>>This week on the blog, we have author Mark Taylor! Read on to find out what inspires him to write and how he comes up with his ideas.
Little Birdy Book Blog: What inspired you to start writing?
Mark Taylor: I've always loved the process of creating. It started when I was in school, but of course things get away from you and you stop doing them. I picked it up again in my thirties and have been doing it ever since.
I suppose I just like to express my inner daemons, and writing horror was the way forward.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
M.T.: About two years. I started out writing short stories. They just flooded out, thousands and thousands of words a week. Then I moved onto the novel. It stalled in the middle. I had no idea what I was doing, and for about six months I failed to move forward. But I fixed it with a little help from my significant other. Got that one finished, then the next.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
M.T.: I've been a fan of horror my whole life. For short stories I just have ideas on the fly. They'll appear as just a concept. Then I pants out a story. If it works, I edit. If not, it goes into my "for later" folder where I might pick it up when I can't think of something else, or it might sit there and languish for years...
For the novels? Well, I generally have an idea just pop into my head. Something short, a "What if...?" I'll mull it around for a few days in my head. Maybe work out what would "happen if". And if it's still there after that? Notes. Get down the plot.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
M.T.: I have a routine in my head that I don't stick to. I'm terrible actually. Let's say...I'm flexible.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
M.T.: I like to. Short and simple, really. I get enjoyment from writing, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I get a kick out people enjoying my writing.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
M.T.: When I write shorts, yes, sometimes there is a personal experience in there. A bad at work? Not renewing my company's contract? You're going in the book.
And I'm killing you.
And honestly, I'm transparent. Sure, the name's changed, but yeah. You know it's you.
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
M.T.: I read most days, listen to music when I write. I'm a big film buff, so I tend to get the horror movies out to help inspire me.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
M.T.: I tend not to consider it "negative". Most feedback is constructive in some way. It's part of the learning process. I use it. Make my art better.
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
M.T.: I can write just about anywhere, but it's easier if there's no internet connection. I'm easily distra-oh, a rabbit!
But wherever it is, somehow, within seconds, it's a shambling mess of clutter. My writing space looks like a hard core gamers gaming space. It's all food wrappers and beer cans, scribbled notes and doodles.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
M.T.: Too many to name I'm afraid, but: Laymon, Barker, and King, are probably at the top. Laymon's work is just across the board fantastic, Barker brings gruesome to a new level and King is just cool.
I also avidly follow several indie authors too, the likes of Eden Royce, Rebecca Besser, and Chantel Noordeloos.
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
M.T.: Little Sam B. Taylor. 11 week old kitteh at the time of writing.
Mark Taylor: I've always loved the process of creating. It started when I was in school, but of course things get away from you and you stop doing them. I picked it up again in my thirties and have been doing it ever since.
I suppose I just like to express my inner daemons, and writing horror was the way forward.
LBBB: How long did it take for you to write your first book?
M.T.: About two years. I started out writing short stories. They just flooded out, thousands and thousands of words a week. Then I moved onto the novel. It stalled in the middle. I had no idea what I was doing, and for about six months I failed to move forward. But I fixed it with a little help from my significant other. Got that one finished, then the next.
LBBB: How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
M.T.: I've been a fan of horror my whole life. For short stories I just have ideas on the fly. They'll appear as just a concept. Then I pants out a story. If it works, I edit. If not, it goes into my "for later" folder where I might pick it up when I can't think of something else, or it might sit there and languish for years...
For the novels? Well, I generally have an idea just pop into my head. Something short, a "What if...?" I'll mull it around for a few days in my head. Maybe work out what would "happen if". And if it's still there after that? Notes. Get down the plot.
LBBB: What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or are you flexible?
M.T.: I have a routine in my head that I don't stick to. I'm terrible actually. Let's say...I'm flexible.
LBBB: What inspires you to write?
M.T.: I like to. Short and simple, really. I get enjoyment from writing, and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I get a kick out people enjoying my writing.
LBBB: Are any of your stories written from personal experience, or any character traits that mirror yours?
M.T.: When I write shorts, yes, sometimes there is a personal experience in there. A bad at work? Not renewing my company's contract? You're going in the book.
And I'm killing you.
And honestly, I'm transparent. Sure, the name's changed, but yeah. You know it's you.
LBBB: When in a slump, what do you do? If you read or listen to music, what are your go-to books or music?
M.T.: I read most days, listen to music when I write. I'm a big film buff, so I tend to get the horror movies out to help inspire me.
LBBB: How do you respond to negative feedback/comments with your work?
M.T.: I tend not to consider it "negative". Most feedback is constructive in some way. It's part of the learning process. I use it. Make my art better.
LBBB: What is your writing space like? Do you work anywhere or do you have a special place just for your writing? Messy or clean?
M.T.: I can write just about anywhere, but it's easier if there's no internet connection. I'm easily distra-oh, a rabbit!
But wherever it is, somehow, within seconds, it's a shambling mess of clutter. My writing space looks like a hard core gamers gaming space. It's all food wrappers and beer cans, scribbled notes and doodles.
LBBB: Do you have a favorite author? Series?
M.T.: Too many to name I'm afraid, but: Laymon, Barker, and King, are probably at the top. Laymon's work is just across the board fantastic, Barker brings gruesome to a new level and King is just cool.
I also avidly follow several indie authors too, the likes of Eden Royce, Rebecca Besser, and Chantel Noordeloos.
LBBB: Any fur-babies?
M.T.: Little Sam B. Taylor. 11 week old kitteh at the time of writing.
Author Bio:
Mark Taylor’s debut novel, Shutter Speed, crash landed on planet earth in 2013. Its dark brooding style benchmarked his writing and has led to further releases of novel and short story collection alike.
While most of Mark’s work is macabre, occasion has it that he will write about kittens and daisies. Just not very often.
Some say he is a product of his environment, others, a product of his own imagination.
Whichever it is he works happily, portraying dark existences on this planet and others. He relays his fears and doubts on his characters, so always has a smile. If Mark is real, as some say he is, you might find him in England.
Perhaps.
While most of Mark’s work is macabre, occasion has it that he will write about kittens and daisies. Just not very often.
Some say he is a product of his environment, others, a product of his own imagination.
Whichever it is he works happily, portraying dark existences on this planet and others. He relays his fears and doubts on his characters, so always has a smile. If Mark is real, as some say he is, you might find him in England.
Perhaps.