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Author Interview - Christopher Beck (Short Sharp Shocks! 46 The Birthday Girl & Other Stories)1/17/2020 Book 46 in the Short Sharp Shocks! series is Christopher Beck’s The Birthday Girl & Other Stories. The book is out for pre-sales now on Amazon, with a publication date of 31st January 2020. Dean and Christopher recently sat down and talked about it.
DEMAIN PUBLISHING. Hey Christopher, great to speak to you again. It’s been a little while since we’ve worked together. For those that don’t know about you – please tell us about yourself and how (or why) you became a writer. CHRISTOPHER BECK: Hi! I was born in San Diego, CA but raised (and still live) in the small town of Fairton, NJ. My love for storytelling started in high school and while I dabbled with writing during those (and following) years, it wasn’t until much later that I really committed to the craft. I was going through some rough times personally and writing stories became therapeutic for me. It gave me a way to sort through and express feelings that, at the time, I didn’t know how to deal with otherwise. DP: That’s really interesting, we could tell that the stories in your collection were deeply personal. Please tell us a little more about your stories specifically... CB: Sure. Missing Child is based on real life. I once was married and my ex-wife had a little girl with whom I developed a great relationship. After the marriage failed, things between the ex and I were a bit sour and that left my relationship with her daughter uncertain. This story was an attempt to deal with that uncertainty. It was tough at the time, but I am happy to say that, years later, I still have wonderful relationship with the kiddo. The Birthday Girl: sometimes, in life, terrible things happen, and sometimes there are no happy endings. Stories like this aren’t easy to tell but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be told. The Trash Can: the great thing about short stories is that they don’t always have to explain things, they can just be pulpy fun. I was living with my brother and he had dog that liked to raid the trash. So my brother purchased a trash can that was basically dog proof. Soon after, our roommate at the time threw a paper towel into it and the lid seemed to slam down way too hard. Instant story. DP: You’re so right about ‘pulpy fun’ – I’m glad that we ordered the stories in your collection the way we did but I won’t spoil things...did you find any of the stories particularly difficult to write? CB: The entirety of The Birthday Girl was tough. I sat on the story idea for some time as I was worried where writing it would take me emotionally. DP: Well done though! I know it was tough but you got there! Slightly lighter, what books (and / or authors) do you read and do you think influence you or your writing? CB: King. Koontz. Bentley Little. Robert McCammon. John Grisham. David Morrel. Robert B Parker. Paul Tremblay. Josh Malerman. Max Booth III. This, of course, is a short list. There are many, many others that I enjoy reading, and I would say something can be learned from all of them. DP: Without a doubt. Right now I’m reading one of the best books I ever have – yes, appreciate that is quite a statement but it’s about the way French people think / what influences them and already it’s had a massive impact on something I’m writing...massive...anyway, what does ‘horror’ mean to Christopher Beck? CB: Horror, to me, is the darker side of life. Life can be fun and wonderful at times but in the blink of an eye it can all change. Unfortunately bad things sometimes happen, and those things can really mess a person up. DP: Yeap, so true...living in the moment is so important...is there a horror book or film you’re looking forward to? CB: Book - Touch The Night by Max Booth III. Film: A Quiet Place 2. DP: Ah, I need to read some more of Max’s work and I’ll be honest I did start watching A Quiet Place but never got to finish it – that’s one of my missions for January, thank you. It was quite a scary film I seem to remember...is there anything which scares you? CB: I would say loss of loved ones, and that certainly has made it into my stories. DP: Yes, having worked with you over the years I would attest to that. Creatively, is there something you’d like to achieve... CB: I have yet to publish a novel, that’s definitely something I’d like to shoot for. DP: And here at DEMAIN we’d certainly be interested in reading that. Okay, two quick ones: Marvel or DC? CB: I enjoy both, but would put my flag in the Marvel Camp. DP: Cool, cool...I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing Morbius with Jared Leto – I saw the trailer the other day and it looks very intriguing and obviously has a clear link to the Spiderman universe...have to say though I’m certainly doffing DC’s Titans Season 2...and finally then, can you tell us something surprising about yourself? CB: Ummm…Once upon a time I had the privilege of being on a radio show with Joe Lansdale. And I bet that was a blast. All the best with your Short Sharp Shocks! Christopher. If you would like to connect with Christopher direct: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chrifive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrifive
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CategoriesArchives
November 2023
AuthorDean M. Drinkel |