Shaun Jeffrey

The Kult

http://www.shaunjeffrey.com/The%20Kult.html

Q: How did you come up with your story?
My plots originate from a core idea that I then expand upon. In The Kult I wanted a series of murders all linked by a common thread. In my other novel, Deadfall, I wanted a foe that wouldn’t die and in Evilution, I envisaged a community cut off from the rest of civilization. When I’ve got my core idea, I populate it with the characters that I need. In The Kult the protagonist is a cop blackmailed into helping his friends commit a murder. In Deadfall the protagonist is a kickass female mercenary that goes up against a foe that doesn’t sleep and doesn’t feel pain.

The Kult was quite difficult to write as there are lots of threads that I needed to take care of. That novel also went through the most rewrites and the most changes to the actual story, which changed from a supernatural tale to that of a demented serial killer.

Q: Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
I don’t think it was a conscious decision to start writing, but I guess one day I just started putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard. And as I’d always read horror, then I suppose it was only natural that I wrote horror (or dark fiction). I also grew up in a house in a cemetery, from which you can make your own assumptions.

Q: If you weren’t a writer, what would you be? Why?
Writing is a hobby. For a full time job I work on the railway as a signalling a telecommunications engineer. Hopefully one day that will change.

Q: Favorite genres to read?
Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Noir

Q: What are your pet peeves?
Ignorance and people with narrow minds that can’t look beyond their little bubble. Oh, and people who hog the overtaking lane on dual carriage ways. And rude people. Actually I have lots of pet peeves – too many to mention.

Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a member of the high IQ society, Mensa.

Q: Where else can we find you, other titles, or anything else you’d like to share?
I have two other novels and a collection published. The collection can now be read for free online: http://www.scribd.com/doc/25760006/Voyeurs-Of-Death and the first few chapters of my novels are available to read on the same site.

I also maintain a few blogs and message boards etc:
http://www.myspace.com/shaunjeffrey
http://shaunjeffrey.blogspot.com/
http://horrorworld.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=45
http://twitter.com/ShaunJeffrey
http://www.facebook.com/people/Shaun-Jeffrey/665480388

Finally, The Kult has been optioned for film by Gharial Productions, and shooting is scheduled to start at the end of September, so I’m really looking forward to seeing something I wrote ‘come to life’. More details can be found at:www.gharialproductions.com