S.H. Roddey

Another State of Horror Victim! I’m feeling lucky today! Meet A. Lopez, Jr, please.

FIVE QUESTIONS WITH A. LOPEZ, JR.

It’s Valentine’s Day. What’s your take on the “Most Romantic Day of the Year?”

I’m all for celebrating romance, and Valentine’s Day puts the focus and some might say, the pressure on, to show your affection to your loved one. Either way, I feel it is a great way to consolidate and show your appreciation for the one you love. As writers, we tend to get into our own worlds and disappear, with our loved one, no matter how much they may support us, feeling shoved aside at times. My take is that I don’t necessarily need Valentine’s Day to show appreciation and thanks for being there, I do like how the date allows us to refocus and reset our priorities to not only your wife or girlfriend, but to those around us who may put up with our never-ending passion to build our words and stories. On the other hand, if things aren’t going so well in a relationship… it can truly be a horrific day. Plus, what horror fan doesn’t enjoy a holiday laced in red?

What made you decide horror would be your genre of choice?

That happened a long time ago, I mean back in my early youth. It has always been a favorite of mine and everything about it was fun, even when I was scared to death by something I didn’t expect.

From where do you pull your horror inspiration?

While I have watched many movies and read many books in the horror genre, and those things have set a well I can pull from when I need, I am inspired to write things that not only scare me, but things that scare others. I like to plant a psychological root and let the reader’s mind work its own tricks and magic on them. So my inspiration and drive comes from creating things that will scare you, and at the very least, make you think about something you may have never considered before.

What horror stereotype do you despise? What is one that you love?

I despise the stereotype of horror being of only blood and violence. To the not-so-well-informed, or the ones whom despise horror, it has nothing to do with bloody violence, killings and physical torture. For me, it’s all about the psychological.

The one I love most is: What’s hiding under the bed or in the closet? Although cliché, that’s my favorite, but for a different reason. The way I see it, is that as a storyteller, half the work is done (the reader is already on edge…wandering) and all we have to do now is create what’s under the bed or in the closet. The point of this is to realize that it’s not actually what’s under the bed, but more so the fear of not knowing what that may be.

What scares you?

The unknown. That can range from what lurks in the dark to the future of our own or loved one’s health. That may sound broad or strange, but when you think about not knowing what the future holds, from a health standpoint or other, especially in these times, that to me is the scariest thing of all.

THE STATE OF HORROR SERIES

Edited by Jerry E. Benns
From Charon Coin Press

A. Lopez, Jr. is featured in State of Horror, Illinois.

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