By Gabby Goff
One of the wonderful aspects of being Pretty-Scary's pilot-fish is that I have come across some dark and wonderful authors. Independent authors. Women authors!
One time, some while ago, someone who is 'cool-as-hell' sent me a film by Lia Scott Price to watch and review; so I did. My review sparked a response from Lia regarding her literature. She offered me a chance to read and review her written works. So I did. 'Wow' is the first word that came to mind when I finished reading her debut novella, 'The Guardian'. For a woman who wrote an entire book, edited it herself, and on top of that, self-published...it was a pretty stellar piece! While reading it, I could tell this was her maiden-attempt but that aside, the story really shone through.
She is a simple story-teller that writes complex, supernatural tales. Lia's simple story-telling style is quite refreshing and fast-paced. This is not your long chapter character development reads. Oh no. When you read Lia's books, you learn about the worlds that her characters live in, the characters themselves, and the twisted story they are stuck in via what I can only describe as 'flash chapters'. Often brief, most times odd and intriguing, but never unsatisfying, Lia gets an idea across in a unique style that I have come to royally enjoy.
It also doesn't hurt that Lia comes across as one of the most humble and sweetest women on the planet, not to mention imaginative, dark and funny! If you haven't had a chance to read any of her books, I suggest that you do.
I know, enough already!
With all that said, I had the pleasure and honor of an interview with action-thriller/horror/sci-fi writer, and secret romantic-comedy addict, Lia Scott Price. She is a woman who is definitely taking destiny into her own hands and she is wringing its pretty-little-neck!
What did you do before you became 'Lia the Author' (i.e. did you flip burgers at a burger joint, were you a lawyer)?
I had a home-based marketing business, creating brochures, doing graphic design, web sites, etc.
Describe your muse; your fountain of inspiration.
I would like to thank the naysayers who kept saying that what I do could not be done and that it was a waste of time and effort, which I never believed. That in a sense was inspiring because it made me more driven. The muse came from within myself. I also got tired of people telling me that as a woman writer I should only write romance novels or children's books - nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to show that there was a lot more imagination in me. Plus, the voices in my head wouldn't shut up.
Have you had anything else published, i.e. have you had anything accepted into a magazine or e-zine, anthology, etc.?
I had a short story published in an anthology called 'The Spirit of Writing' by Mark Waldman. It wasn't a horror piece, but it was a fictional drama that was included alongside writers from Sylvia Plath, Faulkner and Steinbeck, to Stephen King. At that time, I was trying to find the type of genre I really wanted to write about.
What made you decide to take the leap into self-publishing?
Frustration. I decided that if I could not be picked up by a publisher, I would become one myself. Print-On-Demand E-publishers were a godsend.
What are some perks, and what are some pitfalls about self-publishing?
I found that I had more control in getting a book to print. What takes up a lot of work and effort and patience is self-promoting and marketing. I had to learn to not only be creative but to act like a business as well. I don't see any pitfalls. I just see challenges that need to be overcome with creative and practical problem-solving.
Does your husband read your work?
He's read my vampire novel 'Revenant' a dozen times, and he's very familiar with 'The Guardian'.
Tell us about Judith Waterman, how did you two meet and come to collaborate?
We both worked in the marketing field and when I found out she wanted to become an author, I offered to write something with her. She also worked as my editor on some of my novels, and she is great at what she does.
On that same note, what is it like writing a novel with another person?
At that time, I only wrote with people who are disciplined and driven enough to put time and effort into the work, plus the fact that I felt great about being able to have helped someone become an author. Judith was creative, motivated, reliable, and talented. We both chose a character and contributed to a chapter each week. It was rewarding to have helped her accomplish her dream.
Tell us about your novel writing process. Do you blare music? Are you reclusive? What do you do when you are writing?
Like acting, I have to be 'in the moment' or 'on the scene'. I use real-life experiences and am always ready with pen and paper observing everything around me. I could be sitting in a church visiting a mass and you'll see me scribbling furiously on paper. And if I'm home writing, I always have the SciFi channel on, or the Discovery Channel, or Animal Planet. I can't write in a place that's very quiet. I need noise around me. I also play a 'what if' game: What if this person was a serial killer, what if this door had a monster behind it, etc. I also write best when I'm multitasking and doing twelve different things at the same time. It seems to make me think better and come up with stuff that's way out of the ordinary.
Name some of your favorite authors and tell us why you like these particular authors.
People are surprised that my favorite authors are Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Kathryn Harrison (Author of 'Poison'), and 'Alison Weir'. I love historical stuff and I especially like the style in which these authors write. It's almost 'lyrical'. Oh, and sometimes I read a lot of Dr. Seuss too. When read late at night, those characters can be downright scary.
You have created a couple of films, who or what inspired you to take the leap from the written page to film?
I wanted to 'bring my characters to life'. I liked the challenge of becoming a film producer through my do-it-yourself mentality, instead of working for another film producer just to learn the biz or relying on a production company to turn my books into films. Learning the business side and learning from my own mistakes and experiences actually made it easier to put together a film, from using the equipment to hiring the staff to marketing the film. Filmmaking is a mix of business and creativity. That's the mentality that inspired me.
Who are some of your favorite directors?
Robert Rodriguez and his book 'Rebel without a Crew' inspired me a lot. I don't really have any favorites because I look at all styles and genres and if something moves me, then that director did a great job, and I can learn from that.
What are some of your favorite films (any genre)?
Hmmmm...let's see...horror and scifi! I also like comedies, but not romantic comedies---just the goofy stuff. Oh what the heck - 'Legally Blonde' was one of my favorites. Does that shatter my image now?
[You are so totally busted!]
What is your most cherished accomplishment?
Creating my Serial Killer and Vampire Guardian Angel TM characters. At the risk of sounding 'sappy', they are my 'babies'.
I like that you have elements of crime and drama, supernatural elements, and religious elements to your stories. Have you always written these kinds of stories or have you strayed from the path of righteousness and secretly written a trashy romance novel?
I had published my one and only dark romance novel, and ended up burning the heroine at the stake in the end... which scared the crap out of my readers. That started me on the path to the dark side because I just couldn't stand to give any story a happy ending. That's when I found my 'genre' and what I was destined to write. Also, my giggling maniacally while I wrote the ending for that novel convinced me that I had found my calling.
Do you have any advice for female authors who are trying to break into the horror business?
There is a method to my madness: Be not only edgy, but be corporate as well, as scary as it sounds. Think positive and take action. Don't just sit there and wish. Do. If you want something done, find a way to do it. Think outside the box. If one way doesn't work, find another. Create your own image and destiny. I always emphasize learning the business side of things. If you have a product you want to get out there, you have to find a way to create it. But be disciplined, practical, and always be professional as you can be.
What are some upcoming projects from you that we can look forward to?
My third film, a dark comedy called 'Normal, California', which I star in. Its more of a 'What if Elle Woods from Legally Blonde became a serial killer? It's the only film I produced that's not based on any of my novels. It just brings out the macabre, sarcastic side of me. And it gave me an excuse to use "the bodies" as, um... props...you won't tell, will you? Hehe...
Your secret is safe with me!
Learn more about Lia Scott Price at her website: LiaScottPrice.com
You can also check out her MySpace profile: MySpace.com/LiaScottPrice
