Author interview with writer of the macabre, A.J. Humphreys

Today we welcome A.J. Humphreys, an emerging author of spooky thrillers, mysteries, and dreadful tales. The small-town serialized four-volume supernatural mystery saga, Season of The Monster served as his debut within the publishing world.

Q: What is your approach to incorporating elements of diversity and inclusion in your writing?
A: The world is a diverse place, and I like for my stories to reflect that. So, I often incorporate all sorts of different characters with their own intricacies. That said, I don’t treat any character as a novelty to exploit their differences.

For example, Bernie Clemens from my Season of The Monster saga, is someone who loves the outdoors, working with his hands, and spending time with his Uncle Samuel. It just so happens, Bernie is also a trans-man. His story is not about being a trans-man, and his life is not defined by that label.

Characters are people. So, I write them all as a person with thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Not as their characteristics like afflictions, skin color, credo, sexual orientation, etc. The human experience is what we all share, and why I say, I can write from any MIND, but I am not equipped to write from any MINDSET.

Q: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
A: PRACTICE. Unfortunately, like anything else, you only get better through repetition. So, write. Write more short stories. Take classes that allow you to do so, and be vulnerable with sharing them.

Q: What author’s work did you dislike at first but grew to appreciate later? AND What author’s work did you like at first but later realized wasn’t that good? What changed your opinion?
A: I put these two questions together because the answer [for both] is Dean Koontz. The first novel of his that I ever read was Watchers when I was thirteen. Which may be one of my favorite books of all time. But then, years later, when I got back into reading, I read Darkest Evening of The Year and was unimpressed. A friend suggested I read From The Corner of His Eye, and that may be my least favorite book of all time. I was ready to swear off Koontz, but then I read Ticktock on a rainy day and fell back in love with the man’s blend of irreverence and thrills. But I approach his novels warily now because some just aren’t for me.

Q: Do you have an all-time favorite writer, or does your favorite change over time?
A: I can’t say I do because I am constantly discovering new writers that go beyond the printed word. I mean, I appreciate the storytelling of documentaries, podcasts, comic books, graphic novels, and they all have their own special spot in my heart. Some people can write a novel, but not a song, or vise versa. So, it just depends on my mood and the medium I want to enjoy.

Q: What kind of research do you do as part of your planning process, and how much time do you spend researching before beginning a new book project?
A: My research is pretty minimal before starting a project. I like to dive into the prose and research along the way. My high school journalism teacher once told us that, “all good stories start with a shitty first draft.” So, for me, it’s more important to get that draft done than it is to have it done well. I can dress up the foundation of a story with research while editing. But too much research before writing tends to kill my love for a project. Unless it’s absolutely necessary. Like for Season of The Monster, I needed a
stronger foundation on my knowledge of wasps, but once I had that I began writing, and I learned so much more along the way.

Q: What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of the opposite sex?
A: This is probably an unpopular answer, but the stigma/prejudice from female authors and readers. As I said earlier, I treat all of my characters as people, not their gender. But the internet has had a field day with memes making fun of the male author trying to write female characters. I don’t want to be that guy. I don’t think I am that guy. Nonetheless, it’s a stigma I’ve battled because unfortunately, some people treat real-life humans based on nothing more than what they can see with their own eyes.

Q: What kind of music or sounds do you like to listen to as you write, or do you prefer complete silence?
A: I can’t write in silence. That’d be torture! Depending on the scene I’m writing, I try to match the music. Most often, I try to find a movie or television score that will offer the proper ambiance for the scene.

Q: Do you read your book reviews? How do you handle those reviews, whether good or bad?
A: I do! They often give me a positivity boost. The negative ones, I try to laugh off. It’s a good practice to not let things get under my skin.

Q: What was the hardest part of writing your most recent book?
A: My upcoming novel, TRIP: A Psychological Horror Novel took TIME. It was the first manuscript I ever finished, but the rejection process that it went through was really difficult, and was why it went into the drawer for two years. But I came back, a better writer, with a little more money to invest on an editor and cover artist, and now it’ll release on April 4th! (Pre-order now on Amazon).

Q: Do you hide any secrets or “Easter eggs” in your books that only a few people will find? Examples?
A: Oh yes! Often it has to do with names. Not always, but I am just so fascinated by the history and etymology of names that I love to sneak in fitting meanings for certain characters.

Q: Why did you choose to write in your genre?
A: I think it chose me. I grew up loving “spooky” things. Not necessarily horror. The paranormal, supernatural, and fantasy themes are almost always present in my favorite stories, so as I began to write and incorporate those themes, I found people telling me I was a horror writer. So, I just kind of leaned into it. But, I prefer narrative horror to horror through violence.

Q: Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc. come from?
A: My mom. She would read to me when I was real young, and then she got me Hooked on Phonics. Remember those commercials? But yeah, that gamified reading for me, and then Harry Potter came into our lives, and I bought each book as it came out, read it, and then passed it to her so we could talk about each one daily.

Q: What cultural value do you see in writing/reading/storytelling/etc.?
A: I think it can truly connect us when done well. The best example I’ve encountered in my life is Avengers: Endgame. As a huge nerd, I have seen more than my fair share of opening night movies, especially back in the day, when you had to catch a “Midnight Premiere.” But that first screening of Endgame was an EXPERIENCE! A room of a couple hundred people experiencing the same emotions across scenes in consort with one another. Despite not one person in that room having fought aliens with superpowers, the pain, joy, and sorrow that came from that movie united everyone in that cinema. That’s the power of storytelling.

Q: What is the most important thing that people DON’T know about your subject/genre, that they need to know to properly understand and fully appreciate it?
A: Horror isn’t about being scared. Horror is about that shared experience. It’s about exploring fears. Fear is passive, it doesn’t have to be with you at all times. But being scared is an active experience, and not necessarily one I enjoy.

Q: What are some day jobs that you have held? If any of them impacted your writing, share an example.
A: So many. But two of the biggest impacts came from three years as a Fraternity Consultant traveling the country and working with young men; and five years working for an in-home care company. Through those two careers, I traveled, and I met thousands of people from all different walks of life. I think that’s why I like writing characters. Having been all over the world, I like to think that I have a solid grasp on the human condition. And I think that is what people want from stories. Unity. Not stereotypes.

Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: Off the top of the dome, I’d throw out three:

• Andrew Van Wey’s By The Light of Dead Stars, is a heart-wrenching amalgamation of Stranger Things and H. P. Lovecraft-style cosmic horror.
• John Durgin’s Inside The Devil’s Nest. This one comes in hot with a ritual sacrifice and a mob hit gone wrong back-to-back. Then we are off to the races as the two events collide.
• Lastly, The Troop by Nick Cutter. This is an all time fave that is part supernatural and part isolation horror as a boy scout troop becomes stranded on an island off the Canadian coast with a stranger known as “The Hungry Man.”

Connect with the author

When A.J. isn’t writing, he can often be found outdoors, possibly walking eighteen holes with his parents, brother, or cousin. Otherwise, it’s almost a sure bet he will have his best buddy, Kobe The Husky, at his side. Together, they both enjoy hiking and swimming. AJ operates as an amateur landscape and wildlife photographer, which fits in well with the pair’s thirst for outdoor adventuring.

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