Author Interview: Phrique

Hello, we are back again with a new author interview, and I have to say, I’ve been looking forward to this one for awhile. This author has had a book that has been on my TBR for awhile, so I am glad to have finally had a chance to poke their brain and find out what makes them tick. Now, I will warn ahead of time, there is swearing in this interview.

So, Phrique. why don’t we start with telling us a little about yourself?

Phrique: Hello all, I’m J.J. Horror fanatic & new-ish Splatterpunk author. I’m a psychology undergrad & I work at a big (non-gay, I checked) steel mill. It’s crazy hours but it pays for my schooling, plus I’m very expensive. Horror movies raised me more than my parents did (& it shows). I try to watch a horror movie/giallo daily to maintain the facade of my mental health. I’m also an avid horror reader/reviewer. Mainly Splatterpunk, extreme horror, & vintage horror. Much like my taste in movies, if there’s not a nipple within the first 4 minutes & someone getting their face ripped off…my already-faltering attention wanes. That’s mainly what I’m know for, besides avoiding trouble at all costs. Phrique, on the other hand, oh…he gets his own paragraph.

Phrique, if ya nasty, writes what the voices tell him to. So far this queerdo used his voice & hell-spawned talent to besmirch the Earth with his unholy trinity- Gig of the Damned: Slay the Competition on, Lube Me Up with Fry Grease, & Scissor Me Timbers. If bringing slashtastic glamour; smutsploitation absurdity; & sapphic sacriliciousness is just the beginning, imagine what the future holds? If you like it a little transgressive, a lot bloody, & a fuckton ridiculous-you’ve come to the right place. It’s horror as smart as it is stupid. Welcome to the PhriqueVerse: Embrace the nonsense.

Wow, so much to unpack there, and we may need to do another interview down the road as I’d love to find out more about all of it. Let’s start with the basics as we have to know, what got you started? What inspired you to put that preverbal pen to digital paper?

Phrique: I have always been an avid reader, and the more I read the more I felt like there was something missing. A niche that needed to be filled by a voice that deserved to be heard. I’m still finding out exactly what voice that is, one book at a time.

I feel you are definitely finding your voice well, and its great to see you trying to find and fill that missing space.

So just how many books have you released?

Phrique: 3 so far with a 4th dropping in a few days! (at the time of this posting, the 4th novel has now been released so make sure to check that out)

So are your novels are self-published. Is that what you’ve done with all your work? Is that your preference?

Phrique: I do it all myself. Something that is not necessarily easy but very fulfilling and worth it, for anyone who is on the fence about it.

So you do the covers and all? That is amazing! So of your books, which is your favorite?

Phrique: I understand, now, why parents say that they can’t pick a favorite kid. I also understand, now, that parents are liars. Gig of the Damned: Slay the Competition will always be my favorite, as it was my debut. It was my “he’s arrived & he’s taking no prisoners” warning to the world, in general.

I will admit, that is the one that has caught my attention and can’t wait to read the most. I see that we are both going to be at Spooky Frog Horrifying Book Fair on October 18th and definitely planning on snagging myself a copy.

So, you obviously love horror, who are some of your favorite authors?

Phrique: I have 3, sorry. I’m extra, so I need extra. Chuck aka Papa Palahniuk, Charlee Jacob, & Judith Sonnet.

Solid choice. I recently read Home by Judith Sonnet and can see why so many people have enjoyed it. I can’t wait to check out the other two.

So, that said, what one book would you say is your favorite of all time? What is your go to?

Phrique: Haunter/Soma by Charlee Jacob would be very hard to dethrone, but many have tried.

So would you say that is your biggest influence in your writing?

Phrique: I take huge inspiration from Charlee Jacob. Her vocabulary & ability to make the most grotesque scenes poetic are unparalleled. Palahniuk’s ability to make you question if it’s ok to laugh at something and ask, “Did he just…yes, I think he just did…” is very much my modus operandi.

So, let’s talk a little about your writing. You have published four books, do you prefer to write shorter or longer fiction?

Phrique: I will always be painfully long-winded, but I will do my best to make it entertaining & worthwhile.

Now then, my favorite question… are you a planner or a pantser?

(Now, for those of you that are not familiar, when it comes to writing you are usually either a Panster, Planner, or a hybrid of the two. A pantser is normally someone who rights without anything other than a vague plan of where the story is going to go. A planner on the other hand, outlines the story before they begin writing.)

Phrique: 4 books in, I’m learning I go both ways! I start with my end in mind & a mental skeleton. About halfway through I will write out a physical outline so I can be sure nothing is missing & then I flesh out the rest of it.

So when do you know you are done then? How do you make that determination?

Phrique: When my brain is tired & I know I’ve left nothing out nor wouldn’t remove a thing.

So, how do you come up with your characters?

Phrique: My characters all have little bits of me, but also are their own little weirdos. They’re almost all wild & over the top, but they have their reasons. They’d be someone you meet in a bar and say, “tell me everything.”

So, when your writing your characters, do you try to make them likable or do you prefer to have characters that people will hate?

Phrique: I’d prefer a “real” main character over likable any day. My main character in Scissor Me Timbers, Mother Superior, is hands down my most complex. You hate her, you’re so annoyed by her ways, but you get it. You want to take her down but still smirk at her one liners. She’s a wild ride from page one.

You said just released your latest book, or more accurately that you are releasing your fourth book, but by the time of this being posted it will be available. Tell us a little about it.

Phrique: In the Clurb We’re All Monsters is my first collab with my friend Asher Dark. It’s exciting because it’s my first time starring in a story of my own! This is a retelling of a famously picturesque villain who my estranged friend & I both end up being involved with. Things get really off the wall when we agree to meetup to bury the hatchet & end up having the night of our lives.

Now where can people find you?

Phrique: Https://linktr.ee/phrique

Thank you, Phrique, for taking the time with me, and for everyone out there, make sure to check out Phrique’s latest, Clurb We’re All Monsters.

So, before I wrap this up, one last question. Is there anything else you thought I should have asked. Any last bit of knowledge you want to impart.

Phrique: Where do you see the horror scene/genre going?

I am seeing a very welcome changing of the guard in the indie horror scene. I’m happy to have the staples who crank out gold and keep their fan bases growing but I’m also glad there’s so much fresh blood showing up. There’s so many unique voices in horror & there’s room for everyone.

Thank you Phrique and I wish you the best in your continued success.