Sealed In - Sean T. Page - Reposted
Due to some sort or error, a couple of my blog posts disappeared. I don't know what caused this, but I am able to repost this content. The original post had pictures, which I might add back in someday. For now, I feel the content of the interview is enough.
The post, reposted:
Sean T. Page is a horror writer. He writes zombie and other fiction to entertain and enlighten the masses of what events could transpire should the world fall apart. He doesn’t stop there…NO! He’s going to seal himself into a Cold War bunker for five days, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today. I have questions about it all, and I’m sure you do too! If I don’t cover them in this interview, feel free to post comments and ask Sean a few things yourself.
Bec: I’ll start with the obvious question: Why?
Sean: It was one of those things I’ve always thought about, something you day-dream about when writing the kind of survival fiction I do. Then I found the bunker and got to know the owner. I ran the idea past him and suddenly the chance was there. I knew if I didn’t grab it now I wouldn’t be able to do it. So, it’s really the lonely survival experience for me.
Bec: What does your wife think about this? What are her concerns? Does she
support you in this endeavor?
Sean: She’s been very supportive. She’s used to my strange adventures now. I think as long as I stick to the week and don’t come out a mental wreck she’ll be happy with it.
Bec: How does one go about finding a bunker to hide out in?
Sean: That’s not easy. I just got lucky with this one. We have a lot of Cold War bunkers here in the UK so there are plenty about, some are open, some not. I just got to know the owner through an event and it went from there.
Bec: What safety precautions have been taken? What would you do if you had an emergency?
Sean: I can get out if I need to and there is an emergency phone line at ground level – I hope.
Bec: You said you’ll be doing a Blog once a day… Do you have electricity, or will you be using a generator? What kind of internet connection will you have to post these daily updates?
Sean: Ironically, the place is packed with computer hardware and telex printers. There are screens everywhere. However, they are all 1980s classics and leftovers from the Cold War. There is electricity and that ‘bunker hum’ of the lights. On the ground level they have one internet point so I’ll go up and upload my blog once a day. Don’t forget, this is a big place – over 3 floors of concrete and made for up to 400 people.
Bec: What kind of food are you taking down with you? Is there a favorite snack you decided you couldn’t live without?
Sean: Good point. I’m taking rations, nothing fancy. There is a fridge so I’ll be OK for milk but I’m not taking much meat – mostly dried stuff. Treat will be Bounty chocolate bars.
Bec: What insights do you hope to glean from this experience? How will you use that information?
Sean: That’s a tough one. I’m really not sure. All I know is that I’ve read so many accounts in zombie and survival horror of folks surviving in isolation – authors describing how people feel etc. I suppose I just wanted to get just a small insight into it. I’m really going to try and get myself in the spirit. For example, every night, I’m going to barricade myself into one room as per I am Legend to help build up that tension.
Bec: If all goes well, will you do it again for a longer period of time? (We talked about the five days on Facebook. I don’t think that would be as hard as say, thirty.)
Sean: Well I’ll see. I really wanna see how I get on. I originally planned to do it the Sinai desert but with everything going on just couldn’t organize it. I think 5-6 days will be a challenge – 30 days I think would be life-changing…
Bec: Do you think it will be harder going this alone? Or would it be more difficult to have others with you (you know, whining and complaining)?
Sean: Harder alone for sure. It’s a big bunker. If there were two of you, you could easily split for the day then meet up later – it’s that big. I think having at least some company would make it much easier. Also, the other person can help keep your imagination in check!
Bec: What do you plan to do while you’re sequestered from the world?
Sean: I have a full routine of security sweeps, perimeter checks, workouts and other activities to keep me busy. I tried to model it on I am Legend so I know routine is vital if you
don’t want to slip into lethargy.
Bec: I’m assuming you’ll be taking books to read… What titles (and authors) will be
your buddies in solitude? Why did you select those books?
Sean: I am. To keep myself busy, I’m taking a selection of books and am going to review them whilst I’m in the bunker, making little videos of the reviews. I’ve got a range of stuff – certainly David Moody but also some of my indie writer friends like Eric S Brown – I want
to try and make them a really cool trailer if I can. This is all subject to my limited technical skills.
Bec: What scenario are you trying to (mock) escape with your “sealing in”?
Sean: My brief is that there has been a major viral outbreak in the UK. I managed to seal myself in and must keep the perimeter sealed. Hence, the regular patrols. I don’t know if anyone is left outside and I don’t know how long I need to stay underground. I suppose it’s a kind of I am Legend/28 Days Later vibe.
Bec: What made you choose that scenario?
Sean: I just think it was a simple one that could really explain why I’d be stuck down there. In fact, it is a Cold War bunker and the charts and set up is all designed as a regional control centre to manage the chaos after a nuclear strike on London but I thought that was to grim!
Bec: Do you think something like a five day seal in would make for a great apocalyptic
writer’s retreat? Why or why not?
Sean: I hadn’t thought about that but I suppose it would. It would certainly be a great venue for it. I’ll see when I’m down there and if people are interested, I’m sure we could do it. It certainly has the atmosphere for it.
Bec: If you said yes to the above question, how many writers would you think would be a good idea at one time, and which would you most like to be sealed away with?
Sean: I reckon we could do 5 in a place like that. As I said above, it’s three floors and a large area. People could easily work in isolation from each other and still get that inspiration.
Bec: What type, and how many changes, of clothes are you taking with you?
Sean: I will be trying to stick to ex-military clothing. I think I have enough – limited
amounts!
Bec: What do you plan to use as a toilet? How are you going to keep the place from stinking?
Sean: There is plumbing down there so the toilet is fine.
Bec: How do you plan to take a bath?
Sean: OK – this one I’m not as sure. I have a sink for strip washes. There may be a shower down there but I haven’t found it yet. Would you take a shower in an abandoned bunker alone? I gotta see if I just don’t prefer staying dirty.
Bec: What do you think will be the hardest thing for you to handle during those
five days?
Sean: The long hours of not talking. We are just not used to it these days and I don’t think I’ve ever shut up for this period of time.
Bec: Is there anything you would like to share that I haven’t asked you about?
Sean: I suppose the only thing would be to mention that as it’s got closer, I’ve grown less gung-ho about the whole thing. At first, I thought it would be an easy PR stunt. Now, I realize it’s much tougher and will be a real test of character for me.
Bec: Good luck with your “seal in” vacation. I wish you all the best, and I hope you’ll stop by for another interview once you’re out in the world with us again! Thanks for stopping by!
Sean: Cheers all and wish me luck.
If there’s a question you’d like to ask Sean, please post it as a comment. Don’t wait too long, because in just days he’ll be all alone in a Cold War bunker, not talking to anyone!
If you’d like to follow his blog and learn more about his experience and/or watch the Vlog posts (when they go live), go here:
Search for ‘Ministry of Zombies’ on facebook
or
www.ministryofzombies.com
The post, reposted:
Sean T. Page is a horror writer. He writes zombie and other fiction to entertain and enlighten the masses of what events could transpire should the world fall apart. He doesn’t stop there…NO! He’s going to seal himself into a Cold War bunker for five days, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today. I have questions about it all, and I’m sure you do too! If I don’t cover them in this interview, feel free to post comments and ask Sean a few things yourself.
Bec: I’ll start with the obvious question: Why?
Sean: It was one of those things I’ve always thought about, something you day-dream about when writing the kind of survival fiction I do. Then I found the bunker and got to know the owner. I ran the idea past him and suddenly the chance was there. I knew if I didn’t grab it now I wouldn’t be able to do it. So, it’s really the lonely survival experience for me.
Bec: What does your wife think about this? What are her concerns? Does she
support you in this endeavor?
Sean: She’s been very supportive. She’s used to my strange adventures now. I think as long as I stick to the week and don’t come out a mental wreck she’ll be happy with it.
Bec: How does one go about finding a bunker to hide out in?
Sean: That’s not easy. I just got lucky with this one. We have a lot of Cold War bunkers here in the UK so there are plenty about, some are open, some not. I just got to know the owner through an event and it went from there.
Bec: What safety precautions have been taken? What would you do if you had an emergency?
Sean: I can get out if I need to and there is an emergency phone line at ground level – I hope.
Bec: You said you’ll be doing a Blog once a day… Do you have electricity, or will you be using a generator? What kind of internet connection will you have to post these daily updates?
Sean: Ironically, the place is packed with computer hardware and telex printers. There are screens everywhere. However, they are all 1980s classics and leftovers from the Cold War. There is electricity and that ‘bunker hum’ of the lights. On the ground level they have one internet point so I’ll go up and upload my blog once a day. Don’t forget, this is a big place – over 3 floors of concrete and made for up to 400 people.
Bec: What kind of food are you taking down with you? Is there a favorite snack you decided you couldn’t live without?
Sean: Good point. I’m taking rations, nothing fancy. There is a fridge so I’ll be OK for milk but I’m not taking much meat – mostly dried stuff. Treat will be Bounty chocolate bars.
Bec: What insights do you hope to glean from this experience? How will you use that information?
Sean: That’s a tough one. I’m really not sure. All I know is that I’ve read so many accounts in zombie and survival horror of folks surviving in isolation – authors describing how people feel etc. I suppose I just wanted to get just a small insight into it. I’m really going to try and get myself in the spirit. For example, every night, I’m going to barricade myself into one room as per I am Legend to help build up that tension.
Bec: If all goes well, will you do it again for a longer period of time? (We talked about the five days on Facebook. I don’t think that would be as hard as say, thirty.)
Sean: Well I’ll see. I really wanna see how I get on. I originally planned to do it the Sinai desert but with everything going on just couldn’t organize it. I think 5-6 days will be a challenge – 30 days I think would be life-changing…
Bec: Do you think it will be harder going this alone? Or would it be more difficult to have others with you (you know, whining and complaining)?
Sean: Harder alone for sure. It’s a big bunker. If there were two of you, you could easily split for the day then meet up later – it’s that big. I think having at least some company would make it much easier. Also, the other person can help keep your imagination in check!
Bec: What do you plan to do while you’re sequestered from the world?
Sean: I have a full routine of security sweeps, perimeter checks, workouts and other activities to keep me busy. I tried to model it on I am Legend so I know routine is vital if you
don’t want to slip into lethargy.
Bec: I’m assuming you’ll be taking books to read… What titles (and authors) will be
your buddies in solitude? Why did you select those books?
Sean: I am. To keep myself busy, I’m taking a selection of books and am going to review them whilst I’m in the bunker, making little videos of the reviews. I’ve got a range of stuff – certainly David Moody but also some of my indie writer friends like Eric S Brown – I want
to try and make them a really cool trailer if I can. This is all subject to my limited technical skills.
Bec: What scenario are you trying to (mock) escape with your “sealing in”?
Sean: My brief is that there has been a major viral outbreak in the UK. I managed to seal myself in and must keep the perimeter sealed. Hence, the regular patrols. I don’t know if anyone is left outside and I don’t know how long I need to stay underground. I suppose it’s a kind of I am Legend/28 Days Later vibe.
Bec: What made you choose that scenario?
Sean: I just think it was a simple one that could really explain why I’d be stuck down there. In fact, it is a Cold War bunker and the charts and set up is all designed as a regional control centre to manage the chaos after a nuclear strike on London but I thought that was to grim!
Bec: Do you think something like a five day seal in would make for a great apocalyptic
writer’s retreat? Why or why not?
Sean: I hadn’t thought about that but I suppose it would. It would certainly be a great venue for it. I’ll see when I’m down there and if people are interested, I’m sure we could do it. It certainly has the atmosphere for it.
Bec: If you said yes to the above question, how many writers would you think would be a good idea at one time, and which would you most like to be sealed away with?
Sean: I reckon we could do 5 in a place like that. As I said above, it’s three floors and a large area. People could easily work in isolation from each other and still get that inspiration.
Bec: What type, and how many changes, of clothes are you taking with you?
Sean: I will be trying to stick to ex-military clothing. I think I have enough – limited
amounts!
Bec: What do you plan to use as a toilet? How are you going to keep the place from stinking?
Sean: There is plumbing down there so the toilet is fine.
Bec: How do you plan to take a bath?
Sean: OK – this one I’m not as sure. I have a sink for strip washes. There may be a shower down there but I haven’t found it yet. Would you take a shower in an abandoned bunker alone? I gotta see if I just don’t prefer staying dirty.
Bec: What do you think will be the hardest thing for you to handle during those
five days?
Sean: The long hours of not talking. We are just not used to it these days and I don’t think I’ve ever shut up for this period of time.
Bec: Is there anything you would like to share that I haven’t asked you about?
Sean: I suppose the only thing would be to mention that as it’s got closer, I’ve grown less gung-ho about the whole thing. At first, I thought it would be an easy PR stunt. Now, I realize it’s much tougher and will be a real test of character for me.
Bec: Good luck with your “seal in” vacation. I wish you all the best, and I hope you’ll stop by for another interview once you’re out in the world with us again! Thanks for stopping by!
Sean: Cheers all and wish me luck.
If there’s a question you’d like to ask Sean, please post it as a comment. Don’t wait too long, because in just days he’ll be all alone in a Cold War bunker, not talking to anyone!
If you’d like to follow his blog and learn more about his experience and/or watch the Vlog posts (when they go live), go here:
Search for ‘Ministry of Zombies’ on facebook
or
www.ministryofzombies.com
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