The 7Q Interview: Chad Lutzke
AUTHOR BIO
Chad lives in Michigan with his wife and children. He has written for Famous Monsters of Filmland, Rue Morgue, Cemetery Dance, and Scream magazine. He has had a few dozen stories published, and some of his books include: OF FOSTER HOMES & FLIES, WALLFLOWER, STIRRING THE SHEETS, SKULLFACE BOY, and THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU. Lutzke's work has been praised by authors Jack Ketchum, Stephen Graham Jones, James Newman, Cemetery Dance, and his own mother. He can be found lurking the internet at www.chadlutzke.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. I don’t know that it was any one book, but once I discovered Joe Lansdale and the no nonsense, lean way that he writes––even mixing dry humor with horror––I saw a lot of similarities in what I was trying to do, so it felt like I had someone in my corner without knowing it. I think the same goes for Ketchum, but less in style and more with content. I’m not a big supernatural/cosmic guy and neither is he. Most of my stuff is human horror (though not nearly as dark). Ketchum was in my corner long before I knew it. These guys paved a way that made me feel comfortable and encouraged me to continue following that path.
#2. How do you feel about the use of sub-genres in the industry? How do you describe your work overall?
#2. Without them, I think we’d be reading the same story over and over. Horror would become bland and tasteless and eventually die. Not to mention, we all have different tastes. Some like their horror bloody, some want it more cerebral. Over the past year, people have been referring to my work as “horror with heart” or “melancholic horror,” and I guess that’s a pretty good summation. It’s character drive and nontraditional. So much so that you could argue it’s not horror at all, but most definitely dark.
#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’m not sure that I do anything unique or quirky. There have been 3 or 4 books where I’m only halfway through and I’ll stop and write the very last paragraph because the perfect ending comes to me at that moment. Once I finish the book and get to that paragraph, it pretty much doesn’t change. Another thing I’ve done often (and this is mainly with short stories), is I’ll start typing with zero idea in mind, just an intriguing opening line. Something that interests me enough to keep going and find out what happens. I’ll fill in the blanks later. A lot of my best short stories were written like that.
#4. How does music and media factor into your writing? Do you feel it plays as much an inspirational role as literature?
#4. As much as I love music, with the exception of my last book THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU, music hasn’t really played a role. Movies on the other hand have given me more inspiration than even books. Particularly slow-burning indie films with great dialogue that are character driven. Romance, drama and horror alike. Films like RIVER’S EDGE, SPRING FORWARD, PRINCE AVALANCHE, BOTTLE ROCKET, THE TAPE, LAWN DOGS, GHOST WORLD, THE INVITATION…the list goes on.
#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. Definitely not for my entertainment, unless it’s interacting with people. I’ve often said there’s a chance I wouldn’t have Twitter, Instagram or Facebook if it weren’t for me being a writer and networking. But I’ve met a lot of great people using them, and I’m thankful for that.
#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 guess more of the same cycle. Something wonderfully original gets popular until the masses eat it up so much and others replicate it so often that everyone tires of it, until it happens again with something new. This has happened with zombies and vampires. (as well as Harry Potter knock-offs). Two very cool concepts, but they’ve been rehashed so much that people start wanting them around about as much as they want to hear Stairway to Heaven on their way home from work for the thousandth time. Again, something good ruined by overuse. I’d love to see books sell based on originality rather than familiarity. Same goes for film and music.
#7. What can you tell us about any forthcoming projects? What titles would you like to promote now?
#7. In January I released my latest novella THE SAME DEEP WATER AS YOU. I’ve been working on a gritty crime noir series that will be posted in early-release installments on my Patreon page before it’s finally released to the public. I’ve also got a 12-story collection coming out in May called SPICY CONSTELLATION & OTHER RECIPES. Signed paperback editions will be available exclusively to my patrons and the Kindle for everyone. John Boden and I are working on another book together that we hope to have out late summer or fall. I’ve got a few other collaborations that are either in the works or in the early stages of talk. There are various anthologies coming out that I have stories in. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook or subscribe to my newsletter then you’ll be sure to hear about them as they’re released. Unfortunately, the most exciting announcement I can’t even talk about yet. And other than that, I plan to have at least 2 other books out some time this year.
AUTHOR PHOTO
