Faith Marlow

1. Who has been the biggest influence on you as a female horror writer?

My biggest influence has been my horror loving family, particularly my husband. Halloween is the best time of year for most of our family. It's our favorite holiday and it's my husband's birthday. With that kind of birthday, horror and creepy things is sure to be high on the radar. The first horror story I ever wrote was a short story called "They're coming to get you, Brandon", a play on the famous line from "Night of the living Dead". Before that story, I wrote fantasy fiction. My husband challenged me to write a horror story and that was the beginning. All of my work is Dark Fantasy/ Paranormal/ Horror that always tries to focus on the humanity of the characters, despite how inhuman they can be. I have incorporated my love of all things creepy into my brand as an author, with a side of femininity. My stories are all "Sweetly Twisted". Hopefully my fellow Creepy Chicks and Gents approve.

2. Do you think the style of horror differs between women and men authors? E.g. psychological vs gore?

I think the style between women and men horror authors definitely varies. It has been my experience that female horror tends to focus more on the emotion and the motivations while male created horror focuses more on the visceral and the senses. That's not to say women cannot write good gore, because we can and do. That is also not to say that men cannot skillfully wield emotion and create empathy in their readers, because they certainly do. Nobody should feel their art is confined by their gender or that they should not create this or that because of their gender. 


3. Do you have a main subject that your write about? I.e. certain bad guys or themes?

My most successful work to date has been my "Being Mrs. Dracula" series, which is obviously about vampires. I tend to write female leads who are equals to their male counterparts. I think the overlying theme of my work is Dark Fantasy/ Paranormal with a very distinctly female flavor. My stories are told by women but I strive to give souls and depth to all of my characters, good or evil, male or female.

4. If you could have dinner with a famous horror writer, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I would want to have a huge, roundtable feast with the women of this anthology. These women inspire and encourage me somehow every day with their stories, their work ethic and talent, their business practices, sense of humor, and fearlessness. What more could you ask for?

5. Favorite female horror writer? Why?

I don't think  I can pick just one. It is my genre of choice. I love Skye Knizley and Lily Luchesi modern kickass heroines. My vampire stories are still set in the past, although we are moving forward through history. I love their modern spin views and big city settings. I think most people would have to give a nod to Anne Rice. She has written amazingly sexy, strong vampires for decades and has influenced millions, myself included. Another one of my favorite female horror authors is Carmilla Voiez. Her mix of darkness, horror, and sex appeal is irresistible.