Questions and Answers What are you currently working on? Currently I'm working on the second book in the Witchblood series. It's called Blackwater Tavern and it's a prequel to the first book. It takes place in 1901 Pittsburgh, a dark and mysterious time. In addition to horror, I also like historical novels, so Blackwater Tavern sort of combines the two. It's been a lot of fun to write. Who or what has been a major influence on your writing and why? I get a lot of my inspiration from the music I listen to. I'm a huge music fan and I have a wide range of favorites. I can listen to Death Metal one moment and Techno the next, as long as it has a dark feel to it. Some of my favorite bands include the likes of Opeth, Catatonia, My Dying Bride, etc. but I also love David Gray, Tom McRae, and Moby. I get bored listening to just one genre. Variety is the key. Music keeps me motivated more than anything else. It's like a soundtrack to what I write. Who (Fact or Fiction) would you most like to meet, and what would you ask them? Anne Rice, but I'd be too nervous to ask her anything. As a reader do you prefer Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror? I grew up reading mostly fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien, T.H. White, Piers Anthony, but as I got older I migrated to all horror, beginning with Stephen King and Peter Straub. I will read the occasional mystery or historical novel now and then, too. Who is you favourite author? Anne Rice. Sure, she's not as viable now as she was ten or fifteen years ago, but I still think she's great. If you could give one piece of advice to a would-be author, what would it be? Don't give up. The only difference between a published writer and an unpublished one is, the published writer never gave up. When did you first decide that you wanted to be an author? I never made that decision. At least not consciously. A writer writes. It's like breathing. It's just something you do to live. What is the scariest story you have read? It by Stephen King comes to mind first. Another is Shadowland by Peter Straub. Very creepy but in a subtle sort of way. I admire both of them. What gives you nightmares? Life. People. Pain. Love. Lust. Loneliness. Mediocrity. Have you ever used real life horrors for inspiration? Not consciously, but real life seeps into every writer's work to some degree, whether it's something from your past or something you saw on the news or in the paper. I like to use a lot of real life themes when I write, for example alcoholism, child abuse, or a bitter love triangle. What's fun about writing dark fantasy is that I can twist it around enough where all resemblance to real life is flushed out. But then again, maybe there's more reality left in my writing then people think there is. Real life can be pretty twisted. Given the high quality of horror fiction available, why do you think there are so few great horror movies? I thinks it's just incredibly hard to display one's imagination and artistic vision on the screen. It's been done, but it's very rare. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but I believe the thousand words still makes the more powerful picture. What book are you reading at the moment? Threshold by Caitlin R. Kiernan. I just finished Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice. Talk about two generations of great writers, there it is. Do you enjoy collaborating? Never had the pleasure, although I would like to try it if the right circumstances ever arose. For the most part, I like to work alone. That's why I'm a writer after all. Do You Always know a Story's Ending When You Begin Writing? Yes, but it usually changes several times by the time I get there. Is there something you are particularly proud of? Just my perseverance and staying true to my artistic vision. Plug away -- what do you have coming out? All I can say is, keep an eye on Black Death Books. They're small and they're new to publishing, but they have the potential to become a leader in the dark underground literary scene. Death rules! Many Thanks, Timothy! Relevant Links Timothy Whitfield Main Bibliography Timothy Whitfield's Home Page Black Death Books