In this engaging conversation, Alyssa Marie interviews horror author John Ward about his upcoming book 'A Blackened Heart, A Blackened Soul.' They delve into the emotional depth of horror writing, the differences between middle grade and adult horror, and the personal experiences that inspired John's work. John shares insights into his writing process, the challenges of being an indie author, and his paranormal investigations, providing a fascinating look into the world of horror literature.

Takeaways

John's new book is a grief horror story mixed with possession horror.

He believes that writing middle grade horror helped him create impactful adult horror.

The emotional journey of writing can be cathartic for authors.

John's inspiration for his book comes from real-life paranormal experiences.

He prefers to plot his stories to avoid plot holes.

Writing routines can be inconsistent, especially for part-time authors.

Paranormal investigations can lead to genuinely scary experiences.

Grief horror resonates with readers on a deep emotional level.

Imposter syndrome is a common struggle for authors, even after success.

Engaging with readers personally can enhance the author-reader relationship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Ward and His New Book

06:01 The Creative Process: Inspiration and Writing Style

11:57 Writing Routine and Overcoming Challenges

18:02 Future Projects and Themes in Horror

28:01 Inspiration from Indie Authors

33:06 The Paranormal and Haunted Objects

46:10 Dream Investigations and Ideal Locations