Horror author Brad C. Hodson’s debut novel DARLING is now available on the Kindle and to help celebrate he was kind enough to answer some questions.
Raynham Place has been home to a number of mysterious occurrences. From its start as a battlefield through its time as a tuberculosis hospital and even in its current incarnation as an apartment complex, the grounds here have been awash in blood and instability. When two friends decide to move in to Raynham together, a wound that they share opens wide and threatens their sanity. But they’re not alone. Something is off here at Raynham, something that goes beyond the local legends of ghosts and serial killers and Black Hounds, something that gets inside of everyone who ever lives here. When a sacrifice is made, the first freely given in ages, the truth behind Raynham’s legends finally surfaces and the building fills to bursting with all the dreams of Hell…
PAS: What did you want to be when you grew up? Are you there yet?
BCH: A writer. Scouts honor. Ever since I was a wee lad, all I wanted to do was write. I had little distractions and jaunts into different areas of the arts, but I always came running back to writing.
As for if I’m there yet… Well, I’m definitely a writer. I have written and sold magazine articles, short stories, screenplays, and novels. But, to me, the Finish Line is to make a living solely from creative writing, whether it be fictional prose or something for the stage or screen. If I can do that, then I’ve accomplished my lifelong goal. And if not… Well, at least my work is getting out there.
PAS: If you could talk to the 15-year-old Brad for five minutes, what would you tell yourself?
BCH: Listen, numbnuts. Stop jerking around. You’re lazy, you’re self-centered, you have major issues that you need to realize must be dealt with. You know what you’ll discover one day? You’re incredibly athletic. You’re strong and fast and coordinated. Do something with that NOW. While you’re at it, read more of the classics and write more. Write as often as you can. You have no bills, no responsibilities. Use this as an opportunity to become a powerlifting-MMA-Novelist prodigy.
MMA? That’s what that “Reality Fighting” stuff will be called one day when it becomes the biggest sport in the world. You are good at it. Just don’t wait to become athletic until you’re in your twenties. And, for God’s sake, STOP EATING TACO BELL!
PAS: What is your favorite word?
BCH: Ergo. Try using it. It feels like a warm, fuzzy blanket.
PAS: Last favorite?
BCH: Any cutesy port-manteau. Whether it’s “Brangelina” or “bromance” or “manscaping,” whatever. It’s all like nails on a chalkboard to me. We think in language and when we start dumbing down language into these cutesy soundbites, I can’t help but wonder how much we dumb our own thought processes down. Regardless, there’s nothing more annoying than someone in their thirties or forties using these linguistic equivalents of defecating on a hotplate.
PAS: Is there a voice inside your head? Can it sing?
BCH: Oh, were there only one. The voices in my head argue. A lot. But it works out okay. They’re surprisingly good at working through problems these days. They just have to duke it out awhile first.
None of them sing, though one does play violin…
For more on Brad, check out his website and find him on Twitter. His books are available at Amazon.