“There’s always been an urge to create. As a young man, I tried to satisfy that urge through music. I wasn’t good enough as a guitarist to go anywhere, but I think I wrote some OK lyrics. Even then, there was a dark tone to my writing. “
Can you tell us a couple of lines about yourself?
I am a full-time freelance writer who also writes fiction. Once upon a time, I was a bank manager and terribly unhappy. Now, I’m much more comfortable with myself. I’m happily married with three adult children and live in suburban Melbourne. I play the guitar and listen to mostly hard rock/heavy metal in my spare time.
How long have you been in horror? How do you see your evolution as a creator?
There’s always been an urge to create. As a young man, I tried to satisfy that urge through music. I wasn’t good enough as a guitarist to go anywhere, but I think I wrote some OK lyrics. Even then, there was a dark tone to my writing. From a very early age, I got a kick out of reading dark material and fantastic stories. But it wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I began to write. Horror writing was a natural progression for me. I wrote consistently for about ten years, and then the creative well dried up. I’ve only returned to the genre in the past couple of years. It’s good to be back.
What’s the greatest lesson you have learnt along the way?
Believe in and be true to yourself. Write from the heart.
Tell us about your most recent work. Can you give us some insight?
I’ve just published some collected short stories that fall into the broad categories of Horror/Dark Fantasy/Science Fiction. I released them in two volumes, “Dark Weird Stuff” and “Dark Byways of Possibility.” Dark Byways is in eBook format only, and I’ll probably get around to releasing it in paperback sometime soon. I’m proud of all those stories and wanted them to be available as a collection. Most of the stories are set in Australia. Some draw upon the harshness of the place. Most explore the darkness that lies within all of us in one way or another.
Whose strings do you think it will pull?
The feedback I’m getting is the stories themselves are compelling and engaging. So, I could be flippant and say anyone who likes good stories, but you’ll be disappointed if you’re into a lot of splatter and gore. On the other hand, if you like character-driven tales that explore darkness, then I think you’ll enjoy these books.
What’s the strongest message the audience will find in the plot?
As there are 18 stories in the two books, I’ll talk about an underlying theme that isn’t necessarily in every story but crops up regularly enough for me to notice when I put the book together. That theme is don’t trust authority – which, if you read my mostly autobiographical book Postcards From Hell, is something you will find that I have excellent reasons for not doing.
Are you fond of any character?
In the opening story of Dark Weird Stuff, the tin can man was based upon a local character I used to see when I lived in a country town. This gentleman’s life’s work seemed based on collecting junk and dragging it home. He fascinated me, and the more I observed him, the more I came to believe that there was a quiet dignity about him that hinted at some great purpose.
Do you plan to make a spin-off about any of the characters?
Funnily enough, the story. Clone felt like the central character had a lot more to explore. He has found his way into the novel I’m writing, and he’s become a key figure. So it isn’t necessarily a spin-off, but the character has found new life. What his fate is, remains a mystery at this point.
There is also a preacher character whose back story would be well worth exploring. What’s been the most challenging scene to write?
That’s a good question. I always find action scenes that involve physical contact difficult. Trying to convey urgency while keeping the reader engaged and aware seems to always give me some trouble. Perhaps the most challenging scene I wrote was a crucifixion scene where the protagonist is physically and sexually assaulted. I felt squeamish writing it, and when I read it back, I decided to tone it down. It just felt gratuitous.
Who is your perfect audience
I’ve already mentioned people who appreciate good stories, but that’s wishy-washy. Honestly, I write for myself first and if other people like it, that’s great. With that in mind, my perfect audience is those with open, inquiring minds who aren’t wedded to a particular ideology. I don’t write with the PC crowd in mind, but I don’t write to offend them. I daresay I might at times.
Sci-Fi, Thriller and Horror. How do they combine?
The lines are blurred. I recently wrote that I don’t know where the boundaries lie between Horror, Sci-Fi and Dark Fantasy. It’s a similar thing with the thriller genre. Go and watch an old Hitchcock film. Is Psycho a horror story or a thriller? What exact genre is “The Birds”? I don’t know the answer, and I don’t think it matters. A good story is a good story.
What is Horror anyway? I’d argue that 1984 is more horrific than any slasher movie. Similarly, some people could view Lord of the Flies as more horrifying than The Exorcist. It depends upon what rattles your cage.
Sci-Fi doesn’t have to contain horror elements, but it’s pretty dull when it doesn’t.
How did you come up with the idea of your first creation?
The first horror story that I had published was called Welcome to Your Universe. It came from a really dark place, that reflected my own self esteem. It’s a dream like streamm of consciousness piece that has a bizarre ending.
What kind of horror do you think your work falls into?
I tend to stray away from categorising anybody’s work in any field. I don’t think you can limit yourself to a specific sub genre. I write what comes and what feels right. My work traverses elements of psychological horror, dark fantasy, Lovecraftian, paranormal, post apocalyptic and sci-fi.
What is a scene from a horror movie or book that terrified you?
I spent a lot of time at the Drive In when I was footloose and fancy free. There was a horror movie marathon that went from dusk to dawn. During that long night there was a scene in a movie where a guy is burnt alive on the beach. It’s stayed with me ever since. I have no idea what the movie was.
As far as stories go, there’s a story called the Coccon by John B L Goodwin. That scared th pants off me when I was 12 or 13. I just wrote about that on my blog
https://markhodgetts.com/the-dark-fantasy-story-that-scared-me-the-most/ What is the best and worst thing about being a creator.
I get a real buzz out of creating something from effectively nothing. I rarely know where I’m going when I start. There’s a real joy in finishing a story.
The worst thing is presenting it to the world. Maybe that’s my own insecurity. I’m always waiting for criticism and admire anyone brave enough to publicly display, publish or sunbit their work.
What would be your advice for people who want to jump into this world?
Read everything you can and write everyday. Don’t worry about being good. Work at finding your voice.
Who’s your biggest supporter?
My wife, Brigid.
If you started over your career in the industry, would you do it differently?
Absolutely. I’d want to be more disciplined.
What is one thing you regret during your experience in the horror community? My self imposed hiatus.
How do you think horror is evolving?
My overall impression is that horror goes through stages of popularity. Like a lot of entertainment today, it can at times seem really stale and uninspiring. Then, you’ll stumble across something obscure and get excited.
There are times when the horror genre can struggle for relevance when you consider all of the real horrors present in the world. Still, the horror community seems to be alive and well.
What’s the last horror movie that surprised you liked?
The black phone.
What’s your unpopular opinion about horror movie or book?
There was a period when Stephen King appeared to be phoning it in. I hated Christine when I read it. I still do. It felt so clicjhed.
What are your next projects?
I’m currently working on a novel that I started a long time ago and then shelved because I didn’t know how to progress it. If I had to categorise it, I’d say it’s part paranormal, part psychological, part dark fantasy and at times, graphic. I have no idea how it ends but I’m enjoying the ride. There are also a couple of short stories that need to be written.
If your last work was a song, which one would it be?
Something apocalyptic with many different parts. Possibly Sabbath Bloody Sabbath -”Dreams turn to nightmares, living turns to hell” – that feels right.
What piece of work are you more proud of?
Probably a short story called Rosa’s Place. It’s featured in Dark Byways of Possibility. I think I nailed that.
Where can the audience find you?
My website markhodgetts.com is regularly updated.
I also have an author profile at Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23024320.Mark_Hodgetts
https://www.instagram.com/hodgettsmark/
https://www.youtube.com/@MarkHodgettsWriter
https://www.facebook.com/hodgewriting
