A while back I watched a blockbuster movie in which the hero saves the world (again). I can’t recall the name, plot, or who starred in the movie — it was quite forgettable. But I do recall watching the independent film Clockwatchers on IFC shortly thereafter. Clockwatchers featured Toni Collette, Parker Posey, and Lisa Kudrow as temp office workers who are under suspicion of stealing office supplies. The movie enthralled me with its characters, their relationships, and the seemingly mundane mystery of paperclip theft. Although I wasn’t writing at that time, I have always daydreamed story ideas, originally as movies I’d like to see (or in an alternate world, direct/produce/whatever). Clockwatchers, and other movies like it, have always spurred my creative side.

I always liked the idea of cult classic movies, too. I’d much rather create a story that a half-dozen people thought of as their favorite than one hordes of people experienced and then forgot.

A couple of my favorite independent films include: Buffalo ’66 and Henry Fool. Good stuff.

Basically, some of the stuff that I write is very similar to independent film, in that it deals more with characterization and quirky situations than adhering to genre conventions. For example, my latest short novel, Club Nadir.

Club Nadir, a story partially inspired by an independent movie I saw many years ago, features the protagonist, Aubrey Adams. Aubrey is a thirty-something, average-looking woman who has given up on meeting Mr. Right. The reader will find her in the beginning stages of becoming a cat lady. Enter Mr. Right Now. When a young, handsome business executive invites Aubrey to an exclusive club, how can she say no?

Thus begins her downward spiral.

The most consistent comment I’ve received about my writing is that I create great characters. I write villains readers can root for, obnoxious women readers cry with, and unlikely anti-heros readers believe in and empathize with. Isn’t that what a good book is all about? It is for me. And I hope it is for you too.

Club Nadir, like some independent films, crosses genres. On one hand, it is truly a psychological horror story, with much of the horror culminating in the latter portion of the book. On the other hand, it is very erotic. It’s also very suspenseful, as readers won’t necessarily realize what is actually going on behind the scenes right away, if at all.

I hope readers give Club Nadir a chance. I believe many will enjoy it. I know I did when I reread it after having let it sit for over a year. I thought, This is the kind of story I want to read that nobody else is writing. Well, I wrote it, and I certainly hope you enjoy it.

Enjoy it for $1 off with coupon code at Smashwords with coupon code TU47M, valid through April 30.

And if you believe you know the movie that helped inspire Club Nadir, please drop me a line. Sometimes I believe I am the only person who saw it.

Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

As for my tale, well, some of you may have read my short story, “The Rot,” in Delirium Books’ anthology Horrorwired Vol. 1 a few years ago. I’ve wanted to write a prequel to “The Rot” for a while. In fact, I started a prequel as a collaborative effort; however, that project never got completed. “Raving Diseased,” though, accomplishes in a very small space what I set out to accomplish with the collaborative effort. Namely, a brief prequel to “The Rot.”

Everyone who enjoyed “The Rot” will hopefully enjoy “Raving Diseased” equally well. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy these stories (as well as my longer work) in the future.

Happy reading!

Mark’s fiction always entertains me. Although the vast majority of his work seems geared toward fun and entertainment, with THE SUMMER OF WINTERS, Gunnells tackles subject matter that is a bit more serious. Mark, you pulled off this coming of age tale flawlessly. What was your inspiration for THE SUMMER OF WINTERS?

Mark> Well, I’ve always been a huge fan of coming of age tales.  Lansdale, McCammon, King, Bradbury, Newman…they’ve all done tales in this genre that have moved and inspired me.  A really well done coming of age tale can be set in any time period and be instantly relatable to anyone.  I don’t even pretend to be in the same league as the above mentioned authors, but I wanted to at least play in their sandbox.  I set the story in my own hometown during the days of my childhood, so I could draw on my own memories to add some realism to the piece.

Brett> Mark is a big Richard Laymon and Stephen King fan. I have to admit it brought a smile to my face when King’s DIFFERENT SEASONS paperback made an appearance in SUMMER OF WINTERS. Having a paperback appear in a novel, such as TOM SAWYER appear in SAVAGE or DRACULA appear in THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW, is a slick trick Laymon pulled several times, just to tip readers off about his inspiration. Did King’s “The Body” add a little additional inspiration for SUMMER OF WINTERS?

Mark> Honestly, I never even thought of that until you mentioned it.  Funny, but maybe there was a subconscious thing going on.  I was just trying to throw in some of the things I loved as a child, and King was definitely one of them.

Brett> Mark, I hope you don’t mind my mentioning THE QUARRY. I believe that is the longest piece of fiction of yours that I have read, and it, like SUMMER OF WINTERS, blew me away. What can we expect to see from you in novel length in the future?

Mark> I am working on revisions for a novel that will come out through Etopia Press later in the year called THE EXCHANGE STUDENT.  A bit of a departure for me; it is a time traveling gay romance.  Also working on a sequel to THE QUARRY though that’s moving along a little slower than I would like.

Brett> Recently you ran a free download promotion for THE SUMMER OF WINTERS, I believe, with an incredible number of downloads. How does it feel to know you are breaking out into the masses? Are they ready for Mark Allan Gunnells fiction? I mean, let’s face it, some of your fiction offers a unique perspective. Personally, I believe you have little to risk and much to gain. Care to elaborate?

Mark> I don’t know if I’d say I’m breaking into the masses, but these free download promotions my publisher Evil Jester does are incredibly helpful.  They gain the book greater visibility on Amazon, which ultimately results in greater sales once the book is no longer free.  And it does feel great getting my books into more hands.  One of my favorite things is getting feedback from readers, and the an increased readership means increased feedback.  Not everyone will like my work, but I appreciate each and every person out there who gives me a try.

Brett> Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to discuss your fiction with me today. If there is anything you would like to say, that your readership would enjoy knowing, we are all ears.

Mark> Just thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on one of my books, and I hope above all else they entertain.

Amazon link to books by Mark Allan Gunnells

I want to share one of my all-time favorite short stories with all of you. Enjoy this Valentine’s Day treat, “Roses for Jessica” in PDF format. Email me if you want EPUB format.

Roses For Jessica – Brett Williams