Ask the Author: Robert Ropars
Answered Questions (7)
Robert Ropars
The reaction from strangers which, overall, has been kind, supportive and encouraging. Sure there are the exceptions who drown whatever legitimate and valid criticism they have in wordy attacks, but you parse the wheat from the chaff and try and adapt/evolve with each new piece.
As an independent writer trying to work into success with limited resources, you rely on a pool of dedicated family and friends to help ensure your work is as solid as possible before sharing. Fortunately, given the nature of self-publishing, even long after initial publication, you can make updates and corrections as needed so the book is ever-improved.
I hope to get enough success to be able to take advantage of professional services for editing and such, and it feels like things are moving in that direction. Until then, I do my best to craft the vision in my head and hope it finds an audience.
As an independent writer trying to work into success with limited resources, you rely on a pool of dedicated family and friends to help ensure your work is as solid as possible before sharing. Fortunately, given the nature of self-publishing, even long after initial publication, you can make updates and corrections as needed so the book is ever-improved.
I hope to get enough success to be able to take advantage of professional services for editing and such, and it feels like things are moving in that direction. Until then, I do my best to craft the vision in my head and hope it finds an audience.
Robert Ropars
My novel "Ghosts in the Graveyard" started as a story about kids playing a game years before, something I remembered playing as a kid but don't hear mentioned these days. I had the scope of the idea where a girl disappeared, was missing and 10 years later her best friend and others would restart the game to try and find out what happened to her. That morphed into looking into possession/exorcism and watching a ton of movies on those themes.
I then attended a horror convention and had an amazing weekend hanging out with the Soska sisters (Sylvia and Jen) and I spent every free moment back in my hotel room furiously scribbling on paper. The piece that was missing was right in front of me. The story became a trio inspired by the Soskas and to some extant the star of their 2nd film 'American Mary' Katharine Isabelle. I could see them as friends when they were young, playing GITG in a cemetery on Halloween trying to scare each other and then one is missing, possibly abducted. I'm a huge fan of 'Twin Peaks' and the idea of the scar that is left behind when someone young is killed or vanishes.
So the story became about twins and their best friend, one of the twins missing and now 10 years later, the best friend experiencing paranormal activity which may or may not be possession or poltergeist (or both). As I researched the topics I realized that both possession and poltergeist activity go through very similar stages, but both could end, if not corrected, in potential death for the target.
So I framed the parts of my book around the night the twin disappeared and the present with chapter titles relating to stages of possession. So far, overall, the reaction to my first novel has been very positive and supportive.
I then attended a horror convention and had an amazing weekend hanging out with the Soska sisters (Sylvia and Jen) and I spent every free moment back in my hotel room furiously scribbling on paper. The piece that was missing was right in front of me. The story became a trio inspired by the Soskas and to some extant the star of their 2nd film 'American Mary' Katharine Isabelle. I could see them as friends when they were young, playing GITG in a cemetery on Halloween trying to scare each other and then one is missing, possibly abducted. I'm a huge fan of 'Twin Peaks' and the idea of the scar that is left behind when someone young is killed or vanishes.
So the story became about twins and their best friend, one of the twins missing and now 10 years later, the best friend experiencing paranormal activity which may or may not be possession or poltergeist (or both). As I researched the topics I realized that both possession and poltergeist activity go through very similar stages, but both could end, if not corrected, in potential death for the target.
So I framed the parts of my book around the night the twin disappeared and the present with chapter titles relating to stages of possession. So far, overall, the reaction to my first novel has been very positive and supportive.
Robert Ropars
Stories just come to me, but it's find the space and time to shut out the world and just write. I follow advice by Stephen King that I read years ago to write and worry about editing later. That's hard for me because I'm constantly fighting against the backspace key to edit/update/correct as I go. As I've moved into longer fiction, partly what's inspiring me is the interaction I'm having with more and more members of the horror film community. The many talented writers, directors, stars and others making today's horror are a constant source of inspiration to me to put as much content out there as possible. Quality content that hopefully will help me fulfill my dream of seeing a film adaption with my name up on the screen under "story by" or "based on the book by."
Robert Ropars
I'm working on multiple projects including new novels, a script, another collection of short stories, and looking to do more photography and explore creating short films. I'm planning to write in multiple genres as I see where I find the most comfort and fit for my writing style and vision. One of the novels will actually be a Western in tribute to my late father who was a huge fan of that genre. Don't worry, there will be horror elements worked in as things got brutal in 19th century America.
I'm also working on a sci-fi story (again horror elements will be involved) and my first script which will be a full-on bloody horror film.
I'm also working on a sci-fi story (again horror elements will be involved) and my first script which will be a full-on bloody horror film.
Robert Ropars
Always be writing. Keep a notepad and pen with you at all times. When out in public, especially in restaurants, learn to focus your hearing on the conversations around you. You'll hear how people speak and some of the most insane anecdotes. You never know when/where you'll find the next inspiration or concept to play with.
Robert Ropars
The eternal question. I use a variety of tactics from listening to specific artists such as Miles Davis, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Mozart, Tove Lo, Asia Argento, etc. Or taking a hike deep into the woods to fully cut myself off from "reality" helps refocus my mind. Sometimes, playing Xbox games whether the Arkham series, FPS or fighting games can help clear my head.
Robert Ropars
I have been writing off/on as long as I can remember. I wrote a lot of poetry and short fiction in college (who didn’t?), but after graduation focused on work and lost touch. I would occasionally write ideas or outlines, but overall was in limbo for many years. After my father passed away in 2009, I spent many months going through the process of mourning. Nothing seemed to be relieving the pain and anger. The final memories of his battle with cancer, the image of the cells spreading like a virus or plague and his emaciation haunted me.
I suddenly started writing about 7 months after he passed and wrote “Windy City of the Dead” a zombie outbreak story which soon turned into the first part of a series focused mainly on monsters that spread and in some way. I’ve been writing regularly in the horror genre ever since 2010.
I suddenly started writing about 7 months after he passed and wrote “Windy City of the Dead” a zombie outbreak story which soon turned into the first part of a series focused mainly on monsters that spread and in some way. I’ve been writing regularly in the horror genre ever since 2010.
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