In this contributor interview, William M. Chippich—author of the upcoming novel Nevermore: The Heir, The Witch, and The Fool and contributor to Beautiful and Terrifying—shares the literary influences, writing habits, and creative philosophy that shape his character-driven fiction.
William M. Chippich brings a deep love of character-driven storytelling to every page he writes, whether he’s crafting the darkly atmospheric short story “Three or Four Miles, Mostly Flat” for Beautiful and Terrifying:Tales and Visions from the Edge of the Uncanny or building the richly imagined world of his forthcoming novel, Nevermore: The Heir, The Witch, and The Fool. In this interview, he reflects on the writers who first shaped his imagination, the discipline and creativity behind his process, and the themes of love, hope, and the unknown that continue to guide his work. From comic book legends and literary classics to the quiet rituals of everyday writing life, Chippich offers thoughtful insight into what it means to tell stories that truly connect with readers.
Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today.
A: My earliest influences were writers like Stan Lee, Chris Claremont and John Byrne of Marvel comics. The great comic book writers of that era are very overlooked. Stan Lee in particular made comic writing and stories legitimate. After that, everything from Mary Shelley to Steinbeck, Hemingway, and too many classics to name. Guys like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Christopher Moore are definitely stand outs for me as well. Every one of these great writers build amazing worlds, but I think the real influence on me were their characters. They make fantastic, fictional beings seem real to people. You love them, you hate them, you feel for them. That’s the real magic of these greats.
But truly, my greatest influences were my parents. They read to us. They bought us books and talked to us about the stories. I’m eternally grateful to them for the gift of reading and books.
Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: When I was nine or ten, my dad gave me the Clive Cussler book Raise The Titanic. This was years before the Titanic was actually discovered and I was always fascinated by the mystery and story of it all. Cussler’s descriptive world building and dynamic characters hooked me immediately. Much of it was above my head at that age, but I was in love with it, nonetheless.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work? What impact have they had on your writing?
A: Once again, Stephen King stands out for me. From longer books, to short story collections, to all time personal favorites like Lisey’s Story or The Stand, it’s the characters that really matter. If you can write a character that connects, building a world around them is that much easier. In a totally different genre, Christopher Moore has also had a great influence on me. He actually wrote a funny, touching story about Jesus (Lamb) that had little to do with religion itself, that also wasn’t offensive to Christians. That’s a hell of an accomplishment.
Q: What’s been the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned about yourself through writing?
A: That it in itself is therapeutic. Some people journal. Writers create stories to the same effect. Your life, your experiences, both good and bad, people you know, will always show up in your writing one way or another.
Q: How do you nurture your creativity when life gets busy or overwhelming?
A: First of all, never stop reading. Read every day, even when life is insanely busy. Put down your damn phone and pick up a book. Second, just keep writing. Sometimes all I have is 10 minutes, but I still sit down and write a few lines. Also, never throw away or delete anything that you write. Save it somewhere. There’s always a good idea or a word or two even in the stuff that you truly hate.
Q: What’s one writing habit you can’t live without and one you wish you could break?
A: I can’t live without some background noise. Some people find it distracting and need quiet, that’s not me. From Howard Stern in the morning, to podcasts or music that I love.
One that I wish that I could break is letting myself get distracted by my smart phone. Truly a curse of the modern age.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice another writer has given you about storytelling?
A: Although not given to me personally, there are two that stand out:
- Stephen King once said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.”
- Christopher Moore said, “Plot matters, but readers stay for characters.”
Q: When do you feel most “in the zone” with your writing—early mornings, late nights, or somewhere in between?
A: Mornings are best for me. My mind is fresh and rested and hasn’t been influenced by the world or the day to day of life. Coffee helps tremendously.
Q: What’s a book that changed how you think about writing or storytelling?
A: Reading the unabridged version of The Stand as an adult. I think it’s about 150,000 words longer than the original version that was released. I think the context of knowing the original so well and then experiencing the unabridged version was enlightening. Seeing what they cut and realizing why, but also seeing how both versions worked so well, taught me so much about storytelling and where and how to edit.
Q: Do you find inspiration in other art forms (music, film, visual art)? If so, how does it shape your work?
A: I’ve been a fairly decent painter for most of my life. (Mainly oils) and I think it helps tremendously when trying to visualize individual scenes and entire worlds. To me, writing is basically just painting with words.
Q: Do you have your own circle of writer friends? If so, what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: I’m friends with some truly talented and creative people, from great poets like my friend Lance Cheuvront to incredible fantasy artists like my dear friend Grace McCracken of The Wandering Muse, and my friend Michael Tharp whose own writing inspired one of my very favorite characters that I’ve written. I’m not only blessed by exposure to their talents and influence, which definitely helps my writing, but also who they are as good and decent human beings.
Q: If you could collaborate with any writer, past or present, who would it be, and what would you create together?
A: Alexandre Dumas, to do a true continuation of The Count of Monte Cristo. There have been several “sequels” by other authors, but in my opinion, none of them have really captured the essence of the original book or of Edmond Dantes, one of my favorite literary characters of all time.
Q: What themes do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
A: Love, friendship and hope. Which are the best of all things. And that there is more to our world than meets the eye, and that sometimes, the greatest stories are the ones waiting just beyond it.
Q: How do you approach writing characters with experiences different from your own?
A: That’s where I have to draw from all of my influences. Great books, movies, television shows, and even the people around me. I think every character I have written contains at least a part of someone I know or have met on my travels.
Q: Do you ever feel pressure to include (or avoid) certain topics in your writing? Why or why not?
A: I don’t think I feel pressure to include anything specifically. I think you have to let the stories and characters take you where they want to go. As for avoiding certain topics, I don’t think anything should ever be off limits to a writer. It’s really all about approach. There are certainly topics that I have zero interest in ever writing about, but they should never be off limits should someone choose to write about them.
Q: What’s your go-to snack or drink while writing?
A: Almonds with sea salt or salted pistachios. And Coffee in the morning. Coffee is my friend.
Q: What’s a quirky or unexpected detail about your writing space?
A: It’s a room in the attic of my house and there’s a tiny door that goes to the eaves of the roof. I refer to it as the “monster door.” Someday I will write a story about it. I’m also regularly attacked by stink bugs. One of the few downsides to living in Western Pennsylvania.
Q: Do you have any rituals or routines to help you transition into “writer mode”?
A: Discipline. Turning off the TV or putting down a book and working. Just write. Write every day, even when you don’t feel inspired. Even if you only manage a few lines that you don’t even really care for. Just keep writing.
Q: What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve ever received from a reader?
A: “I’m speechless, but apparently my eyes aren’t, because I can’t stop crying.”
Q: What’s a challenge you’ve faced in your writing career, and how did you overcome it?
A: Getting started is always the hardest part. I think every lover of books and reading has a story in them. Getting over the “I can’t do it” and just getting started is truly half the battle. I had to get over my own fears and excuses to just get to it.
Q: In your experience, what has been the best way to market your books? Where have you found the greatest return on your investment (whether it be time or money invested?)
A: Time is far more valuable than any money you will spend (although money certainly helps): social media, your website, interviews, signings, etc. Engagement with readers will always give the best rewards and give you the most satisfaction.
Q: Have you ever had to cut a scene or character you loved? How did you handle it?
A: Editing is hard. Self editing is harder. With my first book in the Nevermore series, I switched publishers early into the process over creative differences and my new publisher wanted the book cut by about 30,000 words. I saw their point, but it was a nightmare. Deciding what to cut, what to save, what to add to book two and how to navigate it was really difficult. I had to completely cut a character out of book one that I was really excited about. You have to trust the editing process while still staying true to your vision. It’s really a fine line.
Q: How do you define success as an author? Has that definition evolved over time?
A: Success is simply having other people “get” what you are saying. Another person connecting to and loving your story and characters is truly a success to me. Does every author want to make a living doing this? Absolutely. Let’s be honest. But having your creation truly impact someone else is amazing.
Q: What’s one question readers ask you the most about your books, and what’s your answer?
A: What’s going to happen in the next book? My answer is: “You’ll know when I do.”
Q: What do you wish readers understood better about the writing or publishing process?
A: What a process it is. The writing: Starting with an idea and fleshing it out, building the framework and filling in the blanks as you go. Writing and rewriting, self editing, cutting things you love because they don’t work in the context of where you are in the story. Having the discipline to stick with it, even when it’s not going well. Having faith in your vision.
The publishing: Realizing that no publisher is ever going to love your work the way that you do and that no matter how supportive they are, that you and your book are still a commodity to them and their goal is to make money off of something you created. You are an investment and a risk. They want and need to profit off of you.
I wish publishers would pay more attention to the people who self-publish, because there are really some amazing creators and stories out there that don’t get the attention they deserve because they don’t have a big publishing and marketing machine behind them.
Q: What have you written that you found to be the most fun to write?
A: My young adult series Nevermore. I have truly come to love the characters so much. There will ultimately be five books in the series, and as I’m writing, I often find myself excited to see what’s going to happen next as it comes out of my own head.
Q: What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
A: Lisey’s Story by Stephen King. I think it’s one of the greatest love stories ever written.
Q: Do you have an all-time favorite writer, or does your favorite change over time? Who is your favorite writer today?
A: It definitely changes over time. I think as we age, our perspectives change. I was one of the few nerds who despised Tolkien in high school because I found it to be such a difficult read, but as an adult I treasure his work. We will always have writers and books that we love. Truly love. The list goes on and on. How do you pick just one? But I think the great thing with reading is discovering new stories and new writers that set your soul on fire and that take your mind to new and different places. If I absolutely had to pick just one, it would once again have to be Stephen King. Not only for all the stories, but also because he is an absolutely kick ass human being. I also have a soft spot for him because my mom wrote him a fan letter very early in his career and he actually took the time to respond to her. That was something she treasured until the day she died.
Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?
A: I love horror, fantasy and science fiction. Not necessarily in that order. I write both fantasy and horror, but haven’t ventured into science fiction. I think you really have to be committed to science fiction for it to be believable and good. Sci-Fi fans don’t like posers.
Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: I always try to get people to read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. I think people get scared off of it because it’s about Jesus, but it’s not a religious book and it takes you through every emotion. It’s a book that can bring tears to your eyes but also literally make you laugh out loud. Truly great storytelling.
Q: If you could live in the world of one of your books for a day, which would it be and why?
A: Nevermore. Definitely Nevermore. Who wouldn’t want to live in a magical world where all things are possible?
Q: If your life were a novel, what would the title be?
A: “It’s Better To Be Lucky Than Good” or “Tales of a Charming Underachiever”
Q: What’s a surprising or unusual skill you have that might make its way into a story one day?
A: Reading people is my superpower. And sometimes my curse.
Q: What’s a new genre or style you’d love to experiment with in the future?
A: I want to venture into horror a lot more than I have. But I have a young adult fantasy series to finish first. I’m definitely not writing any Amish romance novels anytime soon.
Q: What’s one thing you hope readers take away from your latest book?
A: That with faith, love, and the right friends that you can do the impossible. And faith isn’t a religious statement, it’s faith in yourself.
Q: What do you think the future of storytelling looks like in a world of evolving technology?
A: I think the tidal wave of AI written crap will eventually eat itself. AI is good for many, many things, but it will never tap true creativity like the human mind and heart can. I also think there is going to be a swing back to actual printed media. Younger people are finally catching on to the fact that reading something on a screen will never be as fulfilling as the tactile experience of physically holding and touching an actual book. Even the smell of it is part of the experience. You will never remember a story that you read electronically or listen to someone else read on tape as well as you will connect to it with an actual book.
Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: My focus right now is on the Nevermore Series. But I always have several things working.
Q: What do your plans for future projects include?
A: I would like to focus on a horror novel. I’m also working on a screenplay that will reboot the Universal monster movies. Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, Wolfman, etc. It’s a really fresh take on it and I’m excited to complete it.
Author Bio
William Chippich is a lifelong reader, artist, and storyteller as well as a world traveler whose journeys help inspire his words. Blending myth, magic, and adventure, his writing explores the idea that there is more to our world than meets the eye, and that sometimes, the greatest stories are the ones waiting just beyond it.
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Book Summary
When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.
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