Author interview: Joel Arnold

Joel Arnold's writing has appeared in over five dozen publications, with work accepted by venues ranging from Weird Tales and Nodin Press' Resort, to Murder anthology, American Road Magazine and Cemetery Dance. I interviewed him recently about his latest novel, Northwood Deeps.

Jerome: What can you tell us about Northwoods Deep?

Arnold: Northwoods Deep is a horror novel set in Minnesota's iron range that was inspired by a variety of things, including an Ojibwe tale about the Maymaygwayshi – small, mischievous creatures that live in the woods and capture children – the Grimm Brothers' Hansel & Gretel, and a 120-mile canoe trip I took when I was a teenager.

It's about a family that has been falling apart since the death of their mother a few years earlier; the father is falling deeper and deeper into depression, the son – who feels directly responsible for the mother's death – is battling alcoholism, and one of the two daughters is being stalked by a murderous ex-husband. The daughters embark on a canoe trip to get away from it all, but soon find that 'getting away from it all' isn't as easy as they thought it would be. Not only has the ex-husband followed them up to the deep Northwoods, but the sisters are also being drawn toward an old cabin, which hides a terrible secret.

Eventually the entire family merges at the cabin and finds out just how deep they're willing to go to keep their family from falling completely apart.

Jerome: Who are your readers?

Arnold: For this novel, my readers are folks who like horror and suspense. It was written with a mature audience in mind, and I would not recommend it for kids, but if you're a fan of Stephen King, for example, you might just like Northwoods Deep (as well as my novel Death Rhythm.)

Jerome: What was your journey as a writer?

Arnold: I grew up surrounded by books; both my parents were elementary school librarians. I was read to a lot, as well as encouraged to read, so that had a large influence in me. Then, in the 2nd grade, I wrote a story that won our classroom's writing contest, the prize being a trip with my teacher (Mrs. Rosier!) to the local A&W for lunch. I've been hooked ever since.

Jerome: Do you follow a specific writing process?

Arnold: Typically, I write my material out in longhand in a spiral notebook with a pen while sitting in a coffee shop. When I get stuck, I'll type it up at home on my laptop, editing it a bit as I do so. Then I'll write some more in the ol' notebook, rinse and repeat until I basically have a first draft. Then it's revise, revise, revise, until everything flows pretty smoothly and is cohesive. Next, my wife reads it and points out all of my brain farts, and I'll go over it again once or twice. My wife is actually an excellent editor.

Jerome: Where do you find inspiration?

Arnold: I find inspiration every time I wander through a bookstore, take a walk, or read a newspaper. Lately, I've also found a lot of inspiration while researching my family history. I bet if anyone reading this dug their way back a few generations of their family, they'd find a lot of interesting things to write about; whether it's true, or just inspired by something they come across during the research. My 9-yr old daughter also has a great imagination – she likes to pretend we're dinosaurs or dragons or sled dogs, etc, and I've already gotten ideas for a few ideas for stories just from that.

Jerome: Who are your favourite authors?

Arnold: Oh, there are lots. Stephen King, James Lee Burke, Dan Simmons, Richard Brautigan, Larry McMurtry…ask me tomorrow, and I'll probably have another handful for you.

Jerome: Is there a book you wish you had written? Which one?

Arnold: Of the current books I've read, I'd have to say Dan Simmons' The Terror. I love the idea of taking a historical event – the voyage of the ship 'The Terror' – and re-imagining it in the horror genre. (This particular even really lent itself well to that, since nobody really knows what happened to the people on board that ship.)

Jerome: Do you have any tips for budding writers?

Arnold: Becoming a good writer – like becoming a good anything – takes time and effort, and perhaps a bit of stubbornness. If you tend to give up on things easily, then perhaps writing isn't for you. But if you're willing to put yourself out there and be open to advice and criticism – and if you find that you can't not write – then keep plugging away. The best advice I've heard from anyone about writing is simply this: put your butt in the chair and write.

Jerome: What are you working on at the moment?

Arnold: I'm trying something a little different and am working on a mystery novel called Licking the Marmot. It's set in Yellowstone Park and features the park's concessionaire employees – those who work in the lodges, restaurants, gift shops, etc. The title of the novel is taken from a real classic rock cover band made up of employees who used to play there in the '90s called 'Lick the Marmot.' I'll let you know when it comes out!