By Jim Mcleod 
What fuels a storyteller who dances with darkness? For author and creator Aidan Traynor, the drive is a profound fear of the mundane. He writes to escape life’s monotonous cycle, tapping into primitive fears to feel truly alive. When not crafting terrifying tales for his Nightcrawlers Dark Mysteries channel or his upcoming YA novel, Aidan seeks that same spirited energy in the real world, hiking, camping, and cold-water swimming with his two young boys. In this interview, we explore the puzzles of plot, the influence of Bukowski, and how he transforms a quiet landscape into a source of active dread.
Aidan Traynor Joins The Nightcrawlers Members Club
Let’s start at the very beginning. For our readers, please introduce yourself. Beyond the author bio, tell us a little about who you are when you’re not writing, what you love doing, what fascinates you, and what fuels your creativity.
Well, let me start with my biggest fear – which is good window into anyone’s soul. I’m basically terrified of the mundane, which is such a recent fear for us, evolutionary speaking. I’m scared of life becoming a monotony and doing the same thing over and over, I mean if you’re lucky enough to make it to later life, that cycle of rinsing and repeating each day will seem like such a waste.
So, I write to escape this – something to look back on, I guess but more profoundly, to tune into more primitive fears and create something to scare myself with – which in some way helps me feel spirited and alive. I also manage this fear through more family friendly activities (I have two young boys) – like exploring; hiking, camping and a bit of cold-water swimming. It keeps my demons to just the page.
In the early stages of a new project, what tends to come to you first: a compelling character voice, a central thematic question, or a vivid image/scenario? How does that initial spark then guide you in building the rest of the story?
It can be different from one project to the next. With my short stories – it’s usually the setting that I picture first. In ‘The Offer’ – I think I was imaging someone responding to an ambiguous job advert that takes them to a perverse millionaire’s estate – and from there a crazy, murderous world was born. In ‘The Long Run Home’ an image came to me of someone lost on the dark, cold Yorkshire Moors stumbling upon three mysterious strangers sat around a fire – and then my mind went down the road of ‘well why would they be there?’ – which opened something pretty dark.
For my Nightcrawlers Dark Mysteries YT channel – it was a lot of ‘What-if’s’ – What-if someone just found a bottom-less hole in the back of their garden? What-if you could see death before it happened? ‘What-if you could use new tech to bring a deceased loved one back to life – only to discover what a monster they really were.’ I often find that a good concept helps me visualize interesting characters that either thrive or struggle in the setting. Then it becomes a lot easier to build the story.
Every book has its own unique set of problems to solve. What was the most difficult ‘puzzle’ you had to crack while writing this book? Was it a plot hole, a character’s motivation, the structure, or something else entirely?
I recently finished writing a YA horror mystery novel (it just has a working title at the moment) basically about a young lad called Louie who is kidnapped, and taken to a secret society where he discovers he has part alien DNA and learns of a whole subculture of people; people like him who act and look human but have certain traits that make them interesting.
Well, I got to a part in that novel where I couldn’t work out a genuine way of how his dead mother, before she died, managed to hide and leave clues to an important artifact that could destroy their society if found by the wrong people.
I sat at my screen for hours every night after work, for over a month – just staring…trying to figure it out whilst desperately trying not to lose my momentum and routine. It was beyond painful. I thought I was losing my mind at one point – I mean it’s said that writing for a living is a form of madness – spending hours in a world you’ve created, without validation that ultimately no one might ever read.
But imagine expending that energy and not even writing a word for over a solid month. But I’ll tell you what, that moment the solution came, was one of the happiest I’ve ever felt. I was sat on the toilet at work – I still remember that moment of joy and relief. I hollered out. The guy in the cubicle next to me definitely thought I was relieved about something else.
The journey from a finished manuscript to a book in a reader’s hands can be a surprising one. What was the most significant way your book evolved during the
editing and publishing process, something you didn’t anticipate when you typed ‘The End’?
Once a book is published, it no longer entirely belongs to the author; it belongs to the readers and their interpretations. Has a reader’s reaction or analysis ever revealed something about your own work that surprised you?
Haha – my partner of over 20 years still shakes her head and questions what’s in my head whenever she reads a draft of something I’ve written. “But you act so nice!” is something I hear a fair bit.
Writing is a demanding, often solitary pursuit. Beyond the apparent goal of ‘telling a story,’ what is the specific, personal fuel that keeps you going through the difficult stretches? Is it the joy of discovery, the need to understand something yourself, the connection with a future reader, or something else?
Love this question, however I simply don’t know the answer to it. It’s probably a mixture of all the above. I guess I have these ideas pop into my head that I just feel compelled to write down and create something with. I’m stubborn enough to then keep working at it until I’ve cracked it and it becomes something I’m proud of.
We often hear about authors being influenced by other books. What are some non-literary influences on your work, such as a specific piece of music, a historical event, a scientific theory, or even a landscape, that have profoundly shaped your storytelling?
As mentioned, previous I love getting out and exploring the countryside – mainly for that feeling afterwards when I feel at peace and liberated from the mundane, and often it unlocks something in my mind – allowing new ideas to flow.
Art can do this too – a trip to the Tate Modern (not far from where I live in London) or watching a play can unlock something in me, even if I don’t know what the hell is going on in the Art itself. Trying to understand the painting or the poem (I’m looking at you Dylan Thomas) is almost redundant – it’s how those colours make you feel, or how the rhythm of the words sing to you, that’s what’s important and it will often reveal something about you more than it will about the artist.
Is there an author, living or dead, whom you consider a ‘silent mentor’? Not necessarily someone you try to imitate, but whose approach to the craft made you feel permission to write in your own way?
Bukowski was the author responsible for me putting pen to paper. He made the art of writing seem so simple and fun – and reading became a joy when I had one of his novels in my hand – and although he wasn’t a horror writer, his authenticity, and his not giving a shit at how he might be received, as well as his ability to write about the everyday with such wit and novelty, is something I admire greatly and subconsciously try to emulate.
Who was the first person to see your early drafts, and why did you trust them with your unpolished work? What is the most valuable piece of feedback they gave you?
Horror is often most potent when it’s internal. Beyond external monsters, how do you explore the slow unravelling of a character’s sanity or the horror of their own mind?
We’ve all gone through dark times; we’ve all experienced suffering and pain – it’s part of what makes us human and in particular – how we process it. All I’m doing is channeling into that pain and fear that we’ve all felt at some point. Horror fans and writers – well, we’re a particularly odd bunch because we almost take comfort in that fear, and even try to cozy up to it, through the movies we watch and the books we read. I often wonder whether it’s our mechanism to acclimatise to our own inevitable deaths – haha I am a cheery person underneath all this, promise.
Setting in horror is often described as a character in its own right. How do you approach transforming a location, whether a house, a town, or a landscape, into a source of active dread?
It’s an interesting one, whether it’s the dark misty moors, or a haunted student house or even a creepy village of peculiar residents – I’ve experienced them to some extent, so it’s easier to shape them into a story when I tap into those emotions I felt at the time. For the dark mystery video on my YouTube channel ‘The Creepiest Student House in the UK’, it’s actually based on a student house I lived in, in Huddersfield, North of England.
It was an old mill owners house, converted into halls of residence – and it had this weird, creepy energy – strange unexplainable things would often happen in it, and because several of my housemates also felt it, it validated our fears. I hated going back to that house, to the point I’d stay out as late as I could to avoid going home. Some of the goings-on definitely shaped that particular story on the channel.
Writing a terrifying buildup is one skill; delivering a satisfying payoff is another. How do you decide when to finally show the monster or reveal the source of the horror?
The horror genre is rich with established tropes and archetypes. How do you engage with these familiar elements, the haunted house, the ancient curse, the final girl, in a way that feels fresh and surprising? Do you consciously seek to subvert a trope, or do you focus on executing it with such depth and authenticity that it becomes new again?
I suppose I always try and put a contemporary twist on a trope – as much as I love a jump scare and a creepy looming figure, they have been done to death and can make a concept feel quite pedestrian – so I’ll always put my spin on it – I mean my YT channel is pretty much that – creating these mysteries with classic tropes, in the style of a true crime documentary – but turning them on their heads – with twists that one might expect in a horror story. It’s great fun to do and makes for a scarier experience.
How do you approach writing scenes of intense terror or violence to make them feel physically impactful without tipping into gratuitousness?
Humour is a good vehicle for this – even if the character isn’t a funny old fellow himself – his reaction or thoughts to something intense can be, and can also reveal more about him or her. Like the hen-pecked killer who is worried about his victim’s blood dripping on the carpet, in case his over-bearing wife shouts at him for it.
Do you have a favourite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?
Get busy living or get busy dying…wait…no, that wasn’t mine.
What is the specific, core truth you are trying to expose or explore through your horror?
There are different underlying themes that run through all my stories tbh – in my new YA novel where Louie discovers he’s of alien heritage – the ‘truth’ I’m trying to explore is identity and finding your own one in a mixed-up, divided world when everything around you is acting crazy but you’re expected not to be.
But for other stories – it’s about pain and suffering being at the heart of everything we do, and how there is no avoiding it, only accepting it. Cheery hey?! But what I’ll add is that I always try and add hope to a story where I can, otherwise horror becomes too bleak and less enjoyable.
You have precisely two minutes in a crowded bookstore to hook a reader who is sceptical of the entire horror genre. They look at your book’s cover and ask, ‘Convince me. Why should I read this? I don’t even like being scared.’
The Nightcrawlers Members Club: Collection of Modern Horror stories – are tales so chilling you’ll feel closer to death, and in doing so, feel more alive than ever. Also, it will probably be in the bargain bin, so it will be cheap as chips! (a little self-deprecating humor there to help win them over – in case the first bit didn’t work).
The Nightcrawlers Members Club: A Collection of Modern Horror Stories: A Horror Anthology of Ghosts, the Occult, Psychological Thrills, and Modern Scary Short Stories. by Aidan Traynor
Step inside The Nightcrawlers Members Club where the morbidly curious, the sleepless, and the fearless gather in the dead of night to share their haunting tales that will crawl under your skin and linger long after the lights go out!
This chilling anthology brings together eight unforgettable tales from Aidan Traynor – Master of Fright and creator of The Nightcrawlers Members Club YouTube channel. Inside, you’ll discover ghosts that refuse to rest, strangers with sinister agendas, a perverse millionaire’s twisted game, paranoia running wild in a block of flats, and an encounter with the Devil himself.
The stories include:
- The Long Run Home — Three strangers around a campfire, each with a tale darker than the last.
- The Offer — A job advert that leads to something far more terrifying than employment.
- Visions of Ben — A grieving father discovers glasses that can see the afterlife… as well as things he wishes he couldn’t
- Tell Me What the Weather’s Like Outside — In a near-future ruled by AI, a father and son march toward an uncertain fate.
- The Trip — A chance meeting with a charismatic engineer sets one man’s life spiralling into the unknown.
- The Signal — A boy wakes on a distant planet with no memory, only a mysterious signal to guide him.
- Devil in a Basement — A journalist uncovers a case of abuse that hides a far darker truth.
- Aston Court — A missing girl, a desperate father, and the secrets festering in a North London tower block.
Dare to join the Club. The stories are waiting.
Aidan is an author of horror, mystery novels and short stories as well as the producer of The NightCrawlers Members Club Channel – Where true crime meets horror, and nothing is ever what it seems. He lives in London with his partner and two boys and despite loving London, enjoys every moment he’s away from it, usually in the countryside, exploring and trekking. His new short stories ‘The Nightcrawlers Members Club: A Collection of Modern Horror Stories, is out now.
YT: www.youtube.com/@TheNightcrawlersMembersClub
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thenightcrawlersmembersclub
Newsletter: thenightcrawlersmembersclub.com/about
New Book on sale here: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HYTCP8Z
Interviews on Ginger Nuts of Horror
If you’re a fan of horror literature and cinema, then you absolutely need to check out the horror interview section of Ginger Nuts of Horror.
Firstly, the interviews feature a diverse range of authors, filmmakers, and horror enthusiasts, allowing readers to gain a multifaceted understanding of the genre. Each interview is an opportunity to explore the creative processes, inspirations, and personal stories behind the minds that produce some of the most chilling and thought-provoking works in horror today. From seasoned veterans to up-and-coming talents, the variety of voices ensures that readers can find something that resonates with them.
Moreover, these interviews often delve into the nuances of what makes horror such a compelling genre. Contributors share their thoughts on the psychological aspects of fear, the societal influences on horror trends, and the ways in which horror reflects cultural anxieties. This deeper exploration not only enriches one’s appreciation for horror stories but also fosters discussions about broader themes, such as identity, morality, and existential dread.
The interviews frequently touch on practical advice and industry insights. Writers and creators often share the hurdles they faced in their careers, tips for aspiring horror writers, and the realities of getting published or produced. This wealth of knowledge is invaluable for anyone looking to navigate the sometimes challenging waters of the horror genre. Readers interested in breaking into horror writing or filmmaking will find a treasure trove of wisdom that could pave their path toward success.
Lastly, the community aspect of Ginger Nuts of Horror cannot be overlooked. Engaging with these interviews allows readers to feel connected to a larger community of horror enthusiasts. Comment sections and social media interactions often follow, enabling fans to discuss their thoughts and engage with both the interviewees and fellow readers.
In conclusion, the horror interview section of Ginger Nuts of Horror is an essential resource for anyone interested in the genre. It provides rich insights, guidance, and inspiration that can deepen one’s appreciation for horror while fostering a vibrant community among fans and creators alike. Don’t miss out on the chance to delve into the minds of your favorite horror creators!
