Ask the Author: Manuel Arenas
Answered Questions (11)
Manuel Arenas
Well, I don't really have any mysteries in my life per se, but I have incorporated a few real life experiences into my stories. Since childhood my dreams have been haunted by shadow creatures, which I have been working into an unpublished work of mine tentatively titled "The Dark Red House". Also, my brief stint as a body removal technician for a local mortuary was incorporated into two pieces respectively: "In My Time of Dying" (a black humor piece that was accepted for publication in the Sandy Canyon Review, although I have not seen hide nor hair of it since), and Yellow Tale (which is due to make its debut in "Nightmares in Yellow", a tribute to Joseph S. Pulver Sr.).
Manuel Arenas
Although many of my tales take place in the usual Gothic haunts of the Old Word or even New England, since I have lived here so long now I do try to incorporate the local landscape and culture into some of my stories. I actually created a fictional town called Helldorado that I set some of my tales in, which is supposed to be somewhere around Sedona. I have an unpublished story called "The Burning Ember Mission of Helldorado" that even includes some Arizona history and much of the dialog is in a mixture of Spanish and English.
Manuel Arenas
No, because apparently most editors will not accept anything under 2500 words. Sorry...
Manuel Arenas
Clark Ashton Smith's Averoigne, where I would sample the local vineyard, chase the nymphs around the ruins of Faussesflammes, and learn the eldritch secrets under the tutelage of Gaspard du Nord.
Manuel Arenas
I am currently working on my first collection, tentatively titled "Book of Shadows". I have been trying to put together a collection of poetry for years but this recent collection began to take shape when I saw poet K.A. Opperman's seminal book of Halloween Poetry, "Past the Glad and Sunlit Season" from Jackanapes Press. I was so impressed with the look and selection that I contacted the publishers and asked if they would be interested in taking on a collection of poetry and prose from my recent journal publications, and it turns out that the man behind the curtain was none other than my friend graphic designer Dan Sauer. He offered to take a look at my manuscript and not only agreed to publish and illustrate it, but he asked if I would be willing to double the length of the book! I am in the process of preparing the updated proof which I hope to send to Mr. Sauer in the coming weeks with an eye towards a Spring or early Summer release date.
Manuel Arenas
I don't have much time for novels, but I read a lot of short stories. That said, I am curious to read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Manuel Arenas
Being able to keep the darkness at bay by filtering it into my stories, while simultaneously entertaining my readership.
Manuel Arenas
Step away from it for a while, maybe even work on something else for a bit. You're subconscious will be working on it in the background and eventually it will come to the fore again once it has something worthwhile.
Manuel Arenas
I usually write when the muse taps on my shoulder to inform me that it is time to do her bidding. In the interim, I try to inspire myself by consuming books and movies that spark my interests. I love vintage reference books on macabre topics, as well as old Gothic Horror films, particularly the Hammer films of the 50s-70s. That said, I always keep my eyes peeled and my ears open to influences from outside. In the past I have been inspired by the most unlikely sources. My prose poem "Gargoyle", from Spectral Realms #10 was inspired by a random line in a toss away song in the 1977 television special Halloween with the New Addams Family.
Manuel Arenas
Read voraciously and variedly to widen your scope and to see how language works. Also keep a journal, so that you may become accustomed to expressing your thoughts and emotions on the written page. I have kept a journal on and off since around 1987, and have even used excerpts from in some of my works. "Night Hag", from The Phantasmagorical Promenade is an almost verbatim journal entry.
Manuel Arenas
I am working illustrator Dan Sauer on a collection of poetry and prose for Jackanapes Press, which hopefully will see publication in the Spring.
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