Today, I'm excited to introduce to you the fabulous Dark Poetess and Speculative Fiction Author,
J. A. Grier. She is also a true Mad Scientist. I hope you brought a torch 🔦 because it is going to get Dark in here. 👀
About J.A. Grier aka Dr. Grier.
J.A. Grier is a planetary scientist, fiction writer, poet, science educator, and wine lover. More than three dozen of Dr. Grier's poems and stories have appeared in venues such as Mad Scientist Journal, Eternal Haunted Summer, Eye to the Telescope, Liquid Imagination, and Mirror Dance. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. Dr. Grier spends her time: penning strange stories; teaching workshops in poetry, science, and crafting; comparing vintages; and researching impact craters on other worlds. She might also be found doing paper crafts, like creating this paper moon out of about 2000 coiled strips (called paper quilling).
My Q&A with J.A. Grier.
Can you tell us a bit about what you are currently working on?
I've also been working on dark short stories that cross genres between horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. These are also out in a various publications. Here are some examples of work that might be of interest:
(1) My most recent published poem is in a lovely print journal by NILVX - The Journal of Magic - Sphere of Luna. (January 10, 2018) As for romance, I published a bit of pagan magic here which you can read for free.
(2) A couple of dark fantasy poems that can be read for free online are:
"It Snows on Camelot"
"Stop Praying, Girls"
(3) Perhaps not surprisingly, I'm a big fan of the "Mad Scientist Journal," which publishes much more than just sci-fi related items, including dark fantasy and magical realism.
I've a new dark story, "Permanent Exhibition" out in their Winter 2018 Issue. I expect it will be up on their site to read for free very soon. The print version is here.
(4) And to end with something funny, two humorous dark/horror poems that can be read online for free are:
"Token of Affection"
"A Zombie Anthem" (scroll down the issue)
What is your favorite Dark/Gothic novel?
I'm going a bit off the mark here, since this isn't a novel, but close enough. I'd say my copy of "The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe" is my favorite gothic go-to. For dark, tragic romance it is hard to beat the mood created by the poem "Annabel Lee."
Skulls. I do not know why. Something of the memento mori theme, maybe? A callback to Yorick? Alas ... Anyway, here's me drinking smoked whiskey out of a glass skull.
I don't write historical novels, so rarely have to do that level of research (except when I was writing about how to hunt, hang, pluck, and cook a pheasant ...) For me, it is more about creating a mood in which I feel the most creative for writing dark poems and stories. My favorite resource for this is artwork. I spend hours looking at dark visual art that grabs my attention. I focus on the feelings the art inspires, like fear, anxiety, disquiet, anger, desire, longing, even disgust. I ask myself how those feelings were invoked, and consider how my writing can do the same. Sometimes I'll write directly to the art (ekphrastic) but mostly I just investigate the feelings.
Do you have plans to continue writing in this genre? If so, is there anything about it you would be willing to share?
Besides continuing to write dark poems and stories, I'm also working on novels. I have a full draft of one novel that is a dark, gay romance: "A vampire artist and a human math teacher are struggling after a zombie apocalypse - the fate of their star-crossed romance might have bearing on the fate of their entire world." This one is at 140K words, which means I really have to find some words to cut. I'm also working to clean up another novel about a middle aged accountant who wakes up in Hell, "Will the carnival-like trials of Hell keep Jill and her misfit group of friends trapped forever?" The real question is, "Will Jennifer ever finish editing this novel?"
Do you have any advice or insights for other Dark or Gothic writers?
My most important tip ever for all writers - celebrate everyone's successes! Some people are competitive in genre, but I don't see that as an effective approach to personal happiness, or the happiness of others. I really do think "we are all in this together." So let's work together to promote this genre we all love by promoting each other. And don't forget to celebrate yourself, too! I think we as writers can be so self-critical - we can see other's successes as more important or 'real' than our own. Take time to bask when you finish a draft, complete the editing on a tricky chapter, or get a story accepted.
Second most important tip ever for all writers - if you write it, then read it! It's always hard to find time to read when we are so busy, and when deadlines are looming. But I am convinced that I write the best poetry when I am immersed in the good poetry of others. Also, anyplace you want to see your work published needs your support. So read that stuff! And if you can, write reviews in places like Goodreads or Amazon after you do!
If you are into speculative poetry like I am (horror, fantasy, sci-fi, or the just plain strange) then check out the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. Good place to read poetry and a venue to place some of your work.
Please let us know where we can stalk you.
I can usually be found posting various facts and fictions (as well as strange tales and general updates) on my website and blog at jagrier.com. I also pontificate on twitter at irregular intervals @grierja
I have other spaces, like Facebook and DeviantArt, but I'm not there as often.
Other places I'll be - I'll be teaching some poetry workshops this year:
fantasy poetry for the Maryland Writer's Association yearly conference in March,
general poetry for the Howard County Writer's group in August,
and maybe a reprise of my horror poetry workshop for HallowRead in October.
I'm hoping to attend Stokercon in Providence in early March, and as noted, HallowRead in Ellicott City, Maryland! Maybe I can squeak in another convention or con in there somewhere, but the schedule is getting pretty full at this point ... have to keep time open for the actual writing :)
Thank you so much for sharing!
Stay Beautifully Haunted, Night Writers!
♥ Shadow.
Vampires is not at all like in the movies or books. Sure, I understand. You are young you have the whole world open to you. You can be anything that you choose if you apply yourself and try hard to work toward that goal. But being a Vampire is not what it seems like. It’s a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It’s not what you are that counts, But how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity, I can help you solve any problem you are having
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contact the Vampires Lord on his Email: Richvampirekindom@gmail.com
Vampires is not at all like in the movies or books. Sure, I understand. You are young you have the whole world open to you. You can be anything that you choose if you apply yourself and try hard to work toward that goal. But being a Vampire is not what it seems like. It’s a life full of good, and amazing things. We are as human as you are.. It’s not what you are that counts, But how you choose to be. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity, I can help you solve any problem you are having
ReplyDelete(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) If you want to stop having bad dreams.
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) If you want to stop your divorce.
(10 If you want to divorce your husband.
(11) If you want your wishes to be granted.
contact the Vampires Lord on his Email: Richvampirekindom@gmail.com