Today I have the great honor of interviewing Loren Molloy.
She has written horror and children’s books.
We met at a the bizarre haunted flea market and again at POMYNAUK ACADEMY.
Dab10: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Loren Molloy: I think I was born a writer. I was writing creative stories even as young as first grade. I’ve never stopped.
Dab10: How long does it take you to write a book?
Loren Molloy: Each book takes about 8 months to write.
Dab10: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
Loren Molloy: I am the type of person who works best without any restrictions or “has to’s” so there isn’t any kind of actual schedule. Each day I do work on a novel, as well as conducting all the other various forms of business that are essential to being a success indie author.
Dab10: Indie or traditionally published?
Loren Molloy: Indie all the way. I never sent manuscripts in to publishing houses. I knew it wasn’t the way for me. I knew I didn’t want my creations of heart in the deciding hands of another. Indie is the hardest way but for me I’d have it no other way.
Dab10: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Loren Molloy: My ideas for my books pop into my head as completed movies from beginning to end and all I do is translate it into written word. As for information to make each novel more palpable I google all sorts of topics, most are of a violent and gruesome nature as well as very specific details such as dimensions of a room or what a bar looked like in 1697. No matter the topic, doing research in my opinion, is mandatory to making a book truly substantial.
Dab10 : When did you write your first book and how old were you?
Loren Molloy: I was 21 when I wrote my first book, Black Dreams & Shattered Illusions. It was a final project to graducate from college. Amazingly, the professor decided I either publish it and bring it in as proof or he was going to fail me. If I was failed by this one professor, as it happens, I wouldn’t have been allowed to graduate. I would have had to wait a whole extra semester. It also would have been the same professor and he had already let me know it was be the same assignment at the end of that course too. No matter what I had to publish the book to graduate and so I did. So, I always say a big-hearted thank you to Professor Alexander for forcing me to be on the career path I am meant to be on.
Dab10: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Loren Molloy: When I am not writing I enjoy being out in nature, visiting historical places and mansions (I’m a sucker for architecture), watching horror movies as well as animation films, and traveling as a guest from convention to convention all over the country.
Dab10: What does your family think of your writing?
Loren Molloy: Ha! This is an interesting question. My family can’t handle horror at all so no one other than my own mother and one cousin has even read anything I’ve written. They support me in what I do and say it’s what I’m meant to do but they can’t stomach the topic. Most wouldn’t even know the names of any horror movies or stars. I am definitely the ‘odd gal’ out. haahaa!
Dab10: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Loren Molloy: Honestly, I had no idea how many steps are actually involved, how much times is involved, and how much you need to learn about all sorts of common phrases and procedures that must be done, all of which is completely after you finally wrote ‘The End’ to your book. Also I learned that being an indie author isn’t for everyone. Even after you have written your story, there’s all the business aspects that are also constantly needing to be taken care of on a daily basis. Just because you wrote a book doesn’t mean you’re now done. Indie authors have to wear all the hats or hire others which gets expensive. I love it but then I enjoy being a business woman & an author.
Dab10: How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
Loren Molloy: I’ve written: Black Dreams & Shattered Illusions, The Very Devil, Herself!, The Storyteller of Pain, and Where did all the dragons go?
Each story is different. It’s impossible for me to have a favorite. Each is a work of heart and I could never pick one over another.
Dab10: Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Loren Molloy: Google is your new best friend. Don’t stop pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone and imagination. Think of your book as a movie. Each time you make a character do something or make a certain choice ask yourself… if I was watching this would I yell at the screen in frustration, would I call out or think ‘Seen this before’ or
( ___ ) did this is such-n-such movie. If so, change it! Never be predictable and yet know when not to re-invent something. Once again think if I change this and I watch it as a movie would I yell out, nope can’t happen that way? Most importantly, make sure it’s you who decides when each rule should be applied or denied, it’s your story, make it yours!
Dab10: Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Loren Molloy: Yes all the time! It’s truly wonderful. I get told things like I write like a meld of both Clive Barker and V.C. Andrews, which is such a great honor to hear. I also get told to never stop writing books as well as having my readers send me fan mail and gifts. I’m in awe and such immense gratitude to all my readers.
Dab10: Do you like to create books for adults?
Loren Molloy: Yes I really do. No need to hold back in fear of shattering a young mind?ﾟﾘﾉ
Dab10: What do you think makes a good story?
Loren Molloy: It touches your heart. It makes you care about the characters or issues within it. It has a pace that is steady making you not want to put it down and maybe just a touch of creative magic.
Dab10: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Loren Molloy: I was a strange kid. I wanted to be many things at many different ages. I was 7 when I said I wanted to be a prison guard. It wasn’t long after that, that I wanted to be a Marine. By 4th grade I had dreams of becoming an actress and movie creator. In high school and college I wanted to become a forensic psychiatrist and interview serial killers understanding what makes them tick. I might no longer want to be a prison guard but I wrote about a few, I might not want to be a serial killer’s shrink but I’ve written about it. I have managed to make several of my dreams and career goals come true already. I’ve been on TV as well as in a few films and I do have a 10 year plan to direct horror movies that I wrote starting with turning my novels into movies.
Dreams are just goals you have to continue working towards accomplishing!
Happy Horrors!
Loren Molloy
http://www.lorenmolloy.com
lorenmolloy@gmail.com
Thanks for allowing me to be interviewed and thanks for all your support!
MG Wells is an author, artist and humanist encouraged and supported by her loving grandparents at an early age. Her works are dedicated to them and her fans. MG strives to create a diverse body of stories to entertain and inspire readers of all ages. Throughout the year, MG offers FREE Amazon KDP Promotions and reviews are appreciated.
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