Published April 21, 2023 by Amazon Digital Services
Published April 21, 2023 by Amazon Digital Services
Be true to yourself and stand up for what's right. Michael, Tim, Dominic, and Logan are four buddies in the suburban town of Fairmont, Texas. Their lives are turned upside down when a demonic entity begins to terrorize their families and all of Fairmont as a whole. Logan knows that he is gay, but has to deal with his family that go to a hate-fueled church led by Johnny Cumberland, otherwise known as Johnny Gospel. The four friends must band together through thick and thin to stand up in the face of evil and hatred. Days and years may come and go, but one thing remains the same. When you're at your lowest you shouldnt be afraid to admit you need help. And don't forget, that we can get by with a little help from our friends. Thanks, Joe Cocker.
What attracted you to the genre(s) you write in?
So, I was never opposed to Horror, but I did not consume it very often for most of my life. That was mostly because it scared the crap out of me, and I was more of a comedy guy. Fast forward to when I checked out of rehab and started the long road to recovery. I think you can see where I'm going with this. I found my next fix and horror has been giving me chills and thrills ever since.
What part of writing do you consider a chore?
Formatting, omg. I love writing and I even love editing. But formatting books is a special kind of hell.
Where were you when you first thought "I need to write this story?"
For Chasing Demons I was at work. The song, You Are My Sunshine, came into my head and I thought of some twisted things that could happen with that in a story. I thought of that and other experiences that I would love to relate in a long form story. That got me to put some words down on a page and the rest of the novel followed behind.
Did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Yes, I started to take it more seriously, and developed different habits that help me to stay productive.
What's your favorite "bad review" that you've gotten?
I'm not exactly lighting the world on fire with my number of reviews yet. I do have a 2 star review that I liked because while she says that the story wasn't for her, but she explained why others might like it. Here is a small excerpt...
"I highly recommend that people read this one for themselves and not base their decision on my personal opinion."
What comes first for you - the plot or the characters?
It depends. I would say that I usually get the plot first and fill in the characters afterwards, but there have definitely been times that I had a character come to mind that I just had to base a story off of.
Do you have any writing superstitions?
I tend to want to drink out of the same coffee cup while writing. It wouldn't be the end of the world for me if I used another, but I will go out of my way to go get the same one even of there is another one closer.
Is there a word you find yourself using too often when writing?
I can't think of one specifically but I do get stuck in patterns of using a word. When going back over and editing I will notice that there was a section where I used the same word numerous times and have to change a few to avoid sounding repetitive.
A lot of authors have a soundtrack while writing. Are there any songs you had on repeat?
I was in like the top .01% or something of listeners for Brandon Boone last year on Spotify. You know what, I think I just found something else for that superstition question, lol! His music never has any vocals which is a must for me while writing and none of the melodies are ever jarring which could also throw me out of a groove. Highly recommend!
Do you have a favorite line that you've written? What is it and why do you like it?
One doesn't jump to mind but I do have a funny story about my opening line of The Bunker. I have had an obsessive love of bacon since I was a child. It was to the point that I would jokingly ask for bacon at Christmas time and actually end up getting the precooked bacon to eat while opening presents. My sister read the first line, "The smell of bacon roused me from my sleep," and brought it to my attention that my love of bacon had even made its way into my fiction. I never made the connection but thought that it was a funny coincidence.
What is something about the genre that annoys you?
Hmmm... that's a tough one. My mind first goes more to the perception of the genre than the genre itself. People hear Horror and recoil in disgust or blame it for tragedies. The sad part it is usually the same people who would not want to fund mental health initiatives or regulate guns in a responsible manner. Sadly, that's just the world we live in.
What advice would you like to pass on to aspiring writers that is unconventional but true?
Set goals for rejections. This is some wisdom that I was lucky enough to catch from Hailey Piper on Twitter and it's done wonders for my acceptance rate. More rejections, more acceptances! It also takes a bit of the sting out of rejections at times because you can add that tally mark toward your rejection goal for the year. It helps you realize that even your failures are progress that are moving you in the right direction.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Wake up and do it early in a space that you can be alone. After reading On Writing by Stephen King I made my own writing space as he suggests. That and waking up before the kids are going and I'm not exhausted from work already have done wonders for my productivity.
Do you have a WIP? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
I've been working on a lot of short stories lately to network and expand my publishing profile. My main WIP that I need to get back on is my next book that is about Los Hermanos trailer park and those dirty bloodsucking vampires that are skulking within.
Would you and your main character get along?
If I was the same age as him and his friends, then absolutely. If I were still my own age and was his father or uncle, then definitely not! At least he would have me worried sick if thay were the case.
Killing off characters your readers love - Risky or necessary?
I am currently wearing a shirt that I had custom made to taunt my wife. It has a typewriter in the center and says, "Killing all your favorite characters." I think that answers the question. Its definitely necessary in my opinion. If you can build such a close bond in your readers and then rip that away in a way that makes sense and hurts deeply. I think that's something really special.
Did any of your characters surprise you while you were writing?
Nancy starts off as the owner of a local horror-themed store called Nancy's Dream & Scream. Her character character development surprised me later in the book, but I will leave that as a surprise for the readers!
Which of your characters was your favorite to write and why?
Johnny Gospel. He is a devious, hypocritical, sorry excuse of a pastor. I loved being able to get into that twisted mindset and just play around with ideas.
You've watched a movie 50 times and you still aren't tired of it. What movie is it?
Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. I actually watched it every night one summer in middle school. Its laid back, hilarious, and just the kind of comfort movie I needed at that time. Snootchie Boochies!
Which animal (real or fictional) would you say is your spirit animal and why?
Capybaras. They are so chill that they let all sorts of other species just hitch a ride on their back. I can relate!
Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or a cottage surrounded by fairytale creatures?
Haunted mansion, with tons of ghost hunting equipment.
What would you say is your weirdest writing quirk?
I didn't even really tell anyone when I published my first book. I've always had trouble talking about myself, but the more I grow in confidence the more I feel comfortable sharing my work with friends and family.
Using only emojis, sum up your book.
👻🎸⛪️🔪🩸
You've just gone Trick or Treating.
What do you hope is in your bag?
What do you pawn off on your kids/SO/random stranger?
Butterfinger for my bag, Whoppers for anyone elses.
What is in your internet search history (researching for your book) that you would want someone to wipe if you were under suspicion from the police?
Where can someone get shot without killing them? How long can you live with a leg ripped off? What are the laws behind escaped mental patients?
You wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare. What was it?
If i actually wake up from it then probably falling. The falling ones always make me jump awake.
What cliched tattoo would your main character have?
Either a Michael Myers tattoo or a bass guitar in honor of his band The Forgotten Souls.
What movie completely scarred you as a child?
Scream. I remember watching it then trying to fall asleep in the living room. Suddenly the coats on the rack in the hallways looked eerily similar to Ghostface making his way over to me.
What's the strangest thing a fan (or other author) has said to you?
Nothing really stands out. Heres to many strange comments by fans and authors in the future!
If animals could talk, which one would be the rudest?
Wasps. They're jerks.
Your main character is at the hardware store. What do they buy?
Probably a chainsaw because he is a horror junkie and he knows that he has to be prepared for the stuff that is going down in Fairmont!
You're riding through the desert on a horse with no name. What are you going to call it?
If I name it then I can't keep singing the song! But if I had to, I would name it Mr. Ed, so that when I started hallucinating that he was talking to me I wouldn't freak out!
If you were bitten and changed, would you want it to be by a vampire or a werewolf?
Vampires are immortal, and I think it would be pretty epic to be one of The Lost Boys.
What are your SM links? Can we follow you and pretend we're besties?
@cd_kester on Twitter and @cdkester on Instagram. Absolutely!
Thanks so much for participating in the Author Spotlight! Anything you'd like to add?
My books just released on Godless.com where there is a bunch of great indie horror to grab at low prices. You can get both of my books and my audiobook there for $2.50! They are all also available on Amazon.
C. D. Kester is an author of fiction who does most of his work in the horror genre. He lives in Kingwood, Texas with his wife and two children. Kester recently published his first full length novel, Chasing Demons. He also has published a novella titled The Bunker. He has had many stories published in anthologies, ezines, and read in podcasts and on YouTube videos. You can see his work at cdkester.wordpress.com and follow on Twitter @cd_kester (https://twitter.com/CD_Kester) / Instagram @cdkester (https://www.instagram.com/cdkester)