Sharing the same surname, it wasn't surprising that Patrick and I would make a connection. Patrick has actually dubbed us 'Clan Elliott'. Having gotten to know Patrick through the #Awethors, it was only a matter of time before I sat down to read some of his works. I started my journey with Patrick's collection of shorts,
Too Dark For Televison. It's a fantastic read and I was really impressed by Patrick's use of flash fiction (writing a story in 1500 words or less is no easy task!)
The Emporium is pleased to have Patrick as our guest this month.
____________________
So,
despite, or perhaps because I write I am terrible at talking about
myself. Like many who live in imaginary worlds that we share with the
rest of you, I am more comfortable showing you my soul in little
bits. Hidden behind the people I make up to populate these hells I
sets my stories in. With that said, I think I'll let the books do
most of my talking. However, there are certain protocols when a man
invites you into his house, and a couple of soapbox issues I will
always jump on when I have a chance, so let's start there.
I get
my ideas from everywhere, and normally I have no idea what I saw or
heard that festered in my brain until it became a story. When I do,
it usually means the story has a political or musical theme.
I write
dark because that is how my mind works. The greatest obligations of a
writer, of any artist, are to touch, teach, and inspire. We do what
we do to make a connection with other human beings. I believe every
author falls into one of two categories. Those who shine a light on
the way the world should be, illuminating the road to this wonderful
future. The other kind look at a bleak future, a place we are
careening towards, and throw up warning signs to help us avoid it.
I'm, unapologetically, one of the second type.
I love
horror but refuse to be limited. That's why I jump genres so much.
There is a bit of horror in most of my writing, but I am not a horror
author. To me, being limited to one genre is like eating sushi every
day. It's delicious, always, but you stop noticing after a little
while. Some people can do it, and I envy them, but I'm not one of
them. So, if you don't see a genre you like, keep looking, I'll get
there eventually.
I'm not
politically correct, and I'm not for everyone. My words are my art,
and good art shocks some. Additionally, we authors have a special
connection to free speech. Censoring words is for dictators, writers
let them flow. I'm not trying to be offensive, but everyone who
creates with passion will cross someone's lines. I also don't
advocate hate, just the opposite in fact. I realize that hate flows
both ways and is a terrible thing in either direction.
I like
to think my writing has universal appeal, but there are some basic
truths here. I write for adults. There are enough people writing for
kids and teens these days. Those authors do a great job, and I enjoy
some of them as much as anyone. However, we need to remember that
novels are also for grownups. I feel bad for anyone stuck watching
the newest "reality television" show while their kids get
lost in lands of make believe.
I write
books that may have more appeal for men, because I am one. Also, I'm
tired of hearing how books for men don't sell because men read less.
I strongly believe men read less because less books are published for
us. So, I hope everyone reads what I write, but we men need to take
back our damn brains and remind everyone that we can be smart too.
One
theme you might find is a feeling of stories that have a stronger
appeal to those outside of States. Kind of funny, I guess, being that
I'm unabashedly American. Right now this might appeal to those
getting into the tide of people screaming for change. I've been
writing this way for a while though. Because I refuse to be part of
the problem. Authors have been saying it for decades now. America is
allowing itself to get dumbed down. We are giving up our rights to
think and read. So I'm writing for the rest of the world, and where
they are. I just hope I can, in my own small way, help my own country
catch back up. Because I love this place and the people here. It
makes me sad that we need to catch up. I love the rest of you too
though, so I'm not going to write crap that you don't want to read.
Okay,
I've babbled enough. Let's let the books do the real talking.
I
currently have five books out. I am working on writing a Post
Apocalyptic Paranormal Dystopian that opens my first series. I am
also editing a... how do I classify this? Supernatural, Urban Fantasy
that follows a monster hunter who swears a lot and is as tired as I
am of authors making monsters all lovable creatures that are just
misunderstood kittens who want to be hugged. Give me monsters like
Dracula and then let said hunter kill them. The five I have out
though..
OLD ODD ENDS
Genre:
Horror, very dark Suburban Fantasy.
Every
child knows, monsters lurk in the woods when it gets dark. What they
don't know yet is the hamlets along the road are not safe havens.
Darkness dwells in communities separated from the rest of the world.
Darkness and a quiet acceptance that allows men like Mr. Edward to do
business.
Mr.
Edward is a regal, kindly old man who takes his bookstore from town
to town. There is something off about him, but not enough to defy
trust, which allows him to enlist children into the program, looking
for the greatest author of each generation. His plans don't stop
there though, and his motives are nefarious enough to thrill the
devil himself.
Thomas,
the shining star of this class has a life surrounded by his mentor.
Even the woman he will one day marry is offered to him, like a
present, from the old man. When things go bad will he have anyone to
count on?
No
heroes, only monsters. Two masters of words and magic do battle for
one soul. Dark destiny against shameless free will. A war from a
different age rages across pages and places as Thomas finds himself
pitted against the man who taught him everything. Trying to challenge
a great truth of this world, that no one can write their own happy
ending.
Too
Dark for Television
Genre:
Varied (mostly horror and political commentary)
This is
the second in a set of two collections of short stories, flash
fiction, and novellas/novelettes. This is the set for those who like
to flip off, yell at, and eat the corpses of those who read Half
Flashed. Pick up a copy of that too though, it will lure your victims
in. Specially spiced for those with no souls and/or people who love
barbed political commentary in their fiction.
Greycoat
Blueback
Genre:
Dystopian
Welcome
to Canada, she may look different.
A
short ten years from now, America as you know it no longer exists.
Her citizens live in fear and the world looks on her with hatred.
Despite being an ally of the States in most conflicts, Canada is
viewed differently. Neither reviled nor revered. The liberal and
politically correct of two great nations find one solution to both
problems. Join the countries under the banner the world knows and
loves then make people get along.
The
new Canada forms. A haven where drugs are accepted. A place of free,
and paid for, love. A Union of peace and equality. Fear is all but
gone from the hearts of citizens. Even in this utopia the need for
detectives exist. Even in paradise some choose to do wrong. Even in
the future evil hides in plain sight.
Embark
on a specially approved ride along with Tamlin Long, a detective of
the Peace Covenant in the city and province of New York. A loveless
marriage, a call to duty, these are just two things that keep him
going. With retirement quickly approaching he must clear the heaviest
caseload in the history of the Union. The greatest deviant produced
by the young nation is Detective Long's problem. Leaving the criminal
to someone else is not acceptable.
A
Brief and Literal History of the World
Genre:
Satire, Blasphemous Humor
Have
lunch with gods and prophets. See the words of the Lord in new and
interesting ways. See, for the first time ever, the world through the
eyes of the most complicated and enigmatic prophet to ever (maybe
really) live. Narrated in his own words and voice.
Sit
down with Jesus and hear him recount how his father created the
worlds, including where he got the idea and sections missing from all
other known holy texts, even the made up ones. Listen to a harrowing
tale of addiction and redemption as he recounts the missing years of
his life, on record for the first time in all time.
Walk
the dark streets of the youth of the first child star. Learn of the
first band of apostles and their inevitable break up. Is there a
woman who drives a wedge between Jesus and his first favorite?
Perhaps a greedy record executive who convinces Jesus to dump the boy
band lifestyle and venture out on his own? Most likely none of that
happens as this is back cover material, which never really has
anything to do with what's inside the book.
So what
does happen? Pick up this brilliantly faux-faux-leather clad tome and
find out. Jesus will tell you in his own time and his own way. You
are the priest to the Lord's confession, but only for a Brief and
Literal History of the World.
A Final Word From Patrick....
That
should keep you going for a while. Go! Buy all of them, and if you
can afford it buy them more than once. Get the paperbacks for your
friends, or people you don't like. Old Odd Ends gave a friend
nightmares. A Brief and Literal History has been described
alternately as, "a book with something to offend everybody"
and "One of the funniest things I have ever read." So, you
should find something that suits your fancy.
Oh, and
one last thing. If you're on social media, stalk me!
Twitter:
@patrickewrites
