Behind BLEED AWAY THE SKY
Monsters and magic and insane cosmic entities. I love stuff like that. Most of my work tends to have those elements peppered in somehow. It comes from a steady diet of horror novels and comic books. Maybe it's my time in art school, but I've always felt my work should "say something," too. Ya know, something besides gross creatures just eating people.
For those who didn't know, I have severe bipolar disorder along with a number of other mental health issues. I've been treated for it almost 20 years now, and I'm a big advocate for medication and therapy. I know too many people who suffer from mental illness and don't seek help for a variety of reasons. It was something I wanted to tackle in the book.
My main protagonist, Audrey Darrow, deals with unspecific mental health problems. It mostly manifests as depression and anxiety, but the key is she hasn't sought help. It makes what she faces in the story even more daunting. Some of it is her stubbornness, some of it is the fact she has no insurance - a hurdle far too many Americans face. Audrey is strong, but she carries this weight with her. It's a burden millions of people have to live with every day.
Audrey discovers she is the last in a lineage of women to wield ancient blood magic, the last of the Crimsonata. This ties back into the opening line of the books, "Mommy doesn't bleed her own blood." With obvious references to menstrual mysticism, the Crimsonata is supposed to link to feminist strength and mythology. Characters like Buffy Summers and Ellen Ripley are even name-dropped.
As for antagonists, I went in two different directions.
The Promethean Wall is the secret society supported by governments and corporations, tasked with protecting humanity from the supernatural. Some in the group, however, have grown to become zealots. The member known as Hayden believes anything associated with magic is unnatural and should be instantly killed. This extremist belief causes tension among his partners, and eventually leads him into conflict with Audrey - who doesn't even want her powers.
We also have the Invocated. Created by the living nightmare entity attempting to break into our world, they are humans stripped of identity. They are meant to represent the mob mentality, the mindless horde. These are no longer people, but monstrous automatons acting on the will of another.
Both aspects of the antagonists (along with others characteristics from additional villains) are things I see plaguing the current state of America. It seemed appropriate to work it in.
This entire novel was written to to beautiful, sensual, sad music of Lana Del Rey. I chose her discography while I was plotting out the chapters. She just seemed like the music that would fit Audrey.
I hope you check out my latest novel, available from Bloodshot Books in Ebook and Paperback.
