Interview with Horror Author Florence Ann Marlowe

Florence Ann Marlowe

If you follow my blog, you know that Florence Ann Marlowe sent me a thank you letter for a review, back when I was doing those as The Soulless Machine Review, that I wrote in 2008. It was a nice letter. Thus, I was thinking, "Oh! I need to know more about her. Her story was crazy and freaky." Well, here is what I found out:

Aaron M. Wilson (me): I really only know one of your stories well, "Periods" published and aired via Pseudopod in 2008. What other stories would you like to highlight?

Florence Ann Marlowe: One of my favorite stories that was published is "Turkey Day" which was printed by Macabre Cadaver. It's a funny little twist on Thanksgiving, I guess. Another would be "Moon Drops" which was published by Wiley Writers Ezine last year. That one was my first and only, so far, werewolf story.

Macabre Cadaver

AW: "Periods" was a horror story, very disturbing. What was your inspiration for a story about the vampiric drinking of menstrual blood?

FM: Well, the vampire bit came later - I actually started to write about the horrific experience of an overzealous menstrual flow that only women are familiar with and then thought how that would be a vampire's wet dream. I know it's disgusting, but it really is a disgusting experience.

AW: What draws you to write horror?

FM: Ever since I was a little kid I loved anything spooky, weird or morbid. I'm a true blooded coward! I'm seriously afraid of the dark. But there is just something delicious about that creepy feeling running down your spine when you hear something truly terrifying. I think I started writing scary stories around the age of six.

AW: When you write, do you write for a market? I guess I'm asking, which comes frist, the market or the story? How do you pick your markets?

FM: The story definitely comes first. I get an idea and I have to write it down. I'm working on two novels and three short stories right now. I just have to see how these things work out. I love my characters and really enjoy writing the stories. Afterwards I scout around the market place and see who might want which one of my stories the most and send it out.

AW: What has been your greatest writing success to date?

Reflux

FM: I've been really lucky with my writing. I've been submitting stories since 2008. "Periods" was my first story sold. I've had eight stories published since then. I guess, my greatest success has been with Miranda and Rycke Foreman, editors of 69 Flavors of Paranoia. They published my short story, "Peanuts Inside" which was then selected for their anthology book, Reflux. Recently they asked if they could reprint the story for an upcoming webzine, FinalGirl.com and discuss the story during an interview. That felt incredibly good.

AW: When do you write?

FM: Any chance I get. Anytime I get close enough to my computer or my laptop or even a pad of paper, I write.

AW: What gets in the way of your writing?

FM: I had surgery on my left leg last year and I've been in a wheelchair since then. Late afternoons I'm forced to lie down with my feet up. I usually sit at my desk until the legs start complaining and then I have to rest. Sometimes, I don't listen to my legs and then they can be very vindictive.

AW: Describe your writing space?

FM: I recently converted a spare room in my house into an "office." I have a couple of old desks in a corner where my computer sits and a file cabinet, a book case and a futon. Unfortunately I'm surrounded by bags and boxes of books. One day I'll make this place look organized.

AW: What is your favorite book that you turn to for inspiration?

FM: I don't think I have a favorite book. One of my favorite books is "To Kill A Mockingbird." I'm a big fan of Stephen King, Peter Straub and Neil Gaimen. I think their books have really inspired me since I was a kid.

AW: Do you have a favorite point of view from which you write?

FM: I rarely write in the first person. I just started two stories that are in the first person, so I guess I favor third person omnipresent. I like to see a story from all sides. I like the reader to know things that the main character may not know.

AW: Anything else that you would like to add in closing?

FM: Just that this has been a great experience and I thank you so much for the opportunity! If anyone wants to read any of my published fiction you can find links to these stories at my rinky-dink website: Florence Ann Marlowe