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Post by Jim on Jul 3, 2009 19:20:40 GMT
Watching the news about the search for the last victim of the Moors Murders I was wondering, how far should horror distance itself from real events? Would you for instance set a story based around the Saddleworth Moor area?
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Post by ianfaulkner on Jul 3, 2009 20:31:34 GMT
Question:
What are some of your current favourite horror books and movies?
Answer:
I've always been a big fan of James Herbert. His final tome of the 'Rats' trilogy 'Domain' was a stunning piece of fiction. I also thought that his '48'' was a seriously underrated novel. Of course, his earlier 'Survivor' and 'The Fog' were responsible for re-energising the whole British horror literary scene. There are just so many good horror books out there that I have read, I don't know where to begin. I have to mention Robert E Howard of course. Some of his 'Solomon Kane' works are incredible. Also, of course, no horror fan worth their salt wouldn't mention Clark Ashton Smith.
As to movies, there are a couple that I have seen in recent weeks that have stood out.
'Låt den rätte komma in ' from the writer John Ajvide Lindqvist was superb! Best vampire movie I've seen.
Also Guillermo del Toro's 2001 classic 'El espinazo del diablo' was superb.
These are definitely worth a rent.
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Post by ianfaulkner on Jul 3, 2009 20:46:09 GMT
Question:
Is there anyone new out there we should be watching out for?
Answer:
Where do I begin? There are so many good writers out there that are up and coming. I'll give you a list!
Authors like William Meikle, Daniel I Russell, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Steve Jensen, Dave Jeffery, Scott Brents, Jeremy C Shipp, Peter Mark May, Tony Lee, Shaun Jeffrey (his novel 'The Kult' is excellent!)...I could go on and on! There is some amazing talent out there!
But I do have to say that many of the superb writers that are out there wouldn't get their work even aired if it wasn't for progressive publishing houses such as Neil Jackson's Ghostwriter Publications.
Small publishing companies have the distinct advantage on the bigger ones...they are not 'accountant driven' as such, or at least not as much, and can therefore give those up and coming new talent their chance to shine.
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Post by ian on Jul 3, 2009 21:00:33 GMT
I agree, the small press seems to be where the new horror talent is but do you think they'll ever have a bestseller on their hands?
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Post by ianfaulkner on Jul 3, 2009 21:08:55 GMT
Question:
Watching the news about the search for the last victim of the Moors Murders I was wondering, how far should horror distance itself from real events? Would you for instance set a story based around the Saddleworth Moor area?
Answer:
That's an excellent question which touches, I feel on censorship issues.
What's permissible, and what isn't? How far should a writer go to pursue their art?
It's difficult.
On one hand all man's basic freedoms stem from his unique ability to think and then to communicate those thoughts to others. That's the defining quality that sets us apart from the rest life on this planet. And if we agree that this is a fundamental right that, in principle, we should all have, should any thought be taboo?
It's probably a matter of personal conscience.
Although I am able to write a horror story around the death of my own baby son such as my story 'Cold Birth' and those terrible events in Northern Ireland during the troubles such as 'Rewind'; regarding the matter of the 'Moors Murders' I would draw the line...but that is just my personal view. And the reason I say that is I read, many years ago 'Beyond Belief' by Emlyn Williams. That book made those events of long ago very fresh and as such, I don't think I could write a book based around that particular place or events that revolve around children's murders.
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Post by ianfaulkner on Jul 3, 2009 21:26:51 GMT
Question:
I agree, the small press seems to be where the new horror talent is but do you think they'll ever have a bestseller on their hands?
Answer:
The truth is with the way the publishing industry works, from what I understand, probably not. That isn't because the work isn't of the highest standard, or the small press isn't totally dedicated to their work...it's more to do with distribution and opportunities of distribution which the larger companies have practically sewn up and zealously protect.
After all, we're talking about a multi-billion dollar industry and these big boys protect their investment to get the biggest return that they can. It isn't about the art (although they say it is) it's about the profit.
And as long as the thinking doesn't change they'll keep churning out the same tired crap to people who happily buy it because it looked nice on the supermarket shelf.
And that's a shame...because the stuff I've read from new talent lately blows any of them out the water, sinks them into oblivion, then dances a merry gig on their watery graves.
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Post by ian on Jul 3, 2009 21:36:24 GMT
Money rules the entertainment industry. just look at the tripe that gets the ratings on TV, it isn't exactly cerebral is it.
Big Brother? Just how many of the doners who watch this toss even know where the phrase came from?
Ok Ian, Before I piss off to bed, can you give the peeps on our lovely board a MUST READ top ten of fantastic horror stories?
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Post by ianfaulkner on Jul 4, 2009 0:22:21 GMT
Question:
Money rules the entertainment industry. just look at the tripe that gets the ratings on TV, it isn't exactly cerebral is it.
Big Brother? Just how many of the doners who watch this toss even know where the phrase came from?
Ok Ian, Before I piss off to bed, can you give the peeps on our lovely board a MUST READ top ten of fantastic horror stories?
Answer:
Sure thing...
In no particular order:
10) 'Don't Look Now' Daphne du Maurier 9) 'Moon' James Herbert 8) 'The Hills Of THe Dead' Robert E Howard 7) 'Wither' John Passarella 6) 'The Call of Cthulhu' H.P. Lovecraft 5) 'The Abominations of Yondo' Clark Ashton Smith 4) ' 48' ' James Herbert 3) 'Boobs' Suzy McKee Charnas 2) 'Domain' James Herbert 1) 'The Turn of the Screw' Henry James
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