HBT - Interview with author Thomas Fahy

Tomorrow is HALLOWEEN! WHOO! So for today's Haunted Blog Tour post, it's an interview with author Thomas Fahy, who has written the suspense novel "Sleepless".


How did you come up with the story in your book "Sleepless"?
I came up with the idea while working on my last book, The Unspoken, which is about a group of teens who are haunted by their childhood memories of growing up in a cult and now must face a horrifying prophecy—that they will die from their worst fear. The main character, Allison, is epileptic, and during her seizures, she has these visions of terrible crimes before they happen. Her visions made me think about nightmares and the power they can have over us—to make us scream, break out in a sweat, and, in some cases, sleepwalk. I thought it would be kind of cool to write something about sleepwalking—as if it were a disease that could infect people and make them do things.

What is the scariest book you've ever read?

Well, I find different books and films scary at different times in my life, but the first time I remember being really scared by a book was reading Stephen King's It. I was the same age as the characters when I read it, so I could identify with their fears and insecurities. I stayed up until 1 or 2 in the morning several nights in a row as I raced through it. Sometimes, a strange noise in the house at would freak me out as I was reading. And it certainly made me wary of clowns! I still think it's a terrifying book.

Do you have any Halloween traditions?

I really enjoying buying a pumpkin and having it around the house a few weeks before Halloween. Then, a few days before the 31st, I carve a different, creepy face into it. That has become a tradition for me in recent years.

Are you working on another book? If so, could you share a little bit about it?

Right now, I’m working on something a little different—a book called The Philosophy of Horror. It’s a collection of essays about horror books and films and television shows, about why people like to be scared. It’s coming out a few months. I’m also brainstorming some ideas for my next teen horror novel.

What's your favorite horror movie and why?

It's a tie between Seven and Silence of the Lambs. These films are so frightening psychologically. They leave so much of the horror up to the imagination. Showing less is such an effective way to send chills down the audience's spine--and to keep them thinking about it long after the movie is over.

Most haunting nightmare you've ever had?

I was drowning in this swamp. Thick, black muck was covering my body, and before I went under, I forced myself awake. I opened my eyes but couldn’t move. I tried to lift my arms and my legs. I got no response. I tried to turn my head. I couldn’t. I was absolutely paralyzed. It took a few moments before I could feel my body again. It was terrifying.

What's the most strange, funny, or unique Halloween costume you've ever seen or worn yourself?

Several years ago, I went to a party with someone who dressed as a "cereal killer"--wearing a breakfast cereal box with a knife in it. I thought that was pretty funny.


Thanks so much for the interview Thomas!