Cold Flesh: Ask Jennifer Loring, Oct. 3 - 8

[hugonian]

Session: Jennifer Loring, Oct. 3 – 8

Instructions: Post a question for the author and wait for a reply. From Monday to Saturday, the author will peek in periodically to answer questions. If the author cannot answer your question before time expires, feel free to PM the author with your question.

This week’s author: Jennifer Loring “Maternity Ward” has published over twenty short stories and poems in various venues such as Scared Naked Magazine and Aoife’s Kiss. In 2004 she received an honorable mention in the Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror for her story “The Bombay Trash Service.” She will appear in another zombie anthology called Zombie Aid, as well as the anthology Time For Bedlam. Jenn lives in Pittsburgh, PA where she has been, among other things, a DJ.

Q&A Schedule: See when other authors will be available--schedule of authors

Cold Flesh info: For more info regarding Cold Flesh, such as reviews and updates, please visit the official thread or the official website.

[hugonian]

Hi, Jennifer.

Tell us about your writing: your style, your usual subjects, etc. Also, which authors do you enjoy, and what about their writing enthralls you?

Zombies, babies and zombie-babies.

LOVE it.

jet

Originally Posted by jmeg

Zombies, babies and zombie-babies.

LOVE it.

jet

Hahaha...glad you enjoyed it! There just aren't enough zombie babies...

Originally Posted by hugonian

Hi, Jennifer.

Tell us about your writing: your style, your usual subjects, etc. Also, which authors do you enjoy, and what about their writing enthralls you?

Well, let's see...I got my start writing erotic horror, and for some reason those stories are still my most popular. I write about a lot of different subjects--I'm very inspired by fairy tales and mythology, so a lot of that finds its way into my work. Past relationships also have a habit of intruding into my writing... 3 ex-boyfriends have become characters in some of my short stories.

As for authors I enjoy, I have been a fan of the obvious masters like Clive Barker and Stephen King since childhood. Tanith Lee, Alice Sebold--their work is pure poetry. Poppy Z. Brite and Charlee Jacob have been huge influences on me because they're not afraid to push the envelope.

I enjoy reading a lot of non-fiction as well. I'm a bit of a nerd and particularly enjoy books on epidemiology and philosophy.

[hugonian]

Could you tell us how you came up with the idea for your Cold Flesh story, “Maternity Ward”? What spurred the premise?

Also, some readers found it hard to relate to your main character: read Collin’s review , message #21, but also read 24, 25, 34, & 35. Give us insight into what you were doing with the character and what you wanted the reader to feel.

Originally Posted by hugonian

Could you tell us how you came up with the idea for your Cold Flesh story, “Maternity Ward”? What spurred the premise?

Also, some readers found it hard to relate to your main character: read Collin’s review , message #21, but also read 24, 25, 34, & 35. Give us insight into what you were doing with the character and what you wanted the reader to feel.

I think the first image that popped into my head was of a zombie who, having died in childbirth, finished the process once she came back to life. The details of the story worked itself out from there. Plus I have this strange fascination with hospitals and have worked in a couple, so I wanted to use that setting.

As for the second question, I definitely don't expect everyone to like the story, or the character. I think for a lot of people it's going to be hard to relate to her situation as far as being pregnant and alone, and the anger one might feel. I do not believe that being pregnant is a happy event for everyone. So yes, she may come off as selfish, but I think it's a natural possible outcome of her situation.

The story is 3 years old now, and I have grown a great deal as a writer, so believe me, there are many things I would change if I could. I've certainly written better zombie stories since then. But I don't believe that I would change her characterization at all.

[hugonian]

Originally Posted by Tragikbride

The story is 3 years old now, and I have grown a great deal as a writer, so believe me, there are many things I would change if I could. I've certainly written better zombie stories since then. But I don't believe that I would change her characterization at all.

As Richard Laymon once said, “Instead of hoping to revive Lazarus, make a baby.” Of course, he was talking about writing novels, not short stories.

In “Maternity Ward,” I like that you use a setting in which you have actually worked. It deepens and adds texture to the story.

Also, many readers like the mood in “Maternity Ward.” Could you give us some insight into how you achieve this mood? Do you use similar techniques when writing other stories?

Originally Posted by hugonian

As Richard Laymon once said, “Instead of hoping to revive Lazarus, make a baby.”

I believe the full quote was...

"Instead of hoping to revive Lazarus, make a baby. Then keep it in a cage for 18 years (in the woods) surrounded by traps. Then masturbate furiously while watching it die an oily, naked death in one of your custom torture racks. Then write a story about it."

[hugonian]

Originally Posted by cheapskate

I believe the full quote was...

"Instead of hoping to revive Lazarus, make a baby. Then keep it in a cage for 18 years (in the woods) surrounded by traps. Then masturbate furiously while watching it die an oily, naked death in one of your custom torture racks. Then write a story about it."

I knew I was missing something. And now that I reread it, I guess it sounds more like a synopsis for Island than a quote about writing...

[shamblingstepzombie]

Hi Jennifer;



I'm currently reading Cold Flesh. I just wanted to say that Maternity Ward started the anthology out perfectly.

I agree, the mood was excellent and your attention to detail was amazing. Could you tell me what other zombie stories you've written and where they might be found? I noticed that you'll have a story in Zombie Aid. Do you know when that will be released?

You mentioned that you would change many things if you could, apart from characterization. The only thing that I can think of offhand that really needed to be changed was the use of the newspaper box at the end. Would you agree, or do you feel it worked as intended? If you would like to hear my reasons for why I feel it didn't work you are welcome to PM me, unless you are okay with me discussing it here.

Originally Posted by Collin

I agree, the mood was excellent and your attention to detail was amazing. Could you tell me what other zombie stories you've written and where they might be found? I noticed that you'll have a story in Zombie Aid. Do you know when that will be released?

Unfortunately I have no details on the release date as of yet. The first "zombie" story I wrote was "The Bombay Trash Service," which relied heavily on Hindu mythology and which was published in Scared Naked Magazine. That issue is now out of print and the magazine, sadly, on indefinite hiatus. I have one other zombie story called "Love Never Dies" making the rounds, which was a bit of therapy for me regarding my current ex. Hopefully I'll have some good news on that one soon.

You mentioned that you would change many things if you could, apart from characterization. The only thing that I can think of offhand that really needed to be changed was the use of the newspaper box at the end. Would you agree, or do you feel it worked as intended? If you would like to hear my reasons for why I feel it didn't work you are welcome to PM me, unless you are okay with me discussing it here.

I'll be happy to PM you. Looking back I don't think it worked as well as I probably thought at the time, so yes, I do agree.

Originally Posted by shamblingstepzombie

Hi Jennifer;



I'm currently reading Cold Flesh. I just wanted to say that Maternity Ward started the anthology out perfectly.

Thank you very much!

[UndeadAnthology]

Jennifer,

Are you a fan of other authors' zombie fiction? If so, what are your favorite books/stories?

Jacob