Happy Wednesday, horror fiends!
We are halfway through the week, and I hope that the week is treating you well! I, personally, am hiding from the ever-encroaching heat as much as I possibly can.
I am excited to share with you today an interview I had with author Angela Sylvaine, or as she likes to call herself, The Cheerful Goth! I recently read and reviewed her newest collection, The Dead Spot: Stories of Lost Girls, and it was absolutely brilliant. My review can be found here.
I hope you enjoy our interview and that you take the time to look into some of Angela’s work!
Much love,
Ashley
Interview Between Angela Sylvaine & Ashley Nestler, MSW
What made you want to go into writing horror? Have you always preferred writing in this space, or are there other genres you have explored?
I came to writing pretty late, in my mid thirties, when I tried writing and was immediately hooked. I started writing YA paranormal romance, but my stories were naturally far darker than they should have been for that genre. So, I embraced horror as my happy place! I grew up reading and watching horror, so it was a natural fit.
As a fellow Coloradoan, how has living in Colorado impacted your writing?
I think the setting of Colorado is a natural inspiration for horror, as Stephen King can attest to (what Colorado horror writer hasn’t visited the Stanley and gazed at the door of the room where he hatched the idea for The Shining?). What lurks in the woods and mountains? What can happen when a storm rolls in, and you’re trapped inside by several feet of snow? We live in a beautiful place, but with beauty there is always a tradeoff of what evil lurks within.
Do you prefer writing short stories, novel-length pieces, or any other formats in-between?
I really love writing everything from drabbels to novels! I started writing novels, but that is such a big-time commitment (sometimes years), and I’ve found peppering in working on shorter works helps me remain inspired, break through writer’s block, and build my writing resume.
What is some advice you have for folks who want to get into the horror writing space?
I think the best way to break into horror is to write about something that scares you. Scared of the dark? Afraid to look in that mirror? Shriek at the sight of a spider? That’s a great place to start a horror story. Just remember to put your own spin on it!
Are there specific sub-genres of horror that you like to explore?
I dabble is pretty much everything- psychological horror, paranormal, sci-fi horror, gothic, splatterpunk, you name it. But if I had to choose my absolute favorite, it would be horror comedy. In real life, I am someone who breaks tension with jokes, and I also like my horror with a good dose of fun, so horror comedy is the perfect combo.
Author Bio
Angela Sylvaine is a self-proclaimed cheerful goth who writes speculative fiction and poetry. Her debut novel, Frost Bite, a 90s sci-fi horror comedy, and her debut short story collection, The Dead Spot: Stories of Lost Girls, are available now. Her retro 80s mall slasher, Chopping Spree, will be available September 2024. Angela’s short fiction and poetry have appeared in or on over fifty anthologies, magazines, and podcasts, including Southwest Review, Apex, and The NoSleep Podcast. She lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with her sweetheart and three creepy cats.
You can find her online:
The Horror Maven 