Horror comedy Q&A: N.R. Alexander—“I want a monster who scares me but also makes me seriously consider their way.”
“Go To Hell [is] inspired by my super weird, vivid, and often very detailed dreams.”
In our interview with N.R. Alexander, the author talks about what inspired his new book, explains his unique spin on monster fiction, and shares his pet peeves that others have written.
Today, Monster Complex talks to author N.R. Alexander, author of the brand-new horror comedy novel Go to Hell. A writer since he was five years old, his first book chronicled the adventures of his paleontologist cat and was published in crayon. Now, much older and with more sophisticated word processing tools, he creates characters and worlds that test human interaction, emotion, and decision-making. He accomplishes this by setting up unique scenarios and driving them with humor or graphic details where appropriate (or inappropriate).
About the book
Alex is an aspiring novelist stuck in a tech marketing career. When his latest literary attempt proves to be just another failure, Alex runs into an old high school friend who claims to get anything he wants. His friend sees Alex's intrigue and confides in him: he has sold his soul. To the devil. Soon, Alex is confronted by the devil herself who makes him a tempting offer: build a growth marketing campaign for Hell to acquire one million souls before Easter. Success would save his soul and give Alex partial equity in Hell. But failure could result in his eternal demise.
Go To Hell
by N.R. Alexander
Pixel & Moogley
Categories: Horror Comedy, Paranormal Suspense, Supernatural Thrillers
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N.R. Alexander: The Monster Complex Interview
Q: What inspired your new book?
Marketing and Dreams.
Marketing: I noticed that people believe certain products are superior to others simply based on marketing. Then I had a thought: What if our perceptions of Heaven and Hell are influenced by marketing? In that scenario, the church might be considered a marketing engine for Heaven.
Then I wondered how everyday characters might unravel this mystery. So we meet Alex, a tech startup marketer who encounters a rather hellish gig; he must create a marketing campaign for Hell.
Dreams: Scenes and scenarios in Go To Hell are inspired by my super weird, vivid, and often very detailed dreams. The first chapter, “The Last Capitalist,” is a great example of that. I woke up one morning and thought I need to write that down!
Q: How do you explain your unique spin on monster fiction?
It’s a horror-comedy that moves really quickly into dark comedy. To really immerse readers into the supernatural world, I start with the world that we know exists today. Then I stir in some supernatural elements to create surprise, suspense, and humor.
But I wanted to make sure my story was always relatable. So something in every scene has to have an element that the readers can relate to. If it feels more real and relatable, then it can be more immersive. Therefore, throughout the novel, the main characters have to overcome human and supernatural threats.
Q: What inspired you to go in this direction?
I just wanted a story with relatable characters and relatable situations. While I can’t relate to creating a marketing campaign for Hell, I can relate to the stress and pressure of having to deliver a big project without knowing if it’ll be successful.
Q: When and how did you become interested in writing your brand of monster stories?
I saw Halloween when I was six years old and I fell in love with Michael Myers. Slashers and monster movies followed quickly but I started to notice very predictable formulas.
Then I saw Fallen with Denzel Washington and John Goodman. The supernatural element was gripping and the characters were so perfect. They were real and flawed and I could imagine the plot actually unfolding like that in real life.
Fast forward a few years, I stumbled upon a book (not well-known at the time) called John Dies At The End and that inspired an appreciation for gory and crass dark comedy. I started to play around with mixing all those elements together. The result was Go To Hell.
Q: What are your favorite things about the section of the genre you occupy?
I love being able to shove readers into a figurative funhouse for which they were not prepared. They’re just getting to know the characters and then, bam, all of a sudden the devil is in your face. I also love being able to find humor in really dark situations. There are some scenes that could be rather traumatic until something dark and twisted takes it in a different direction.
Q: What are your “monster story” pet peeves that you’ve seen others do?
I’m not a huge fan of when the monsters are singly set on the destruction (or consumption) of people for no reason. Sure, the chase can be fun, but I prefer when monsters are more complex. Just like human characters, they need to have a motive that drives them and the ability to be retrospective.
Q: What do YOU look for in a good monster story?
I want a monster who scares me but also makes me seriously consider their way. For example, some vampires are depressed because all their loved ones have died and they just want to stay alive. I get that. I would probably feel the same way.
Some monsters, like Jason Vorhees and Freddy Kruger, were created by horribly cruel people... whom they later terrorize. I also get that. A blob that wants to eat everyone or a giant ant is just meh.
Q: What are the best ways for fans to keep track of what you’re writing (and related author news about you)?
Fans can see new books, promos, and sign up for my newsletter at nralexander.com. I randomly give out free copies to newsletter subscribers so fans should sign up! Sometimes I provide a more detailed look on my instagram @nralexander_writes. I share story updates and also talk about the self publishing process. There are more stories coming and they will exist both inside and outside of the Go To Hell universe!
Find out more about N.R. Alexander
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