The 7Q Interview: Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason
AUTHOR BIO
Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason are better known as the Sisters of Slaughter for their work in the horror genre but they also write fantasy and science fiction. They have been published by Thunderstorm books, Sinister Grin Press and Bloodshot Books. Their debut novel, Mayan Blue, was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. They are currently working on Silverwood: The Door with Brian Keene, Richard Chizmar and Stephen Kozeniewski.
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. The Dark Tower by Stephen King made a big impact on us and our writing and we still follow his work after first reading it over twenty years ago.
#2. How do you feel about the use of sub-genres in the industry? How do you describe your work overall?
#2. Subgenres are a useful tool to help the audience get a complete picture of a story but we also don’t discriminate against any certain genre or subgenre when writing or reading. We feel it’s best to read and write in any genre that appeals to you and not feel constricted by genre titles at all.
#3. What about your writing process do you think is unique or quirky? What’s the worst writing advice you’ve ever received?
#3. We usually write together, our collaboration process is a lot like any other writer's routine. Think about story ideas, outline the story, write it out. We haven’t gotten any terrible writing advice but we think people need to really just find what works for them, sometimes people take writing advice too seriously and get discouraged when they don’t crank out ten thousand words a day. The most important writing advice is simple, write as much as you can, how you feel comfortable doing it.
#4. How does music and media factor into your writing? Do you feel it plays as much an inspirational role as literature?
#4. We find inspiration in music, movies, and artwork. They all help the creative juices flow for us and help get those mental pictures pieced together in order for the story to emerge through written word.
#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. We engage daily in social media. It helped us with spreading the word about our writing and helped two hermits have friends haha. Things like Facebook and Twitter is good for networking and getting your work seen. Just don’t be a douche about it and be one of those people who instantly add people to groups after being friended.
#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. Horror will always be alive, sometimes people will label it something else but it will always be. It would be nice if it didn’t have to be put in the thriller section in order for it to sell, so hopefully that stigma changes and horror can be called just that.
#7. What can you tell us about any forthcoming projects? What titles would you like to promote now?
#7. We're currently working on Silverwood: The Door with Brian Keene, Richard Chizmar and Stephen Kozeniewski. It’s a serial horror story put out through Serialbox, the HBO of literature. We also have a novel coming out soon through Sinister Grin Press entitled Twin Lakes: The Autumn Fires. It's dark and spooky and we hope to channel the essence of October into it.
AUTHOR PIC
