The 7Q Interview: Glenn Rolfe
AUTHOR BIO
Glenn Rolfe is a writer from the dark woods of New England. He has studied Creative Fiction at Southern New Hampshire University and continues his education in horror literature by devouring the works of King, Ketchum, Keene, and Malfi among others.
He and his wife, Meghan, have three children, Ruby, Ramona, and Axl. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness.
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. Absolutely. ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. I’m about to start my fifth reading of it. There’s something about the way he builds that whole town and community and makes the horrors that happen upon them seem so possible. He does that with every story, but this one has two of my favorite characters in Ben Mears and Susan. The way they bump into each other and fall in love in the midst of all that’s going on, in lesser hands may come off cheesy, but King makes you believe. It’s heart and horror and it all takes place in a small Maine town. If you’ve read my works, I think the impact on what I do is unquestionable.
#2. How do you feel about the use of sub-genres in the industry? How do you describe your work overall?
#2. You have zombies still kicking around out there, right? Even though I’ve never been a big zombie guy, I know there are tons of people that are. People like what they like and I think as a writer, if it’s a sub-genre you like or love then go for it. I just hate to think that anyone would do it just to make a buck. If you’re an author and love what you do, more power to you. Zombie, werewolf, aliens, whatever.
I write whatever story I feel is calling to me. I try not to write the same thing over and over. I’ve purposely gone with different stories so far in my career. That said, this next two years will see me revisiting some of my old friends and creatures.
#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 give myself deadlines. Especially with my self-published works. I feel like I write a lot better when I’ve got no other choice but to write and write now. It can fill me with anxiety, but it works.
The worst writing advice I ever got? Hmmm. I honestly don’t remember the bad ones.
#4. How does music and media factor into your writing? Do you feel it plays as much an inspirational role as literature?
#4. A lot of times, sure. I know early on, I would approach a scene and think how would Quentin Tarantino handle this scene?I feel inspired by great films as much as by great books. I know movies like Signsand The Thinghave made me sit down and write a story like “Not of this World” or “Out of Range”.
Musically, that stuff seeps in when I’m writing to Springsteen or Danzig. Often times, I’ll add it to a scene, what’s playing in the car, or at the bar.
#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 it mostly for marketing and networking. To tell you the truth, I wish I could drop out of that scene altogether. There’s so much drama everywhere you turn. Even in the writing world. But it does work to get your name and your work out there, so you just gotta try and stay positive and ignore the nasty stuff.
#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 feel like there’s a ton of really good writers out there creating right now. There’re maybe more bad writers, too, but that’s always the way it is. When I look at the new releases just this year, it’s a pretty exciting time to be a horror reader.
I’d love to see more of these good indie writers make it up to the big companies like the Tremblays and Malermans of the world. I also really, really wish mass market paperbacks, especially for horror, would make a comeback, but I’m certain that ship has sailed.
#7. What can you tell us about any forthcoming projects? What titles would you like to promote now?
#7. My new book that just came out is a coming of age tale with demons and flawed people. It’s called, THE WINDOW. It’s my 4thnovel and I hope the start of my next level as a writer. I mean as far as how good the writing is. I feel like THE WINDOW along with my next batch of books in progress show some maturation as a writer. I feel a bit more confident, but I know I’m still miles from where I want to be.
After THE WINDOW, my next two releases will be my first sequels. BACK TO AVALON is the forthcoming follow-up to BECOMING and WAITING FOR DARKNESS is the long awaited sequel to my first Samhain novel, BLOOD AND RAIN.
THE WINDOW - available HERE
AUTHOR PIC
