As a child, Giovanna Lagana lived in a one-television household. Being the youngest of three siblings, she grew up watching scary movies with her older brothers. This along with the nightmares that spawned after the movies finished inspired her to write The Battle of Armageddon. From the depths of this incubus and her unfathomable imagination, her horror series With Black And White Comes The Grey was born.
Giovanna Lagana has been married for the past twelve years to her loving husband, Ghislain, and is the proud mother of three beautiful children, named Mathieu, Nicholas, and Isabelle. She has been writing for several years, some of her poems and short stories have been, or will be, featured in The Murder Hole, 2 Coppers.Com, Kiss the Dark Zine of Speculative Fiction and Poetry, Night To Dawn, Bleed My Heart Romantic, and Project-M-Zine. She has also had a chapbook of her poetry, titled Tribulations of Existence published by The Plowman Publishing Company and received an Editor's Choice Award from The National Library Of Poetry. She's also an Editor for Whiskey Creek Press. When she isn't busy playing with her kids, writing, or editing, she spends her time reading. It's no surprise that some of her favorite authors are masters of the horror genre-like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Laurell K. Hamilton.
Questions and Answers
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on editing an anthology for Whiskey Creek Press, titled LOVE. One of my stories is featured in it along with many other interesting short stories from talented authors.
I’m also working on Book 2 in the series of With Black & White Comes The Grey. It’s progressing slowly because I have so much on my plate at the moment and so little time to get it all done. Very little time is left to write.
Who or what has been a major influence on your writing and why?
I would say the two biggest influences on my writing would be Dean Koontz and Stephen King. I started reading King when I was ten and started with The Stand. Wow, it totally blew me away and I was hooked on King. Then I started with Dean Koontz and Watchers several years later. Both of these authors’ books were real page-turners. They literally had me at the edge of my seat in suspense. I wanted to do the same.
Who (Fact or Fiction) would you most like to meet, and what would you ask them?
Dean Koontz, because I wrote a fan letter to him eons ago and his response was so constructive and kind. I’d like to thank him for his encouraging words. Because of that letter, I continued with my writing. But of course this is Fiction, and it will never happen.
Is there a book or story you wish you had written?
There are many, but it’s no use wishing because they have already been written.
Is writing your full time occupation, if not what is?
No, being a mother to three kids is. I’m also an Editor for Whiskey Creek Press.
As a reader do you prefer Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?
It depends on my mood. One time I’ll be in the mood for a science fiction story, the next fantasy, but I’m always in the mood for a good horror story.
Who is your favourite author?
It’s a tie between >Dean Koontz & Stephen King.
If you could give one piece of advice to a would-be author, what would it be?
If you’re planning on writing a novel, work on a detailed outline before you begin to actually write your story. You’ll save yourself a whole lot of time when it comes to editing it later. With a detailed outline, you won’t stray from the story and keep your timeline straight.
Also, don’t get discouraged with those rejection letters when you submit. Keep in mind that is the opinion of one Editor. There are thousands out there and there may be one, or many, who thinks your short story, poem, or novel is perfect.
When did you first decide that you wanted to be an author?
In high school when my English teacher told me I should pursue writing as a career. She made Irving Layton come to hear me recite one of my poems. He too told me I had talent and should become a writer. Then, I took my father’s advice. He told me that you couldn’t make a living writing, so I took Finance in college, instead. I’m grateful he told me to do this. I don’t think I was ready mentally then to seriously sink my two feet into writing.
Years later I was shopping for a book and saw The Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. I bought it on the spot and decided to start writing again.
When did you first feel that you were an author?
I still don’t feel like I’m a professional author yet. Even though I’ve been published in magazines, e-zines, anthologies, and have released a novel that has gotten some great reviews, I still feel I’ve got a long way to go before I can really call myself a professional writer.
Are you for or against e-books?
Since I’m an Editor for an e-publisher I would have to say I am totally for e-books. The industry has evolved quickly in the past few years and there are many great e-books out there to read. I think it’s because of the e-book industry that some new authors got their big breaks.
Do you have a favourite place to write?
In the living room, it’s the biggest room in the house. I’ve got my PC and my comfy couch. I’ll alternate from typing on my PC to taking a pen and paper and lazing on the couch to write and edit.
Why do you like SF/F/H?
Because you can easily escape reality in these genres.
What is the scariest story you have read?
Watchers by Dean Koontz.
What gives you nightmares?
Getting acid indigestion after I’ve read a horror novel or watched a scary movie.
Given the high quality of horror fiction available, why do you think there are so few great horror movies?
That’s an easy question, because it is so easy to show horror in writing and much harder in movies. Horror and fear in the stories can be shown through the character’s thoughts, you can’t show thoughts in a movie, only emotions. Sometimes that isn’t enough.
Short story, single novel or novel series - which do you think is the best medium for horror?
Novel series because you can continue to develop your characters, the conflict, and oscillate the fear. That’s why I chose to write a novel series.
What book are you reading at the moment?
I’m reading The Manor from Scott Nicholson. It’s great. I read The Red Church first and loved it. He just released The Home, and by reading the excerpt, I think it will be next on my TBR list.
Do you enjoy collaborating?
For sure. Right now I am collaborating with Katherine Smith, a fine author and editor, on editing five anthologies for Whiskey Creek Press. We just finished LOVE and will be working on HATE & FEAR next. I can’t wait.
Do You Always know a Story's Ending When You Begin Writing?
Never do. I may start with an idea, but as the story and character development progresses in my outline, the ending always changes.
What's the most memorable thing said in a review of your work?
There isn’t really one. All the reviews have been good and memorable. Everyone who has reviewed or read my story and stated that it was a real page-turner they couldn’t put down and that they can’t wait for the second book to come out has been great news for me. That’s what I wanted to accomplish with this story; and for those readers and reviewers, I was successful.
Plug away - what do you have coming out?
I haven’t had much time for writing of late, but I have a poem coming out in Bleed My Heart Romantic anthology and another one is featured in the October issue of Night To Dawn magazine.
Four of my short stories will be featured in LOVE, HATE, FEAR, and HOPE -- Whiskey Creek Press anthologies. LOVE is coming out in February 2006, HATE is set for the summer of 2006, FEAR will be released in October 2006 (right in time for Halloween) and HOPE will be coming out in December 2006.
Many Thanks, Giovanna!
Relevant Links
Giovanna Lagana's Main Listing
Giovanna Lagana Website