Ask the Author: Stephen Paul Sayers
Answered Questions (6)
Stephen Paul Sayers
My most recent book is The Carousel Man, due out in 2024 from Hellbender Books. It's the story of man who is haunted by dreams and visions of a childhood carousel ride in a desolate Missouri cornfield. He is convinced the carousel is a gateway to somewhere evil. I got the idea for the book while visiting The Flying Horses Carousel, the country's oldest carousel, on Martha's Vineyard. Things like clowns and carnivals have always freaked me out a little bit. As an author, if you can make the things that are supposed to be fun and entertaining to a child a bit dark and haunting, it makes for good horror.
Stephen Paul Sayers
I definitely get inspired by other writers. Sometimes I'll read something that changes my mood in an instant, or stops me in my tracks with an image or emotion I can't shake for the rest of the day. That magic inspires me to try to write something even better.
Stephen Paul Sayers
I'm working on my 5th novel, tentatively called Quabbin, named after a reservoir that was constructed by flooding four towns in Western Massachusetts. It's a bit of a departure for me because it is strictly a mystery/thriller, where the answers to several murders might be found in the towns beneath the waters.
Stephen Paul Sayers
I still consider myself an aspiring writer, so I don't want to be pretentious. But, I’ve learned that no two writers follow the same blueprint, and every writer has a different style, approach, strategy, and technique. You need to learn everything you can about the technical aspects of writing—attend conferences and workshops, do the work—and read, read, read. But in the end, do it your way. Only you can tell that story in your head.
Stephen Paul Sayers
That's an easy one. It's when a reader lets you know they loved your book or short story. It takes courage to let someone peek inside your head, and not everyone is going to like what they see. But when they do, it's all worth it.
Stephen Paul Sayers
I haven't really had a case of serious writer's block, but I've had times when I just didn't know where things were going in a novel. My solution has been to write anything, and see where it leads. Most of the time, it gets tossed, but every now and then, you find that nugget.
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