Hello Michelle.

It was lovely to meet you again recently in Ely, and I very much appreciated the opportunity to speak with you a little.

Over the past few months I have revisites some of your backlist and it has got me to thinking. I mentioned a while ago after having re read Wakenhyrst, how horrified I was at the behaviour of Maud’s father and you said that sometimes a character’s behaviour comes naturally with the writing process. I wonder if you are surprised sometimes at what comes from your subconscious?

I think that because of your writing I have also come to appreciate the subtle difference between ghost stories and horror lit. It can often be the behaviour of booksellers to lump them together, though I have now realised that the two are very different.
I personally find the ghostly portion spooky and (highly) likely to make the hair stand up on the back of the neck. The horror portion however, is often related to human behaviour, and can be truly terrifying (Maud’s father as a prime example, or the behaviours of the mountaineers in Thin Air) For me, this is the thing which truly makes the heart beat faster and makes us all the more aware at how abhorrent human nature can be.

Thank for scaring me (us) with such eloquent passion!

Valda.

Dear Valda, it was great meeting you again at Ely, in that very atmospheric church.  You asked whether I’m ever surprised at what comes up from my unconscious when I’m writing, and the answer is emphatically yes: I’m often surprised and sometimes startled – but mainly I’m just grateful that the ideas keep coming!  Concerning the distinctions you draw between horror and ghost stories, I agree with you there; and it will come as no surprise when I say that I much prefer ghost stories to pure horror (although that of course is simply a personal choice).  Finally, I’m so glad that I’ve scared you!  Thanks for getting in touch again.  With best wishes, Michelle