The 7Q Interview: Philip Fracassi
AUTHOR BIO
Philip Fracassi is an award-winning author and screenwriter. His debut collection of stories, BEHOLD THE VOID, is available in ebook, paperback, audiobook and hardcover, and was named "Story Collection of the Year (2017)" by THIS IS HORROR. His current novellas include OVERNIGHT, SHILOH, SACCULINA and FRAGILE DREAMS. His stories have appeared in multiple magazines and anthologies, including BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR (VOL. 10), and his work has been reviewed by The New York Times, Rue Morgue Magazine, LOCUS Magazine and others. His screenplay credits include "Girl Missing," distributed by Lifetime Television and "Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups," distributed by Disney Entertainment. Philip lives with his family in Los Angeles, California. You can follow Philip on Facebook and on Twitter (@philipfracassi), or at his official website at http://pfracassi.com.
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. Answer – The Beautiful Thing that Awaits Us All by Laird Barron. It was the first time I realized that prose could have as much of an impact on a reader’s emotional palette as the story itself. Barron’s prose oozes dread. Other contemporary authors whose prose affected my writing are Ralph Robert Moore and his use of physicality, Josh Malerman and his use of tight, chippy prose that can be so effective, Brian Evenson’s ability to unnerve and create a feeling of surrealness. I try to learn from everything I read how to be a better writer or, at worst, what mistakes to try and avoid.
#2. How do you feel about the use of sub-genres in the industry? How do you describe your work overall?
#2. Answer – I think sub-genres are needed. It’s important for readers to have authors to compare to a work they’re interested in, or a comparable sub-genre. I mean, if you write hardcore body horror and as a reader I’m looking for more of a literary weird piece, it’s helpful to know that before purchasing, right? So as much as folks hate labels and all that, the reality is that readers want to know the type of story they’re investing they’re money in. When people ask me what I write, my first response is horror. If they ask what type of horror, I usually say that my work lands in the Bradbury / Matheson / King realm of supernatural thrillers with horror elements and a moderate literary bent.
#3. What about your writing process do you think is unique or quirky? What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received?
#3. Answer – Hmm, I’m not sure anything I do is that outlandish. I’ve been told my output is on the high side. When I’m working on something full-time, I usually put down between 2000 – 5000 words a day, depending on how things are flowing. Sometimes more. Sometimes less. I don’t typically do a lot of heavy rewriting. More tweaking, cleaning stuff up or making it sound better. But what comes out that first draft is usually pretty close to the final.
Worse writing advice I ever received was hearing people say you MUST write every day or you’re not a writer. I mean, we all have complex lives and jobs and families. We go on vacations and sometimes we’re burnt out and writing isn’t in the cards. There’s no shame in writing when you’re able. That said, if you want to be a writer, you do need to prioritize writing time into your life. I think that’s more the issue than anything. Writing should be way up the priority list of what you do with your free time – which is why most writers aren’t very social, I guess. Ultimately we’d rather be in a dark office somewhere banging out a new story.
#4. How does music and media factor into your writing? Do you feel it plays as much an inspirational role as literature?
#4. Answer – For me personally, not really at all. I listen to music as white noise when I’m working, and I enjoy a good horror movie, but those types of media rarely if ever inspire or affect my writing in any way. For me it’s all about finding inspiration in other books, in other writers, in other stories. Some people hate to hear this but it’s true: You can’t write effectively if you don’t read widely. Sorry.
#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. Answer – All the above. I’m pretty active in social media, and it’s been a fantastic tool for me as an author. It can also be pretty entertaining – and distracting, which is a problem sometimes. But overall I’m a fan and if you use it the right way, it can be a great asset. That said, be nice people.
#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. Answer – I don’t see horror changing very much. I think it’s been around forever and it will be around forever. Different names will percolate and resonate year-to-year, but I think the tradition of horror fiction is incredibly strong and resilient.
There’s not too much I’d suggest changing. I like how things are situated now. I hope print stays strong and doesn’t get overrun one day by ebooks, because as an avid book collector, I love a well-crafted hardcover, or a fat paperback with a ghoulish cover. Let’s keep those around.
#7. What can you tell us about any forthcoming projects? What titles would you like to promote now?
#7. Answer – Firstly, I’d love to plug my new author website (http://pfracassi.com). It includes all my books, my published stories to date, links to interviews and articles, plus my blog. As far as future titles, I have a novella called The Wheel coming out soon from Cemetery Dance Publications, hopefully later this year, as part of their Signature Series. I have a big novel and a new collection of stories that are being shopped by my agent as we speak, so hopefully I’ll have some news on that front soon. In the meantime, I hope folks will friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter and Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter (via the Contact page on my website) to stay tuned-in to what I have going on.
AUTHOR PIC
