Hello once again! Yes, it's been a while once again, too long, but here I am. I haven't died though my work schedule was killing me. Thankfully that is about to change so I'll have a little extra time to write and share things here for you all or is it just one lonely fan... I don't know and it doesn't matter. What I have today is an interview I took the time to do and then the interviewer disappeared without a trace so rather than toss this in File 13 I thought I'd share it here since anyone who cares to read it would end up here!
About maybe a month ago I, along with several other authors, were asked about doing interviews and sending books for review to a new website. I'll leave the site nameless since it doesn't matter and I'm not bitter about the situation. Anyway I elected to do a written interview because trying to schedule time to do a live interview with my work schedule has proven to be a nightmare in the past. So I completed the interview sent it back to the interviewer and then nothing... crickets. I saw a couple interviews get posted so I figured I'd just wait my turn and still nothing. I'm pretty busy so I honestly forgot about it for a week or two and then I went to see if my interview had been posted and I just missed it. Again I've been working a gajillion hours a week so I've been missing a lot. So I go to check it out and I can't find the website. Hmmm. So I go to a friend's page whose interview I saw get posted to simply click on the link and go from there. I do that and BAM! the website no longer exists. I don't know what happened and I don't know the name of the person who was running it so I can't even look them up to ask them. That left me with an interview that was essentially useless since I'm not likely to be able to use it elsewhere since most normal people come up with their own questions to ask. I figured the only thing I could do with it is post it here for anyone who may find me interesting. I assume if you're still reading this then that's the case, otherwise, WTF are you doing here???? Whacko! Anyway here's the interview, Enjoy!
*Side Note: If anyone would like a digital copy of any of the anthologies I've been a part of or my solo novella, Essence Asunder, in exchange for a fair and honest review I'm happy to send you a copy. Simply reach out to me in the comments below or e-mail me [feindgottes666 at gmail dot com] - I'm not hiding and I don't bite!
The Unclaimed Interview...
Anonymous Interviewer: Who are you?
Me: Well who the F are you?!? Just kidding – My name is Feind Gottes [Fee-nd Gotz]. I am a horror author, metalhead and according to most people a pretty decent dude to be around. “Most” because you can’t please everyone and who the hell would want to?
Me: Well who the F are you?!? Just kidding – My name is Feind Gottes [Fee-nd Gotz]. I am a horror author, metalhead and according to most people a pretty decent dude to be around. “Most” because you can’t please everyone and who the hell would want to?
*In retrospect my answer is now funnier than expected
AI: How long have you been writing?
Me: I’m a bit of the odd man out in the writing game. While I wish I could’ve started sooner, I found myself unable to focus when I was younger then after a few stops and starts I decided to finally give it a go in 2012 slightly before I turned 40. I found that I could now focus, that I f’ing loved creating, and I’ve been at it ever since.
Me: I’m a bit of the odd man out in the writing game. While I wish I could’ve started sooner, I found myself unable to focus when I was younger then after a few stops and starts I decided to finally give it a go in 2012 slightly before I turned 40. I found that I could now focus, that I f’ing loved creating, and I’ve been at it ever since.
AI: Why write horror?
Me: Why? Why would I want to write anything else?! I am a lifelong fan of horror ever since I forced myself to watch my first horror movie, The Amityville Horror (1979), and then a couple years later read my first Stephen King book, The Stand. I love horror and how so many other genres can be blended seamlessly into it so really I can write anything but because it’s me it is always going to end up dark and creepy no matter what. Anything that is except romance because F**K Romance!
Me: Why? Why would I want to write anything else?! I am a lifelong fan of horror ever since I forced myself to watch my first horror movie, The Amityville Horror (1979), and then a couple years later read my first Stephen King book, The Stand. I love horror and how so many other genres can be blended seamlessly into it so really I can write anything but because it’s me it is always going to end up dark and creepy no matter what. Anything that is except romance because F**K Romance!
AI: Do you think horror has changed in the last 10 years and how?
Me: Yes and no. In cinema very much yes. There are way too many horror movie makers today who do not understand horror. They know how to do jump scares and little else but that isn’t horror, at least not to me. Then at the same time you have some real standouts who do get it like Robert Eggers (The Witch), Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) or even Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us). These guys get that horror isn’t about a cheap jump or scream but by building fear and dread until you’re left shaken to your very foundations by the end.
On the literary end simply look to the Indie Horror Community that barely existed 10 years ago but now is thriving. If you want great horror don’t look to one of the big publishing houses, all you’ll find there is homogenized horror to please the masses because it’s all about selling books. Sure in the indie world we like to sell books too and we wish we could sell millions of copies but what we really care about is telling good stories. We care about making readers feel something whether that is revulsion or soul shaking terror. It isn’t any easier to get your work or name in people’s heads these days but it doesn’t take a genius to see that it’s much easier to make your work available today through numerous outlets.
Me: Yes and no. In cinema very much yes. There are way too many horror movie makers today who do not understand horror. They know how to do jump scares and little else but that isn’t horror, at least not to me. Then at the same time you have some real standouts who do get it like Robert Eggers (The Witch), Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) or even Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us). These guys get that horror isn’t about a cheap jump or scream but by building fear and dread until you’re left shaken to your very foundations by the end.
On the literary end simply look to the Indie Horror Community that barely existed 10 years ago but now is thriving. If you want great horror don’t look to one of the big publishing houses, all you’ll find there is homogenized horror to please the masses because it’s all about selling books. Sure in the indie world we like to sell books too and we wish we could sell millions of copies but what we really care about is telling good stories. We care about making readers feel something whether that is revulsion or soul shaking terror. It isn’t any easier to get your work or name in people’s heads these days but it doesn’t take a genius to see that it’s much easier to make your work available today through numerous outlets.
AI: Where is it your dream to be published?
Me: Even with what I just said about big publishers mostly publishing homogenized horror for the masses I would be an idiot not to want a big publisher taking an interest in my work. I don’t long for fame and fortune but if someone offers me the latter I’m not dumb enough to turn it down. To see my name alongside my heroes like Barker and King would be a dream come true. That said I f’ing love the indie world and the independent horror publishers I’ve worked with and many I have not yet. These guys love horror and they give little nobodies like me a chance to be somebodies. My real dream would be to have my work be so loved that it raises one of these publishers out of relative obscurity. If my work can help someone else become popular that would make me happier than having some NYT Bestseller. But then why not both?!?!
Me: Even with what I just said about big publishers mostly publishing homogenized horror for the masses I would be an idiot not to want a big publisher taking an interest in my work. I don’t long for fame and fortune but if someone offers me the latter I’m not dumb enough to turn it down. To see my name alongside my heroes like Barker and King would be a dream come true. That said I f’ing love the indie world and the independent horror publishers I’ve worked with and many I have not yet. These guys love horror and they give little nobodies like me a chance to be somebodies. My real dream would be to have my work be so loved that it raises one of these publishers out of relative obscurity. If my work can help someone else become popular that would make me happier than having some NYT Bestseller. But then why not both?!?!
AI: Do you have pets?
Me: I have two cats. Jackson is older (about 12?), part Maine Coon and he is huge. Cara is young (about 5 yrs old) and she is a tiny thing. Both delight in walking across my keyboard in the middle of the night which leaves me fun surprises when I turn the monitor on. And by fun I mean I find things that make me go, “How in the holy hell did they even do that????”
Me: I have two cats. Jackson is older (about 12?), part Maine Coon and he is huge. Cara is young (about 5 yrs old) and she is a tiny thing. Both delight in walking across my keyboard in the middle of the night which leaves me fun surprises when I turn the monitor on. And by fun I mean I find things that make me go, “How in the holy hell did they even do that????”
AI: What do you do for fun?
Me: When I’m alone it’s listening to new music. I have thousands of albums and I’m always on the lookout for some awesome new metal. The rest of the time I enjoy spending time with my lady whether we’re trying out a new restaurant, going to a movie or just chilling out at home. I enjoy cooking though I’m no gourmet chef. I also love going to live metal shows mainly small clubs, arena shows suck. Oh and Hockey! I f’ing love watching hockey especially my old hometown Buffalo Sabres! Blue & Gold til I’m Dead & Cold!
Me: When I’m alone it’s listening to new music. I have thousands of albums and I’m always on the lookout for some awesome new metal. The rest of the time I enjoy spending time with my lady whether we’re trying out a new restaurant, going to a movie or just chilling out at home. I enjoy cooking though I’m no gourmet chef. I also love going to live metal shows mainly small clubs, arena shows suck. Oh and Hockey! I f’ing love watching hockey especially my old hometown Buffalo Sabres! Blue & Gold til I’m Dead & Cold!
AI: Where do you live?
Me: Currently I live just outside of Omaha, NE but I’ve only been here a little over a year. I was born and raised about an hour south of Buffalo, NY then I moved to Buffalo in ’99. I also lived in Newark, Delaware for about 18 months and Tucson, AZ for about 2 years. I loved the mountain views in AZ but 110-120 degree heat is not really fun at all.
Me: Currently I live just outside of Omaha, NE but I’ve only been here a little over a year. I was born and raised about an hour south of Buffalo, NY then I moved to Buffalo in ’99. I also lived in Newark, Delaware for about 18 months and Tucson, AZ for about 2 years. I loved the mountain views in AZ but 110-120 degree heat is not really fun at all.
AI: Who is your greatest influence in writing?
Me: Every writer I’ve ever read! My favorite author is Clive Barker but style wise I don’t write anything like him. I was an avid reader for the first 40-ish years of my life before I started writing and I’d say probably Stephen King is who I think of most when I look at my own writing. I don’t write like King but I always admired the accessibility of King’s writing. By that I mean he writes in everyday language only using uncommon or what I call $10 words when necessary. I see a lot of writers try to throw in big words way too often trying to show off how smart they are but when you look close you’ll see those words are used incorrectly 9 times out of 10. I see it as an insecurity or an arrogant thing, both are bad reasons. Some may like it but it’s a real turn off to me if you constantly stumble on words that are difficult to pronounce or so arcane that even the author doesn’t know what the hell they mean.
Me: Every writer I’ve ever read! My favorite author is Clive Barker but style wise I don’t write anything like him. I was an avid reader for the first 40-ish years of my life before I started writing and I’d say probably Stephen King is who I think of most when I look at my own writing. I don’t write like King but I always admired the accessibility of King’s writing. By that I mean he writes in everyday language only using uncommon or what I call $10 words when necessary. I see a lot of writers try to throw in big words way too often trying to show off how smart they are but when you look close you’ll see those words are used incorrectly 9 times out of 10. I see it as an insecurity or an arrogant thing, both are bad reasons. Some may like it but it’s a real turn off to me if you constantly stumble on words that are difficult to pronounce or so arcane that even the author doesn’t know what the hell they mean.
AI: What do you like to read (type of book)? And author?
Me: Horror was my main go to when I considered myself a reader and again Barker is at the top of my list. These days however I try to read out of genre when I have the time. I had started reading George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series but honestly, I don’t have a lot of time for much outside of my pay-the-bills job and trying to write. I don’t even watch much TV any more. I tend to pick up other author’s syntax relatively easy so to keep my voice “my voice” I try to read things I won’t slip into in my own writing and Martin is a great example of that. Graphic novels are also something I love to read. I recently found a graphic novel adaptation of Barker’s The Great And Secret Show that I didn’t know existed until I saw it in a store so I’m reading that right now.
Me: Horror was my main go to when I considered myself a reader and again Barker is at the top of my list. These days however I try to read out of genre when I have the time. I had started reading George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series but honestly, I don’t have a lot of time for much outside of my pay-the-bills job and trying to write. I don’t even watch much TV any more. I tend to pick up other author’s syntax relatively easy so to keep my voice “my voice” I try to read things I won’t slip into in my own writing and Martin is a great example of that. Graphic novels are also something I love to read. I recently found a graphic novel adaptation of Barker’s The Great And Secret Show that I didn’t know existed until I saw it in a store so I’m reading that right now.
AI: Do you have a writing routine?
Me: I don’t really consider it a routine. When I began writing I had one, more or less, but my circumstances were different at that time. Now, I have to write when I have the opportunity due to a lack of free time. So my routine is very simple – place headphones on head, crank whatever music I’m in the mood for, and dive into a page. That’s it.
Me: I don’t really consider it a routine. When I began writing I had one, more or less, but my circumstances were different at that time. Now, I have to write when I have the opportunity due to a lack of free time. So my routine is very simple – place headphones on head, crank whatever music I’m in the mood for, and dive into a page. That’s it.
AI: What would you change about your writing?
Me: I think, no matter what your job is, if you’re not constantly trying to improve then you may as well be dead. Every new story I write is the culmination of everything I’ve learned and the experience of having written those stories that came before it. Sure some ideas are better than others but that’s also a matter of perspective, both mine and the eventual reader’s. The only real thing I would change is having more time to actually write. Trying to balance work with having a life I enjoy and trying to write is difficult to say the least.
Me: I think, no matter what your job is, if you’re not constantly trying to improve then you may as well be dead. Every new story I write is the culmination of everything I’ve learned and the experience of having written those stories that came before it. Sure some ideas are better than others but that’s also a matter of perspective, both mine and the eventual reader’s. The only real thing I would change is having more time to actually write. Trying to balance work with having a life I enjoy and trying to write is difficult to say the least.
AI: If you had to choose would you rather have fame or respect from your peers?
Me: I have no real desire to be “famous”. Honestly, since being introverted is practically a prerequisite of writing I don’t know any real writer seeking to be famous. Those who do seem to think writing the next big thing is going to be easy and then when they find out it isn’t they generally stop writing. Respect is a big thing for me and I think I’ve earned the respect of some of my peers so far with how hard I work and with the quality of my work. Now to hear some respect from one of my writing heroes? Now that would probably force my heart to explode in my chest out of pure joy! Do you hear me Mr. Barker?!?
Me: I have no real desire to be “famous”. Honestly, since being introverted is practically a prerequisite of writing I don’t know any real writer seeking to be famous. Those who do seem to think writing the next big thing is going to be easy and then when they find out it isn’t they generally stop writing. Respect is a big thing for me and I think I’ve earned the respect of some of my peers so far with how hard I work and with the quality of my work. Now to hear some respect from one of my writing heroes? Now that would probably force my heart to explode in my chest out of pure joy! Do you hear me Mr. Barker?!?
AI: What is coming next from you?
Me: The next release I have coming is an anthology from Stitched Smile Publications called Tenebrous. It contains a really cool short story I wrote called Kairos Chamber which is hands down the most difficult story I’ve ever written. It was difficult for me to write, not for anyone to read. It’s a period specific story so I had to do more research on it than I have for anything else ever.
The big announcement though is that my debut novel will be coming out very soon. I do not have the release date yet but I’m super excited. I’ve spent a solid two years working on it and I’m very proud of what I produced. The book is called “Piece It All Back Together” and it is a horror/mystery/thriller involving a private investigator, a missing person, a billionaire, multiple serial killers and one of the nastiest scenes I’ve ever put on the page. I’ll be able to share more details very soon.
As for what I’m writing next, that’s a different question. Since I’ve been basically editing for like the last year. I’m writing a short story for an anthology called Blood & Blasphemy being edited by a great writer and friend Gerri Gray and being published by Hellbound Books. My story hasn’t been written nor accepted yet but I have enough confidence in my writing to believe it will be but if not that’s okay too. I chose to write for this antho on purpose to get myself back in the swing of writing and due to the subject matter: Blasphemy. I’m a big fan of it you see. What I really have planned to do next is a novel trilogy focused on being the most blasphemous writing since Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. I know that sounds arrogant though I am not an arrogant man, not even a little. I say that because what I have plotted out will really get under the skin of any religious folks. It’s based around the story of Cain and Abel but that tells you very little about what I have planned. I hope it ends up being like nothing anyone has ever read before. The first book is fully plotted out, something I’ve never done before, and I have rough outlines for how I want the second two books to go. After that I have no idea and I’m sure things will come up before I finish the next novel, they always do. I do have a partially written novel that I need to finish some day and Piece It All Back Together is left open-ended so I can revisit those characters if I wish to do so. I think I’ll wait on that to see if people like it first. My hope is for horror readers to get sick of seeing the name Feind Gottes... not so much that you stop buying my books though!
Me: The next release I have coming is an anthology from Stitched Smile Publications called Tenebrous. It contains a really cool short story I wrote called Kairos Chamber which is hands down the most difficult story I’ve ever written. It was difficult for me to write, not for anyone to read. It’s a period specific story so I had to do more research on it than I have for anything else ever.
The big announcement though is that my debut novel will be coming out very soon. I do not have the release date yet but I’m super excited. I’ve spent a solid two years working on it and I’m very proud of what I produced. The book is called “Piece It All Back Together” and it is a horror/mystery/thriller involving a private investigator, a missing person, a billionaire, multiple serial killers and one of the nastiest scenes I’ve ever put on the page. I’ll be able to share more details very soon.
As for what I’m writing next, that’s a different question. Since I’ve been basically editing for like the last year. I’m writing a short story for an anthology called Blood & Blasphemy being edited by a great writer and friend Gerri Gray and being published by Hellbound Books. My story hasn’t been written nor accepted yet but I have enough confidence in my writing to believe it will be but if not that’s okay too. I chose to write for this antho on purpose to get myself back in the swing of writing and due to the subject matter: Blasphemy. I’m a big fan of it you see. What I really have planned to do next is a novel trilogy focused on being the most blasphemous writing since Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. I know that sounds arrogant though I am not an arrogant man, not even a little. I say that because what I have plotted out will really get under the skin of any religious folks. It’s based around the story of Cain and Abel but that tells you very little about what I have planned. I hope it ends up being like nothing anyone has ever read before. The first book is fully plotted out, something I’ve never done before, and I have rough outlines for how I want the second two books to go. After that I have no idea and I’m sure things will come up before I finish the next novel, they always do. I do have a partially written novel that I need to finish some day and Piece It All Back Together is left open-ended so I can revisit those characters if I wish to do so. I think I’ll wait on that to see if people like it first. My hope is for horror readers to get sick of seeing the name Feind Gottes... not so much that you stop buying my books though!
On a final note I try to always end the same way with my personal motto…
Hopefully that wasn't too boring for anyone. Anything else you'd like to know... just ask.
Feind Gottes
Still waiting for Satan to appear while he can get my soul for a bargain price!
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