The 7Q Interview: R.H. Hale
AUTHOR BIO
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, R.H. Hale’s interests range from reading and writing, to science and the arts, including theatre. After receiving a BSc (Hons) in Natural History from Kingston University in Surrey, she returned to Edinburgh where she joined a ghost tour company to pay the bills – and became hooked, terrifying innocent tourists on a daily basis in the city’s underground vaults. In 2014 Hale began work on her first novel, Church Mouse (Book 1): Memoir of a vampire’s servant.
QUESTIONS
#1. Looking back, what’s one fiction book that you feel truly made an impact on your writing? Do you still gravitate towards that author?
#1. With Church Mouse, though I already had ideas for the book, I think the catalyst that really got me going was Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. Her style of writing with that novel just drew me right in and was quite spellbinding. It got the cogwheels turning in my brain and really gave me the appetite for writing Church Mouse properly. I’ve read most of her books including her short stories, though by far my favourite is The Birds. I wish she’d written more horror because that story was so chilling, shocking and brilliantly written. Scared me more than the film...
#2. How do you feel about the use of sub-genres in the industry? How do you describe your work overall?
#2. I’m okay with sub-genres. Depending on how a story turns out, I understand how some may struggle to assign a specific genre to their books, but at the end of the day I think it’s the writing quality, characterization and plot, etc, that counts. Church Mouse itself is Gothic literary horror, though considering other things I have in the pipeline, my writing’s generally literary horror.
#3. What about your writing process do you think is unique or quirky? What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received?
#3. I’m not sure if there’s anything comparatively unique or quirky about my own writing process. At the start I always make tons of notes and even random things that pop into my head. I write in bursts, and sometimes type separate scenes in different files so it feels fresh, uncluttered and helps clear my head. Nor do I necessarily write the scenes in order of which they appear in the book; I may get the raw meat down while the iron’s hot, then go back a bit to continue from elsewhere until everything joins and flows. For example, I knew exactly what was going to happen in the middle and at the end of Church Mouse before the rest was written, including its sequel which will be published next year.
As for the worst writing advice I’ve heard, with no offence intended to anyone who may disagree, I once read a tip saying: “Edit your work as your worst enemy would if they read it”. Well I’ve tried that. And I think it’s potentially dangerous advice, both psychologically and professionally. You end up being so self-critical that you don’t trust anything you’ve written anymore and may even scrap chunks of work, only to be asked later by beta readers: “Hey what did you get rid of that for? I liked that bit!” Because it ispossible to over-edit, spinning round in your own cut-off bubble. Don’t get me wrong, I know the advice was well-meant, but technically your “worst enemy” would be someone biased enough to find fault with every single detail no matter how hard you work. I spent ages thinking everything I wrote was rubbish, then was stunned by the response, so I’m glad I listened to others who read the drafts.
#4. How does music and media factor into your writing? Do you feel it plays as much an inspirational role as literature?
#4. I’ve always loved reading horror, but I’d certainly be lying if I said I’ve read lots of vampire novels, because the slightly embarrassing truth is my interest in vampires was rekindled by the BBC TV series ‘Being Human’, and Jim Jarmusch’s movie ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’. In Church Mouse there is a mention (with adherence to copyright laws) of Puddle of Mud’s amazing song She Hates Me, plus a mention of Marilyn Manson’s Fight Song in Book 2.
If I had my way, I think one of the best songs that could be assigned to a vampire story is actually Change in the House of Flies by Deftones. I think tons of inspiration can come from music, films and literature combined, it’s no bad thing.
#5. As an author, how much do you engage in social media? Do you feel it is more for your own entertainment, or for marketing and networking?
#5. I use mainly Twitter all the time for marketing and networking. It’s been a godsend and I’ve met some very talented writers online who’ve been so incredibly supportive. I’m really grateful.
#6. Where do you see the future of horror fiction heading? In turn, what changes would you love to see, either socially or technologically?
#6. I don’t know exactly where it’s heading. I know some audiences don’t take horror very seriously, or think it’s silly, but whether the subject matter’s werewolves, the undead, zombies or ghosts, etc, I think horror should terrify and keep readers on edge, regardless of however much blood you’re splashing them with. So, I hope things like Kindle and other online bookstores open the door for many more independent writers and lets plenty through from outside the box.
#7. What can you tell us about any forthcoming projects? What titles would you like to promote now?
#7. As mentioned, the sequel to Church Mouse (Book 1),was all completed a while back and should be published hopefully in early 2019. No links as yet, but it’s titled Church Mouse (Book 2): The Change, and it follows on from where Book 1 left off. Though still told in first person, it’s a very different sort of story this time, and with lots more action!
Church Mouse at B&N
AUTHOR PHOTO
