“I simply want the person to enjoy the tale.”
Can you tell us a couple of lines about yourself?
I’m an old fart who was six hours shy of becoming a criminal psychologist, and instead became a Rock DJ when radio wasn’t canned, a stand-up comedian for years, and a corporate training director in previous lives. I’ve been writing in one way or another all my life, but never considered publishing anything until after I took early retirement six years ago. I’m a storyteller, not an educator. By that, my tales are written in what I call “common folk” language. Whether a person has a doctorate or never graduated from high school, I want them to be able to enjoy the story without having to stop and look up the meanings of the words used. I simply want the person to enjoy the tale without that type of interruption.
How long have you been in horror? How do you see your evolution as a creator?
I started writing horror six years ago, but had a two year hiatus after driving over 200 miles to my father’s home one sweltering July afternoon and discovering his deceased body … several days old in a house without air conditioning. Besides the funeral, I found myself in the true-life horror realm of cleaning up his home of decades of hoarding and insect infestation, as well as doing major repairs. Besides having no help, I had no experience in major carpentry work, so it was a true learning experience, but a major interruption in my writing and publishing. So, in essence, I’ve only written horror for four years. My latest is the only major work I’ve published since that all began, besides a few short stories for Red Cape Publishing anthologies.
As far as my evolution goes, I find myself leaning more toward the classic areas of suspense/thriller horror than the more extreme styles. To me, there’s more thrill in the Hitchcock style than the current trend with blood, gore, guts, and veins all over the place. Some writers are good at that style, but it’s just not me. I wish them the best in doing so. There’s room for everyone.
What’s the greatest lesson you have learnt along the way?
Don’t shortchange the character development. Use your life’s experiences to create characters from those you’ve encountered and expand upon them. Be it the first love of your life or the grouchy old neighbor who constantly wants to battle, use them to create believable characters to which people can relate to and love or hate. In my first book, I killed off one of the primary characters. The emails and messages I received stated many had cried at it happening. I had to chuckle as that told me I’d succeeded in getting the readers involved.
Tell us about your most recent work, can you give us some insight?
Pumpkins On The Road is, again, a suspense/thriller story. It’s set in the early 1970s, and concerns a small town in the farmlands of the central United States. Ego ridden politicians who enjoy being big fish in a small pond, the lack of proper police protection, and the overabundance of the aged waiting to join loved ones in the afterlife are just a few of the details included. Nothing much ever happens, that is, until one night a savage murder takes place. Then, night after night, at least one more killing occurs. No one is safe, be they young or old, rich or poor, or if they wear the badge or not. The local sheriff’s department has no clue as to how to solve the crimes, nor to other agencies that become involved. Is this the work of one killer or more? The conclusion may surprise you, even if you think you know who it is halfway through the book.
Whose string do you think it will pull?
Anyone who enjoys a good story, believable characters, some violent deaths, and a laugh here and there. I try to include all of those and more.
What’s the strongest message the audience will find in your plot?
Don’t trust anyone. Any and every person is a potential murderer. It only takes a second to become one.
Are you fond of any character?
I find it hard not to like the kids I’ve included as major characters, as well as several others. Yet, again, some may surprise you.
Do you plan to make a spin-off about any of the characters?
I’ve started the sequel to this seven times already, but have stopped each effort due to not being happy with the way it was proceeding. I’m picky about what I write as I don’t want it to become just another sequel of sorts, and in that I don’t want it to be gorefest. It’s a challenging process with this one.
What’s been the most challenging scene to write or film?
Love scenes. I don’t want them to become porn, but at the same time, they have to be somewhat erotic. Otherwise, one might as well be writing for a sitcom from the 60s with the couple sleeping in separate beds. There’s a fine line to maintain.
Who is your perfect audience?
A person who desires a good story to go along with the necessary violence. One who reads for enjoyment instead of to critique. Probably, a person who enjoys the classic horror films and mysteries of old. Yet, I’ve had others, outside of these mentioned, who have expressed their pleasure in reading my tales as well.
SciFi, thriller and horror. How do they combine?
The original movie of the Alien series best depicts a perfect mix in that. In all aspects, that movie will never be denounced. Some of the Jurassic Park series does that as well, the first time you see it. After that, they become a little to predictable. But, in answering your question, SciFi gives believability, thriller gives it reason to continue, and horror provides the adrenaline flow needed to enjoy.
How did you come up with the idea for your first creation?
Horror Across the Alley was my first novel. It’s a haunted house tale. After my military service, I went back to college and was need of someplace to live. I found an old house for rent thirteen blocks from campus for a ridiculously low price. After some strange occurences there, I started asking neighbors about it. Only then did I find that a previous owner had committed a murder suicide of the entire family in the house. My experiences there were minor, but I had to expand upon them to make things interesting. Yes, the stimulus of the book’s creation started from the seed of my own experiences there.
What kind of horror do you think your work falls into?
Borderline horror/thriller/suspense. As already stated, I’m not one to get into heavy gorefests. I want the reader’s own imagination to take them there. I try to give them plenty to work with in that regard.
Which is a scene from a horror movie or book that has terrified you?
There have been several. When I was a child, there was a Saturday night program aired that would feature old horror movies from the 40s and 50s. It would have a horrendous scream in its intro, which came from the movie The Screaming Skull. I remember covering my ears and turning my head away each time we tuned in to that show. Again, as a child, the transformation scene in 1941’s The Wolfman with Lon Chaney was terrifying. Remember, we’d never seen anything like that on the screen before. Even when I first saw it, in the 60s, it provided a fearful memory every night I tried going to sleep with the full moon shining in the window above the head of my bed. And, lastly, the first time I watched The Exorcist upon its initial premier in the theaters I was tripping on acid. I had to go back the next night straight just to see if what I thought I’d seen had really been on the screen.
What’s the best and the worst about being a creator?
The best and worst thing about being a creator are the reactions you get from the written reviews. The good ones put you on Cloud 9 while the bad ones send you into a fit of frustration. While Gabriela: Tales From A Demon Cat did well, there was one reviewer who wrote, “Just couldn’t get into it. Wasn’t real enough.” I’m saying to myself, “I tell you in the blurb that it’s the story of a cat relating tales of either her previous owners or stories that she’s heard while waiting in line in Hell to be reincarnated into her next life. What ever gave you expectations of reality?” But, then again, there’s always going to be that one person you can’t please.
What would be your advice for people who want to jump into this world?
Go for it, but have a duck’s back when you do. Listen to the critiques to learn, but don’t let the negativity get to you. Do the very best you can do, go back and rewrite it better, have it professionally edited, and listen to your heart.
Who’s your biggest supporter?
My cat, Faletame. He’s always trying to get into my lap while I’m typing. After him, it would have to be my wife. She puts up with me telling her to leave me alone when I’m writing, much in the way Shelley Duvall did in the movie The Shining. Btw, I keep all baseball bats under lock and key.
If you started over your career in this industry, would you do it differently?
Work at my marketing skills, which are virtually nonexistent. I’m not the complete writer as today’s definition of such includes marketing by developing a newsletter, a strong presence on all types of social media, and doing whatever necessary to sell books. I’ve neglected most of those areas and the number or reviews I get for my efforts demonstrate that. I was in sales and marketing for years, and had to even sell my talents to people on air in radio and onstage in stand-up comedy. I grew to hate the selling aspect of it all. I’m a writer, not a marketer. In having that terrible attitude, I’m shortchanging myself and the success I could have had.
What is one thing you regret during your experience in the horror community?
I still question if not using a publisher is a mistake. I’ve been published by many in short story anthologies, but I self-publish my major work as most of the publishers I’ve talked to still require me to do my own marketing. When in comedy, I paid a percentage to my agent to do everything. He scheduled my shows, set up transportation, and made sure I had a place to sleep. In writing, I find many publishers expect using their name on the back of your book is all they’re required to do. I came close to using one for my latest book, but found it would delay its publishing until next year. Since I have return trips to trade shows I’ve visited several times, I want to have something fresh as it’s been so long since my last one. So, once again, I self-published. Yet, I paid more for a professional cover than ever before and hired an editor who edits most of a well-known publisher’s releases.
How do you think horror is evolving?
Like everything else, books of all genres are under fire by the Cancel groups and PC audience. Honestly, I don’t like the scenario it presents. I believe a writer creates with characters in mind and they shouldn’t be changed just to please the few in society that are more vocal than the majority. As of right now, you can still get away with extreme violence in horror, but that’s bound to change. All it will take is for some mass murderer to say it was all he read, and the civic groups will be out in force. I hope I’m wrong, but Orwell’s 1984 or Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 may be the future.
What’s the last horror movie that surprised you liked?
Christmas Bloody Christmas. I know that’s strange, but I enjoyed it. The film was fast moving, provided comedy relief as a contrast to the violence going on, and gave you a reason to know and enjoy the characters. Most movies are the same old/same old these days. Boring and predictable as hell or extreme to the extreme. I’ve grown numb to that over the last 40 years or so.
What’s your unpopular opinion about a horror movie or book?
All horror movies should be limited to only one sequel. I know this isn’t popular as the past has proven there’s money to be made in continuing the sequels forever. Yet, again, the basic story has been told for the most part, so all you’re getting is a rehash and more of the same old killing taking place. It becomes a soap opera after a while. There are enough quality writers with great stories the movie industry could be taking advantage of, but sequels and reboots seem to be all they want. It’s ridiculous.
What are your next projects?
As mentioned, a sequel to Pumpkins On The Road is a real possibility. My friends in Great Britain are requesting a follow-up to Gabriela: Tales From A Demon Cat, so that’s a possibility. And, there’s always the possibility to another horror western. Train of Blood, though challenging to write, was fun to create.
If your last work was a song, which one would be?
Probably Morphine’s “Do Not Go Quietly Unto Your Grave” off their 2000 album Good. No reason besides it just fits.
What piece of your work are you more proud of?
More proud? That’s hard to say as I’m exceptionally happy with the way my latest turned out. If any, I would say that my novella, Train of Blood, would be the one. The story itself and quality of writing is the best I’ve done beyond my current release. Trying to write a tale about the trials and tribulations of one of the last large wagon trains heading west was tough enough, but when I added attacks by an army of shapeshifters created by the noble red men, it became a real challenge. Action scenes with one or two involved aren’t that difficult. But, when you start describing the action of an army and wagon train members, you’ve got to be exceptionally careful not to confuse the reader with the fast action. It seemed to have worked out well, though.
Where can the audience find you?
Usually in my recliner drinking a Diet Coke while ignoring my wife. Besides there, here’s where I sometimes hang out on social media.
www.richrumple.com
Check his new release out here!
