It’s ME,
It’s HIM,
It’s T-I-M,
Hey, all it’s another edition of TMI with T-I-M and today I’m spotlighting a kickass writer I know. LUCAS PEDERSON. I received an awesome undersea creature book from the writer titled DARK WATERS. It has sat on my kitchen table or my living room stand and I just haven’t cracked it open… YET! So in the meantime, I’m going to introduce you to this fine fella.
Lucas Pederson is the author of short stories, one of which can be found in the Horror Library Vol. 6 anthology and novels. His current novels include OBSIDIOUS, FALL TO RISE, FLUX, LEVIATHAN: GHOST RIG, DEAD WORLD, and DARK WATERS.
I recently caught up to the man for a chat…
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A WRITER?
-Yes. When I began writing short stories for my drawings (I drew and painted a lot in my early teens), I fell in love with words and only wished to create with them than paint and brush. I fell into new worlds which I created. It’s a beautiful thing.
WHAT WORKS INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE THIS CAREER?
-The very first adult horror book I read was Cujo, by Stephen King. I remember finishing the book, closing it. I remember the final scene playing out in my head again. Then I picked up a pen and a notebook and began to write seriously for the first time. I was 13. Later came other influences such as Poe and Lovecraft, and Shirley Jackson. The Lottery still gets to me. Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones is the best werewolf novel, hands down. I love the works of Paul Tremblay, Anna Smith Spark, Anna Stephens, Gabino Iglesias, Rob Hart…so many others. In film, John Carpenter and Wes Craven are particular favorites. Over the years there have been so many influences and inspirations it’s hard to pick and choose. But I am grateful for them all.
DO YOU HAVE AN IDEAL READER IN MIND?
WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD BEST RELATE TO YOUR STORIES?
-This…I don’t worry about too much. I just write the stories haunting me. I purge them onto the page. For, if I don’t, they’ll scream at me. They’ll claw and bite at me. But, I think those who enjoy stories with dark twists along the way will dig my work.
WHY DO YOU CHOOSE THE WORDS YOU DO? WHATS THE PROCESS LIKE?
-It’s not so much I choose them as much as they flow out of me. I love them all. Good…and bad.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOUR CHARACTERS IN A MOVIE?
-Heh. No. I couldn’t act if my life depended on it. (HUH? I THINK HE MISSUNDERSTOOD ME…)
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISTAKES NEW WRITERS MAKE?
-Thinking you got this in the bag. That you’re the next Stephen King, or (insert another big time author here). Getting cocky after a couple short story sales. Becoming lazy and stop learning and crafting. That’s a big one if a writer stops wanting to learn and grow, it’s pretty much over. Because once you stop growing and get too cocky…you might as well go back to Burger King. Raise chickens or something.
HAVE YOU BEEN TO A COMIC-CON YET?
-No. But I hope to someday!
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU? A MILLION READERS? AN AWARD? BEING PRAISED BY PEERS?
-Readers are a must, but respect among your peers is definitely a big success.
HOW DOES FEAR FACTOR INTO YOUR NARRATIVE?
-It’s just one of those things that happen while writing, for me anyway. There’s always something to be afraid of…
ADVICE FOR WANNABE WRITERS THAT HAVEN’T COMMITTED YET?
-Expect rejection. Not just a little, but a lot. Learn from each one and grow. Don’t dwell on rejections, but use each one as a stepping stone to get to your goal, which is, if you’re like me, writing for a living. Join writer groups. I learned a lot through a group of amazing people on the old Zoerope forums. Many of them became my friends too. But most importantly, if you want to do this writing thing, you need to believe in yourself and strive to make every story count. It is your duty, as a storyteller, to show us new worlds and stories. Hone your voice so it’s yours alone. Pick up Stephen King’s book, On Writing (I learned tons through that book). And…never stop reading and writing. Read a lot. Write a lot. Now, go write your stories and show us your worlds
He can be reached at lucaspederson@yahoo.com, Twitter, and Facebook. He lives in a small Iowa town, and let’s not ask him what he keeps in his basement…
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