Beau Johnston asked Michael Jensen:

What drew you to writing horror stories, instead of another genre (like sci-fi or fantasy)? Was there a particular book or movie that inspired you?

Michael Jensen I'm afraid I'll probably have to spend a year or two in therapy before I can truly answer this question! It's funny that you should mention sci-fi and fantasy, as both were genres I read long before I discovered horror. I think I could have been a sci-fi writer except I'm pretty horrible at the science part. As for fantasy, I read so much of it when I was younger, I grew tired of it and, frankly, felt like the genre had grown stale and wasn't something I wanted to write.

So why do I write horror? What appeals to me about it? I honestly don't know! I don't particularly like to be frightened and a good horror novel can leave me feeling anxious and uncomfortable by the time I get to the end. And yet, as soon as I discover another horror novel with an intriguing premise, I snatch it up.

However, writing horror is an entirely different experience for me, as writing the most horrifying stuff doesn't bother me at all. My husband will often read my work and be shocked that it came from mild-mannered me, the guy who can only watch horror movies holding his hands over his face.

I guess I write horror because I like putting characters in extreme situations and seeing how they react to what is happening. I also like writing books with (hopefully) clever plots and twists that keep the reader guessing.

Perhaps I'll go get that therapy now and see what REALLY drives me to write horror....

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