PDB: Can you pitch your latest publication in 25 words or less?
KLH: I’ll give it a shot-Heartland Gothic. It’s a fish outta water, black comedy, literary suspense, gothic noir, about a failed Hollywood screenwriter forced to reconnect with his estranged (strange) Midwestern roots.
How’s that, 25 if ya don’t count the commentary, I threw noir in just piss off the noir groupies, and it is, very dark, that’s all it means anyway.
PDB: Which books, films or television shows have floated your boat recently?
KLH: I recently read The Bell Jar, and Plath’s talent just blew me away. Sebastian Jungers’, The Perfect Storm, good shit. I don’t care much for tv. I’m a history channel guy. Films; The Ice Harvest, is a great film, fucking rocks. Waiting for my used paperback to get here. See if Scott Phillips can write as good as those guys can make a movie. Most of it was filmed just a few miles from my house, I went down there. Ok, this is not so short, sorry. But Tales from the Script, is a great documentary too. Next?
PDB: Is it possible for a writer to be an objective reader?
KLH: Probably not, it’s how I measure myself to other writers, that, and by height. I’m six ten, (not really). But I’ll make an effort to read somebody’s shitty writing if I know them. If I like them as a person, I’ll tell the truth. If I don’t like them, I’ll lie, say “good job.” I don’t write bad reviews to anybody though. I don’t have time for that shit.
PDB: Do you have any interest in writing for films, theatre or television?
KLH: I do, film. I would love to see any or all of my books translated to screen. I plan on educating myself a little on screenwriting this year. It’s such a different animal than novels. Not sure if I can do it. But if a writer can crack that nut, and do it well, that’s where the money is and probably a lot of heartache. Call it a goal. I’m a glutton for punishment.
PDB: How much research goes into each book?
KLH: Hardly any, I write fiction. Research suggests facts and details, and facts and details are just nuts and bolts. That’s boring. If I can’t get the point across with prose, what kinda writer would I be? I only research places I’ve never been, cities, towns, streets, shit like that. Just for setting. Hell, I’m bored just talking about research.
PDB: How useful or important are social media for you as a writer?
KLH: Crucial, especially when you’re pretty much out there alone, competition’s fierce, advertisings expensive. I wouldn’t sell any books without social media. I know because I wrote before it existed. A writer or artist or anybody can be noticed and have a worldwide presence practically overnight now. I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it’s pretty damn important, to selling something like books.
PDB: What’s on the cards in 2012?
KLH: Working with Trestle Press on Heartland Gothic. Should be fun to see what happens with that. Like I said, learn more about screenwriting. Write another novel. It might end up a short story, novella, I don’t know yet. Working on one called Driving Alone now.
Stick around, see if those fucking, Mayans, are as smart as everybody thinks they are.
Not exactly short but hopefully sharp. Thanks for having me, and good luck with everything.
3 comments:
We were talking about those damn Mayans in my group too.
Nice interview. The pitch is enticing. I liked the Plath/Junger/Ice Harvest triangulation.
Another top interview, Paul.
And Kevin, like your style - the cut of your gib. And love Plath. As noir as it gets, that girl. Looking forward to seeing what the year brings for you, mate.
All the very best of luck, sir.
Thanks, for the comments and speaking of The Ice Harvest, Scott Phillips has asked me to do a reading with him at Noir Bar in St. Louis, Feb 28.
More on Plathe, writing, and my bullshit philisophies, in the link on my name, radio interview couple weekss ago.
thanks thanks thanks
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