An interview with H. R. Boldwood

H.R. Boldwood
The Corpse Whisperer 2018




Ms. Boldwood,

Thank you for taking your time for my audience and myself ~

Who are your influences?

I have so many different writing influences! From Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson and Peter Straub to Janet Evanovich and Laurell K. Hamilton. Some more recent additions include Lisa Morton, Josh Malerman and Mercedes Murdock Yardley.

When did you begin writing?

I started writing in seventh grade. Our teacher asked us to write the rough draft of a short story and then turn it in for editing. I wrote a horror story titled “The Reincarnation of Sir Thomas More.” I handed it in filled with scratch outs, arrows, and scribbled notes in the margins. He gave it back to me with an A+ and told me not to bother prettying it up. Unbeknownst to me, he sent it to one of his former professors at Northwestern University. I received a lovely note from the university, asking me to think of them when the time was right. (Spoiler alert: I ended up not going to college until I was in my forties!)

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

Some of my better story ideas have come from watching the history and science channels. I take a concept and ask myself: what if? I pride myself on the depth of my characters, and I name them purposefully. A great writer’s tool is a book of baby names sorted by nationality, mythology, etc. I choose surnames the same way and try to create an unforgettable three-dimensional cast of characters. The voice of my characters is especially important. I think great storytelling draws readers, but an interesting, consistent voice keeps them reading. The inspiration for The Corpse Whisperer came from wanting to write a zombie story that no one had written before. And instead of a leading man, I wanted a kickass female protagonist. I’ve written in every POV, but I’m drawn to first person. That’s a hard sell with some publishers because it has to be done very well. My final drafts have to shine.

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

Which of my characters would I like to meet, and why? Tough questions! Certainly Allie Nighthawk, the female protagonist of my novel The Corpse Whisperer, would have to at the top of the list. She’s brave, funny, and has no filter. In short, she’s everything I want to be when I grow up. But my killer clown Mr. Weasels (a returning character from some of my short horror stories) is right up there too. He’s dastardly delicious, loads of evil fun, and a joy to write.

Do you work from an outline?

I don’t work from an outline, per se. I create a beat sheet that shows me where the important plot points take place. Then before each chapter, I create a chapter outline of what need to be included. The idea is to bridge/transition the chapters, carrying the story from one plot point to the next. I love the beat sheet process because it makes writing a compelling story arc easier.

Tell me about your favorite scene in your novel.

I’ve got a couple that run neck and neck, but if I tell you one of them, I’d have to kill you because it resolves one of the plot conflicts! The one I can share is a very poignant scene in which Allie Nighthawk has to raise a police officer who was slain in the line of duty. I love the scene because it forces my funny, mouthy protagonist to confront her emotions, as well as those of the officer’s wife, and those of the officer himself when he realizes that he’s dead. The scene is the perfect vehicle to give Allie depth and a little vulnerability.

Can you tell us a little about your writing philosophy?

I recommend the AIS method of writing. The Ass in Seat method. If you sit down at the computer, ignore social media, and focus, it’s amazing what will flow from your brain into your fingertips. Keep at it. Don’t listen to that snarky little brain bitch in your head when she throws shade at you or makes you question your value. (You’ve got to read The Corpse Whisperer to fully understand that reference.) Write what you want — write what makes you happy. And for heaven’s sake, if you are not familiar with certain elements of your story, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! Last but not least, no matter what you write, make sure that both the narrative voice and your characters’ voices are compelling. Perhaps the highest compliment I’ve received on The Corpse Whisperer is that it keeps readers engaged and turning the pages. I also smile when I hear that the story swept readers away from their daily grinds. If you can do those things well, you’ll sell books.

Have you ever tried writing in any other genre?

I have published flash fiction and short stories in many genres and have published literary fiction under my real name, Mary Ann Back. In fact, one of my literary fiction short stories “Extraordinary Moments” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize a few years ago.

Do you have any interesting writing-related anecdotes to share?

I have one funny writing anecdote and one very sad anecdote. I belong to a private international writing group. One of the members had a writing style similar to mine. He and I also had a tendency to choose parallel takes on writing prompts. Other members of the group would often think his stories were mine, and mine were his. One week, without any communication between us, we wrote stories that were bizarrely similar. That was crazy!

On a sad note, The Corpse Whisperer was dedicated in part to my brother Rick, a retired lieutenant detective with the Blue Ash Police Department. He was my go-to guy for all things police and weaponry related. He was also my biggest fan. A few weeks after I contracted to write The Corpse Whisperer series for Third Street Press, my brother was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. He lived long enough to see the book come out in print and to read the dedication. He passed away on April 25, 2019.

Do you listen to music as you write?

I don’t always listen to music, but when I do, I listen to “Vampyre: Symphonies from the Crypt” a CD by the group “Midnight Syndicate.” Fabulous melodies!

Where is your favorite place to read?

My favorite place to read is in bed, followed closely by my recliner in the family room.

What is the current book you are reading?

I’m currently re-reading Ghost Story by Peter Straub and simply swooning over his use of language. I’m also reading an anthology titled Fantastic Tales of Terror published by Crystal Lake Publishing.

Ms. Boldwood, on the behalf of my readers, and most assuredly, our deepest condolences for your loss, thank you for your time!  And yes, it is never to late to take classes ~

About the author:

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 H.R. Boldwood is a writer of horror and speculative fiction. In another incarnation, Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and was awarded the 2009 Bilbo Award for creative writing by Thomas More College. Publication credits include, "Killing it Softly," "Short Story America," "Bete Noir," "Everyday Fiction," "Toys in the Attic," "Floppy Shoes Apocalypse II," "Pilcrow and Dagger," and "Sirens Call."
Boldwood's characters are often disreputable and not to be trusted. They are kicked to the curb at every conceivable opportunity when some poor, unsuspecting publisher welcomes them with open arms. No responsibility is taken by this author for the dastardly and sometimes criminal acts committed by this ragtag group of miscreants.

Publisher: Third Street Press

Author Photographer: Cate’s Takes

Jacket Designer: Christiana Miller

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