tends toward mystery, suspense, and horror. I have a tragic love story (not to be confused with romance) that I have written, but I am not yet satisfied with.
Do you have any interesting writing-related anecdotes to share?
As I mentioned, the earliest story I remember writing was in first grade. It was called Horror House, and when I told the title to my mother, she said, “It’s called what?” In retrospect, I’m sure she heard whorehouse.
As I mentioned, the earliest story I remember writing was in first grade. It was called Horror House, and when I told the title to my mother, she said, “It’s called what?” In retrospect, I’m sure she heard whorehouse.
Do you listen to music as you write?
I do! I often listen to a single song on repeat. Sometimes, it’s just music or a song that I know really well. An old standby for me is Boadicea by Enya because it conjures up the right mood for me, too.
I do! I often listen to a single song on repeat. Sometimes, it’s just music or a song that I know really well. An old standby for me is Boadicea by Enya because it conjures up the right mood for me, too.
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| Adrian Lilly ~ Goodreads author |
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http://adrianlilly.com/
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Author Bio:
Adrian W. Lilly is the author of the novels The
Devil You Know, Red Haze, and The Runes Trilogy: The Wolf at His Door, The Wolf
in His Arms, and The Wolf at War. His short fiction and poetry have been
published in Hello Horror, 69 Flavors of Paranoia, Nervehouse and The Weekly
among other publications. He can be found online at www.adrianlilly.com.
He is a fan of Gothic suspense movies and novels, which
greatly influence his writing. Adrian's writing focuses on strong character
development and the nuances of fear that build toward horror. The mansion in
his first novel, The Devil You Know, was inspired by the grand mansions in
the Victorian neighborhood where he lives.
Adrian writes novels, short stories, and poetry and has
spent many years as a copywriter in the advertising industry. In addition,
Adrian has directed two short films and co-directed a feature-length sci-fi
comedy.
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