Men in Horror: TONY TREMBLAY

Tony Tremblay

(Though I am on Facebook as Tony Tremblay I do use a pen name, T.T. Zuma for all of my reviews in Horror World and other review venues, and for all of my fiction).

1.     When did you start writing horror? 

I wrote my first horror story when I was 12. It was called, Spiders Ate My Face. My father read it, and he hated it. I was so dejected I didn’t write another until high school, when I was 17. My English teacher asked the class to write a comedic short story, I tried but couldn’t, so I handed in a horror tale about a man that got sucked into a painting and drowned.  The teacher gave me an A. I waited until my mid-fifties before I tried my hand at it again. I was very fortunate that Nanci Kalanta from Horror World took a look at it, enjoyed it, and decided to publish it.  

2.     Have you written in any other genre? 

Yes, I have published a crime story and I have another one written that I have to get around to submitting.  

3.     What makes you uncomfortable? 

Hardcore horror.  However, when it is fairly accessible, like the way James Wrath White, Monica O’Rourke, and John Everson do it for instance, the quality of the story usually wins out and I can get past the gore. But even then there are times I have to put the story down.  

4.     Does your family read your work?

My brothers and sisters, my in-laws, and my son do enjoy my work.  My wife has never read one of my stories.  She is a born again Christian and believes that my stories are influenced by the devil and that I’m going to hell (other than that one issue we have a great marriage by the way).  

5.     Does your writing make you uneasy?

It does.  I lie awake sometimes at night wondering if my wife is right.  

6.     Who would you say you write like?

I’m not sure.  I have been primarily influenced by two horror writers, Tom Piccrilli and Steve Vernon.  Their styles may not be obvious in my work, but everything I write has their mark on it from story structure to atmosphere.   

7.     Who are your favourite authors?

James A. Moore currently tops the list.  Christopher Golden, Gary Braunbeck, Robert Dunbar, Sandy DeLuca, Tim Curran, Chet Williamson, Bentley Little, John Everson, Thomas Sullivan, Gene O’Neil, Greg Gifune, Ray Garton, and Elizabeth Massie have been favorites for years.  Authors that are new (or new to me) that I’ve enjoyed include, Bracken Macleod, Jon Bassoff, Janet Holden, and Rose Blackthorn.  I know I’m leaving some great author’s out so please don’t consider this list complete.  

8.     Who influences you as a writer?

As I mentioned, Tom Piccirilli and Steve Vernon are the primary influences, but I also have a love of all those horror novels that were released in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, the good and the bad ones. They took themselves seriously, but not too seriously, and with few exceptions, the scares were visceral without resorting to hardcore gore. It’s a formula I try to follow in my longer work. 

9. Do you remember what your first horror book was that you read?

 No question, it was The Bible, The Old Testament to be exact.  Those stories were brutal. 

10.  How old were you?

 I believe I was around 10 years old when I started reading it. 

11.  Is there any subject you will not touch as an author?

 Pedophilia and rape scenes. I will reference them, but any action happens off the page and it will not be explicit.

12.  What was the best advice you were given as a writer?

 Join a writers group. It has given me invaluable insight on plotting, structure, and most importantly, editing. I would be lost without the feedback and help I receive from my writing group. 

13.  If you had to start all over again, what would you do different?

 My degree is in Mechanical Engineering, this didn’t leave a lot of room for non-technical electives.  If I could, I would have researched what elective writing courses were available at the time, and then sign up for every one of them and skip the Fluid Dynamics courses.  

14.  How many books do you read a year?

 An average of 100 books.  I review about half as many for Horror World.

15.  Do you write every day?

 I try to. 

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You can follow Tony Tremblay on Facebook and as T.T. Zuma in Horror World at http://horrorworld.org/msgboards/viewforum.php?f=2

Thank you very much!  I am very honored that you asked me to participate!