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Interview by Peter Syslo
Infernal Dreams:Who or what are some of your writing influences?
Elizadeth Hetherington:I'm one of the most critical readers I know, so to say I'm influenced by an author is actually kind of an insult, although there are plenty of things I vow not to do because of their work. I get most of my creativity from the effects of living an honest reality of varying degrees of weird and observing the effects that the unconventional things have on conventional people.
ID:How and when did you develop your unique brand – “Scary Cheerleader” and the name Elizadeth (very cool name, by the way)?
EH:Scarycheerleader is the name of the trilogy as a whole, and the title holds very valid meaning as we progress into the story. Scarycheerleader is a very revealing look at how the general world is so deceived by appearances that they often miss the dangers dancing right before their eyes.
My name was at one point Elizabeth, as I'm sure you've assumed. I'd actually had it legally changed to a name I would often introduce myself as. Over time, I guess I became rather attached to it, so I butchered Elizabeth in 2006. Initially it began as part of my obsession with Megadeth, but over time as Dave [Mustaine] grew older, it evolved into my obsession for gore in general. I listened to harder metal and spoke of murder more than any woman I'd ever met....so it just fit.
ID:I saw that you had planned on writing a novel for some time. How did “Nature of the Daughters” finally come about? Have you always been writing, throughout your life, or was there a specific time when you “officially” became a writer?
EH:I've been writing forever, it seems. I'd actually started a novel, my first one that reached over 3/4 complete, actually. It was named In A Way and it was about a character that, although not a murderer, was responsible for the deaths of those in her life. It was mildly frightening as a story, but it was terrifying that in reality the people I worked with died around the times I would kill a character in the story. Around that time, I'd actually had a daydream about my characters, Renee and Renata, but paid no mind to it. A man with my last name died, but still I continued the novel. It wasn't until the woman neighboring my work locker was murdered by her husband before he shot himself that I actually stopped. It was just too much, and I took six years off and let life happen for a while before I finally had time to tap away the lust for murder.
ID:Some of the subject matter in NOTD is very dark, yet very relatable/accessible. At first, I thought that the novel may have a limited audience (general audiences may not “go for it”) but then I realized that the story has more far-reaching appeal. What is it about Renata Savannah and her situation? People seem to form some sort of connection or identification with her (I could see women connecting with her, especially). In general, how did you develop the character of Renata?
EH:Like everyone else, I've had my fair share of rejection and misunderstanding. Those that have felt the unreasonable wrath of authority and conformity seem to see Renata as some kind of sibling hovering above the slimy sauce that the bitter percentage want us to cower in. There are people that are truly not fans of horror that are lined up and ready for Sylvanian Vampire because they love knowing that their real feelings are captured in this story. There are even people that love horror that adore the ways in which this story leaks into reality. However, I have found that the people that don't know this world, this dark corner of bias and unconditional hatred for what's odd or unappealing, are typically the first to completely miss the point. To really understand the mind of the psychopath, there has to be a part of you that has been in the dungeons of loathe and failure. If I can't put you there with my words, your darkest places are still too bright for my reality--and it's a blessing and curse that this has happened to you.
ID:In NOTD, Renata composes lyrics for songs that she and Darien play; I thought that the lyrics were very good. Have you ever written any songs and/or do you play a musical instrument?
EH:Thank you. I did once play guitar, and I know that I just don't have the patience or stamina to play death metal the way it's meant to be played. Back then, I was only capable of pop alternative, but in high school I did write and perform a few of my own songs to the few people that dared investigate. I did once record a song, Nailed, but sadly that recording was stolen in a break in. No skin off my balls, it's an easy song to play if it ever comes up again. To play alternative music, it takes a good four chords and three days practice. To play metal, that takes talent. I do love writing the death metal lyrics though. I suppose in this day and age, it's not common for females to 'sing' the way I do, but I do anyway. There will be more lyrics in the trilogy, don't worry.
ID:NOTD is the first novel in a planned trilogy. You have the release of the second novel, Sylvanian Vampire, coming up on November 8th, 2008. The new novel will continue the story of Renata Savannah. Can you give us a glimpse of what this installment will bring us?
EH:Being a murderer in itself is complex: There's a whole world of emotional torment, bias, and amazing revelations that the snooty newsreader will never know. All that matters to the general public is that we're not out there killing more of your girlfriends. Well, being a female murderer is actually even more so. I'm not sure whether or not you realize this, but the prime of a female serial killer is twice that of a male serial killer, which constitutes for the major years when you're a young cheerleader. Sylvanian Vampire takes you into the private motions the waves of homicide coerce a killer to blend into, and simultaneously take the strides to enjoy the fine art of murder. In respect to the things that Renata learns, it's always astounding to what discoveries become that cannot be proven by science or logic. Sylvanian Vampire unfolds the saddest failures into a sordid little shape that leads new possibilities through failure and discouragement.
ID:Aside from NOTD, you have also published a short story in a recent web-based magazine.. Could you tell us a little bit about that?
EH:I'm sure you're talking about SNM Horror Magazine. SNM picks eight gripping horror tales every month for their online magazine. In the month of September, I'd submitted a short story by the name of The Promise in Obsession. This story won second place and was put into an anthology called Bonded By Blood (now available on lulu). Aside from SNM, I also have been published in G.A.S.P. Magazine, and I regularly contribute to a small Wisconsin publication called The Tide, and I'm a dedicated columnist for a brand new e-magazine from the FireWalk Music Group by the name of The Art of Metal. I'm a huge supporter of underground metal.
ID:Tell me about Deth publications. What are your future plans for the business? Are you looking to publish other writers/talents?
EH:Deth Publications began after my former publisher failed to produce or support a reasonable promotion plan. It's not a rich process by any means, and all profits at this time are used strictly for the promotion and reproduction of these books. At this time, our plans are just to get this trilogy out first, and the last book may be released into the summer of 2009. Beyond that, there is still some debate as to whether I'll be making an anthology of my short stories or finishing up the dreaded death trap of In A Way. At this time, we're not looking for any novelists, but we may be able to send artists and writers in a direction of new hope with our acquaintances that seek new talents.
ID:I think that you would be a very talented screenwriter (something that this genre badly needs…). Do you have any plans to break into the film world?
EH:I haven't ruled it out. It could happen. Thank you.
ID:From your involvement in the independent metal scene and from NOTD, you really seem to have a love for metal music. Being involved in the genre, myself, I always like to discuss it with other fans of the music. What is it about metal that you like and how has it impacted your life and your writing?
EH:I do. I love metal. I love the way it doesn't waste time on the inevitable drama of the human animal, it just relies on the excellence of the sounds. As stated earlier, musicians in metal are extremely talented and have practiced their instruments extensively with passion and dedication, not like your usual pop idiot. Even the lyrics get me. It takes the worst case scenario and kicks it square in the junk, leaving me feeling somewhat ready for anything. I like how good music will leave you wondering how those sounds were achieved, those melodies practiced and complex. This isn't your grandma's music, baby. This is metal, and death metal doesn't care who loves who, it cares what you taste like once the maggots have had enough of your feces.
ID:You’ve been hitting the Midwest festival circuit. What has that experience been like?
EH:I'm hitting both horror and metal very hard this year. I support the metal bands I can support every chance I get, and I'm a proud member of the FireWalk Music Group, a group of metal supporting women with the intentions of setting up a more stable structure for promoting metal shows and merchandise. In the horror circuit, the experience has been great. My fans are sweet, considerate and completely adorable. The biggest obstacle at this point is just getting my name out there, and those that have read my books are supporting me full force. I like knowing that I'm not just another author to them, but an important orator of murder. I've had the pleasure of meeting some great people in the circuit, and I've had a great time working with some of these people at the conventions and taking the time to help some with their projects. I look forward to doing much more to help these independent film makers in the future.
ID:In my review of NOTD, I stated that I might not have heard of you and your writing, had it not been for the internet. What are your views on the internet and the way that it has obviously affected the production and distribution of art, literature, film, and music? What do you think the future direction will be – total digital distribution or just a decrease in the production of physical media?
EH:Sadly, it's very hard to get people to purchase a book anymore. I love having the internet, but it really has become the way people get their immediate gratification anymore. The only books they will buy will usually be the ones they are told they have to buy by the people they know and trust. It's also a chore to find people that have the time to read anymore. Our population has grown so spoiled on immediate and convienient, that oftentimes they overlook the parts of suffering life that await their attention. I don't foresee this problem consuming itself, I really just have to accept that it's going to be a slow painful process to be known to this world, and I do.
ID:At Infernal Dreams, we have been discussing this year’s Halloween season. It just seems like there is a lack of “celebration” this year and we feel that horror is getting ready to go underground again (which may be a good thing!). What do you think about this Halloween season, the future of the horror genre, and how will you be celebrating Halloween this year?
EH:Well, Peter....when you've got chronic gingivitis of a toothed penis, an oily case of rotten beer, and twenty blue maggots to cover your abnormalities, you've got a similar situation that our country suffers from currently. It's not just you, or me, it's everyone. No one has the money, we're all broke. We've spent eight long, hard years having to deal with a lot of crap we didn't elect, condone, or understand. In the end, we all suffer. Where there's suffering, there's usually a lot of pessimism and simultaneous acceptance of what's vital and what's secondary. Sadly, it's not going to make or break us whether or not we all go off and buy the latest horror book from Deth Publications, but it would hurt us deeply if we were unable to pay for that bike we promised our eight year old...while she was seven. In the future, I don't see a quick fix. It's going to be a rough time for everyone, but when you love something, metal, horror, rubber chickens or pancakes, you're going to find a way to weave it in even when it's not convenient.
This Halloween season has been pathetic. I think Hannah Montana killed it, personally. I say we pay her homage Vlad Tepes style...ya feel me? Yeah... In Madison, Wisconsin, Halloween use to be killer. Over time, it's evolved into the risk of being maced by police for being too 'rowdy.' I have kids, and even the kids aren't as excited as a kid should be. My son doesn't look forward to trick or treating, and he's six. When I was a kid, I'd imagine staying out all night and never coming home....ever.
On Halloween I'll be assisting in the wedding of a really close friend. My husband is a non-christian minister and will be performing the hand-fasting ceremony.
ID:What are some of your interests aside from writing/horror? What do you do for relaxation?
EH:Aside from metal, horror, and writing, I also love spending time with my husband, Vance. I'm very fortunate that he share many of the same interests that I do and he is the most supportive person I've ever had in my life. We do most things together, because I'm quite obsessed with him. When I have time for relaxation, I often don't. I'm really predictable in my old age. I will either write, do something metal, sleep, or play with my husband.
ID:On a final note, what can we expect from Elizadeth/Scarycheerleader in the upcoming year? Where can we purchase your novels and read your amazing work?
EH:For the next few years I intend to attend at least five conventions per year, as well as promoting these books by whatever means I happen by. I'm hoping that at some point in the future an investment in advertising and distribution will deem worthy and circulation will increase. For the time being, I'm very happy that the reviewers that I have chosen are intelligent and supportive. My books are currently sold online at www.scarycheerleader.com, and I hope that at some point in the future they will be available on Amazon.