Dark fiction author Chad Miller chats with me today about his new horror novel, The Prisoner of Fear.
Bio:
Chad Miller is a pharmacist by day and author by night from Delaware. An enthusiast of art, culture, and horror, Chad enjoys creating truly frightening stories that keep his readers wide awake long after they have closed his book. When writing these stories, Chad loves to incorporate his knowledge gained from his Psychology degree from Syracuse University to create truly twisted and evocative narratives. When he isn’t writing or working, Chad likes to practice his Russian and play the guitar, and spend quality time with his children. He dreams of seeing the world with his girlfriend, Natasha.
Welcome, Chad. Please tell us a little bit about your newest release.
In Philadelphia 1889, John Doyle lingers in a constant state of unrest. His greatest fear is his own mortality and the endless, eternal void that awaits him. In an obsessive effort to prove his dreaded terror to be just a fallacy, he investigates mysteries, sightings, and obscurities that fall through the cracks from the local authorities. If he can encounter a ghost, evade a monster, or prove that God is real, then there is hope for such a thing as an immortal soul.
While dwelling in his skepticism, John receives a letter informing him that his friend, Dr. Charles Thorton, has gone missing after a trip home to treat his ailing childhood friend. John and his colleague, Thomas Braham, head off to Ashford, Connecticut and encounter the terrifyingly dark, carnivorous, and macabre events that lead to Dr. Thornton’s disappearance.
What inspired you to write this book?
In the horror genre, so much is focused on the monster. What is their motivation? Are they truly evil? But I wanted to explore the moral challenges that a loved one of the afflicted might face. I wrote a short story called, Mother Hen which was about a mother whose daughter was transformed into a horrific cannibalistic monster. This mother was forced to face the dilemma of watching her daughter starve to death or lure in unsuspecting victims so her daughter can feed. After writing the story, I knew it was my favorite piece I ever wrote. I then decided to use this as a basis for a novel. And then like a seed…it grew.
Excerpt from The Prisoner of Fear:
I often pray there is no God. Without a spiritual element in this world, when I die, I will have no conscience or any judgment against me. In time, the history of my name will fall into the void and be forgotten. All of my past sins will be swallowed by the overwhelming multitude of sin and degradation of the present.
If there is a God, the eventuality of my destination to hell is a certainty. My sins will be the noose around my neck, and I will deserve any punishment served upon me. In the eyes of God, I would’ve failed the test. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. I could never triumph like Abraham. Cordelia’s condition has stripped me down to my most basic self, to my most maternal. I would protect Cordelia with my last breath and throw everyone into the jaws of danger in order to ensure her survival. This may deem me to be morally corrupt. I am aware of my transgressions. I understand the devastation I have caused other people and their families, but I own a clean conscience. Everyone will fall from my sword. It is my duty as a mother, God be damned.
What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m writing a 3-part novella called, Cerebus. It’s a cross between Greek mythology and a spaghetti western. It is told within the viewpoint of each head of the three-headed dog which guards the gate of Hades. After this, my next project will be a novel called, Confession which will be loosely based off of the Lizzie Borden murders. This summer I stayed overnight at Lizzie Borden’s actual house where the murders occurred for research for this project.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve been writing for over 25 years, and until recently, have never been published. Throughout all these years I considered myself as someone who loved to write. This past May, one of my flash fiction stories was accepted for publication and it was my first paying gig. I received $4. It was then that I considered myself a writer.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I work full-time as a pharmacist. My hours are long and the job is demanding. I’m also a single dad and try to find quality time with my girlfriend, Natasha. I love spending time with my kids, and Natasha’s daughter, Sasha. We try to soak in as much culture and art as we can. Time is my biggest limitation as a writer. I write when I can, sometimes it’s during my girl’s gymnastics practice, or I skip working out to write, but mostly it’s in the wee hours of the night, which is aptly suited for horror.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
There are too many. I’m am a happy dude, but I gravitate to everything dark, from the music I listen to, the art I love, or the books that I read. I’m cold all the time. In the summer, at work, I wear a sweater (that god-damned air conditioning!). I hate the feel of cotton. I love coffee, only black…blacker than a moonless night. I am a completely independent person and unfortunately transforming from sarcastic to a cynic, but one of my favorite things is giving and receiving affection.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
If you asked me as an 8 y/o, I’d probably say basketball player. I’m not well suited for this. I can’t really run fast or jump high which are two attributes that are essential, but man do I have a killer jump shot. I’m a kickass pharmacist, but I’m a writer at heart.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I’m a Philly Jewish kid at heart who loves to write scary stories. Hopefully, art and culture isn’t lost in this click bait society. Hopefully, the book will be picked up instead of the cell phone, the fresh piece of fish for the Dorito. I know times have changed and I find myself saying, “Things were better when I was a kid.” I guess I’m getting old…but I look freakin’ good!