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One of my favorite types of horror is psychological. It fascinates me when an author is able to mess with someone’s mind and place them in a total state of terror. Author William Wilde takes ordinary people and places them in their worst nightmare—and, in the process, he always draws me into a world of terror that I just can’t put down. He’s definitely an up-and-coming horror star that you don’t want to miss.
Mr. Wilde grew up in Portland, Oregon, where he now lives—though, at times, he’s also lived in the Seattle and San Francisco areas. He’s worked in investment management and as a commercial real estate broker. His best sale was a property that’s now part of the Microsoft headquarters campus.
As a kid, he was always a big reader of suspenseful stories and a fan of monster movies. He has a small collection of vintage comic books that were his favorites to read when he was young. Some of the titles he collects include Dick Tracy, Rip Kirby, and Tales from the Crypt.
Mr. Wilde is also a huge fan of the Tour de France cycle race, and he owns a road bike. Portland is a very bike-friendly city with an awesome trail along the riverfront that he loves to cruise on a sunny day.
On Writing, In William Wilde’s Own Words
What or who inspires you to write?
Ernest Hemingway on Writing is a book that contains inspirational reflections on writing and practical advice on work habits from a great author. I go back to it often to re-inspire my own writing focus.
Why did you begin writing?
I wrote my first two short stories for an English class assignment when I was 15. They were brief suspense stories with twist endings and I got an “A” for them. I still have the original copies of those stories.
Which author inspires you?
Some important influences on my writing have been writers Richard Matheson and Ira Levin and the films of Alfred Hitchcock.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
I like to use my writing to show ordinary people trying to overcome their own worst fears in terror situations. In my suspense novel, Show Me, it’s fear for personal safety, as a woman is harassed by a disturbed voyeur. In my horror novel, The Rep, it’s fear of random, fatal accidents as a road traveler is hounded by a malevolent entity.
Have you ever experienced writer’s block? If so, how did you cure it?
I’ve never had writer’s block. If I’m excited by the story situation and theme ideas I’m working with, that gives me the creative drive to keep writing.
When is your next book due out, and what’s it about?
My next book is a suspense/horror novel, The Trial of Rachel Williams. It’s about the leader of a mysticism cult who stands trial for murder in a Seattle courtroom. It’s due out in spring 2011 from Synergebooks.
Please read my review of The Rep, then visit author William Wilde’s website to learn more about his past and future writings.
