J.T. Patten – “The best part of being a creator is the freedom to express a story as it should be told.”

A social-strife conscious dark thriller author who spent much of his secretive career focused on investigating hidden crime and mass or targeted killings. Writing style takes from the pontification and story telling style found in Stephen King but the brutal rawness of Jack Ketchum’s extreme horror.

Can you tell us a couple of lines about yourself? 

I am an avid reader who had been a Bram Stoker juror for a few years, which allowed me to see some truly great works that I would have otherwise missed as a reader.

My own writings are social-strife conscious dark thrillers without those messages being preached or in the reader’s face. I spent much of my somewhat secretive early career focused on investigating hidden crimes and mass or targeted killings/murder/genocides. 

My writing style takes from the pontification and story telling style found in Stephen King but the brutal rawness of Jack Ketchum’s extreme horror.

Mix all three of those together and you have some very realistic and dark thrillers with lots of twists and plenty of uncomfortable moments.

How long have you been in horror? How do you see your evolution as a creator? 

Technically, even my earliest military and espionage thrillers could be considered true horror. In fact, I’ve been told that some of the commercial success was limited due to their dark nature that blurred lines of good and bad to a grey that many readers couldn’t stomach. I was writing about black operations, which had been part of my life for years, and what readers thought was true tales of the black in other authors ended up being white washed unrealistic tales of heroes that really don’t exist in the morass of dirty deeds.

Due to some conflicting obligations to military and government oversight in my writings, I took a break and created Whispers of a Gypsy. My first “true” horror novel. I found that I really enjoyed a new sense of creativity and started my next one, Awaken the Piper, which is in progress. And somewhere in between, I decided to try my hand at a YA vampire story set in New Orleans, Brothers of Blood, which is literally writing itself from all the research I collected on a Louisiana investigative trip. 

I think as a creator, I am always willing to push myself into new challenges with stories I think have not been told. I’d like to think readers can come to me for something deeply dark and unexpected.

What’s the greatest lesson you have learnt along the way? 

I will never be as good of a technical writer or one who can keep replicating the same version of a story just to sell books. I need freedom to be moved by an idea and give it wings—even to the detriment of my own commercial success.

Tell us about your most recent work, can you give us some insight? 

 My most recent work, Whispers of a Gypsy, tells an often unheard of history of the Roma/Romani “Gypsies” during the holocaust. The story sheds light on true innocence and how worldly and other-worldly drives for perfection, longevity, and purity actual taints our natural human state. The book follows a former victim of WWII crimes, Mr. Mortimer, who is seeking something historic from an old family friend. He meets a boy with special needs and a unique gift that alters the original intent of Mr. Mortimer and opens old wounds. It is a fast paced read that takes from my experience as a thriller writer, ads the atmospheric horror elements that many fans seek, and then takes some unexpected twists from my more noir style.

Whose string do you think it will pull? 

I think the strings it will pull most are horror fans who like a bit of history but who are also seeking more of a hair raising cinematic read akin to the movies they like. Many horror fans are turned off by dragging on descriptions and slow burn tales that take 700 pages to read. In today’s fast paced society, many would be fans can’t commit to such long tomes but they still seek a good scary story.

What’s the strongest message the audience will find in your plot? Are you fond of any character? 

I think many in the audience will be shocked by the human testing that occurred in Nazi Germany not just to the Jews but to the other communities, as well. In particular, the Romani were nearly wiped out. I love both Mr. Mortimer with his protective calling and his brutal ways, and find equal interest in the young boy Dwight, who is truly the antithesis of the man he calls Mr. Monster. Dwight has a special way about him that readers will find truly endearing.

Do you plan to make a spin-off about any of the characters? 

I think the story has been told. While the follow-on stories could be interesting, I think the one coming from my heart has been written. Not to say I could not be swayed to find the next chapter.

What’s been the most challenging scene to write or film? 

I think the greatest challenge is writing “otherness” to an array of characters who are unlike me. There is a fine line in writing female characters (me as a male) and individuals of different color, race, etc., without being accused of mis-appropriation. I am a human observer and involved in different cultures and communication styles and when researched and given proper care and consideration, it can be done and can be done well. For me, however, I try to be sensitive and end up relying on a lot more sensitivity readers than I normally would.

Who is your perfect audience? SciFi, thriller and horror. How do they combine? 

Dark horror readers who like a historic tie in and multiple layers or plot lines will love my books. Extreme horror and gothic fans by true definition will also love my novels. Those who consider themselves extreme by body horror and gratuitous violence or gothic defined by Victorian may misread my category and not appreciate it as much. That said, Brothers of Blood will fall square into the gothic vampire realm.

How did you come up with the idea for your first creation? 

For the first one, Whispers of a Gypsy, there was a personal element to it. My son had also asked that I write him a book. It started out very close to what he wanted and then got legs of its own. I can’t say he loves it.

What kind of horror do you think your work falls into? 

Let’s take this one to church. By definition at the top of the food chain, my books are all Dark Fiction driven by my unflinching look at things that make people uncomfortable, and deals with pain and death. Next layer, they all are Noir in that they, similarly, take a grim view on the human condition with cynical heroes or anti-heroes and don’t end with a nice bow. They can have a cliff-hanger or a shocking end that can be unsettling.  Extreme Horror in that they are brutal and Splatterpunk in that they are countercultural. Finally, Gothic in that they are created by unnatural forces in an oppressive, inescapable, bleak landscape that contains deep locationality elements to add the atmospherics. 

I realize that is complex, but the reader who understands these nuances and are looking for this type of book will likely be very pleased with my work.

Which is a scene from a horror movie or book that has terrified you? 

I am still creeped out by the hearse driver with glasses in the movie Burn Offerings and I won’t watch the Exorcist. 

What’s the best and the worst about being a creator? 

The best part of being a creator is the freedom to express a story as it should be told. The worst part is that I don’t live in a community or friend group that aligns itself to all of these works and the art that it can be described as. The result is an impression that I, myself, may be dark or twisted or strange. I suppose in true colors, maybe I am.

What would be your advice for people who want to jump into this world? 

I struggle with a blanket advice offering since different people want different things. I have been a Horror Writers Association Mentor for a few years. Some content that people produce is really in need of good editing and better writing craftsmanship. Thing is, some of those writers are completely fine with it. Similarly, I think good cover art to sign the readers contract of what they can expect is important, but others are totally cool with slapping a spooky vacation picture on as a cover and adding some random red text to it. Art is expressive and is very personal. Commercialization takes more thought and effort, so decide what outcome and end state you are looking for and then align both the work and expectations to that goal.

Who’s your biggest supporter? 

Well, it started out as my mother who was an English teacher. She is no longer able to read, and my own wife and kids could not be any more supportive even though they don’t necessarily enjoy all my specific stories. Brothers of Blood I am writing for my wife, a big vampire fan, and I am trying to align my style and storytelling to her reading preferences. It’s a good stretch for me. 

If you started over your career in this industry, would you do it differently? 

That is really a “If money was no object question” for me. I want to support my family with an economic level that is in balance with the things I want to do and provide them. Writing at this time does not pay that bill. If I were independently wealthy, I would go back to school, learn how to formally write better and do this full time. Until then, writing is my mistress and I take that time only after my obligations and desire to spend personal time with my family is met first. I am happy with where I am and at the rate I am putting out good quality books. I do have some envy with those who are able to get more readership exposure and commercial opportunities. Having my own flexibility and conservative spend in time and money for marketing may be my ball and chain, as I do feel I produce quality work.

What is one thing you regret during your experience in the horror community? 

I spent six years cultivating a reputation in the military thriller and espionage community. If I reach out to most any authors from that genre, I can get a blurb or some social media support. In horror, I am a new guy. I probably should have attended more conferences and met more of my new peers to build a relationship before asking for some favors as an unknown. It’s hard breaking through with such great talent already in the market. Being seen is hard in that crowd. My task is to just crank out a ton of good work and hopefully when that day comes of being recognized in the space, I’ll have enough product out there for new fans to devour. 

How do you think horror is evolving? 

I don’t know if I see it as evolving or devolving. As an intelligence analyst by education and trade, I like data. Yes, the horror world is expanding, but are authors really meeting the demand of what people want. I think there is another market we can tap, which is the horror movie fans who would read if the books were more cinematic and faster paced in a shorter package. I try to keep my horror to about 50,000 words and keep the momentum rolling. Where everyone else is going isn’t my concern because I think there is green pasture where I am heading.

What’s the last horror movie that surprised you liked? 

I loved the Invitation on Netflix. I had low expectations but really loved it. I think Overlord was another that I had low bar set and was more than entertained.

What’s your unpopular opinion about a horror movie or book? 

I do not enjoy the writing style of Dracula, Frankenstein, Haunting of Hill House, or any long drawn out snoozers. Chapter One let’s get this party started not tell me in five chapters how you’re picking out doily’s and invitations for the bash. 

What are your next projects? 

Vampire book, Brothers in Blood out by August. Pied Piper retelling slasher, Awken the Piper by end of year. All of them, vastly different from that the market is putting out.

If your last work was a song, which one would be? 

Whispers of a Gypsy could very well be a mix of Megadeath Symphany of Destruction and/or Johnny Cash’s version of Ghost Riders in the Sky.

What piece of your work are you more proud of? 

I’d have to say at this point, Whispers of a Gypsy only because it was so new, so difficult to write with the appropriate level of sensitivity and respect, while still crushing it as a newbie. I say this with humility in that it took a lot of help from others who pushed me to keep making changes for balance and through their efforts it shines in its own light.

Where can the audience find you? 

I can usually be found on social media through Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. If you tag or hit me up directly, I’ll respond.