I was mostly inspired by the slasher films of the 70's, 80's and 90's--Friday the 13th and Sleepaway Camp specifically. I grew up on horror movies and I wanted to write a book that felt just like that. Another big inspiration are this newer trend of full contact haunted houses. These immersive terror experiences allow guests to try their hand at escaping a haunted house. The actors playing the masked killers really come after you and try their best to scare you. I've never actually participated in anything like this but the thought is terrifying!
I'm always so pleased to see my work making the rounds on TikTok. The BookTok community is always so creative and enthusiastic. I think readers want an engaging story, no matter the genre. If a story can captivate you and keep you guessing, I think that makes for a fun and engaging read. That's what readers are drawn to. They just want good stories and characters that feel nuanced and fully fleshed-out. A good hook is always helpful though! Queer Black girls team up to overthrow the patriarchy in the former kingdom of Cinderella. Little Shop of Horrors meets the Secret Garden with a Greek mythology twist. Those kinds of hooks pull people in and get them excited about the stories.
My favourite character is Charity. She was the first character that came to me during the drafting of this novel. She is a strong willed, independent young woman who enjoys her job for the most part. Playing the final girl is fun for her...until it isn't. Her non-nonsense personality and loyalty to her friends checks the boxes for what makes a compelling final girl. I knew she would be the perfect person to lead us through this scary story.
I think this story is my ode to slasher films so there are a lot of nods to some of my favorite horror movies in there. There is an inclusive cast of characters who will keep readers guessing. Funny enough, the humor is also a big part of this story. Sometimes people use humor in tough situations and that is definitely the case in this book. While I've use horror elements in some of my previous novels, I've never leaned as far into it as I have in this story. I'm thrilled with how readers have been reacting so far! People are telling me they had to read it with the lights on and honestly, that's the best compliment!
On some level, this book speaks to who is allowed to be a final girl. BIPOC girls don't often survive to see the third act. I wanted to investigate that trope and I hope readers do too. What does it mean to be a survivor? Who gets to claim that title? Overall, this book is just a fun, albeit terrifying, story about things that lurk in the woods and how we face our deepest fears. My hope is that readers get lost in the adventure for a little while and have fun reading it.
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