David Moody is the author of a well known zombie series titled, Autumn. Moody is also known for his wonderful literary skills and the ability to bring his characters to life. His latest works include a magnificent novel title Hater (5 Undead Heads out of 5) and the sequel Dog Blood. Check back later for a review of Dog Blood. He’s a fascinating and all around pleasant guy. Enjoy the interview.Lyle
Why Zombie fiction?
David
That's a good question. I think zombies have always been my favourite horror monsters - there are so many different levels to them, and the fact that 'they are us' makes them even more chilling. You know, it's one thing reading books about vampires and werewolves, but I think the idea of coming face to face with the dead remains of a relative or someone you once knew is far more terrifying. And the other thing, of course, is that they're already dead so you know the survivors in a zombie story are going to have a hell of a job trying to win! My real fascination is with post-apocalyptic fiction of all types and again, of all the traditional horror film and book monsters, I think zombies are the creatures that lend themselves best to the end of the world!
Lyle
How long have you been writing?
David
A long time! I started writing seriously in 1994. I'd tried to write a few books and stories before but I wasn't regimented enough to complete them. I set myself some ground rules - writing a minimum of a page a day, not editing until I was completely finished, planning thoroughly before I started writing etc. I amazed myself when, after six months, I'd finished my first novel (Straight to You). I've tried to write pretty much constantly since then.
Lyle
Where can someone find Straight to You? Is it’s still available?
David
In 2008, when I sold the Autumn series to Thomas Dunne Books, I removed all my other books from sale. I did that for a couple of reasons; firstly, to focus attention on the Hater and Autumn novels and, secondly, to give me an opportunity to tidy up and re-write them. I've learned a lot as a writer since they were first issued and I want to make sure the best books possible are on people's shelves. That said, I do have a few copies of the original edition of Straight to You (only 500 were ever printed so it's VERY limited). People can get them from www.infectedbooks.co.uk.
Lyle
Out of all your novels, which one was the most self fulfilling?
David
I'm not entirely sure what you're after here, but I'll try and answer as best I can. Of all my books, I'd say AUTUMN is perhaps the one that's closest to my heart. It's a story I love and it's really the book that started the ball rolling for me. When Straight to You was published and it didn't sell, I began giving Autumn away for free online. It took many years, but it built up a very solid fan base for me and allowed me to keep writing and churning out new material. The book's been off the shelves for a couple of years, and I'm really looking forward to it being re-released in September this year. The rest of the series will be released during 2011 and I can't wait for people to be able to read them again.
Going back to your original question, I'd also like to add that HATER is a hugely important book for me. It's the one that got me noticed and which allowed me to make the jump from self-publishing to being published 'traditionally' by a major publishing house. I think it's a unique book. It gets compared to a lot of other stories (Cell, The Signal, 28 Days Later), but they have very little in common. I love the main character, Danny McCoyne, because he's so ordinary at the beginning of the first book. He's based on me at a particularly difficult and frustrating time in my life. I used writing to get out of a rut, Danny uses violence!!
Lyle
I, for one, am looking forward to Autumn’s re-release. Finally being able to give the novel a review would be wonderful. I love Danny McCoyne as well; especially the relationship he has with his children. It reminds me of my battles with my daughter.
David
I know exactly what you mean! All the arguments in the book were based on experience! Danny has turned out to be quite a divisive character - plenty of people like him because they can identify with him so easily. Plenty of others can't stand him because he's such a waster. Whatever people's opinion of the character is, it's great to have created someone who provokes such strong responses.
Lyle
Do you read other zombie fiction?
David
I have to admit (and this is a terrible admission) that I read very little at the moment. That said, I watch as many films as I can get hold of, and right now I'm working my way through a slew of recent (and not so recent) zombie titles. I've just watched Colin and Pontypool and both versions of Dawn of the Dead again. I've got a stack of others ready... Fido, Return of the Living Dead (haven't seen it in years!) and many others.
Lyle
What is your favorite Romero film?
David
That's a surprisingly difficult question to answer. I think I'll have to chicken out and say that I love all three of the original trilogy the same. 'Night' had a profound effect on me as a kid when I first watched it, and the two sequels which followed were both very good films. I have to say, I was disappointed by 'Land' and I thought 'Diary' was dire. I'll watch 'Survival of the Dead' as soon as I can get my hands on a copy, but I'm not expecting too much...
Lyle
Well, I’ve heard through the zombie channels that Romero is back to his old tricks. I have not seen it myself so I can’t really say first hand. But I have heard some good things about Survival.
David
I've heard conflicting reports. There's nothing I'd like more than for Romero to have made a film which matches the power and importance of the original trilogy.
Lyle
Have you viewed the movie adaptation of your novel, Autumn?
David
Yes, I have many times, in fact. I've chosen not to say too much about it. That's because I'm in a unique position. When I write, I visualize a book to the point where I know exactly what everything and everyone looks like, where the locations are, how the characters talk etc. etc. With the best will in the world, the film-makers were never going to be able to match the movie I've watched in my head!
It's fair to say the film was limited by its very small budget, but they got some real talent in front of the camera (in particular Dexter Fletcher, Dickon Tolson and David Carradine). There are some great performances. Unfortunately, the Autumn books are often badly reviewed because they don't comply to the typical zombie story clichés (for example, there's no flesh eating and the stories are more about the survivors than the zombies). A lot of people have watched the film expecting a typical zombie bloodbath and that's not what they got! (Hence the very low rating on some movie sites).
Lyle
Is there any talk about a Hater movie adaptation?
David
Yes! The film rights to Hater have been optioned, and the option has just been extended so I hope there will be some news on the project very soon. The film will be produced by Guillermo del Toro, and directed by J A Bayona who directed 'The Orphanage'. To say I'm excited about the movie would be the understatement of the century!
Lyle
Wow, you have some big names getting involved with this project. I am looking forward to viewing Hater. The only comment I can say is that I hope the adaptation brings your vision to life.
David
So do I! It's always difficult handing over your work and allowing other people to interpret it and put their mark on it, but if I'd been able to pick a creative team for Hater, I couldn't have chosen one better than the people who are on board.
Lyle
What gave you the idea for Hater?
David
I'm constantly frustrated by the countless divisions we seem to impose on ourselves to split up society. Be it age, race, belief, skin colour, hair colour, sexuality... we use all these things to separate us from everyone else. I thought it would be interesting to write a story where all these divisions are rendered obsolete by the introduction of a new dividing line.
I'd worked on various versions of the story before coming up with 'the Hate'. That was inspired after the July 7th London bombings in 2005. One of the suicide bombers was employed as a class assistant in a primary school. I found it impossible to understand how someone could go from looking after kids and helping them grow, to heading down onto the Underground with a bomb strapped to their back. The fact that someone could change to such an extent helped form the basis to the book.
Lyle
Are there any teasers you can give us on Dog Blood the sequel to Hater?
David
It's hard to say much without spoiling the end of the first book for people who haven't read it, so I'll be vague. The story picks up a couple of months after the end of Hater. It follows Danny McCoyne as he searches for what's left of his family. The world has changed massively in that short period of time. The Haters continue to try and hunt out and kill the 'Unchanged' (as they become known), whilst the rest of the 'normal' population are forced into massive refugee camps to wait for the end of the war. I think the book will surprise lots of people. I'm not going to say anything else just yet!
Lyle
Where do you find yourself doing most of your writing?
David
I have an office where I actually write, but that's only part of the story. I think the key to writing a successful story is in the planning, and one of the aspects of the job that I love most of all is that you can do the planning anywhere! I seem to think about my stories almost constantly (when the kids let me!). It's the only job I've ever come across where you can work when you're out running or in the bath or mowing the lawn...
Lyle
Have you ever thought about escaping through the restroom window when the kids drive you nuts? I mean, it would have worked for Danny McCoyne.
David
Yes I have. Haven't we all? As I've said, a lot of the scenes of family 'bliss' in Hater were inspired by true events!
Lyle
What, if anything, can you tell us about Project Projekt?
David
Not much! Wait a few more weeks and all will hopefully be revealed. It's actually the shooting title for some publicity filming I've been working on with a great team of folks in Edinburgh. If it comes off as I'm hoping, it'll be a very original piece of marketing.
Lyle
To you, what characteristics have to be present in order to be considered a zombie?
David
1. Dead. 2. Rotting. 3. No pulse. 4. No running!
Lyle
What about a virus?
David
I don't think a virus is essential - the cause of the dead rising could be anything... a radiation leak, for example. But your question does bring to mind another difference between Autumn and just about every other zombie story I've seen or read. In my books, you're immune to the virus or you’re dead, it's as simple as that. So the survivors just have to concentrate on surviving, and don't have to worry about getting bitten. I thought that was an important twist to include, because it does away with one of the standard zombie story cliches - that a key character will get bitten and either a) hide the bite or b) not notice until the most inappropriate moment when they'll change and kill everyone else!
Lyle
Have you prepared yourself for the day the dead walk the earth?
David
Oh yes, but I'm not sharing my plans with anyone! You know, the scariest thing of all is not the fact that I actually have planned for it, it's the fact that I think I'm looking forward to it!
Lyle
Thanks so much David for taking the time to do this interview with me. I had a great time and I look forward to reading and reviewing more of your work.
David
It's been an absolute pleasure. Thanks for inviting me here! Dog Blood should be with you in the very, very near future and I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it. Thanks again, Lyle!
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