Sunday, June 3, 2012

Crafting the Creeps through Fiction: Questions for the Authors Who Do It Best

I have read and reviewed two of Mike Dellosso’s novels. Yes, I did give mixed reviews on my opinions of the stories, but I do not dismiss the one most important fact: Mike Dellosso can write. As any author, as he continues to produce thrilling tales, his writing improves as well. Which is exciting for me, because I’m young and will have plenty of time to enjoy the masterpieces he’s bound to write.

Dellosso has written six books so far: The Hunted (loved it!), Scream, Darlington Woods, Darkness Follows, Frantic (have it, cannot wait to begin reading it!), and his newest Rearview (hmm…I’ve got to pick that one up…).

Now, some of you may have an aversion to Dellosso’s work because of the blunt use of Christianity. But I urge you to read his stuff, wherever your faith lies, Mike Dellosso is good at what he does. Writing effective horror/thriller fiction.

Recently, I have been thinking of ways to expand my blog. I’ve begun sending out questions to the various authors I review. I have a series of questions and pick a different four for each author.

I’m happy to say that Dellosso was the first to respond:

1) What book were you most nervous or afraid to publish?
         “My latest novella, Rearview. It was my first time writing a novella which is a little different and I think more challenging than writing a full-length novel and I was writing it as part of a series with six other accomplished authors. When the story was finished I wasn’t sure I was totally happy with the final product. But it’s been getting awesome reviews so I guess it turned out okay.”

2) What’s your least favorite interview question?
         “ ‘Tell us about your latest book.’ My stories usually have a lot of characters and the plots usually have a lot of twists and turns. I find it so difficult to summarize the story into just a few paragraphs. I always second-guess my answer and never think it makes my book sound very interesting. So, thanks for not asking that!”

3) What character surprised you the most with something they said or did?
         “Harold in FRANTIC. He was not supposed to turn out the way he did at all. It was never my intention. I had him going a totally different direction and then he just kind of did what he wanted to do. It was weird but I’m glad it happened.”

4) What is your earliest memory of being afraid?
         “Probably six or seven. We lived in Baltimore in a home that we later believed was ‘haunted.’ Fear would grip me at the oddest times, mostly in the basement. Nights were bad too. I’d find myself sleeping in the bathtub with the lights on just to ward off the fear.”

If you are interested in getting more information on Dellosso or his work, you can follow him on either his blog, Facebook, or Twitter account.

Twitter: www.titter.com/mikedellosso

4 comments:

  1. Sharp interview, Hannah. I appreciated the questions -- not the norm. :)

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  2. Thank Cathy! Glad you enjoyed it! There should be more to come!

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  3. Thanks for hosting Mike. Great questions, Hannah.
    I guess we are the beneficiaries of Mike Dellosso's frightening nights in the tub.

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  4. Thanks Debra! It was great of Mike to get back to me as quickly as he did. And yes, it would appear we are!

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