How My Strange Life Ignited My Passion For Horror
If you want anyone to blame for my existence on this spinning mud-ball, then you better line up three bullets.
But if you’re looking to point fingers at those responsible for my decision to become a writer who actually won an award, well, prepare yourself for a long list of culprits.
I burst into this world in March 1982, kicking and screaming like a banshee, setting the stage for a life that would never be ordinary. Born to a mother with Narcissistic Personality Disorder and a father who retreated into his work, I was the youngest of four, thrust into the role of a young carer for my eldest sibling with severe mental disabilities.
This chaotic upbringing wasn’t just a backdrop; it was the crucible that shaped my path to writing—a bizarre journey that would eventually earn me an award for my work.
If you think your life has been a wild ride, let me give you a run for your money.
The combination of elements I was born into meant that the first two or three decades of my life ranged from rough to nightmarish. I’ve seen and experienced things that no child should see or experience… Which is why my therapist gets paid a handsome sum.
You’d think that going to school would have been a saving grace for me. And in some ways, it was. I didn’t have many friends, but the few I had were misfits like myself. We all had our demons, and each one of us faced bullies on a daily basis. We were considered anything but the cool kids.
When you put that perfect storm together, it’s no surprise that horror fiction became my go-to genre. While I was a sensitive child, a few things kept me grounded: Horror Movies, Comic Books, Heavy Metal Music, and Doctor Who (the classic stuff). They offered an escape from the harsh reality of my life.
After school, I jumped straight into the workforce, cycling through dead-end jobs until the age of twenty-eight. That’s when my father passed away, a pivotal moment that shifted everything.
This loss was the catalyst that pushed me to confront my passions and start my journey as a writer.
My father was fifty-five years old when he was told that he only had six weeks left to live. He was sixty-five when he died. This harsh reality check made me question everything.
For years, I was stuck in a relentless cycle of dead-end jobs, barely making ends meet, and feeling like I was squandering precious time. But witnessing my father's struggle and facing his imminent death was a sobering reminder that life is too short to waste on unfulfilled dreams.
It was the kick in the ass that I had always needed.
Fueled by this revelation, I decided to become a writer. It felt like running toward the gates of Hell armed with nothing but a water pistol. A foolish fight that I couldn't win, but it was a fight I was ready for.
Fourteen years later, I look back and see that leap as one of the best decisions I ever made. In those early years, the journey was far from easy. I faced countless obstacles and darker moments. Yet, the support of unexpected friends, like my loyal fox companion, Buddy, and the sheer determination to pursue my passion kept me going.
Now, as I reflect on the long hard road that led me here, I am both grateful and proud of the choices I made.
My work has been a blessing to some, which I will be forever grateful for. And to others? Well, let’s just say that some people love to get professionally offended over stuff they know nothing about. But that’s life for you.
Now, as of writing this, I’m in my early forties. I have an old soul with an untamed heart and a futuristic yet nostalgic mind. And I have used those elements of my soul and personality to weave such books as ‘Ed Gein: Demon Hunter’ & 'Lady Satan'.
I love what I do. Being a writer is the best fucking job in the world, and I wouldn’t give it up for love nor money. And luckily for me, there are other activities that I participate in that make me just as happy as writing.
I love getting to write and play music, I adore getting to read tarot for those out there who need it and I dig getting to lay on the couch for a day or two ingesting horror movies and tv shows like they were going out of fashion.
But do you know what the best part is?… Meeting current and new readers at conventions, and sharing a laugh or two with them!… I may be a morbid son of a bitch, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have a sense of humour! It just means that sometimes my sense of humour is darker than a barrel of assholes.
Anyway, I’m going to stop rabbiting on. I think I’ve managed to introduce myself well enough.
Regardless of why you’re here, and regardless of whether you stay or not, I hope you’re living your best life. If there is any reason why you’re not living your best life right now, then let me part ways by giving you a special little thought that will help you navigate through this moment in time.
Never forget that ‘Forever’ is a promise that no one can keep. It may seem like it will never end, but I assure you, it does. After all, even a mushroom cloud has a silver lining. Don’t threat if you can’t find it yet. When the time is right, you’ll see it. And when you do, it will be the greatest moment you ever experience.
Now, you’ll have to excuse me. I have books to write.
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