9/10/2008
Dawn Lewelling Interview With Living Dead Reviews
LDR: What are your first recollections of the horror genre? What gave you
your first bite?
Dawn: This is actually pretty easy. My first bite happened when I was four. I
watched the movie, The Gate, and it freaked me out! All those hands grabbing
people from underneath the bed, and of course, the hands sliding into the head.
Scary! Ever since then, I couldn't get enough scary movies. I started reading
Stephen King at a young age and it was more then enough to make me dream of
being a horror author.
LDR: Horror literature has seemed to open up to women writers in the last
couple of decades. Do you have an opinion on why? Do you think it has been
easier or harder for females to get published?
Dawn: Oh, goodness here comes politics! I honestly believe that people like
the idea of weaker sexes. But the truth is that everyone is equal. It doesn't
matter if you have a penis or not. In the last couple of decades, women have
begun to say, "Hey I'm here! Listen to me!" I had no trouble getting published,
but then again, I never let the thought that I wouldn't get published enter my
mind. Woman or not, I intend to be the next Stephen King or Clive Barker. Women
can be just as scary as men, and I think we have proved that. Look at Laurell K.
Hamilton, Ann Rice, and Mary Lambert. Publishers have to look at that, the great
'creep factor.' It doesn't matter what you have down there. I think that women
have proved their 'creep-factors.'
LDR: Who are your influences? Who are the writers that inspired you to pickup
the pen?
Dawn: I have to say that Stephen Ling is my number one inspiration. Still,
after I have read his novels over and over, I get enthralled in every story of
his. I become part of the story and I love that. Clive Barker is also chilling,
though he tends to drift towards fantasy. Weird fantasy, I give you, but still
fantasy. There are just so many authors out there that I love. I don't think
their is enough pages to write them all down! I would have to say that Mr. King
is THE role model for any new author. His writing style is unlike any other.
Authors can learn a lot from him.
LDR: Spirit Hunters is your first novel; give us a brief synopsis and where
we can buy it.
Dawn: Spirit Hunters has quickly become the top-rated show on the Network.
Chris, Matt, and Anne lead the exciting team of paranormal investigators and
they are about to reach a new pinnacle of success when they are invited to
penetrate the dark depths of America's most imposing haunted house yet- Death
Manor. They travel to the small town of Mayonette, Kansas wher they meet up with
the local clairvoyant who testifies to the house's evil adventures. "Don't go in
the house!" is the explicit warning she issues them. You will follow Spirit
Hunters in this horrifying tale of death, torture, and demonic forces; the
Spirit Hunters must somehow prevail and defeat Death Manor before the house can
claim their souls. You can get Spirit Hunters from almost any bookstore, or
online bookstore. Or you can go to my web site, to get a list of sellers. Some
of the most trusted sellers are Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You can also
request the book from any book store that doesn't carry it.
LDR: Have you thought of trying your hand at screen writing?
Dawn: Oh, yes! I can't wait to get Spirit Hunters turned into a movie. I
know, sellout! But you must remember that movies has always been my passion.
However, I think I'm a great writer, and I'm never going to give that up! But
yes, I think you can all expect to see Spirit Hunters on the big screen
soon.
LDR: Are you a fan of horror films? If so, what is your favorite film and
why?
Dawn: I can't do this and it isn't fair. There are so many greats. We got the
great old classics, B-movies, and don't even get me started on the different
types of creep. I guess if I had to, I'd say that Pet Semetary is the movie that
creeps me out the most. I have a young son, and it tears me up inside. Plus the
'zombie' factor, I mean Urgh! Who is not scared of zombies?? Then the Nightmare
on Elm Street movies (Freddy's my daddy). I just love the whole Freddy concept.
He is so awesome. "You are all my children now." Chills! I also like the weird
old ones like Them! Giant ants? What's more to explain? Another one is the The
Exorcist. It was the most disturbing movie I have ever seen! Grave Dancers is
another one that trips me out. It started so boring, but it gets good really
fast. And Cigarette Burns is awesome. It's really gross, and I love gross. The
more torture and guts the better. I'll just keep finding or remembering new
ones, so I better stop it here.
LDR: What is on the horizon for Dawn Lewelling? What are your plans for the
future? Any new books or stories coming?
Dawn: I actually have a number of books started. Spirit Hunters has released
so many thoughts and ideas. My next book out will be called The Survivor, unless
some other idea strikes me first. It will be good, and I think it will surprise
a lot of people. There are about seven or eight books in the works. One of them
will be called Death Manor, and will be a prequel to Spirit Hunters. As for the
future of Dawn Lewelling, I think she'll be here for awhile. :)