#AuthorsCafe -- Interviews -- Steve Harris

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Updated: March 11, 1999

# A U T H O R S C A F E - I N T E R V I E W S
S T E V E H A R R I S

The author of nine horror/fantasy novels was interviewed in #Authorscafe on September 27, 1998. From this page, you'll find links to more information concerning Steve's works, biographical information, and the transcript of the interview. Follow the links on the right for this information.

Harris Links

The #Authorscafe Interview Transcript
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Buy Steve's books online. Search for "Steve Harris" in the author text box.
(Steve's book titles: AdventureLand, Wulf, The Hoodoo Man, Angels, Black Rock, The Devil on May Street, Straker's Island, The Switch, Challenging the Wolf)

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#AuthorsCafe Interview with Steve Harris
September 27, 1998

Session Start: Sun Sep 27 19:17:14 1998
19:17] *** Now talking in #AuthorsCafe
19:17] *** Topic is '8pm EDT Sunday, 9/27 #AuthorsCafe Interview with Steve Harris aka writer!!! http://hoodoo.demon.co.uk/ or http://www.blueroses.com/authors/ '
19:17] *** Set by Fawnn on Sun Sep 27 02:46:05 <Fawnn> hi!
19:17] *** X sets mode: +o Fawnn
19:17] <Dates> Is Em still boarded in?
19:27] *** Parts: Dates (diss@fleimin.demon.co.uk)
19:34] *** Joins: Alonna (Alonna@tac-usr2-ip46.wa.net)
19:34] *** Joins: HorrorBiz (~Arkangel@ttyC42.laval.com)
19:34] *** Fawnn sets mode: +o HorrorBiz
19:35] <HorrorBiz> WHOO HOO !!! I'm ops everywhere !!!
19:37] <Alonna> how does it feel to be the man of the irc? :>
19:37] <HorrorBiz> :)
19:37] * HorrorBiz dances
19:38] <Alonna> lol!
19:38] <Alonna> ...seen that dance before I think... :>
19:52] *** Joins: Dates (diss@fleimin.demon.co.uk)
19:52] <Dates> Where's Steve >:| <Fawnn> don't know
19:52] *** Joins: Dojer (~doje@ba83.key-net.net) <Fawnn> he's got 8 minutes
19:52] *** Joins: Mumthra (~yahyah@port3.annex2.radix.net)
19:52] *** Fawnn sets mode: +o Dojer
19:52] *** Joins: Redox (Bird@dialup-80.tnt-1.tol.glasscity.net)
19:52] *** Fawnn sets mode: +o Redox
19:53] * HorrorBiz starts the pyre so we can sacrifice Steve to our God when he comes
19:53] <HorrorBiz> Apila Ipamis Amiran Tzor Tzul...
19:53] <Mumthra> Maybe he got sucked into the tailgator universe!
19:53] <Alonna> lol
19:53] <Dates> Well, I really have to go
19:53] *** Joins: BPavsner (bpavsner@sdn-ar-002flflauP223.dialsprint.net)
19:53] <HorrorBiz> bye bye dates
19:53] *** Redox is now known as Redox-brb
19:54] <Mumthra> g'night dates!
19:54] <Dates> send Steve my... er... just tell him I said hello :) <Fawnn> will do, Dates ;)
19:54] <Dates> Goodnight!! :)
19:54] <Alonna> :>
19:54] <Dojer> g'nite dates sweets
19:54] *** Joins: sbreeze (ccd@sdn-ar-001njnbruP114.dialsprint.net)
19:54] *** Quits: Dates (Green is Ada ) <Fawnn> they just showed a cuttlefish on cnn live ;)
19:55] <sbreeze> rofl
19:55] <Dojer> did you enjoy that?
19:55] <Alonna> ...do they really cuttle? <G>
19:55] <HorrorBiz> what's a cuttlefish ? <Fawnn> lol Alonna
19:55] <Alonna> :)
19:55] <Mumthra> cuttlefish is the dreaded enemy of the scuttlefish
19:55] <sbreeze> tell you the truth i have no idea what one looks like
19:56] <Alonna> parakeets love'em...
19:56] <Mumthra> I THINK it's a kind of octopus
19:56] * HorrorBiz just stares blankly and smiles
19:56] <HorrorBiz> ahhh...
19:56] *** Redox-brb is now known as Redox
19:57] <Mumthra> Okay, since we're waiting, can I ask a question? <Fawnn> sure
19:57] <Mumthra> Oh. That was a question. <Fawnn> LOL
19:57] <Alonna> parakeets sharpen their beaks on cuttle fish...
19:57] <Redox> Ah. Homemade Chex Mix and Sam Adams beer. Life is adequate. ;)
19:57] <Mumthra> Well...I asked my husband to read some short fiction of mine (normally, I'm more of a diarist), and his verdict was "corny."
19:58] <Mumthra> He really didn't want to say so
19:58] <HorrorBiz> Squid and Octopus have beaks
19:58] * Alonna has meatballs in gravey and rice waiting....
19:58] <Mumthra> Do y'all have groundrules for any loved ones who read your roughs?
19:58] <sbreeze> brb need a drink and where is that brit? <Fawnn> yeah, ignore their opinions ;)
19:59] <Mumthra> HA!
19:59] <HorrorBiz> Well, that's more of an opinion than a critique. Besides Stephen King is corny, so is Rau Bradbury... not such a bad thing
19:59] <Alonna> usually husbands are more flattering than truthful...
20:00] <Mumthra> I could tell that something about it bothered him. Normally, I just ask him to read for flow. <Fawnn> Is he supportive of your writing? <Fawnn> He may give a valid opinion. I can trust what my daughter tells me. Forget listening to my mother! My writing embarrasses her
20:00] <Mumthra> Mostly he really is. He gets a little impatient when I drop everything to pound out an idea.
20:00] *** Joins: ^Idiot^ (bite@node57.net1.fundy.net)
20:01] <Alonna> Idiot! :>
20:01] <Mumthra> AH! My mother loves EVERYTHING I write
20:01] <Mumthra> Hiya Idiot!
20:01] <sbreeze> back
20:01] <^Idiot^> Hi, Alonna
20:01] <^Idiot^> Hi, Mum <Fawnn> He'll get used to your zoning, Mum ;) <Fawnn> hi Idiot <Fawnn> gonna do a test
20:01] <^Idiot^> hi, fawn
20:01] <HorrorBiz> My father's opinion of my writing was: "Why don't you get a REAL job !!!" ;) <Fawnn> Protocol for the Interview: ! if you want to make a comment; ? if you wish to ask a question; GA when you're done (for Go Ahead). Please wait to be recognized following your ! or ? before speaking in channel. I.E., Redox GA
20:01] *** Quits: BPavsner (Leaving )
20:01] <HorrorBiz> Since then I don't show him anything <Fawnn> The person doing the recognizing will be whoever moderates
20:02] <Alonna> My Mom saved all my letters, said they were so good she read them instead of a book... :> <Fawnn> neat, Alonna!!!
20:02] <Mumthra> That's LOVELY
20:02] <HorrorBiz> My mom likes my writing, just not my subjects :)
20:03] <Mumthra> Do you have any midget zombie stories, Biz?
20:03] <HorrorBiz> I have full grown zombie stories
20:03] <sbreeze> lol mum! you have a thing for midget zombies?
20:03] <Mumthra> KEWL!
20:03] <Mumthra> I only have a midget story. No zombies. Yet.
20:04] <^Idiot^> My mom and my wife think I'm nuts when they read my stuff. This, of course, tells me I am doing what I want.
20:04] <Mumthra> Midgets are IMPORTANT!
20:04] <^Idiot^> being nuts
20:04] <Alonna> your writing sounds fascinating Mumthra...
20:04] <Dojer> bbl - weather is getting hairy
20:04] <Mumthra> Anybody else become universally hated when you got published? <Fawnn> It's been ages since I wrote a suckling essay. I think I'm due ;)
20:04] <HorrorBiz> later dojer
20:04] <sbreeze> where are u dojer? <Fawnn> awwww bummer Dojer ... laterssssssss
20:04] <Mumthra> Bye, Dojer!
20:05] * HorrorBiz hugsies dowjer
20:05] <Alonna> :( <Fawnn> What'd you write to get you hated, Mum?
20:05] <Alonna> hope you can stay Dojer
20:05] <Dojer> keep the log running Fawnnie - hopefully I'll be back <Fawnn> of course ;)
20:05] <Mumthra> Oh, it was the published part that got me hated. Lots of kinda-writing friends.
20:05] *** Quits: Dojer (Don't hate me cuz I'm paranoid - hate me cuz I can kill 30 different ways ) <Fawnn> There's professional jealousy a lot, mumthra. Normal feelings (from losers, imo) ;)
20:06] <Mumthra> The GOOD thing was it lit a fire under several butts!
20:06] <Alonna> then they were never really your friends...friends love to have friends that succeed... <Fawnn> exactly, Alonna!!!
20:07] *** Joins: writer (ghostly@hoodoo.demon.co.uk) <Fawnn> msnbc is showing pensacola right now ... 15' high waves!
20:07] <Alonna> WRITER!!!!!! <Fawnn> Writer!!!!!!!!!
20:07] <Alonna> oooooooooh
20:07] <writer> hi folks
20:07] * HorrorBiz gets the chair, pipe and slippers ready
20:07] * ^Idiot^ bows to writer
20:08] * Mumthra gesticulates
20:08] * HorrorBiz pours a little sherry for all and starts the fire
20:08] <^Idiot^> IS the guest of honour here yet?
20:08] * Redox hums "Writers on the Storm."
20:08] * Alonna offers hot tea...
20:08] <sbreeze> yes Idiot :) <Fawnn> Lurq will be late. We'll wait just a few minutes (long enough for me to finishing preparing something in case Lurq doesn't return). Then we'll proceed <Fawnn> repeating:
20:08] * sbreeze points to writer Beginning of the Interview <Fawnn> Protocol for the Interview: ! if you want to make a comment; ? if you wish to ask a question; GA when you're done (for Go Ahead). Please wait to be recognized following your ! or ? before speaking in channel. I.E., Redox GA
20:08] * ^Idiot^ takes the tea. I'm not feeling well today <Fawnn> any questions on protocol?
20:09] <writer> ?
20:09] <Redox> Fawnn used to be Janet Reno's drill sargeant in the Army.
20:10] <Mumthra> ARe we starting the protocol now? <Fawnn> writer GA <Fawnn> btw, writer: as our GUEST, you don't need to follow protocol ;)
20:11] <writer> when's Steve coming?
20:11] *** Fawnn sets mode: +o writer
20:11] <Mumthra> ahahahhha <Fawnn> You realize I'm blonde, don't you?
20:12] * Alonna is near blonde...
20:12] <Mumthra> I'm just bland <Fawnn> okay. For the record, we'll start with writer's bio (pretend I'm typing REALLY fast): <Fawnn> lol mum <Fawnn> Shortly after leaving school, Steve Harris realised that a) he didn't know what he wanted to be when he grew up, and b) that he wasn't cut out for doing a day job. Through much of the late seventies he played bass in a series of bands and worked at a variety of jobs. His first job was taking apart dangerously corroded explosive devices but he has also worked as a builder, a drain layer, a driver, paint-sprayer, welder, photographer and electrical wholesaler.
20:12] <^Idiot^> <----used to all blond, now only partly <Fawnn> After a few flirtations with major-label record companies that never quite ended in a deal, Steve's band finally called it quits and he sat down to write.
20:12] *** writer is now known as Steve_H <Fawnn> Steve Harris' books (to date) include: <Fawnn> ADVENTURELAND (Headline 1990 �4.99 ISBN 0-7472-3394-2) <Fawnn> WULF (Headline 1991 �4.99 ISBN 0-7472-3678-X) <Fawnn> THE HOODOO MAN (Headline 1992 �5.99 ISBN 0-7472-3827-8) <Fawnn> ANGELS (Headline 1993 �5.99 ISBN 0-7472-4131-7). <Fawnn> BLACK ROCK. (Gollancz 1996) <Fawnn> THE DEVIL ON MAY STREET (Gollancz 1997) <Fawnn> STRAKER'S ISLAND (Gollancz 1998) <Fawnn> THE SWITCH. (Tanjen books, spring 1999) <Fawnn> MIAMI FIVE FIFTEEN (work in progress) <Fawnn> (50,000 people in the UK borrowed a Steve Harris library book last year). <Fawnn> Harris claims to be 38, is tall, extremely handsome, gifted and personable. He likes: fanmail, good reviews, gadgets, quick cars (he drives an old Porsche 924 Turbo), motorcycles (he drives an ancient Honda), all manner of dogs and he'd probably like you, too. He failed O level English Language <Fawnn> and Literature. He lies about his age.
20:13] <Alonna> :> <Fawnn> He dislikes Know Betters, arrogance, prejudice and cliques and awards. His favourite Fred Astaire movie is HOLIDAY INN. He holds a cycling proficiency certificate. LIKES: Going to hot places as often as possible. Snorkelling in warm seas, relaxation and sleeping. <Fawnn> I'll give y'all time for deep scroll now ;)
20:13] <^Idiot^> ? <Fawnn> Idiot GA
20:13] * sbreeze will stay out of the quiz :)
20:13] <HorrorBiz> ?
20:14] <^Idiot^> What was your educational background?
20:14] <Steve_H> fawnns?
20:14] <Steve_H> :-)
20:14] <Alonna> :> <Fawnn> yes Steve?
20:14] <Steve_H> hang on, I'm just clearing my throat <Fawnn> LOL
20:15] <Mumthra> Wrong bio?
20:15] <sbreeze> nope right bio
20:15] * Steve_H remains largely uneducated and failed almost every exam he ever took.
20:15] <Steve_H> I was a dunce at schook
20:15] <Steve_H> school
20:15] <^Idiot^> ? <Fawnn> Steve: Please start by telling us how you got interesting in writing as a career? What fascinates you about your genre? How you motivate yourself to continue. ...
20:15] <Steve_H> GA
20:16] <^Idiot^> well, sounds similar to myself. I have grade 11 english, but am struggling along learning my grammar and what have you. How did you overcome this and how did you learn?
20:16] <HorrorBiz> ?
20:16] <Steve_H> okay, I'll answer Fawnn first and you second Idiot <Fawnn> btw, all those of you who ask the ?'s or !'s are to WAIT for ME to tell you to GA ;)
20:17] <Steve_H> wait a minute HorrorBiz! <Fawnn> I'm moderator, since Lurq couldn't make it
20:17] <Steve_H> As you can imagine, I left school without being qualified to do anything but menial work
20:18] <Steve_H> I did some of that. Some of it is listed above.
20:18] *** Joins: paradox- (bay@userm990.uk.uudial.com)
20:18] <paradox-> is this *the* Steve HArris?
20:19] <Steve_H> naturally I wasn't entirely happy about it
20:19] <Steve_H> shit jobs pay shit money for one thing
20:19] <Steve_H> I did a whole bunch
20:19] *** Joins: LaMancha (bitbard@207.18.136.202)
20:19] <Steve_H> all lousy jobs
20:19] <Steve_H> and I soon discovered that I didn't much like working for a living
20:19] <Steve_H> I hated (and still do hate) getting up early
20:19] *** Parts: LaMancha (bitbard@207.18.136.202)
20:19] <Steve_H> I liked (and still do!) staying up late
20:20] <Steve_H> so I began to wonder what the hell I could do to make money without having to go to work
20:20] * Mumthra points out it must be about 1:00 a.m. for you
20:20] * Steve_H points out that it's 01:22 for me
20:21] <Steve_H> and at the time, playing in a band seemed like a good idea
20:21] <Steve_H> so I learned to play bass
20:21] <Steve_H> we were playing hard rock at a time when it was totally out of fashion
20:21] <Steve_H> so we switched to playing jazz funk
20:21] <Steve_H> also at a time when it was totally out of fashion
20:22] <Steve_H> did plenty of work and almost got a deal once or twice, but it eventually fell apart
20:22] <Steve_H> so I thought: what else can I do to avoid having to work?
20:22] <Steve_H> and thought: I know, I'll be a writer. Anyone can write a book.
20:23] * Mumthra chuckles
20:23] <Steve_H> So I wrote a book. <Fawnn> LOL
20:23] <Steve_H> it was easy!
20:23] <Steve_H> er, remind me what the next question was, someone? HorroBiz?
20:24] <HorrorBiz> :)
20:24] <Mumthra> ? <Fawnn> Idiot: was yours answered? GA <Fawnn> hold on, HOrror, mumthra
20:24] <Alonna> ?
20:24] <Mumthra> k
20:24] <^Idiot^> well, sounds similar to myself. I have grade 11 english, but am struggling along learning my grammar and what have you. How did you overcome this and how did you learn? <Fawnn> Steve GA
20:26] <Steve_H> I learned to read quite early and was ahead of most of my classmates throughout my early school years. I guess I have my mother to thank for this because she spent many hours reading to me and getting me interested in stories. I've read a great deal since then and gradually picked up grammer and stuff!
20:26] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Horror GA
20:27] <HorrorBiz> I wanted to ask how you got your big break. Did you find an agent first or did you find a sympathetic publishing house ? How did that work out ?
20:28] <Steve_H> It's a long sad story that involves tales like my talking to a publisher through the letterbox of the door they'd locked against me. But I had an agent first. Then the agent dumped me, saying the book I'd sent him was lousy. I sold it myself six months later.
20:28] <HorrorBiz> :)
20:29] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Mumthra GA
20:29] <Mumthra> Was there anyone you read who was a particular favorite or inspiration? How? Something you read that made you say, "I wanna do it like THAT!"
20:30] <Steve_H> Well, the book that *really* inspired me was "The Sucking Pit" by a brit horror novelist called Guy N Smith (who I've subsequently met). I read it and thought: jesus, I've never seen such a pile of crap. I'm sure I could do better than *this*!
20:30] <Mumthra> hahahahahahha
20:30] <Redox> LOL!! <Fawnn> LOL
20:30] <^Idiot^> lol
20:30] <HorrorBiz> :)
20:30] <Steve_H> but I'd also been a long time fan of SF writer PK Dick
20:31] <Steve_H> and of course, of King
20:31] <Mumthra> Dick is DA MAN
20:31] <HorrorBiz> ?
20:31] <Alonna> :>
20:31] <Steve_H> and many others, too, including John le Carre
20:31] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Alonna GA w/your ?
20:32] <Alonna> Any favorite of all those writers, besides your own of course! :>
20:32] * Steve_H waits pashuntly
20:32] *** Joins: weeHan (Hannah@max-pool-p57.innotts.co.uk)
20:32] <Alonna> ...yourself...
20:32] *** Joins: Cromolerg (blitz@ps1.S11.fortalnet.com.br)
20:32] * Mumthra gives steve a cookie
20:32] <Cromolerg> Iron Maiden?
20:33] <Steve_H> my all time fave has to be PK Dick, I think. Never did a writer get so many ideas in such short books
20:33] <Steve_H> Fraid not, Cromolerg
20:33] <Alonna> GA <Fawnn> Were you done w/that answer, Steve?
20:34] <Mumthra> ?
20:34] <Steve_H> sorry, yes
20:34] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Horror GA w/your ? <Fawnn> np ;)
20:34] *** Quits: Cromolerg (Read error to Cromolerg
200.253.226.204]: Connection reset by peer! )
20:35] * Mumthra observes, we certainly are GA GA
20:35] <Steve_H> I'm still here
20:35] <HorrorBiz> I was just curious as to what you thought of Ramsey Campbell's and Cilve Barker's work. Them being contemporaries. I was also curious as to what you thought of the new Porche 911. <Fawnn> lol
20:35] * HorrorBiz is a car guy too :)
20:36] <Steve_H> I had a lot of trouble with Ramsey's work over the years. I found I just couldn't finish one of his books. But I did pick up a freebie of The Count of Eleven a couple of years back and I loved that one.
20:36] <HorrorBiz> Ramsey is a hard read I agree
20:37] <HorrorBiz> Doll Who Ate his Mother was good and fast though
20:37] <Steve_H> I have Weaveworld on my shelf waiting to be read. I've read The Books of Blood and I think Barker is a fine line by line writer, but somehow I just don't warm to his stuff.
20:37] <Mumthra> I remember that about him too, but I can't remember why.
20:37] <Mumthra> Weaveworld is LOVELY
20:37] <Steve_H> I wasn't born when The Doll who ate his mother was published! ;-)
20:37] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Mumthra GA w/your ? (then I'll have a ?)
20:38] <Mumthra> Do all those free library rentals ever piss you off?
20:38] <Alonna> :O
20:39] <Steve_H> well, I do get paid for each loan. The english libraries pay 2p a loan. It's not enough, of course, but I'd rather be read than ignored.
20:39] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Steve: Can you give us an indication of your writing routine? When you're working in your luxurious office environment, do you set a goal of X # of words a day? Have a critique partner or someone who gives you an opinion before you start editing your first draft? GA
20:39] <Steve_H> Lots of several part questions here. I'll go for the first part first...
20:40] <Steve_H> I don't *have* a luxurious office!!!! I sit here in this tiny stinking office day after day. It's so small that if I fell backwards my head would hit the wall.
20:41] <Steve_H> I do set myself targets though <Fawnn> LOL!!!
20:41] * sbreeze chuckles
20:41] *** Joins: ^^Michael (~Michael@ppp-206-170-121-251.sndg02.pacbell.net)
20:41] <Steve_H> When I'm writing a book I work a four day week
20:41] * sbreeze mumbles never call him when he is working!
20:41] <Steve_H> Mon thru Thurs
20:41] <Steve_H> (NEVER CALL ME WHEN I'M WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
20:41] * sbreeze hides
20:41] <^Idiot^> or late for dinner
20:41] <^Idiot^> sorry
20:41] <Alonna> :>
20:42] <Mumthra> Friday is Phoneday
20:42] <Steve_H> when I start on a new book I set myself a target of 10,000 finished words during that working week.
20:42] <Steve_H> the first couple of weeks I often struggle to make that
20:42] <Steve_H> after that, I beat it every week till the book is done
20:42] <Steve_H> my best ever week produced 22,000 words or so <Fawnn> wow!!!
20:43] <Steve_H> I don't have to go back and edit stuff usually
20:43] <Steve_H> mostly it's published as I did it first draft
20:43] * Mumthra shakes her head, hears rattling noises <Fawnn> wow again!!!
20:43] <^^Michael> what genre do you write?
20:43] <Steve_H> I don't have any critique partners. I don't *want* anyone telling me I've written crap
20:43] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> GA and answer Michael's question
20:44] <Mumthra> Do YOU ever feel like it's crap afterward?
20:44] <Mumthra> Oops. sorry.
20:44] <Steve_H> I write horror novels, Michael
20:45] <^^Michael> thanks...
20:45] <Steve_H> Okay Mumthra
20:45] <^^Michael> sorry mate didnt understand the rules! <Fawnn> How much preplanning do you do before you start to write? Steve GA
20:45] <Mumthra> I just finished a story that I LOVED and the next day I hated it. <Fawnn> np Michael
20:45] <Steve_H> I sometimes feel like it's crap at the end of a long day. One reason I don't often read back over the chapters I've finished until the book is done.
20:45] <Steve_H> hold on folks
20:46] * Alonna jumps up to get a glass of tea...
20:46] <Steve_H> If I'm feeling lousy during the day when I'm working, it looks like crap as I put it down on the page. Sometimes I've felt so dreadful (toothache) that I just *know* this day's work will stick out like a sore thumb when I re read the book...
20:46] * Mumthra holds her knees
20:47] <sbreeze> ?
20:47] <Steve_H> but when I go back looking for that lousy day's work, it can't be found. What you *feel* like is no good indicator of how well you're writing
20:47] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> sbreeze GA w/your ?
20:47] <sbreeze> steve where do you get ur ideas from?
20:47] <HorrorBiz> ?
20:48] <Steve_H> Sbreeze: I steal them all from women from New Joisey who I meet on undernet!
20:48] <sbreeze> LOL <Fawnn> LOL!!!!!!!
20:48] <Mumthra> hahahahahaha
20:48] <Redox> hehehe
20:48] * sbreeze writes u out a bill
20:49] <Steve_H> (sbreeze is a Joisey goil)
20:49] <sbreeze> no seriously!! lol tell us of how that twisted mind works
20:49] <Steve_H> Well it all started when I worked as a driver
20:50] <Steve_H> I used to sit there in a kind of trance as I drove. Motorway driving is boring, so I used to plot the downfall of the government for entertainment
20:50] <Steve_H> while I drove from A to B <Fawnn> lol
20:50] <Steve_H> when you think stuff along the lines of: how would I go about assassinating a head of government
20:51] <sbreeze> rofl
20:51] <Steve_H> other questions pop into your mind
20:51] <Steve_H> like: what would they do to my family if they knew I was going to make that attempt?
20:51] <Steve_H> and: how *would* I do it? How would I get away with it?
20:52] <Steve_H> thinking up the answers is lots of fun
20:52] <Steve_H> and it comes from that kind of daydreaming, really.
20:52] <Steve_H> GA
20:52] <^Idiot^> you could always get a new identity. Something like...oh...writer? <Fawnn> HorrorBiz GA w/your ?
20:52] <Alonna> lol!!!!!!
20:52] <HorrorBiz> Do you come up with a lot of little (good, silly, bad) stories in a day or do you prefer to flesh out the ones you're already working on. Or do you do both ?
20:52] <^^Michael> ?
20:54] <Steve_H> I have a friend in Arizona called Scott Novis. He's a wannabe SF writer. It's painful talking to him because he has a thousand fresh ideas a day and tells them all to you. I sit there thinking: jeez, if I had *one* idea like that a *month* I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven
20:54] <Steve_H> I flesh out the ideas I'm already working on, but there's always lots of room in my books for ideas that present themselves as I go along.
20:55] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> ^^Michael GA w/your ?
20:55] <HorrorBiz> :)
20:55] *** Quits: Mumthra (Ping timeout for Mumthra
port3.annex2.radix.net] )
20:55] <^^Michael> I would imagine you would use lots of POV in horror would you? Pergaps this is why Horror is better suited for novel vs. shorts??
20:55] * HorrorBiz feels all pumped now thanks ;)
20:56] <^^Michael> Perhaps...
20:56] <Steve_H> Some people use one POV - as I have done - but yes, I like to have several characters on the go at once and see things through each of them.
20:56] <Redox> ?
20:57] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> (me, then Redox later) ;) Steve: Do you do much preplanning before you start writing those (ENVY HERE BIGTIME!) publishable first drafts? GA
20:57] <sbreeze> ?
20:57] <HorrorBiz> ?
20:57] *** Joins: Mumthra (~yahyah@port3.annex2.radix.net)
20:58] <Steve_H> There's a brit writer I know called Stephen Laws. He meticulously plans out every detail of his novel before he begins. Then he writes the entire thing in 1st person, then writes it again in 3rd.
20:58] <Steve_H> I have no idea why he does this...
20:59] <Mumthra> I would find that he would find that confusing
20:59] <Steve_H> When I start a novel, I know very little about it. Usually, what the theme is, where I'm going to start, a couple of key events and roughly where it's going to end.
20:59] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Redox GA w/your ?
20:59] <Redox> I'm interested in the process that you went through learning how to write. Did you take any formal courses, did you read "How To" books or did you just jump in the deep end of the pool and start writing? And how long did it take you to become good at it? GA
20:59] <Alonna> ?
20:59] <Steve_H> I was so confident when I started
21:00] <Steve_H> that I just got a pad and a pen and wrote a novel
21:00] <Steve_H> I thought it was a good novel
21:00] <Steve_H> I still do think it was good novel
21:00] <Steve_H> but it's still up there on my shelf! :-)
21:01] <Steve_H> I have read a couple of books about writing since and the only one I'd recommend any writer read is this:
21:01] <Steve_H> Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande
21:01] <Steve_H> I guess my first attempt wasn't brilliant
21:01] <Steve_H> but I learned as I went along
21:01] <Steve_H> kinda taught myself, really.
21:02] <Steve_H> by book three, I was getting quite confident that I could actually write quite well
21:02] <Steve_H> book three was the one where all agents dumped me
21:02] <Steve_H> It was later polished a little and became my third published novel
21:02] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Steve: It's now past 2 a.m. your time. Is it okay if we continue? (3 questions waiting) GA
21:03] <Steve_H> yeah, I'm okay for another hour if that's what people want <Fawnn> wOOhOO & Congrats on that, btw!!! (the 3rd published and list growing!) <Fawnn> great!!! <Fawnn> sbreeze GA w/your ?
21:03] <sbreeze> what makes a good horror novel/story in your opinion?
21:03] <^^Michael> ?
21:04] * ^Idiot^ sneaks into Steve's house, takes the first novel from his shelf, and hides under his cat--who would never leave the chair long enough to reveal it's hiding place--and waits for it to grow in value. A Steve Harris original.
21:05] <sbreeze> (7 novels to date)
21:05] <Steve_H> Sbreeze: in my opinion the genre has been ghettoized (is that how it's spelt? Is there such a word) because a lot of published horror isn't good.
21:05] <Steve_H> There's plenty of room to take a horror story wherever you want it to go
21:05] <Steve_H> but it really does need characters you can *care* about before a reader will suffer on their behalf.
21:06] <Steve_H> so a good horror story is one which contains characters you care about in situations you hope they'll overcome, unscathed if possible.
21:06] <Steve_H> GA
21:06] <Mumthra> McCammon says you should ALWAYS kill the dog. <Fawnn> HorrorBiz GA w/your ?
21:06] <Steve_H> McCammon left the horror genre!
21:06] <HorrorBiz> What lenght do you feel is more palatable to a publisher in a manuscript and have you ever had to add/remove things ?
21:07] <Steve_H> This is a very tricky question for a number of reasons
21:07] <HorrorBiz> :)
21:07] * HorrorBiz a tricky guy
21:08] <Steve_H> tricky because (you won't believe it, but it's true)
21:08] * Mumthra hands over the rabbit and the hat
21:08] <Steve_H> paper has become a lot more expensive
21:08] <Mumthra> Bloody recycling
21:08] <HorrorBiz> The reason I ask is that I prefer to write in the 250 to 300 page zone.
21:09] *** Joins: katykat (~tokat@p66.amax7.dialup.dal1.flash.net)
21:09] *** Fawnn sets mode: +o katykat
21:09] <Steve_H> where once publishers would welcome a 300k words long ms, now they don't seem to like them much over 100,000.
21:09] <HorrorBiz> I was wondering is a publisher would even consider a short book
21:09] <sbreeze> what do you consider a short book?
21:10] <Steve_H> They will these days. In between 60,000 and 100,000 is about the upper and lower limits for a first novel
21:10] <HorrorBiz> thanks
21:10] <Steve_H> anything shorter than 60k is a novella (no chance!)
21:10] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Alonna GA w/your ?
21:10] <Alonna> I tried to read Phil Rickman's CURFEW, and failed because its not for american english...yours can be understood...when will we be able to buy your books here in the states?
21:11] *** Joins: ^Idiot^0 (bite@node141.net1.fundy.net)
21:11] <Mumthra> ?
21:11] <Steve_H> Would you care to explain what you mean by "not for american english"? I haven't read any of Phil's stuff yet! <Fawnn> Alonna GA ;)
21:12] <^Idiot^0> Sorry to break in, but I have to sign off. The lightning is getting bad here. Steve, thanks for this interview. Your background gives me inspiration.
21:12] *** Quits: ^Idiot^ (Ping timeout for ^Idiot^
node57.net1.fundy.net] )
21:12] <Alonna> he uses terms that is not cleaar, uses words to describe places and events that I have to guess at...
21:12] <Steve_H> (we're working on cracking the American market right now)
21:12] <^Idiot^0> bye
21:12] <Steve_H> See you later, Idiot!
21:12] *** Quits: ^Idiot^0 (Ircle was here! )
21:12] <Steve_H> tell your govt. to put the wires underground!
21:13] * sbreeze would like to address alonna......
21:13] <Steve_H> GA
21:13] <Alonna> let us know when! :>
21:13] <sbreeze> steve's books for the most part do have a brit slant but he does a fine job in explaining in context what he is talking about so you are not lost
21:13] * Steve_H hands the floor to Sbreeze <Fawnn> sbreeze GA <Fawnn> ^^Michael GA w/your ? (thanks sbreeze!)
21:14] <Steve_H> unless I mention "plaice" of course!!!!
21:14] <sbreeze> rofl true!!
21:14] <Alonna> :>
21:14] <Steve_H> <---- ready and waiting
21:14] <^^Michael> is character use of "sarky" popular in UK?
21:14] <sbreeze> took me half a book to figure that was fish! but we addressed that
21:15] <Steve_H> I assume you mean "sarky" as in sarcastic. It's something a brit would say, yes.
21:15] <^^Michael> TY
21:15] <Steve_H> It's not a term I'd use
21:15] <^^Michael> We call it attitude..
21:15] <Steve_H> but I would say "plaice"
21:15] <Steve_H> hehe
21:16] * sbreeze giggles yes dear
21:16] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> R Karl Largent left the Horror genre to write techno-thrillers (and is doing quite well at it) because those sell better in the US. Have you been tempted to do anything similar? Or do you love your genre and plan to stick with it? GA
21:16] <sbreeze> michael steve has enough attitude! lol
21:17] <Steve_H> I can't see myself quitting horror, but I do sometimes have a hankering to write another kind of book. I have one half finished, as a matter of fact, but I had to stop writing it to make some money writing horror.
21:17] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Mumthra GA w/your ?
21:18] <Mumthra> Since I had to go an mention McCammon: what do you think? Is he too sweet and cute and fuzzy?
21:19] <Steve_H> I ready Mystery Walk many years ago and didn't like it.
21:19] *** Quits: weeHan (eesh! 2:17am! btw 'sarky' isn't a term a brit would use generally, its mainly a londoners term :P )
21:19] <Steve_H> I think I've since read another, but I can't remember a damned thing about it!
21:19] <Mumthra> HA! Boy's Life?
21:19] <Steve_H> I kept meaning to buy that and never got around to it
21:19] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Any other questions?
21:20] <Steve_H> I have one!
21:20] <sbreeze> yes
21:20] <Mumthra> Yes? GA! GA! <Fawnn> GA Steve_H ;)
21:20] <sbreeze> i want to know when steve is taking me to dinner!
21:20] <Steve_H> Steve, are you really as handsome as people say?
21:20] * Alonna is starting to think sbreeze and writer hanky the panky... :)
21:20] <Steve_H> Yes, I look even better in the flesh.
21:20] *** Joins: Dojer (~doje@ba115.key-net.net)
21:20] *** Fawnn sets mode: +o Dojer
21:20] <Steve_H> GA
21:20] <sbreeze> nope dear! <Fawnn> wow!!!
21:20] <HorrorBiz> ? <Fawnn> Steve: when will you be visiting the states? ;)
21:20] <Mumthra> In WHOSE flesh?!? <Fawnn> GA <Fawnn> LOL Mumthra!!!!!!!
21:21] <Redox> LOL!
21:21] <Steve_H> Just as soon as I get your address, Fawnn
21:21] <Alonna> :) <Fawnn> LOL fair 'nuff ;) <Fawnn> HorrorBiz GA w/your ?
21:21] <Mumthra> ?
21:21] <Steve_H> anyone! Talk to me!
21:22] <HorrorBiz> :) <Fawnn> <Fawnn> HorrorBiz GA w/your ?
21:22] <HorrorBiz> I was curious as to your thoughs on some filmakers such as Dario Argento and David Cronenberg
21:23] <HorrorBiz> I feel they're very litterary for filmmakers
21:23] <HorrorBiz> GA
21:24] <Steve_H> For a horror novelist, I don't lead a particularly genre lifestyle. I've seen only one Argento film. Can't recall the title, but I thought it was pretty nifty. I'm a big fan of Cronenberg though. He has that gift where when he says something it makes perfect sense until about ten minutes after he said it when you start to think: he's full of shit!
21:24] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Mumthra GA w/your ?
21:25] <HorrorBiz> hehehe
21:25] <Mumthra> I'm planning to find one of your books, which is to say that I haven't managed to yet, but I'm wondering if you think of humor as a good counterpoint to all-out horror for really ripping up your readers.
21:26] *** Joins: _Riker (~1701e@dialup-145.ksni.net)
21:26] <Steve_H> I'm famed for the humourous sections in my books. Horror and humour seem to be related in some odd way. One is very close to the other. I like to add a vein of black humour when I write. In fact I can seldom stop that happening.
21:27] * sbreeze grins and says nothing
21:27] <Mumthra> good for you! I think it's underused.
21:27] <Steve_H> GA
21:27] <sbreeze> mum i can get u to a distributor for the 1st three novels here in ny <Fawnn> Humor relieves the tension, doesn't it? Sets read up for next bit of tensions then. GA
21:27] <Mumthra> how about amazon.com?
21:27] *** Joins: sAxylady (~tzafarday@wooster40.raex.com)
21:27] <sbreeze> no i'll find it and pvt you.
21:28] <Mumthra> thanks!
21:28] <Steve_H> yes, but some horrific situations contain humour. Or we give them humour in order that we can deal with it.
21:28] *** Parts: _Riker (~1701e@dialup-145.ksni.net)
21:29] <Steve_H> GA <Fawnn> Any other questions?
21:29] * Alonna agrees horror and humor goes hand in hand...been there.. :>
21:29] <Steve_H> Yeah, me too!
21:29] <Steve_H> More than once! <Fawnn> Why cops, hospital workers use humor, too!
21:30] <Steve_H> exactly
21:30] *** HorrorBiz is now known as HumourBiz <Fawnn> lol Horror ;)
21:30] <HumourBiz> :)
21:30] <Steve_H> anyone else?
21:30] *** HumourBiz is now known as HorrorBiz <Fawnn> Steve: What inspirational advice do you have for we writers? GA
21:30] <HorrorBiz> ?
21:31] <Steve_H> If you want to get fit, you work out. Or walk the dog. Or run.
21:32] * Mumthra rushes off to run the dog
21:32] * Mumthra slaps head <Fawnn> lol
21:32] <Steve_H> The same applies to writing. If you want to get good at it, you do it. You stretch yourself and then do it some more
21:32] <Steve_H> and eventually your writing muscles grow big and strong
21:33] * sAxylady flexes
21:33] * Alonna watches the dog run....
21:33] <sAxylady> Feel those babies!
21:33] * sAxylady sits quietly like a good girl again
21:33] <Steve_H> and you steal from everyone you can
21:33] <Dojer> ?
21:33] <Alonna> :>
21:33] <Steve_H> and you read books
21:33] *** Joins: paradox (bay@userc256.uk.uudial.com)
21:33] <Steve_H> and see how that writer achieved a certain effect
21:34] <Steve_H> it's mostly a matter of theft and adaptation and application.
21:34] <Steve_H> but you *have* to keep writing and writing and writing
21:34] <Steve_H> JG Ballard once said:
21:34] * Mumthra nearly had her entire personality and body of work slurped up by a novelist. Filthy bloodsuckers!
21:34] <Steve_H> your first million words will be rubbish
21:35] * Redox waits for Steve to be assassinated by the Writer's Guild.
21:35] <sbreeze> lol
21:35] <Steve_H> I'm now officially better than rubbish.
21:35] <Mumthra> And better looking too!
21:35] <sAxylady> Now you're just debris?
21:36] <Steve_H> probably <Fawnn> Great advice!!! (imNSHo) ... and LOL on the steal part (we prefer "borrowing for training purposes only" though, of course ;) (And based on the short story I read, I'd never wrap fish in your stuff!) ;)
21:36] <Redox> I'm going for dross. <Fawnn> HorrorBiz GA w/your ?
21:36] <HorrorBiz> Having been in bands before, what do you think of horror/rock bands like The Cramps, The Misfits, The Damned, Samhain, Bauhaus and Danzig ? Also, since you brought up JG Ballard, what do you think of his more "out-there" work ?
21:36] <HorrorBiz> GA
21:37] *** Quits: paradox- (Write error to paradox-
userm990.uk.uudial.com], closing link )
21:37] <Steve_H> I've no idea whether or not JG's first million words were rubbish as the only words of his I've ever read are his name. <Fawnn> LOL
21:37] <Steve_H> I have a soft spot for The Cramps. And another for The Damned (in their case, it's a marsh).
21:38] <HorrorBiz> hehehe
21:38] <Steve_H> I dunno what to make of Danzig...
21:38] <Steve_H> anything else? <Fawnn> Dojer GA w/your ?
21:39] * Mumthra prepares for launch. Goodnight everyone and thanks!
21:39] <Alonna> :>
21:39] <Steve_H> bye Mumthra
21:39] *** Quits: Mumthra ((puff of smoke, hosannas, and so forth) )
21:39] <sbreeze> nite
21:39] <Dojer> what do you think of the suggestion that you take your favorite writer (horror or other genre) and copy their books to practice writing and see where your own voice comes out??
21:40] <Steve_H> I'm not sure what you mean by "copy their books" here. Use their plots, you mean?
21:41] <Dojer> no, I read a bit on Stephen King and what he did was copy their books word for word to get a feel for how they write
21:41] <Dojer> er, what he suggested
21:41] <Alonna> hmmm...
21:42] <HorrorBiz> mmmh <Fawnn> Like a painter immitating the masters at first?
21:42] <Dojer> yes something like that
21:42] <Steve_H> I guess you could do that. I can't really see the point in doing it, since you can get a feel for how they write by reading them. But if you can't find a rythm for a certain piece I can understand that the physical act of typing it might help.
21:42] *** Joins: gunmaker (gunmaker@pm1-28.harbornet.com)
21:43] <Steve_H> I sometimes look back at my earlier books to see how I did something!
21:43] <^^Michael> Gotta fly..Steve thanks for your time..."You da bomb!!"
21:43] <Dojer> what about if you are a new writer and are not sure of your voice or genre?
21:43] <Steve_H> Nice meeting you Michael!
21:43] <sbreeze> ?
21:43] <sbreeze> lol
21:44] *** Quits: ^^Michael (Leaving )
21:44] *** Quits: paradox (Write error to paradox
userc256.uk.uudial.com], closing link )
21:44] <Steve_H> Well, I would suggest that a new writer find his voice or genre by reading someone and aping that writer, but I'm aware that many do. I don't think they ever see print until they begin to develop their own voice, if not style.
21:44] <Dojer> thank you
21:44] <Steve_H> would/wouldn't
21:45] <Steve_H> anything else? <Fawnn> sbreeze GA w/your ?
21:45] <HorrorBiz> ?
21:45] <sbreeze> what do you feel is your strongest point as a writer?
21:46] <Steve_H> I think that my characterisation is my strongest point.
21:46] <Steve_H> If I hurt my characters, you'll feel it
21:47] <Steve_H> you'll be protective of them.
21:47] <Steve_H> I know, because it hurts *me* to hurt them sometimes.
21:47] * sbreeze loves danny
21:47] <Steve_H> That's Danny Stafford from The Hoodoo Man
21:48] <Steve_H> (and no, he *isn't* me!!!!)
21:48] <sbreeze> (couldn't be he is cuter lol) <Fawnn> lol
21:48] <Steve_H> but I *am* in that book <Fawnn> hmmmmmmmmmmm
21:48] <Steve_H> I'm the nutter with the video camera
21:48] <Steve_H> any more kwestshuns? <Fawnn> HorrorBiz GA w/your ?
21:48] <HorrorBiz> I have a question about short stories. The age old refuge of the REALLY creepy horror gems. Would you suggest going to see an agent if all you have is shorts ? Or can an agent even help sell them ?
21:49] <Steve_H> Most agents and publishers will laugh in your face if you say those two magic words
21:49] <Steve_H> but
21:49] <Steve_H> having said that...
21:49] <Steve_H> Clive Barker hit it big with a collection
21:50] <Steve_H> and Christopher Fowler (another brit) also began with a (fairly lousy) collection
21:50] * HorrorBiz nods so did Ramsey Campbell "Demons By Daylight"
21:51] <Steve_H> So if you have a book's worth of shorts, it *is* possible to sell it. It's just more likely that you'll be hit by lightning. <Fawnn> lol
21:51] * HorrorBiz stands outside with a lightning rod
21:51] <Steve_H> That was back in the dark ages, Horror.
21:51] * Dojer snorts
21:51] <HorrorBiz> ZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAPPPPP !!! <Argh, gasp.... gurgle>
21:51] <Steve_H> anything else? <Fawnn> Anyone else? (w/ or w/o sound effects)
21:52] <Steve_H> questions please
21:52] <HorrorBiz> Yeah, Demons by Daylight was published by Arkam House and August Derleth
21:52] *** Parts: gunmaker (gunmaker@pm1-28.harbornet.com)
21:52] <Steve_H> back in eighteen o five
21:52] <Steve_H> when Ramsey was already 44
21:52] <sbreeze> steve i hear rumors you are a sex god is that true? and if so can we get it in writing?
21:53] <HorrorBiz> Naw, 1973 when I was born ;)
21:53] <Steve_H> Yes, it's true. I'm a full Shao-Lin sex god now, with the certificate to prove it. <Fawnn> LOL!!!!!!!
21:53] * sbreeze wants that in her contract! lol <Fawnn> sure that's not La-No-Lin?
21:54] <Redox> Is your pseudomym really Slings of Eros?
21:54] <Steve_H> :-) <Fawnn> oh yeah, that's the Scots ;) <Fawnn> Thank you sooooooooooooo much for your time, Steve!!! Great interview!!! Very generous of you to stick around this late!!!
21:54] * Steve_H dccs sbreeze a copy of the document <Fawnn> (If I said any more, I might sound "gushy")
21:55] * sbreeze drools
21:55] <Steve_H> Absolutely no problem
21:55] <Steve_H> feel free to gush, I love it!
21:55] * HorrorBiz thanks Steve too
21:55] <sbreeze> ok for the first three books in ppr............... Fawnn {*{*{*{*{ Steve_H }*}*}*}*}
21:55] <sbreeze> US contact is http://www.abebooks.com/home/PHOENIXRISING/ <Fawnn> thanks sbreeze!!!
21:55] <Alonna> IT was great, and we are grateful Steve!
21:55] <sbreeze> welcome :)
21:55] <Steve_H> read 'em and weep!
21:55] <Redox> We're all glad you could stick around so long. Thanks a bunch. ;)
21:55] <sbreeze> working on the other 4 as we speak
21:55] <Steve_H> no problem
21:56] <Steve_H> sbreeze is my agent
21:56] <HorrorBiz> I'll stop reading my drafts of the books I write and give myself a word count goal
21:56] <Steve_H> great idea, Horror!
21:56] <HorrorBiz> Those are VERY good ideas <Fawnn> yes. Lots of great ideas tonight!
21:56] <Steve_H> that guy scott I talked about with all the ideas: he's never finished *anything*
21:57] <HorrorBiz> I finish stuff but I'm jumpy ;)
21:57] <Steve_H> because he won't stop reading and rewriting what he did the day before
21:57] <Alonna> aaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww <Fawnn> It's true, imo, re the characterizations. I think the books that stick w/us are those that make us feel for the characters (and remember the characters more than the plot, at times)!
21:57] <HorrorBiz> I like to do ten things at the same time
21:57] <Steve_H> I most enjoy doing no things at all at the same time <Fawnn> LOL
21:57] <HorrorBiz> hehehe <Fawnn> except for going after that ADVANCED sex god status, of course ;)
21:58] <Steve_H> that's just a hobby! <Fawnn> oh ;)
21:58] <Steve_H> and an easy one! <Fawnn> LOL
21:58] * sbreeze bursts out laughing
21:58] <Redox> So...if you're not writing then you're just screwing around?
21:58] <sbreeze> roll it in harris lol
21:58] <Alonna> ...me too... <G>
21:58] <HorrorBiz> heheheheh <Fawnn> lol Redox
21:59] <sbreeze> LMAO redox
21:59] <Dojer> screwing is a fun change of pace
21:59] <HorrorBiz> Say... I do have one last question...
21:59] <Dojer> SHOOOOOOT
21:59] <Steve_H> bang! <Fawnn> Trouble is, I still worry about my word count. Problem w/being a talker too ;)
21:59] <Dojer> thanks - hope you hit me in the head.
22:00] <HorrorBiz> Ummm, is it wise to go see an agent with an first draft manuscript ?
22:00] <sAxylady> agh, I gotta go.
22:00] * Dojer frowns cuz she missed "The Devil's Advocate again
22:00] <Steve_H> bye sAxy
22:00] <HorrorBiz> Or should it be as polished as can be ?
22:00] *** Quits: sAxylady (Erin + BED. (Subconcious implication that my boyfriend's initials are BED?) )
22:00] <Steve_H> it depends on how much polishing you think it needs, Horror
22:01] * HorrorBiz looks at his book and shudders
22:01] <Steve_H> if you think it's pretty good already, send it
22:01] <HorrorBiz> I'm not a real good judge of my writing :\
22:01] <Steve_H> then let someone else have a quick look at it
22:01] * Dojer nudges Steve - horror is a pretty good writer
22:01] <HorrorBiz> Even if it has grammatical and some structural errors ?
22:02] <Steve_H> it shouldn't have grammatical errors. Structural may be okay. I'd fix the grammer if I were you.
22:02] *** Parts: Alonna (Alonna@tac-usr2-ip46.wa.net)
22:02] <HorrorBiz> I don't want to be talking through mailslots if I can :) <Fawnn> LOL
22:02] <sbreeze> lol
22:02] <Steve_H> that was a bad day...
22:03] <HorrorBiz> "Helllooooooo... I know you're in there. I can see you !!!"
22:03] <Steve_H> that's pretty much how it went. *And* I had an appointment, too.
22:03] <HorrorBiz> must have been :\ <Fawnn> LOL Steve!!!!!!!!1
22:03] <HorrorBiz> Hope you didn't do what I would have done and tried to fit the manuscript through the slot
22:03] <Steve_H> it got worse when I got inside
22:04] <HorrorBiz> Just bunch up the pages and cram them in
22:04] <Steve_H> the ms was already in there. They'd called me to come and talk to them.
22:04] <HorrorBiz> Ooooo :( That IS bad
22:05] <Steve_H> I thought I'd been summoned to London cos they were going to buy it.
22:05] <Steve_H> I hadn't been published back then
22:05] <Steve_H> I'd sent in a manuscript
22:05] <Steve_H> to this publisher
22:05] <Steve_H> and they called me
22:06] <Steve_H> and said: can you come up to London? we want to talk to you about this. We think it's good.
22:06] <Steve_H> and I said: what do you want to talk about?
22:06] <Steve_H> and they said: just come up.
22:07] <Steve_H> so I took a day off work and went to London
22:07] <Steve_H> where I found the publisher's door locked
22:07] <Steve_H> so I rang the bell
22:08] <Steve_H> and someone lifted the letterbox and said: we're closed
22:08] <Steve_H> and went away
22:08] <Steve_H> so I rang again
22:08] <Steve_H> nothing
22:08] <Steve_H> I waited
22:08] <Steve_H> and rang again
22:08] <Steve_H> the person came back
22:08] <Steve_H> and said 'we're closed'
22:08] <HorrorBiz> You go boy !!! :)
22:08] <Steve_H> I got down on my knees and had a little conversation through the letterbox
22:09] <Steve_H> told the woman I had an appointment.
22:09] <Steve_H> eventually I was let in and told to sit down (in a room full of cardboard boxes)
22:09] <Steve_H> I waited 15 minutes
22:10] <Steve_H> and then a woman came in and said: follow me
22:10] <Steve_H> took me down a spiral staircase to an office
22:10] <Steve_H> the woman turned out to be the editor I'd spoken to on the phone
22:10] <HorrorBiz> I love those spiral staircase jobs. Make you feel like you're going down to hell or up to heaven
22:11] <Steve_H> she sat me down on a swivel chair that wouldn't stay level <Fawnn> lol
22:11] <Steve_H> I thought: she *must* have dragged me all the way here to offer me a deal
22:11] <Steve_H> she then produced my manuscript
22:11] <Steve_H> and said
22:12] <Steve_H> "there's too much swearing in this"
22:12] * Dojer LOLs <Fawnn> LOL
22:12] <Steve_H> "there's a scene you've stolen from the film "House" too'
22:12] *** Joins: paradox- (bay@userm674.uk.uudial.com)
22:13] * HorrorBiz gasps. I loved that film. You sneaky dastard ;)
22:13] <Steve_H> "we love the book"
22:13] <Steve_H> "but it's twice as long as it should be"
22:13] <Steve_H> well, after the first two minutes, I knew she'd made me travel to London just so she could berate me. <Fawnn> <Steve_H> "we love the book" (isn't ALL berating) ;)
22:14] <Steve_H> I waited and listened, hoping to find out why I'd had to take a day off work and spend money just to listen to her taking the book apart (which is what she then did)
22:14] <Steve_H> (for the following 15 minutes)
22:15] *** Quits: katykat (Read error to katykat
p66.amax7.dialup.dal1.flash.net]: Connection reset by peer )
22:15] <Steve_H> By the time I left, I was very close to tears. <Fawnn> awwwwwwwwwwww
22:15] <Steve_H> I went outside with the ms, threw it on the ground, took out a pack of cigarettes and lit up
22:16] * HorrorBiz pats Steve on the back and hisses and boos the mean old editor
22:16] <Steve_H> whereupon a loony appears out of nowhere, walks up to me, stabs a finger in my chest and says, 'They're gonna ban smoking in public places. What are you going to do then? Eh? What then?@
22:16] <HorrorBiz> I hope she gets Explosive Diarrhea
22:16] <Redox> You were obviously summoned to London for your sexual prowess. Your sex god reputation preceeded you.
22:16] <Steve_H> By this time, I'm starting to think I'm cursed <Fawnn> LOL
22:17] <Steve_H> I get back to the main London railway station, Waterloo
22:17] <Dojer> isn't being cursed a blessing for a horror writer?
22:17] <Steve_H> it's now rush hour <Fawnn> LOL Dojer
22:17] <Steve_H> I find a carriage with a free seat and a guy hanging out of the doorway
22:17] <Steve_H> I push past the guy and make to sit down
22:18] <Steve_H> the guy snarls: I'm saving that seat for a friend.
22:18] <Steve_H> but by this time I have become MR HOMICIDE <Fawnn> LOL!!!!!!!
22:18] <Dojer> YOU GO!!!!!
22:18] <Steve_H> I just *look* at this guy.
22:18] <Steve_H> And he leaves <Fawnn> lol
22:19] <Steve_H> One for me, I think
22:19] <Steve_H> and begin to cheer up
22:19] <HorrorBiz> MR HOMICIDE. That'd make a great title
22:19] <Steve_H> Upshot is, I sell the book, as is, a while later to a much bigger and better publisher
22:19] <Steve_H> it's my first published novel. <Fawnn> wOOhOO!!!!!!!!!! <Fawnn> Did you have to appear in person to sell it? ;)
22:20] <Steve_H> nope. Over the phone.
22:20] <HorrorBiz> That'll teach that mean old editor :) <Fawnn> even better ;)
22:20] <Steve_H> it gets better
22:20] * HorrorBiz applauds the good guys <Fawnn> oh?
22:20] * Dojer sits on the edge of her seat in anticipation
22:21] <Steve_H> turns out the guy who *read* the book for them is another horror writer. A brit called Stephen Laws.
22:21] * paradox- offers to clean Steve`s Porch
22:21] <Steve_H> Stephen Laws later fell out with this publisher (they published him then)
22:21] <Redox> Front porch or back porch, paradox?
22:21] <Steve_H> the split was acrimonious
22:21] <paradox-> both
22:22] <Steve_H> and they wouldn't give him back the rights to any of his books for years and years
22:22] <HorrorBiz> I hate it when that happens. It even happened to King.
22:22] <Steve_H> And at the first convention I went to, he came and told me that he'd recommended to this publisher that they buy my book. Yeah, right!
22:23] <Redox> They certainly don't sound like a class operation.
22:23] <HorrorBiz> Publishers are sometimes worse than record labels
22:23] <Steve_H> yep <Fawnn> And now you're rich, own a yacht, a ski villa, and a vacation cottage, right? (Scrimping on office space helps you afford it!)
22:25] <HorrorBiz> hehehe
22:25] <Dojer> the biggest question is: do you have your own cappucino machine
22:25] <Steve_H> I don't drink coffee
22:25] <Steve_H> I have my own teapot though <Fawnn> That's a start!!! ;)
22:25] <HorrorBiz> And can you afford the new Porche 911 ? Personally I liked the old car better
22:26] <Steve_H> How new is this one?
22:26] <Steve_H> They stopped sending me the Porsche magazine
22:26] <HorrorBiz> 1999 version
22:26] <Steve_H> (he suddenly realizes)
22:26] <HorrorBiz> Replacement for the "real" 911
22:27] <Steve_H> I don't think I know anything about it
22:27] <HorrorBiz> It was kinda like watching the Morgan or the old Lotus Elan Racer go
22:27] <Steve_H> wasn't there a twin turbo 911 recently?
22:27] * HorrorBiz was sad all day when he saw the new car
22:27] <HorrorBiz> it's good but... ya know... it's just not the same
22:27] * Dojer likes the Lamborghini <Fawnn> Do you make many personal appearances at conventions? Book signings? <Fawnn> (You mentioned meeting the one author at a convention earlier.)
22:29] <Redox> Dojer only likes the Lamborghini because someone once told her that it was Italian for: "come to me with your underwear in your hand." <Fawnn> LOL
22:29] <HorrorBiz> the new 911 looks like a Porche Boxter with a roof. No longuer has an air cooled flat six and doesn't look too similar to the beloved 911 of (1963-1998)
22:29] <Steve_H> Not many. I do the odd signing and radio appearance, but no tours or anything <Fawnn> okay
22:29] <Steve_H> well don't get one then Horror!
22:29] <Dojer> who wears underwear???
22:29] <Steve_H> not me <Fawnn> Are you books distributed throughout Europe or just UK? <Fawnn> your books too ;)
22:31] <Steve_H> the english language ones go to all english speaking countries (except the USA) and some european ones, too. Some have been translated into german and italian and there's a russian version of one of them due sometime soon. <Fawnn> Congrats!
22:31] <HorrorBiz> cool :)
22:31] <HorrorBiz> Do you get to choose the cover art ? <Fawnn> You'll get a US publisher any day now! ;)
22:32] <sbreeze> we'd better i'm tired!
22:32] <HorrorBiz> :) <Fawnn> lol sbreezze ;)
22:32] <Steve_H> Horror: so far, I've been lucky enough to have the same cover artist each time. Also, each time I've got my own way with the cover (this is unusual). Nowadays I know the artist and we intend to by-pass the publisher altogether! :-)
22:33] <HorrorBiz> That's good :)
22:36] <Steve_H> Lots of people have big problems with their covers
22:36] * HorrorBiz likes European cover art much better than the stuff stateside
22:38] <HorrorBiz> I remember a story about Stephen King freaking out when he saw the paperback cover for Salems Lot
22:38] <Steve_H> hehe
22:38] <Redox> Thanks for your refreshingly candid perspective, Steve. You've been a great guest and I wish I could stay but I've been online so long now that I've got moss growing on my north side and have to go scrape myself. Continued luck in the future.
22:38] <Steve_H> His brit covers are better than the US ones
22:38] <HorrorBiz> There was no title or even the books name. Just a black cover and a little blood
22:38] <Steve_H> see you later Redox1
22:38] *** Parts: Redox (Bird@dialup-80.tnt-1.tol.glasscity.net)
22:38] <HorrorBiz> definitely. You should see the French covers. They're wild !!!
22:39] <HorrorBiz> Gore-O-Rama
22:39] <Steve_H> :-)
22:39] <HorrorBiz> I actually bought a few of his books in french just for the covers
22:39] <Steve_H> the german ones I have are awful!
22:39] <HorrorBiz> Yeah. I have an German version of roadwork "Vagbygge"
22:40] <HorrorBiz> just a streetsign and the name of the author
22:40] <Steve_H> hehe
22:40] <HorrorBiz> I feel bad that the books I've seen with the coolest covers have been the Goosebumps series
22:41] <Steve_H> :-)
22:41] <Dojer> Goosebumps RULEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
22:41] * Dojer blushes and apologizes for the outburst
22:41] <HorrorBiz> Skeleton's everywhere terrorizing teens (which usually have nothing to do with the story)
22:41] <HorrorBiz> Very fun covers
22:42] <Steve_H> NOthing wrong with a nice skeleton!