Interview H. L. Chandler

by

Michael Staton

1) As a writer, do you stay within one genre or do you find yourself wandering from genre to genre?

As with ‘Lost in Fear’ I try to stay within the thriller/paranormal genre. Still, when a story such as ‘Song of the Sparrow’ presents itself I’m okay to go with it. Song of the Sparrow is an adventure story, no occult aspects, but still exciting in its own way.  I don’t wander from genre to genre, I just stray once in a while.

2) ‘Lost in Fear’ is an intriguing title, even a bit ominous. How does it tie into the novel’s plot?

The title describes the main character’s condition. As a child, Julie Taylor witnessed the murder of her mother, father, and brother. She is sure the killers are searching for her in order to kill her, too. Thus, her life being ‘Lost in Fear’.

3) Tell us about the main characters.

Julie is the main character. She is trying to live a normal life and at the same time remain safe. Matt Sheldon is doing a study of children who have lived through a family massacre. When Matt locates Julie in the small town, where she is trying to hide, it brings on dire consequences for the entire town.

4) Do you pluck characters from real life?

No. I’m sure all the people I’ve known and others I’ve observed must influence me, but I don’t consciously use real life characters.

5) How do you develop a villain and what do you think is an important element of his or her character?

For me, villains simply appear. After they are there, I believe that it is important they have some good qualities. No one is all bad, or all good. A villain just has more bad than good.

6) How intricately do you outline your story structure?

Not very. If I do an in-depth outline I almost feel the story is told. For me it loses excitement and suspense. I more or less follow where the story leads - and make corrections later.

7) How do you solve plot dilemmas or plot inconsistencies?

Re-write, re-write, and re-write. What happens is what the writer says happens, this is the beauty of fiction. So, any dilemma or inconsistency can be resolved by taking the story in another direction.

8) What’s more fun? Writing a scenario involving a hero? Or plotting out a scene involving a villain?

If the section of the story is exciting, and moving ahead, the characters in the scene really don’t matter to me. Hero, villain, or minor characters all are there to further the story. Each one is fun to write about.

9) How do you get feedback while developing a novel? Do you use a writers’ group or friends or family?

Unfortunately, no. No feedback. My first readers are the publisher’s readers. Not an ideal situation, but that is the reality for me. 

10) I’ve had reviewers looking at a chapter tell me a character is ‘out of character.’ How do you ensure that does not happen?

Try to know the characters inside and out. Know what they like and don’t like. Know how they will react to each situation in the story. When you are writing from a character’s point of view that character shouldn’t be able to slip ‘out of character’. The story is told through his eyes and all the reactions will be his own.