Creative Corner – Mark Taylor

January 25, 2016 Creative Juices 0

What can you say about a horror author who likes cats? Other than…awesome!!

Mark Taylor’s debut novel crash landed on planet earth in 2013. Its dark brooding style benchmarked his writing and has led to further releases of novel and short story collection alike.

While most of Mark’s work is macabre, occasion has it that he will write about kittens and daisies. Just not very often.

Some say he is a product of his environment, others, a product of his own imagination.

The Basics:

Welcome, Mark. Thanks for joining me here on Creative Corner. What should my readers know about you?

Thanks for having me! Well, I’m an author from the south east of England. I’m married, and have a fur baby (who is plotting to kill me – cat, obvs). I’m a bit of a rapscallion, and being English I enjoy pies. And beer. And takeaways. And beer.

What are the 3 words that best describe you?

Working. Sleeping. Drinking.

Tell us about your work.

I write mostly dark and macabre fiction, but it bleeds from one genre to another. Horror is obviously a big factor, but science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, and bizzaro all have a place. I write mostly novellas and novels these days, but in the past, and still on occasion, I write short stories. While I’m totally wrapped up in a couple of novels (three to be precise) at the moment, I really want to write another short story collection.

Which piece of work are you most proud of?

I suppose Shutter Speed, as it was my first written novel. But I kinda want to mention Total Entertainment, a short story from my newest collection Strange from Eleventh Hour Literary Press. It’s getting a lot of positive feedback.

What other creative endeavors do you enjoy?

I’m a massive film and TV fan. I love horror movies. I love Supernatural. I love to be scared, and to be honest I think there is a massive resurgence lately of really good horror movies. It sort of died a death in the early 2000’s, but now it’s back with a bang. 2014/15 has been a big couple of years, and I hope it goes on.

What would people be most surprised to see on your Kindle or bookshelf?

It’s half full of cookbooks…

How about your playlist?

I think most people would be surprised to see anything that’s not heavy metal.

I love music, and I’m always interested in the musical tastes of my friends. Tell me your 3 favorite songs.

Hm. I don’t think I’ve ever had to ponder this one before. Um, Don’t Stop Me Now, by Queen; Welcome to the Jungle, Guns ‘n’ Roses; and Ready to Roll, Jet Black Stare.

What song best describes your life?

As soon as I met my wife Don’t Stop Me Now became my mantra.

In the story of your life, who would you like to play you?

It would have been Philip Seymour Hoffman. Now? How about Statham?

The Glamorous, Dangerous Romance Section:

You’re about to be teleported back in time to the days of castles and dragons. Please cast the following roles:
- King
  - Brian Blessed
- Queen
  - Helen Mirren
- Prince
  - Jenson Ackles
- Princess
  - Jenson Ackles in a dress ala Adam Sandler/Jack and Jill
- Court Jester
  - Lee Mack
- Alchemist
  - Lord Percy (Blackadder II) – Getting’ me some purest green.
- Evil Nemesis
  - Darth Vader
- Dragon
  - Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)

What is the biggest danger facing the castle?

Darth Vader has used the force to mind control Lord Percy into creating a potion that will cause Prince Jenson and Princess Jenson (Princess Jensonette?) to fall in love and begin an incestuous relationship which will bring shame to the kingdom and cause the downfall of modern civilization. I can’t believe I just wrote that.

How do you prevail over this danger?

I persuade Jester Mack to break the spell by telling very British jokes about tea, failing the dark lord’s plot and saving the day. While riding Toothless.

We’re off to the Cannes film festival. Who do we meet there?

Bruce Willis and Terry Wogan. It’s the only way to be sure.

What do you wear on the red carpet?

I’m a sharp three piece sort of guy. Fitted. Shiny shoes. Pocket watch. You know, gangster. Like the Rat Pack.

You’re about to be sucked into a soap opera. The only thing you have control over is which one you land in. Which one is it?

Please God tell me we’re all agreed that Star Trek is technically a soap. Otherwise, I’m out.

You’ve been invited to 2 different events, each taking place on the same day/time. Do you attend the star-studded charity event for a charity you don’t feel strongly about? Or a low-key gathering of a dozen people you find interesting and entertaining?

Who cares about people I find interesting? Support the charities, man. It doesn’t matter if there’s anyone there, it doesn’t matter if it’s a charity I support particularly, if it’s a worthwhile cause that will benefit from my presence, I’m all over it.

You’ve been chosen to receive a custom wardrobe by the designer of your choice. Which designer is making it for you?

What are these designers you talk of? Nah. JPG. I wanna look like I just dropped out of the Fifth Element.

People magazine is featuring you on next month’s cover. Why?

Because I’m on the verge of bringing everyone together in a selfless act of creation. I will bring about world peace via art. By fiction. By writing. Because the world needs to sit down and be quiet for a moment, to just listen to itself, and that can only be achieved by everyone taking that moment. Because God Gave Rock and Roll to You.

We have front row tickets to Fashion Week in NYC. Who are we sitting with?

Bruce Willis, Terry Wogan, Barbara Windsor, and Tony Hancock. And Harrison Ford.

Whose collection are you most looking forward to seeing?

Valentino.

You’re given to chance to star in either Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. Which movie do you choose?

Well, Star Wars. Lord of the Rings isn’t REAL.

Which role do you play?

I’d like to think of myself as some amazing Dark Lord of the Sith, but honestly? I’m probably going to be the stormtrooper that buys it first.

Who is starring in the movie with you?

Me and Harrison Ford team up to do in Jar Jar Binks.

Interviewee’s Choice:

You’re throwing a party in a magical world where anyone, living or dead, real or fictional, will show up if invited. Who are the first 10 people you invite?

Bruce Willis, Albert Einstein, Jean-Paul Sartre, Richard Laymon, Michelle Obama, Clive Barker, Yngwie Malmsteen, Boba Fett, Dorian Gray and Ellen Ripley.

Match.com has been introduced to Fairytale Land. Who are the 3 most unexpected couplings to come about?

Cinderella/Quasimodo

Prince Charming/Tarzan

Dopey/Bambi

Everyone’s running for President these days, so why not you? Tell me your campaign slogan.

“Vote Mark. Because I said so.”

The Personal Touch:

You co-wrote Redemption with author Charles Day. What did you like best about co-writing a book with another author?

It’s bouncing ideas around and having a constant sounding board. Being able to have the writing beta’s constantly. It stops the process from being solitary. Man, writing can be solitary. Yay for Facebook!

What was most challenging?

For me, I think it was the time difference between the two of us. Charles lives in New York, I’m in the UK. It meant that our conversations took time, with replies usually coming over night.

Coincidentally, I have also written a book titled Redemption, though mine is a romantic suspense novel, involving a pop-star locked in a psycho rehab facility and repairing the love she feels for her ex, the movie star action hero who saves her. If our two Redemption novels were mashed into one book, what would the new story look like?

Still set in the Coral Reef Center, Mindy would be let down by handsome leading man Earl, however lurking in the shadows of the center is something dark…something that died a long time ago, something that wants revenge on Shirley Cantwise…

Something like that. (Ed. Note: Oh…fun!)

You have a number of short story collections. What appeals to you most about writing short stories?

I like the start/stop of short stories. I find I get less blocks with them, and I can move from one to another changing direction whenever I like. I also like to kill my characters. There’s a lot less to consider when offing main characters in shorts.

What appeals to you most about writing novels?

The expanse that you can put into the landscape. The depth of character. The love…and the hate. The fact that you can see the whole picture and not just the scene.

Your stories deal with, shall we say, the darker side of humanity. What was the darkest moment in your own life?

The prospect of changing jobs. Employment in the UK was very difficult when I left school, and I was lucky enough to get temp work. I’ve only been out of work for six months, my whole life, but man, that was hard.

What was the most frightening?

I have dark, vivid, nightmares. So I don’t get frightened easily anymore. But I was pretty terrified when I fell off my bike when I was young and broke my arm. I was only a wee lad. Couldn’t grasp the fact my fingers were pointing the wrong way, I guess. Then there was the time I crashed my motorbike into a bus. That was scary I suppose. And when I lost control of it in the snow, once. I actually fell off my motorbike during my exam and they still passed me. I guess what’s really scary is that I was allowed on the road on two wheels.

I have four wheels now, though.

Have you ever had any paranormal experiences? If so, what were they?

I’m afraid not. I’d love to though.

If you were going to fake your own death, how would you do it?

It’s not an easy thing to do, but having gotten away with it once, I’m reluctant to share. *winks*

Agree or disagree: Revenge is a dish best served cold?

Agree!

Why kittens and daisies?

Because you have to have some cute in your life. My publisher said it was strange to see me posting kittens on my Facebook wall when I write horror, but it’s not all horror, is it? I mean, most of it is…that’s why kittens and daisies.

Reach Out & Touch Someone: