The 7Q Interview: Amber Fallon
AUTHOR BIO
Amber Fallon lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two dogs. A techie by day and horror writer by night, Mrs. Fallon has spent time as a bank manager, motivational speaker, produce wrangler, and butcher. Her obsessions with sushi, glittery nail polish, and sharp objects have made her a recognized figure. Amber's publications include TV Dinners from Hell, The Warblers, The Terminal, Sharkasaurus, Daughters of Inanna, So Long and Thanks for All the Brains, Horror on the Installment Plan, Zombies For a Cure, Quick Bites of Flesh, Operation Ice Bat, and more! For more information, please visit her at www.amberfallon.net.
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. Wow, I have to pick just one? I truly believe that all authors are sort of a patchwork of things we’ve read and absorbed and then sort of incorporated into ourselves, Blob style… but if I have to pick one and only one… I’d have to go with the first Borderlands anthology. I know, I know. That’s sort of a cop out, since there isn’t just one author… But I’ve read that book from cover to cover so many times I couldn’t guess. My original copy is falling apart, held together with Petal Place and Garfield Halloween stickers, as were my preferences at the time I received it. Sometimes it was Tom Monteleone’s introductions that inspired me to write. I so desperately wanted him to write one about me. Sometimes it was the stories themselves. I learned a lot from the way the authors in that book stitched together their narratives. "By Bizarre Hands" is my favorite tale of the bunch, and it introduced me to Joe Lansdale, who has most definitely influenced my writing. Poppy Z. Brite, Nancy Holder, and Elizabeth Massie all had stories in that book, too, which showed young little me that women could write horror and be published for it.
I definitely still gravitate towards a great number of authors in that book.
#2. How do you feel about the use of sub-genres in the industry? How do you describe your work overall?
#2. I think people should use what makes them comfortable, and that if sub genres help readers narrow in on what they like, then that’s awesome. Personally, I don’t like to pigeonhole myself, but I DO like to let readers know what they’re in for. I tend not to use conventional genre terms as much as I should, though.
#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 tend to write with cooking shows on in the background. The Great British Baking Show is a favorite, but I’ll settle for almost anything on The Cooking Channel or The Food Network.
I’ve been the recipient of some great advice and some not so great advice… but if I had to pick the worst, it would be that there isany advice that works for everyone. We’re all different, as people and as writers. We have different methods and different things that drive us, so to think that there’s something (other than actually, you know, writing) that we should all be doing the exact same way is kind of silly, honestly.
#4. How does music and media factor into your writing? Do you feel it plays as much an inspirational role as literature?
#4. I do often have soundtracks when I write. They’re great for setting mood. I also listen to the same song every time I sit down (or lay down, or curl up, etc) to write. That evokes a sort of Pavlovian response in my brain that says “Hey, it’s time to write!” which can be very handy when I’m tired or not especially motivated.
I feel like music and literature are very different things. For me, at least. Music tends to evoke emotions in me, feelings. Whereas literature generally gives me more in the way of ideas. Reading and listening to music seem to activate very different areas of my brain. But perhaps I’m just weird.
#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. As much as I can do sanely. I try to stay relevant. I’m super awkward about it, though, and not very good at promoting myself… which, hey, is me in a nutshell. Awkward, that is. But I do try.
I’d say it’s probably an 80/20 mix (like a good burger). But those ratios will differ depending on what outlet we’re talking about and who has access to it.
#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 think that novellas are the way of the future. That’s part of the reason I’ve focused so much effort on writing them. They’re a great length both as a writer and a reader.
Changes… hmmmm… You know those books you had as a kid, with the little row of buttons on the side you could press to hear a sound when a certain symbol appeared on the page? I’d like to see something like that, but for adult horror books. Part of me really likes the idea of being able to play Pennywise’s laugh while reading It, or zombie groans at appropriate intervals during The Rising. But then, I am sort of odd…
#7. What can you tell us about any forthcoming projects? What titles would you like to promote now?
#7. I have a novella coming out this October called We Look Like Humans. It’s weird and really fun, depending on how well you tolerate the idea of anthropomorphic maggots. I also edited my first anthology, which I am incredibly proud of. It will be out through Word Horde Press later on this year, but you can preorder now! https://wordhorde.com/books/fright-into-flight/
As for stuff that’s already out… I really wish more people would read (and review!) TV Dinners from Hell. It’s my first collection and I have a soft spot in my heart for it.
AUTHOR PHOTO
