Our next guest is one of my newest favourite writers. I saw him around on Wattpad a bit talking to familiar faces and decided to check out his story and it was brilliant. I am proud to introduce ashiqtnt.
Question 1. Tell us about your story Survival, how did it come about and what is it about?
To be really honest, I'm not entirely sure where Survival came from. It was one of those disjointed thoughts that became words. I hadn't started writing and I wasn't really sure whether I should, I was judging the smackdowns and trolling/muckin' about the forums. The Pubbers sort of forced me into giving writing a shot and now you have Survival.
On a basic level, it is a zombie story. But I like to think of it as a survivors' story rather than just some protagonists running around killing zombies. It focuses on Viktor and Carol who are trying to get to an army base following a radio broadcast and all that happen in between. There will be a great deal revealed and yet left unsaid by the end of this. Sci-fi was what I was aiming for but looks like I landed in horror as well by introducing the Z-packs. I am glad they forced you.
Question 2. What first drew me to your work was the Z-Packs, they pretty much nearly scared me to death…how did you come up with them?
I am glad it had that effect. While I was doing a little research for zombies, I thought to myself, 'hang on. How about packs? Like wolves'. Hordes are always there in the classic zombie movies or the crazy running ones like in the 28 Days Later movie. I thought why not give them some intelligence and give the good guys, so to speak, a challenge. Then I realised that a learning zombie is gonna give people nightmares. So I combined all these little things and made up Z-packs. I'm assuming they're very different from your average zombie in the scare factor too. I still get the nightmares -.-
Question 3. What are three important tips for writing a horror story?
Tips? You're asking me? I'm a beginner myself. I can however give a little thoughts on this:
a. Research. At least use Wikipedia. Your readers have the internet, they're not stupid. If you try to put in some lame horror by invoking ghosts and stuff, they'll yawn. Give them genuine descriptions and places if possible. Nothing is scarier than knowing that horror lurks around the corner.
b. Editing and Language. Make sure your language is fit. Read some horror and try to fit in the style of a horror or create your own. Everyone knows horror story settings: haunted houses, mansions, abandoned places, forests etc. You should be able to convey the dread, sometimes it's by descriptions, sometimes it's by withholding descriptions and letting the reader's imagination betray him/her. Next, please edit your works. A little blips are understandable but if your work is full of them, that'll create a type of horror that you did not intend.
c. Plan/Improvise. Have a basic plan ready. You can flesh it out as you go along if you want after taking in critiques and comments. In essence you should know what your story is about, how it should feel etc. but if you get genuine advice about something take it on board and see if you can incorporate it. Especially look out for people who write in the genre, they'll know more and will be willing to guide you properly in whatever way they can. A beginner? These are words of wisdom! *jots down notes* Insightful and amazing advice sir.
Question 4. How can writers gain more readers on Wattpad?
That's a tricky one, Thomas. I've thought about using the SYS but I haven't used it yet. I think you should try and build up a friendly relationship with some people. More often than not, they will check out your works and help you out and spread the word. I have a habit of telling people I meet on here about the good works I've read. And I know my friends on here do the same. A couple of them had even created threads for 'Survival' in the Undiscovered Gems club. I was very grateful for that.
It's better to build good relationships rather than a read-for-read, it'll help you receive good critique as well as increase your readership. I like your style...Wattpad seems like a really great place for making good friendships.
Question 5. Do you research for your writing?
Yes, I do. But I'm incredibly lazy, so I tend to research as and when the time comes. I know quite a few people who would do all the research and file them but I could never do that. Saying that, it is imperative that research is done. If you mess up on some crucial things, your readers will find it and you'll feel like an idiot. Being a little more inclined to sci-fi though, you can make stuff up as well but that would mean research into making your setting, technologies etc. seem plausible.
Question 6. Can you tell other Wattpad users about The Pub, for those who don’t know?
You do not talk about the Pub. You do not talk about the Pub.
*whispers* The Pub is a place where we grumpy bastards hang out. It's where you'll find the older and more mature variety of people. It's a great place to hang out and be a little crazy, grab a virtual pint and shoot some virtual darts. You meet a lot of interesting people there who will not discuss teen related stuff and you can have a good chat and laugh. I should warn you though that the humour is said to be 'not universally understood' and sometimes crossing the trolling line. Saying that, the most genuine people I have met here, I met them at the Pub. Sounds like a cool place. I hope they don't come after me for talking about it!
Question 7. How important is it to enter competitions on Wattpad?
If you're talking about the smackdowns, I'd say give it a shot. It's peer reviewed and will give you ideas and inspire creativity. Some of the participants have had their confidence boosted and written some real good stuff afterwards. I'm judging the ongoing sci-fi SD in the Pub and I can tell you the quality of writing has improved drastically. (This is my fourth stint as a judge, I think.) If nothing, it will give you and your works more exposure and at least someone will check your work out and help you improve/promote.
Question 8. Do you have any secrets to get the creative juices flowing?
I wish I did. I need to open a blank word document and keep doing other things on the internet. Then something strikes and I just start writing. I am yet to find that stimulant to writing. One day... Please let me know when you do?
Question 9. If you had to choose only one genre to write in for the rest of your writing days, which one would it be and why?
I'd probably write sci-fi. I've always liked it and I think I'd be able to make up technologies and stuff. There is a risk of it turning into horror or something else along the way like what has happened partly with Survival. But I guess it'd be a welcome turn of events.
Question 10. What do you look for when choosing to read someone’s story?
If the blurb catches my eye, I end up reading it. Or if someone I know well recommends a story then I'll check it out. Sometimes if I like the person I'm chatting to or interact with them in the Pub or somewhere and I think I like their style, I tend to check their stories too. Chances are if you make mistakes (plural, not one mistake; I'm not heartless) in the blurb, I won't even bother.
Question 11. What is your writing process? Do you write standing up? In bed, on the floor, at a desk? Do you edit before uploading or after? Do you plan out the story first, character profiles etc.
I'm a very haphazard person. I wish I had a place and mood and method to my madness. I normally write in the dark in bed. I find it difficult to sit at one spot and write, so I'm constantly munching, moving around, and coming back to writing. I plan things in my head and just keep on going when I start typing. Being incredibly lazy means that I don't put my plans down or anything. I also tend to edit the small typos as I go along whenever I find them because they keep nagging me. I give it a final edit in the end. But I always miss something. Thankfully, my readers do a better job than me. Saying that I do plan my characters out first in my head in quite some detail. I think it makes them more realistic if you give some thought into their characteristics.
Question 12. Challenge Question – Write a summary for a Horror story that has not been written yet.
Adam had it all-fame, fortune, family and friends. One act of nature and the latter two were ripped away from him, his family dying in front of his eyes. Hoping to leave it all behind, he moves to a little isolated peaceful village. Everything seems perfect and orderly. The house is exquisite, the neighbours are friendly and the village is picture-perfect. Soon he finds strange hapennings in his house: a flash, a shadow, a presence. It enjoys scaring him yet he finds that it never hurts him physically, he feels as if it enjoys feeding on his fears. Seeking the help of a reluctant gypsy woman, he finds that the entity is not just some mischeivous poltergeist but a demon king banished to purgatory, bent on returning its rule to the earthly realm and it has its sights on a perfect host- Adam.
Why did I ask you to do that? That scared the hell out of me! Very nice work. You are going places ashiqtnt.
Check out the mans incredible story!
Survival - The Mayans were right…..almost. On the 23rd of December 2012, the Earth witnessed beautiful harmless meteor showers all round the planet. Beginning on the 25th of December, the world did end for the humans. The earth did not implode, the stars did not come crashing down, no giant tsunamis hit the coastlines nor did the seas and oceans have raging fires. But one prediction for the Apocalypse did come true. The dead had risen. Not for judgment by the Lord, that may not have been as scary. Very hungry and with uncommon pack intelligence they were a different breed of the undead from those seen in Hollywood. Initially only the recently dead awoke, then everyone who died on or after that day came back alive. The problem: majority of the world had died; the line for the recently resurrected was endless.
But as always, humanity endures. Survival has always been something the human race has been good at. This time it will be the survival of the fittest.