Renee E asked A.B. McFarland:

So, you're a GF baker too? Sounds like we might be on the same page, so to speak, or at least the same chapter writing-wise as well. I refer to mine as "trans-genred" although I think it falls into the wide arms of "modern gothic." Who and what do you think were the influences that formed your writing?

A.B. McFarland I've always between attracted to things that don't fit the usual stereotypes. In my early teen years (which I've heard shape you more than people realize) I was influenced by seeing early 1980's innovative music videos by alternative bands, and by reading psychology books like "Touching" by Ashley Montagu. Later I discovered books like "The Tin Drum" by Gunter Grass and "Mumbo Jumbo" by Ishmael Reed. From those I learned to appreciate when an author can touch the pulse of what's happening socially during a pivotal moment in history. More recently, I have enjoyed character-driven, mind-f*cking, gender-bender mangas like "Pandora Hearts" and "Grand Guignol Orchestra."

flag