What kind of theme does the author believe Desper Hollow has? Did she have to do any research to write this book? What kind of books does she like to read? What fictional character would she like to have dinner with? What advice does she have for writers?
I see Desper Hollow as a story of love and forgiveness with zombies and hillbillies thrown in to make it interesting. How do you see this book?
Desper Hollow was born when I was asked by Apex to pen a zombie novel, back when they had a zombie line. Prior to that, I had read just a little zombie fiction, had watched a number of zombie films, and had written one zombie short story (“Abed”, which is now available as a short Kindle download, from Crossroad Press). Now, when zombie fiction is done right, it rocks the heart and the mind and the gut. When it’s done poorly, it’s little more than a blood, gore, blow-em-apart mess-fest. Some of that can be fun, but it certainly isn’t sustainable in a novel. So I guess the thing is, whether or not a novel is about zombies, werewolves, vampires, ghosts, or any other ghoulie, there needs to be deeper issues going on. I want to read – and write – stories and novels that offer something to think about, something to digest, something to feel, something to take away when done. And so I do believe Desper Hollow is a story of love and forgiveness. I wouldn’t say the zombies and hillbillies were thrown in, since this story without those particular characters wouldn’t exist. But yes, the theme, if we want to “do themes” could be seen as reunion, love, and forgiveness. I like that.
Which part of the story came to your mind first: the zombies, the Mustard clan, Hank Shaw, Armistead, or the need for forgiveness?
Armistead came first. I wanted something different in my zombie novel, and Armistead is not your run-of-the-mill zombie.
Did you have to do any research on how people who live that far back up in the hills live and talk?
Not really. My great-grands on my Mom’s side were mountain folks – edgy, gritty, isolated. A bit suspicious of outsiders. Add to that the fact that I live right next to the Appalachians. I’ve seen, heard, and have encountered my share of non-family mountain people. And while a few of my characters might seem to have stereotypical traits (though I don’t believe they are just walking stereotypes), it’s good to remember that stereotypes came from somewhere.
Did you have to do any research on zombies? Was there any other research involved?
Not really. I’ve just read what I’ve read and watched what I’ve watched. I know American (western) zombies are supposed to be the living dead, mindless, wandering, eating people, and kill-able by a blow or bullet to the head. The only actual research I did was geographical…I wanted Beaver Dam to be near some actual towns and in an actual western Virginia County. Apologies to those of Tazewell if they aren’t big on the suggestion that there are zombies in their midst!
How long did it take you to complete this book?
About 10 months.
What was your inspiration for this book?
I don’t really know, except that when Jason Sizemore asked for a zombie novel, I started musing on what might happen and who my main characters might be. I liked the idea of tacking this particular sub-genre for a novel-length story.
Which character was your favorite? Was there a character you just didn’t like?
I like or am interested in all my characters, so I suppose there aren’t any I actively dislike. Even Bobby Boo Anderson, as clueless and self-absorbed as he is, is someone I enjoyed writing. Even Granny Mustard as cold-hearted as she is, is someone I enjoyed writing. But as to favorites in Desper Hollow, I’d have to say Kathy, Armistead, and Jenkie. They are all so different from each other, but each plays a pivotal role in the story. Favorite of those three would be Armistead. Even though I knew his story from the get-go, I wasn’t sure exactly how it would play out in its entirety, and I felt a kinship and sympathy for him through his struggles.
How did you choose the names for your characters?
The names just popped into my head. With few exceptions, the characters for my novels and short stories name themselves. It’s rare for me to struggle with character names, though I can’t really say why it’s so easy. Though I will point out that the last name Mustard came from a doughnut shop in my hometown that was owned by the Mustard family. It’s long since closed. They sold great doughnuts.
How completely do you develop your characters before beginning to write?
I think about the main ones for a while; let them live in my head and watch them and listen to them. Then I force them down onto the computer screen, create a troubling circumstance for them, and then follow them down the road.
Was there a point where your characters took control of the story?
It was more of a partnership. I knew where they needed to end up and so guided them in that direction. However, the characters did make themselves known by saying and doing things I wasn’t exactly expecting along the way. For example, I didn’t really realize how much of an oddball Bink was until I put him in the trailer with Jenkie!
Which scene was your favorite? Which scene was the most difficult for you to write?
I like all the scenes; I put equal thought and effort into each one. I do have a particular fondness for scene that introduces Bobby Boo Anderson, the scene with the “race down the mountain,” and the final scene with the encounter between Armistead, Kathy, Hank, and Jack, which I won’t go into detail here as that would be a major spoiler.
How long did it take you to decide on a title for your book? Were there many other possible titles you had picked out?
I had just started sounding out the ideas for the novel when Cortney reminded me that there is a winding country road not far from our home called Desper Hollow Road. It doesn’t actually travel up into the mountains, but the name itself has an ominous (“desperate”) sound to it. There was no other title in the running.
Do you plan out the entire book before writing it? Or do you just sit down and write?
I used to just sit and write. Now days, though, since a publisher wants to know what a book is about before they consider buying and publishing it, I have to have a fairly good idea where it’s going before I start. A road map. A set of tracks. Now, I can take detours on the map, and I can move the tracks around some, but I do head in the direction I’d originally planned. If I were an independently wealthy writer, I might just write and see where it took me with no idea ahead of time. But since I have to make a living with the writing, I need to know what I’m offering a publisher ahead of time, and then stick as closely to it as possible so they can do cover art, cover copy, and promotions ahead of time. I don’t find that to be a problem, though. It’s no less creative than the mental wandering. It’s just a different way to create.
Do you have a set time to write each day? Or do you wait to be inspired?
As someone who makes her living as a writer, I can’t wait to be inspired. Rather than wait for a muse to come to me, I must be my own muse. This means occasionally hammering the story out even when I’m not quite feeling like it (and after a while, more often than not, the inspiration returns.) I usually write in the mornings, part of the afternoon, and some at night. Deadlines determine how much in one day I’ll work. Of course, when I can, I take a few days off to let the creative well refill.
When did you first have a desire to write? How did this desire manifest itself?
I’ve loved stories since I was teensy-weensy. I would make up stories and tell my family well before I could write anything down on paper. My parents encouraged me. Thanks, Mom and MeDot (my dad’s nickname)!
Do you ever become bored with what you are writing? If you do, how do you get past that point?
Not so much bored as stuck. Okay, well, I HAVE gotten bored with some stories early on and when I do, I just stop, pitch them, and move on to another story. I know that if a story bores me, it’ll bore the reader! Now, when I get stuck, I’ll put that story aside and work on another, then come back to the first. I’m always working on two or more stories or novels at the same time.
What is your favorite genre in which to write?
Well, I keep coming back to horror! Yes, I love writing horror fiction because I’m able to delve into the deepest emotions, can peel back facades, personas, masks, and explore what characters will do in the most dire of circumstances. I feel there is much to learn about ourselves through well-written horror fiction. And I try my best to write well. Certainly it doesn’t always turn out as well as I’d like but I keep on trying.
What kind of books do you like to read?
I try to read a wide variety of books, which I think is not only good for my own person, but for my writing. First choices in nonfiction would be history, politics, and spiritual/inspirational; for fiction I tend to prefer horror fiction, contemporary mainstream fiction, and historical fiction. I’ve never been particularly drawn to science fiction or fantasy, but when any story is done well, it should appeal to the reader, regardless of genre.
How do you manage to balance your time between family, friends, and writing?
Luckily, I live with someone (Cortney Skinner) who, like me, makes a living as a freelance, self-employed person. We both work about the same times, take breaks at the same time, and share meals at the same time, so that’s all good. As an introvert, I enjoy time with my fantastic friends but also am happy working long stretches without much social contact. Having been in biz, full time, for 20 years, the balance is pretty much figured out.
If you could have dinner with any fictional character you wanted, which one would you choose? Why?
Atticus Finch of To Kill a Mockingbird. I’d like to discuss his life and times (the racially segregated deep South), about the moral issues his law career had run up against, and how he bore up as a widower with two children. In other words, what makes this character tick. The deep stuff.
If you could spend one hour with just one person, dead or alive, whom would you choose? Why?
Jesus. Though I’m not technically Christian, I love much of what he said and would love to hear more, person to person, face to face. I might write horror, but more often than not I do it to explore issues in the world, to explore human nature – both the dreadful and the beautiful, to find the hope within terror, the love beyond the hatred, the courage within the fear.
Do you have any advice for writers who aren’t yet published?
Don’t assume a first draft is publishable. Don’t make the mistake of thinking writing offers fame and fortune to all who decide to write. Don’t assume writing is easy. Don’t assume you have nothing to learn. Do read in all genres. Do befriend other writers and support each other. Do attend conventions and attend panels and absorb all the information you can. Do keep on plugging even as rejections pile up. Do get a copy of the most recent Writer’s Market.
Where can your fans find you on the Internet?
On Facebook or via my website: www.elizabethmassie.com.
Thanks, Lisa!
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Desper Hollow – a Review
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A Vexation of Zombies
Amazon Link: Desper Hollow
