Why Less is More When it Come to Writing Horror…and Making Music Videos

It usually takes a lot to disturb this horror writer. Perhaps I'm wired differently than most of the general population, but I don't get squeamish about many things – with the lone exception being worms. Don't even get me started on worms. The smug way they mess with my head by stretching their bodies across my driveway after it rains makes me shiver – not to mention the smell. Worm smell ranks right up there at the top of the list of worst smells ever.

I digress.

Aside from worms I am not a squeamish person. Yet last night I stumbled across something that made my skin literally crawl. Those of you who have dipped your toe into my novel Asylum Lake or who follow this blog regularly know that music is a big part of my life. I am literally unable to write without some kind of music playing in the background – and yes, it is usually includes a Pearl Jam track or two.

Last night's writing session playlist included The Confessor by Joe Walsh.  It's a great track and I highly recommend giving it a listen.  Although Walsh is probably best known for his work with The Eagles, I much prefer his solo stuff.  I dare you to listen to Rocky Mountain Way or Life's Been Good without singing along.

Anway, back to The Confessor and my theory of why less is more. After listening to the track on my iPhone I couldn't get it out of my head. It's a haunting tune with powerful lyrics. So powerful, in fact, that I've been playing with a storyline for years inspired by it. Long story short, I made the mistake of Googling The Confessor; surely someone must have posted a completely awesome video for it on YouTube.  Sadly, no. Instead I found Walsh's own MTV clip for the song. Ugh – not since Billy Squier's Rock Me Tonight abortion of a video have I felt so embarrassed for one of my personal musical heroes.   Walsh's efforts to be cool came across as completely hokey – and don't even get me started on Billy Squier's awesome dance movies and pink tanktop.  Neither could leave well enough alone and let their songs speak for themselves.

The entire ordeal brings me back to my writing. I've gained a certain following for writing about things which go bump in the night.  Although only Asylum Lake currently graces the bookshelves I am expecting bugger and better things with the upcoming release of the sequel Grave Undertakings. And I know from fans and friends alike that I have already created a certain expectation with my stories – dark humor, believable characters, and enough chills to make ice cubes in July. It's my personal recipe for success.  Now, unlike Joe Walsh and Billy Squier, I have to resist the temptation to try to do more than what my talent allows for.

I dare you to check out The Confessor and Rock Me Tonight.  As Pinhead so eloquently put it in Hellraiser, "it'll tear your soul apart!".