Ask the Author: Marc Todd
Answered Questions (5)
Marc Todd
Hello David - I haven't been to Quitico Provincial Park. The closest I've been to there is Thunder Bay for work. I hear you about the bugs - they certainly can be absolutely horrible. I haven't read any Adam Nevill - I just added The Reddening to my list. Let me know which book of his you would recommend. Thanks.
Marc Todd
I only wish I had 'time enough' to do more; especially more writing. My background is in English Lit, as well as psychology and social work. I work for Regional government in upper management, which keeps me very busy. My oldest daughter just moved to Toronto, which is only an hour and half away (depending on traffic).
Marc Todd
Hi Dave - most of the reviews have come from taking part in Goodreads Groups for my genre of novel (horror). Also, reaching out to reviewers through groups on Facebook and YouTube. I also listed my book on Book Sirens. It is a lot of work but it is rewarding to get positive feedback. All the best to you.
Marc Todd
Thanks Kato. This is a great question.
When I was researching extreme fear and pain, I delved deeper into trying to understand Dissociation (due to trauma, when physical escape is not possible, Dissociation is a means of escaping mentally). Dissociation allowed me to ponder upon where the mind escapes, and allowed me to create an alternate reality to the one the Kludde brought its victims mentally, to torture them. There exists the real world, then there is the Kludde’s physical world, and the Kludde’s mental world - and so I created / imagined a mental world where escape is possible. The Beyond is a world outside of the physical, and in a place where the Kludde cannot go. The Beyond is a place where we are all connected.
I remembered reading about the telepathic and extrasensory abilities of primitive peoples. Due to a lack of technology, people were more attuned to these abilities and these connections to nature and to each other. Part of the philosophy in my novel is that we are all connected (through chains) - and that in the end, we will all return to being One.
I originally had a line (it was cut) in my book (after one of the characters dies) - “In life we are lost in a mass of pieces, never whole, never fulfilled, yearning for the other pieces of ourselves that once made us one. It is in death, that we come together again. To return to the collective with new experiences to share, so that all can assimilate, learn and grow.”
When I was researching extreme fear and pain, I delved deeper into trying to understand Dissociation (due to trauma, when physical escape is not possible, Dissociation is a means of escaping mentally). Dissociation allowed me to ponder upon where the mind escapes, and allowed me to create an alternate reality to the one the Kludde brought its victims mentally, to torture them. There exists the real world, then there is the Kludde’s physical world, and the Kludde’s mental world - and so I created / imagined a mental world where escape is possible. The Beyond is a world outside of the physical, and in a place where the Kludde cannot go. The Beyond is a place where we are all connected.
I remembered reading about the telepathic and extrasensory abilities of primitive peoples. Due to a lack of technology, people were more attuned to these abilities and these connections to nature and to each other. Part of the philosophy in my novel is that we are all connected (through chains) - and that in the end, we will all return to being One.
I originally had a line (it was cut) in my book (after one of the characters dies) - “In life we are lost in a mass of pieces, never whole, never fulfilled, yearning for the other pieces of ourselves that once made us one. It is in death, that we come together again. To return to the collective with new experiences to share, so that all can assimilate, learn and grow.”
Marc Todd
I was inspired by the book 'Sour Candy' by Kealan Patrick Burke - a great read. What hooked in my mind was the thought of demons out there hunting us. I started by looking up demons from various cultures and there was a great many to choose from - I wanted my story to be unique and based on myth. I chose the Kludde from Dutch folklore. There was just the right amount of information on this monster/demon and I worked in the details with my own into the book.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
(They made it into a movie, but it doesn't do the book justice)
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ...more
Jan 30, 2023 09:42AM · flag