Lee Mitchell: Inspirations and Goals and Success

Lee Mitchell is a passionate horror author whose work delves into the psychological and supernatural realms of the genre. With a career spanning various media outlets and a lifelong love for all things horror, Lee brings a unique voice to the literary landscape. Their recently released book, The Divine Darkness, completes a thrilling trilogy that explores profound themes of perception and division. In this interview, we’ll uncover Lee’s inspirations, thoughts on the genre, and insights into their memorable characters, including fan-favorite Spock the tuxedo cat.

Lee Mitchell’s Horror Universe: Inspirations and Goals

Please tell the readers a little bit about yourself.

I’m a life-long horror enthusiast with a special interest in psychological and supernatural horror. I worked in media for several years, writing and editing for multiple outlets, until AI ate up all my assignments. I currently have a day job doing office work, but I spend the bulk of my free time writing and engaging in other creative endeavours. I’m also an amateur artist and I love discovering and reading talented new authors. The third book in my horror trilogy, The Divine Darkness, was recently released through Devil Dog Press.

Which one of your characters would you least like to meet in real life?

I would not want to meet Randy Thomas. He means well enough, at least in the beginning, but he becomes increasingly terrifying to all who defy him—and I have a feeling he and I wouldn’t see eye to eye on most issues. His ability, which he calls “divine judgment”, forces his targets to face every transgression they’ve ever committed, feeling in one intense moment the pain and grief of every person they’ve ever wronged. He’s willing to go to extremes to get what he wants, without any care about the potential suffering he might leave in his wake, and that, to me, is what makes a real monster.

Which of your characters is your favourite?

I need to side with the bulk of my readers on this one: Spock the tuxedo cat. He gains the ability to speak between books one and two, repeatedly stealing the stage. His commentary on human nature and behaviour adds a unique perspective, and his play on the “save the cat” trope in book two of my trilogy, The Lasting Light, was so much fun to write.

Which of your books best represents you?

I think the third book in my trilogy, The Eternal End, is most representative of me. The slipstream events and variability of the people the protagonists encounter betray many of my personal philosophies. They make the book… well, is inspirational horror a thing?

Other than the horror genre, what else has significantly influenced your writing?

The old pulp classics have had a huge impact on my writing. Ray Bradbury, Kurt Vonnegut, Richard Matheson, H.G. Wells, and George Orwell are among my most prominent influences outside the horror genre.

The term horror, especially when applied to fiction, always has such heavy connotations. What’s your feeling on the term “horror”, and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?

The term definitely has a dark feel to it, one that might turn off more sensitive readers/viewers. I believe we can break past assumptions and connotations, though. First and foremost, horror writers need to have more visibility as regular people, so potential readers can see that we are not criminals or serial killers, even if some of us happen to write about them. We come from all walks of life, with our own interests and struggles, and we each have something valuable to contribute to the literary community. What Ginger Nuts of Horror is doing is a good start.

Should horror be political?

It depends on the theme of the story. The Divine Darkness is absolutely political. I’m a US citizen, and I saw what was coming years ago. It inspired the trilogy—passionately so. The underlying themes in all three books are the growing divide and the power that perception has in driving it.

In my books, people literally see others who have differing beliefs as demonic, while all who share their views look angelic. People lacking strong beliefs become, instead, their worst fears. The series begs the questions: When we allow something as petty as perception drive us apart, is either side really 100% right or wrong? With the understanding that not everyone defines “good” and “evil” in the same ways, might the greatest evil be the blind hatred that is currently dividing so many people?

Why do you think so many people enjoy horror?

We live in a world where Murphey’s is one of the only real universal laws. Maybe it’s reassuring to see examples of how terribly wrong things could go, making our own lives look more manageable. Or perhaps watching proxies for real-life “bad guys” falling offers a sense of satisfaction we might not otherwise realize. Reality isn’t always fair, and while not all horror stories have happy endings, most offer at least some kind of catharsis.

What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre?

I’m not sure. We’re a pretty diverse group.

What new and upcoming authors should we take notice of?

There are a number of indie and small-press authors who deserve some attention. Chantal Noordeloos is one of my favourites. I would also recommend Suzanne Madrone and fellow Devil Dog authors Mark Tufo and Jaime Johnesee.

And who would be on your Mount Rushmore of horror?

Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Rice, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz.

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative, that have stayed with you?

Yes, a review on Goodreads. Here is an excerpt: “Beyond the captivating story, Lee’s writing style is unparalleled. ‘The Divine Darkness’ is undoubtedly the best book I’ve read this year. Lee Mitchell has an incredibly promising future, and I eagerly anticipate what comes next. ‘The Divine Darkness’ was a captivating read from start to finish, and I envy anyone who gets the chance to read it again for the first time.”

What aspects of writing do you find the most difficult?

The editing process is usually the most gruelling for me. No matter how much you love a book, it can feel tedious to read over and over and over and over….

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It depends on my mood. If I’m excited about a scene, I tend to feel excited about writing it. Even so, writing on a deadline can make any scene feel exhausting by the end.

What’s your best advice for new authors about social media?

Learn the etiquette and keep things professional. Be open to critique and be willing to learn from other authors.

How do you balance making demands on the reader with taking care of the reader?

I make sure that the feel-good scenes make everything else worth it.

Writing is not a static process; how have you developed as a writer?

I’ve learned to appeal to the senses, so reading my work a visual and sensual experience. I’ve also learned how to bend the rules in ways that add to my work instead of detract, and I take chances on themes and concepts that might have scared me off even a years ago.

What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing your books?

I don’t always need a solid outline. Sometimes, I just need to have a little faith in the process.

What does literary success look like to you?

It looks like copies of my books being shared between friends and family members, being discussed in book clubs, and providing enough income to allow me to write fulltime. Most of all, it means that the underlying themes in my books made an impact—made people think about how they were treating their fellow human beings and how they might have demonized and deified others based on petty and/or superficial rubrics. My greatest hope is to make a difference in the way people think (while also entertaining them in creative new ways).

What is the best piece of advice you ever received regarding your writing?

Learn the ins and outs of grammar and punctuation. The less reason you give an editor to mess with your work, the fewer extraneous edits (the editor rewriting whole sentences, or even paragraphs) you’ll also suffer.

Do you have a favourite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?

Yes, thank you! This passage is from The Eternal End:

There was no sky, and there was no visible ground; there was only darkness and fire. Specters of dozens of past Shattered realities filled the surrounding space, banished nightmares with nowhere else to go. Even after all this time, they instilled a sense of dread that Aurora couldn’t shake, and she cringed over the array of horrors she had no choice but to witness once again. The air smelled heavily of burning flesh, and deceased or dying versions of nearly everyone the young woman held dear were scattered across the black terrain. They appeared in wretched loops that resembled holographic movie clips but reeked with the stenches of waste and decay.

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

My last book, The Eternal End, is the final instalment in The Divine Darkness trilogy. It contains elements of cosmic horror and slipstream, with a bit of experimentation pushing those tropes. It also offers a message of hope while slamming the US political climate. The series is unique in that it has an asexual female lead… although, in this day and age, how else does one justify including a virgin birth? The book represents the culmination of the divide, with war tearing down what is left of society while the very fabric of reality begins to unravel.

I’m not sure what is next. I’m still undecided, but I have a few ideas.

If you could erase one horror cliché, what would be your choice?

Oh, come on, cliches can be fun sometimes, too! I try to have a sense of humour about such things; one person’s trash is another’s treasure.

If your partner was going to leave you for another author, which author would you like them to end up with and why?

I am asexual and live purposely without a partner. 😉

What’s the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer?

Question: What motivates you to write horror?

Answer: I began reading horror at a young age, influenced by a close family member who had a particular love for all things Stephen King. I enjoyed the psychological twists and the different kinds of dynamics between the protagonists and antagonists, as well as the creative freedom in writing supernatural horror. It offered an outlet for self-expression. To me, the different elements of the genre serve as proxies for the real-life horrors we all face. When we root for the good guy, we root for all that remains good in this uncertain, troubled world. I like being a part of that.

Further reading

Check out Lee’s brilliant essay on Agoraphobia here

Lee Mitchell

Office worker by day, science fiction and horror writer by night, Lee Mitchell reaches out through their stories to generate new approaches to old questions about the human condition. Their work reflects a dichotomy of darkness and hope, such as the world we live in, exploring good and evil through their love of the written word. Their world view might seem a little different to most—Lee believes in magic and marvels and miracles—but no one can deny the wonder they leave in their wake.

The Divine Darkness by Lee Mitchell

The Divine Darkness: A mysterious apocryphal event transforms nearly everyone on Earth, shaping them according to their worst fears or their most profound beliefs. The streets become inundated with vampires, werewolves, spontaneously combusting humans, and other horrors—all while winged beings rise to the top of the new order, ready to exterminate anyone who threatens their faith.

Circumstances propel two seemingly random strangers to the frontlines. Randy Thomas has an epiphany that inspires him to raise a fervent army of true believers. Alisha Brown finds herself the target of vengeful creatures, while random strangers begin to worship her in awe.

Each has been touched by the hand of fate, and each believes they are humanity’s last hope. But when the laws of reality no longer apply, and no one can trust even their own eyes, belief can become a funny thing…

Trilogy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKWXPYVV

If you’re a fan of horror, the Ginger Nuts of Horror Review Website’s horror interview page is an absolute must-visit. This section is a treasure trove for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of the genre and discover the minds behind some of the most captivating horror works today.

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Moreover, the horror interview page doesn’t shy away from exploring the complexities and nuances of the genre. Interviewees discuss themes that resonate within their work, from societal fears to personal experiences. This opens up a dialogue about what horror truly represents, making it not just entertainment but a reflection of deeper human emotions and fears.

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So, if you’re seeking fresh insights, thought-provoking discussions, and a deeper connection to the horror genre, the interviews at Ginger Nuts of Horror are a fantastic resource that shouldn’t be overlooked. Dive in and prepare to be both thrilled and enlightened!