Corpus Press: Horror and Weird Fiction discussion
Ask the Duo of Darkness a question, if you dare!
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Larry
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Jan 20, 2013 05:19AM
I agree baked was deffently a better descripton
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I have a question for you guys and no it has nothing to do with your mental states. Do you think either of you will write a full length novel?
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Hi Janie -
Whew - a question that doesn't have to do with how scrambled my brains are! I was starting to think maybe they were coming to take me away any minute now. ; )
Your question about a novel is well timed, because a full-length horror novel about a strange mining town isolated deep in the mountains is the primary project I am working on at the moment.
Writing a novel is turning out to be such an incredibly different proposition in terms of scope, effort and organization than a short story, or even a novella. It's a daunting task.
Even though I have around 20 more short stories in various stages of completion waiting to be published, I think the time has come for me to buckle down and finish that first novel.
The book has grown out of a concept that Adam Light and I produced together. We initially tried our hand at co-writing the book, but despite our valiant efforts for some reason we were never able to get it fully completed as a writing team. After producing 200-plus pages of manuscript, we abandoned the project as co-authors and began focusing on the short story format as individual writers instead.
I've been working on and off on the project independently ever since, and now I think the time is right to buckle down and get it done. No promises on when it will be finished, but I'm having a blast writing it.
I think honing my short story writing skills was a good thing to do before attempting to complete the novel, as it has helped me learn how to do more with fewer words, and hopefully the novel will end up being the non-stop, lean and mean adrenaline thrill ride I envision.
As for Adam Light's novel-writing aspirations - well, I know some stuff, but it's his story to tell (or not).
Thanks so much for asking, Janie!
Looking forward to its eventual publication, Evans! If you ever end up in an asylum (my favorite location) ;) let me know: I will come visit, and write the novelization.:)
Mod
If you ever end up in an asylum (my favorite location) ;) let me know: I will come visit, and write the novelization.:)"
Thanks! If my own personal tragedy wasn't at least entertaining, then it would all be for naught. : )
:) Always catharis-that's the point of reading, and writing, in my perspective
Evans I am certainly looking forward to it's completion. Please do let me know when you get there! :)
Question: is there any subject matter that would be totally off limits to either of you, or anything goes?
Mod
Thanks for the question! It's an interesting one, and one I haven't really given much thought.
I don't know if there are any absolute subject matter limits I would consciously self-impose, but obviously there will be paths I'm less likely to follow than others when writing.
Subject matter I'm not likely to tackle soon, or ever (and probably not the point of your question): Vampires, zombies, werewolves, witches, or superheroes. All have been done to death, in my opinion. Joe Hill's upcoming NOS4A2 may be the final vampire-related thing I ever read by choice.
More to the point of your question, though - I try to approach distasteful subjects in a semi-tasteful way (most of the time, unless I'm in an playfully evil mood), and I'm not really into being shocking for shocking's sake. Splatterpunk is not my genre. I'm not averse to writing about things that are distasteful, not in the least - but if it doesn't serve the story or hit the reader at some emotional level then what's the point?
So my final answer is this: I'm going to say everything is fair game. I'm sure there are subconscious moral limits I won't ever cross, but I'm not inclined to try to spell them out. There is material in my upcoming novel, TRANQUILITY'S END, that will probably be considered to be shocking, controversial and in extremely poor taste to many; but everything ultimately serves the story and is not tacked on merely to be gratuitous. It's there because the story calls for it.
On a broader note, if someone doesn't enjoy testing the boundaries of their own fear and moral sensibilities, then horror is probably not a good choice of genre for that person.
Fear and evil have many forms, and by confronting the extremes of the possible manifestations of both within the safe confines of horror fiction we learn much about our private inner selves, and the secret dark things in which we either take delight or find loathing.
Are there lines you won't cross when choosing what to read?
Mod
Jon, now when you say "slapping boobs on llamas", are you referring to udder enhancement surgery or physical violence directed towards a female llama's chest area?
If it's the former, please drop Adam Light a note with information about it, because I know his llama's boobs have been handled so much that he'll likely be very interested in the procedure.
If you're referring to the latter - literally slapping a llama in the boobs - then watch out, because Adam's undying love for llamas has no room for llama-related sexual violence. He might petition the courts to have your llamas put into his custody if he suspects foul play in the barnyard.
The former.Adam should check out Boobs 'R Us, over on the New Jersey Turnpike. They'll put a pair of boobs on everyone he brings in, including you and the llama, for $49.95.
Mod
Now that I can get a new pair, and at such a low price, the future is wide open - as the song says.
I must address the issue of llama boobs, though. This is a serious issue that I am loathe to let slip through the cracks. If I ever catch anyone slapping a llama's boobs, I will have them drawn and quartered posthaste. I care for these animals, dearly I might add, and shudder at the prospect of such abusive behavior being perpetrated on them.
I'm not a champion of this particular cause, but merely a morally astute citizen who gives a shit about llamas.
Slapping a llama with my own set of fun bags is an entirely different scenario.
Mod
Janie, I am working on a novel right now. It's slow going, but I will finish it sometime in the near future. As of this moment, I am working on a story that I at first visualized as another short work, but has ended up growing larger and larger. I hope to finish this one soon, but have no idea what direction it might take when I least expect it.
Mod
Good question, Catherine.
I would have to answer that one by saying that there is no subject matter that I would not broach unless it was beyond the limitations of my imagination.
As Evans has already replied, it would simply have to serve the story I am writing, and not be slipped in gratuitously.
I have exercised a certain modicum of restraint in the subject matter of most of my stories to this point, but I never know what situation might inspire me to write about it, and how gruesome or taboo that subject might be.
Which brings me to another question.While horror fiction may have no boundaries, it must have limits.
Just because a vocal portion of the fan base is, for want of a better term, sadistically inclined sociopaths in training, authors shouldn't stoop to their level, and take part what always winds up being a downwardly spiraling cycle of torture porn.
Horror fiction should keep itself above the level that horror movies have been dragged, with psychotic garbage like "The Human Centipede", don't you think?
Mod
If, however, the mood siezed me, and I felt that a story demanded some kind of brutal sadistic suffering, I would not shy away from it at all.
As for "The Human Centipede," I have not seen it, but I know of its reputation. I enjoy movies based on story, not on graphically violent content.
Mod
While horror fiction may have no boundaries, it must have limits.
Just because a vocal portion of the fan base is, for want of a better term, sadistically incli..."
I think a lot of extremely violent material, be it in books or film, is inaccurately classifed as horror, when in fact it is a separate and removed genre.
Materials that deal exclusively with pain, torture and mutilation should be called what they are: blood porn. In my opinion, it's a fetish that has nothing at all to do with horror. Horror is an examination of the fear of human suffering, blood porn is a celebration of it. Two separate things.
And for the record, I do not enjoy blood porn at all.
Mod
Now rub this ketchup all over you and scream like you're dying! Oh yeah, that's the stuff! ;)
Evans wrote: "Jon Recluse wrote: "Good to know."Now rub this ketchup all over you and scream like you're dying! Oh yeah, that's the stuff! ;)"
Your brother can write down the sounds you make when I staple your goatee to the ceiling fan.
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Once I got warmed up, yes it would, Adam.
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I am too, Adam.That will change, very quickly. ;)
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Now rub this ketchup all over you and scream like you're dying! Oh yeah, that's the stuff! ;)"
Your brother can write down the sounds you make w..."
That was so funny that I have no worthy response! Touche.
Adam wrote: "That was a worthy response,, bro."This thread is hilarious!
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Mod
This thread is hilarious!"
I just wish someone would cut me down from this ceiling fan. I'm starting to get dizzy.
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I'll turn on the fan and give you some privacy.
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I'm not going back in there.We should have put in a strobe light first, though....
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Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear?
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The spin cycle hasn't finished.Your pants are still damp.
Evans wrote: "Are there lines you won't cross when choosing what to read?"Yes. But I'm afraid to tell you what they are for fear they will show up in your next story. ; )
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Yes. But I'm afraid to tell you what they are for fear they will show up in your next story. ; )"
Oh, c'mon. Trust me. Tell me what really scares you the most! Mwa-ha-ha...
What scares me the most is doing anything cooperatively with most members of my family, much less my brother. How do you guys do that?
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Play Twisted Sister at max volume until he snaps.
Aw, come on Adam. I can think of worse things than drifting in ether all day long...
Mod
Janie, I am working on a novel right n..."
Janie, I'm working on a story right now that originated as a simple short story idea but has grown in length and scope, and I am eighty pages into it. It may not end up being a novel, per se, but it is certainly the most expansive work I have done to date. I should finish it soon, as I feel I am coming to the end. At the very least, it should end up being a long novella. I am also currently working on a novel, but it has been a work in progress for years. I am still torn on whether I will focus on that project after the new story and maybe pop out a few shorts here and there to fill the void in the meantime.
Mod
You have a good point there, Anne.
Corpus Press: Horror and Weird Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
The Fault in Our Stars (other topics)Toes Up: Horror to Die For (other topics)
