Ask the Author: Darcy Coates
Answered Questions (23)
Darcy Coates
Hi Abby! A blank page can be daunting, but it's easier if you remember that your writing doesn't have to be perfect at first. You can always fix it when editing it later; the first draft simply has to exist. Set low goals to begin with: say, 20 words a day, something laughably easy. Then gradually increase your daily word goals until you reach a pace that's comfortable. Write a bit every day and you'll inevitably end up with a complete book.
Darcy Coates
Yes, I'm writing something a bit similar right now! It's doesn't have Hunted's crime mystery angle, but it's fast and full of impending dread--this time set under water.
Darcy Coates
Thank you! Originally Black Winter was intended to be a single novel but the story kept growing until it couldn't be contained. Mixing something classic (gothic horror) and something modern (an apocalypse) was both challenging and enormously fun, and I'd love to revisit those themes in the future!
Darcy Coates
You're very kind! You might also like House of Shadows, historical gothic horror with a splash of romance.
Darcy Coates
Thank you! I think I'm a pretty average writer. Most days I write around 1,000 words an hour, but I can get up to 3,000 words in short bursts when I'm excited. Editing is the most unpredictable part of writing--the fastest I've edited a novel was three weeks, I think, and the slowest was eight months.
Darcy Coates
Yes -- I have a new project in the works! I can't give away much yet except to say it's long and it takes a direction I've never tried before. If you're subscribed to my newsletter (www.darcycoates.com/subscribe) I'm hoping to share some behind-the-scenes details soon.
Darcy Coates
Glad to hear it! Except for House of Shadows, all of my books are standalone and can be read in any order. I hope you enjoy them!
Darcy Coates
Absolutely! Anyone who would like to arrange a book signing can email me at darcy (at) darcycoates (dot) com.
Darcy Coates
It does! I can't promise anything, but I've been speaking to some people about the possibilities.
Darcy Coates
Two of my favourite classics are We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and Stephen King's Pet Sematary. For more modern books, Widow's Point by Richard Chizmar was a short but fun read and I loved Bird Box by Josh Malerman.
Darcy Coates
Thank you! I'm working diligently on the next book. It should be ready to publish in 2 to 4 months. It's a large project and I'm excited to finally see it come to life!
Darcy Coates
Thank you! I watch a lot of films and read a lot. Sometimes I get ideas from things I see or places I travel. I went hiking a few months ago and found a trail that speared off from the main path. At first it looked like a normal track, but the further you walked, the harder it became to follow, until you were lost. That will eventually pop up in one of my stories! I also go to cafes and watch people around me. I try to imagine who they are and what their lives are like. What are their biggest fears? That can be the start of a really good story.
Darcy Coates
I'm so glad you enjoyed them! I had a lot of fun writing House of Shadows. It's a bit different to my other books, but I loved exploring a historical gothic environment. Happy Halloween!
Darcy Coates
My answer changes pretty often, depending on my mood! But right now, for horror, I love Beth Massie's Homeplace, Stephen King's Pet Sematary, and Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle. For non-horror, I keep drifting back to Jane Austen's Emma and JK Rowling's Harry Potter.
Darcy Coates
Good question! I don't have a single favourite, but many that I love, including Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts, Mark Z. Danielewski's modern take on the haunted house genre in House of Leaves and Stephen King's classic Pet Sematary.
Darcy Coates
Yes - the USA Today list just came out this morning, and Ashburn House placed #99 out of 150 best selling books for the week. Thank you for your support!
Darcy Coates
Thank you, Jane! I don't have any set plans yet, but I'd love to revisit Mara and Neil in the future.
Darcy Coates
I have some ideas for continuing Sophie and Joseph's story, but they're not booked into my writing schedule at the moment. I'll send a note to my newsletter subscribers if that changes, though!
Darcy Coates
Thanks for asking, Jye!
Lights Out is published in the Quarter to Midnight collection (along with fourteen other short, creepy stories).
The Bites series had a limited-time release and isn't currently available. That said, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but if you follow my blog or subscribe to my newsletter you might hear some good news soon. ;)
Lights Out is published in the Quarter to Midnight collection (along with fourteen other short, creepy stories).
The Bites series had a limited-time release and isn't currently available. That said, I don't want to spoil the surprise, but if you follow my blog or subscribe to my newsletter you might hear some good news soon. ;)
Darcy Coates
That's the best compliment you could give me, M! Thank you!
I do sometimes scare myself. I try to dig into my deepest fears and explore the things that make me the most uncomfortable, so I know I've done a good job when I finish a writing session feeling anxious.
Last week I was writing at a cafe. It was a scene where the main character walks through an empty house and feels a hand touch her shoulder. I'd just finished it when someone tapped MY shoulder - I made this awful noise somewhere between a gasp and a squeak. It was only a friend who'd come to say hello, but I was terrified for that half second!
I do sometimes scare myself. I try to dig into my deepest fears and explore the things that make me the most uncomfortable, so I know I've done a good job when I finish a writing session feeling anxious.
Last week I was writing at a cafe. It was a scene where the main character walks through an empty house and feels a hand touch her shoulder. I'd just finished it when someone tapped MY shoulder - I made this awful noise somewhere between a gasp and a squeak. It was only a friend who'd come to say hello, but I was terrified for that half second!
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