Prime Time Replay:
Lucy Taylor
on her story collection Painted in Blood
MsgId: *omni_visions(7)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:01:05 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
We'll get things started in about a minute, maybe two. In the meantime, I want to tell those watching that Jim Freund, whose interview with M. John Harrison was scrambled by bad electronic breaks a week ago, will be attempted again. It'll be in the daytime, sometime in the near future. Watch the Omni webpage for details.Hello, everyone, and welcome to another edition of OmniVisions! My guest tonight is one of the singular talents in the horror and dark suspense field. Although she's been writing professionally much longer, Lucy Taylor's fiction is largely a phenomenon of the '90s.
Her first major-market horror fiction appeared in the late '80s in Kathryn Ptacek's "WOMEN OF DARKNESS" and "WOMEN OF THE WEST." Lucy's first books were chapbook titles from Roadkill Press and from Stan Tal's publishing house. Her story collections have included "CLOSE TO THE BONE," "UNNATURAL ACTS," "THE FLESH ARTIST," and the brand-new collection, "PAINTED IN BLOOD," from Silver Salamander.
Her Clive Barker-tinged novel, "THE SAFETY OF UNKNOWN CITIES," was published two years ago by Darkside Press, and then reprinted as a British trade paperback by Titan Books. The novel garnered a Bram Stoker Award for achievement as a first novel. Lucy's short fiction has continued to appear regularly both in major anthologies and in specialty press magazines.
Lucy Taylor's work is often characterized as tough and unsparing, the vision of a writer who doesn't flinch. She is sometimes classed in the same relatively recent group as, say, Poppy Z. Brite, Kathe Koja, Melanie Tem, Elizabeth Massie, and others. Her work frequently deals with sexuality and eroticism, with sudden violence and the horror of warped relationships and shattered families. But that is certainly not all her work involves. It's what many readers notice. Welcome to OmniVisions, Lucy. I'm glad you're here.
MsgId: *omni_visions(12)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:12:21 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Hi, Ed. It's a pleasure to be here.
MsgId: *omni_visions(13)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:15:18 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
In Paula Guran's exemplary on-line horror magazine, DarkEcho, there was a headline announcing your interview tonight. I noted it referred to the "Award-Winning Queen of Erotic Horror." Later in the magazine, there's a discussion by various female writes of the problems of typecasting. Do you perceive any problem there for your own career? You've lived with the "QoER" label for years now. Would you like to ditch it?
MsgId: *omni_visions(14)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:17:18 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
My only problem with that label was that there are so many terrific female horror writers that I don't feel I deserve to be singled out especially.
MsgId: *omni_visions(15)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:18:58 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Well . . . there could be a whole court: princesses, countesses, duchesses, etc. of erotic horror. In your own case, you don't think that the "erotic" part is limiting in definition?Side note to the audience: I'll be talking with Lucy Taylor for about an hour; then we'll open up the chatware so any and all can ask questions.
MsgId: *omni_visions(17)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:21:28 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
At the time, perhaps it was limiting, but I think since Stan Tal gave me that label, I have written quite a bit that is not erotic.
MsgId: *omni_visions(18)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:25:29 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Indeed, as I read the 13 stories in "PAINTED IN BLOOD," I took in the reality that all baker's dozen have sexual content, but not all are erotic -- realizing, of course, that erotic can be a highly subjective judgment. Some of the material is, um, nicely stimulating. Some could put me off even imagining sex for a decade or so. Can you suggest any differential between sexual horror and erotic horror?
MsgId: *omni_visions(19)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:28:17 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
For me, erotic horror contains an element of sensuality that is missing from sexual horror. As you say, sexual horror tends to be an anti-aphrodisiac.
MsgId: *omni_visions(20)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:29:51 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Could you suggest some authors, aside from yourself, both in and out of horror whom you think are fine exponents of the erotic and sensual?
MsgId: *omni_visions(21)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:32:47 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Well, of course, first and foremost Clive Barker. Also there are some newer authors like Thomas Roche and M. Christian as well as Nancy Kilpatrick whose work I admire. I could also add Jack Ketchum (Dallas Meyer) as an author who doe some terrific erotic writing.
MsgId: *omni_visions(23)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:34:30 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Agreed. And outside the horror field (not that the ones you mentioned don't easily shift across genre lines).Let me mention that "PAINTED IN BLOOD" is one of those lovingly crafted specialty press volumes that will not be found in most chain bookstores. Try specialty bookstores, or write directly to Silver Salamander Press, 4128 Woodland Park Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98103. There are both inexpensive trade paperbacks and nice hardback editions of the collection.
MsgId: *omni_visions(25)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:37:10 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
I suppose my all-time favorite for erotic writing would have to be Joyce Carol Oates. Her book "Haunted" is just one of many superb books she's written.
MsgId: *omni_visions(26)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:39:46 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Your new collection demonstrates, as do your other titles, that your horror most frequently deals with monsters who are quite human. Although you do occasionally move into non-realistic writing, most is hyper-realistic. Is your interest in the supernatural minimal? Do you see it simply as an occasionally workable metaphor?
MsgId: *omni_visions(27)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:42:06 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
I believe I consider realistic horror to be the more terrifying in that it certainly has more potential to actually occur in one's life. It seems to me that often, as far as the supernatural is concerned, there is some distancing. Also, I suppose I might add that I've had a bit more experience with the human sort of monster.
MsgId: *omni_visions(29)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:44:32 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
I think you blend the two beautifully in "Ceilings and Sky," a story reprinted from "LOVE IN VEIN II." It's, in part, a vampire story, but certainly more literally a vampirism story.So much of your fiction deals with torn, cruel, dysfunctional families. It's a theme you obviously care deeply about. Where do you stand on the nature vs. nurture issue? I see both elements appear in your fiction, but one seems vastly to overshadow the other.
MsgId: *omni_visions(31)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:47:05 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
When I wrote that story, I had in mind a human "vampire" of my acquaintance. I believe in the story the real vampire makes the point that she is the far less evil of the two "monsters."
I still believe nurture to be the more important but in recent years, I have come to realize that nature probably has a great impact, too. However, cruel families are a subject I never tire of, having been raised in one and knowing so many others who were raised in equally dismal homes.
MsgId: *omni_visions(33)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:51:04 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
You're a Virginia native, and thus a Southerner. Do you see anything about the Southern family experience that, perhaps generalized, is more horror-inducing than even the family nastiness of the north?
MsgId: *omni_visions(35)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:52:45 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
I know a lot of non-Southern families that could compete with us Southerners for dysfunction anytime, but yes, in general, I think the traditional South's emphasis on protocol, on suppression of feelings and complete denial of one's sexuality does make for something of a hotbed of insanity.
MsgId: *omni_visions(36)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:55:53 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
So what do you see about southern families (or northern, for that matter) that's notably good?
MsgId: *omni_visions(37)
Date: Thu Sep 4 22:57:06 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Well, as far as southern families, since there is so much sexual repression, they tend to produce extremely depraved offspring -- which always makes the world a more interesting place.
MsgId: *omni_visions(38)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:01:39 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Another of those lateral announcements: My guest on tonight's OmniVisions is horror writer and award-winning novelist, Lucy Taylor, whose new book is the collection "PAINTED IN BLOOD." In a bit we'll open up the chat, so have your questions ready. Also, because of technical difficulties a week ago, Jim Freund will again interview British writer M. John Harrison. It'll be a special daytime show in the near future. Be watching the Omni webpage for details.Lucy, it's hard not to discern from a number of your stories that you have some interest in professional wrestling. In "PAINTED IN BLOOD," for example, there's "Pain Threshold," a Taylor tale about a crazed heel that seems unusually comedic for you. You seem to be but one of a number of horror people intrigued by this area of pop culture. How come?
MsgId: *omni_visions(40)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:06:35 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Well, pro wrestling is just one of those things that I think horror wirters and fans tend to be drawn to because it is so outrageous and wicked and sexy and ridiculous, all at the same time. Macho soap operas, sort of. Plus great looking guys! Also, "Pain Threshold" was written with wrestlers of a certain type, notably Kevin Sullivan, in mind. As well as a number of guys who are in Extreme Championship Wrestling.
MsgId: *omni_visions(41)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:08:10 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Any plans to collect your wrestling stories? Or write a wrestling novel?
MsgId: *omni_visions(43)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:10:05 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
No plans at the moment, but I think it's a great idea. Also I believe John Pelan of Darkside Press has a wrestling anthology on the back burner. It would be great if we could get a wrestler to write an introduction perhaps.
MsgId: *omni_visions(44)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:16:51 EDT 1997
From: EllenDatlow At: 38.26.12.162
I don't know where Ed disappeared to, but the chat room is now open to the public. Please press "pause" before typing and sign your name. Thanks.
MsgId: *omni_visions(45)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:17:04 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Sorry about the delay. Sudden thunderstorm knocked out the power. Back on, and the neighborhood's full of sirens and flashing lights. Lucy Taylor interviews are always exciting.How about your adventure with Glenn Danzig's "Verotika" comics? Care to continue with forays into the visual media?
MsgId: *omni_visions(48)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:18:39 EDT 1997
From: EllenDatlow At: 38.26.12.162
Well, there always seems to be excitement in your neighborhood, Ed. A month of so ago your car was broken into during the show.
MsgId: *omni_visions(49)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:19:38 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
No, not comic books, I don't think, because I don't especially like doing it and I think I write better if I'm writing something I believe has some merit. However, I did recently sell a story to an audio-tape called "Feel the Fear," which was produced byDurkin Hayes and I'd like to do more along those lines.
MsgId: *omni_visions(50)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:21:16 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Very good. Durkin Hayes is highly reputable. Which story? And do you know who'll be doing the reading?
MsgId: *omni_visions(52)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:22:53 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
I don't know who did the reading (the tape has already been produced), but I do know this: Elvira was supposed to read my story and she refused, saying it was "pornography." Amazing! It was really quite mild.
MsgId: *omni_visions(51)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:22:12 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 207.149.129.56
Hi Lucy, It's too bad, but looks like the wrestling anthology is pretty much dead now. Maybe at some point in future. Great idea regarding getting a wrestler to do an introduction or afterword, I'll bet Cactus Jack or Kevin Sullivan could do a great job! John Pelan
MsgId: *omni_visions(54)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:25:03 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Hi, John. Yeah, Cactus Jack would be perfect and thanks for reminding me, because he was really the inspiration for my wrestling story. He's known for taking these amazing bumps and actually did lose an ear during a match, something I "borrowed" for my story.
MsgId: *omni_visions(53)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:24:33 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Hmm, was this one of the anti-aphrodisical stories?
MsgId: *omni_visions(55)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:26:15 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
No, Ed, Cactus van Gogh was supposed to be a major turn-on. (That's what the fans were calling Cactus for a while after the "incident."
MsgId: *omni_visions(56)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:27:01 EDT 1997
From: EllenDatlow At: 38.26.12.162
Lucy: Elvira has a nerve -- memorable scene from her movie: El on hands and knees with rear aimed at camera, looks over shoulder and says, Hi guys, just grab a tool and start banging! (home repairs in progress, clever double-entendre, no?) -- Pat Cadigan
MsgId: *omni_visions(58)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:29:01 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Pat, I'm sorry I missed that movie. My understanding was that Elvira was trying to clean up her image. She wasn't going to use the name Elvira but was going to read under her real name In any event, she got upset because there was a little bit of oral sex in my story. Maybe some other things -- who remembers?
MsgId: *omni_visions(59)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:30:18 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Ah yes, Colorado Springs's own Cassandra Peterson. I'm afraid I skipped her movie too.So far "SAFETY OF UNKNOWN CITIES" is your only published full-length novel. Any plans for U.S. publication in a new edition? Is the original nice edition still available? And what are you working on now in terms of novel projects?
MsgId: *omni_visions(60)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:31:02 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
As far as I know "Safety" is still available in the limited edition and in the paperback from Titan. Yes, I'm working on a novel, but finding that getting the plot structured exactly as I want requires far more time than I realized it would. So I'm also working on a number of short story projects at the same time.
MsgId: *omni_visions(61)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:32:10 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Are you sticking with horror for your novel, or are you moving farther afield?
MsgId: *omni_visions(62)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:32:19 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
XCassandra Peterson is from the Springs -- that hotbed of Christian moral rectitude! Hey, I'm impressed! Does the religious right know this?Yes, I'm sticking with horror but one thing I'm becoming more and more interested in is the spiritual dimension of life. At some point, I'd like to write a novel that incorporates some spiritual themes, but I don't think I'm at that point yet.
MsgId: *omni_visions(64)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:37:32 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Funny you should mention that -- spiritual aspects. The final and climactic story in "PAINTED IN BLOOD" is "Babble," one of your few pieces that, after all the chaos, terror, cruelty, and blood, sounds a distinct and lovely grace note. I can see why you and your editor placed this to sound the final note of the collection. It could be many things, but could be considered a multi-faceted view of the search for sanity . . . and grace. It's a story that gently but firmly squeezes the heart. Yes, I think it's an adjunct to what you mentioned.
MsgId: *omni_visions(65)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:39:22 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Thanks for mentioning "Babble." I like that story, too, and a lot of it was taken from various people I know in real life. Also at the time, I was singing in a church choir and it seemed to me that the way the various parts harmonized must be very much like the way God structures the Universe.
MsgId: *omni_visions(66)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:41:48 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
I'm easy -- I love specious comparisons. Singing in the choir? Perhaps you're the darker side of Connie Willis. Question: where would you like to see you and your work in 20 years?
MsgId: *omni_visions(68)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:44:33 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
In 20 years? Well, I'd like to have had a LOT more adventures of various kinds!!! But as far as writing, I'd like to write with more compassion. No less blood, sex, etc., but still the older I get the more I realize the tremendous need for compassion and I'd like to become more adept in expressing that in both my work and my life.
MsgId: *omni_visions(69)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:46:43 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Along with "PAINTED IN BLOOD," and since the novel's still in process, where can we all find some new Taylor short fiction now or soon?
MsgId: *omni_visions(70)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:49:35 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Let's see, I've got a story in Eros ex Machina edited by Thom Roche, a story in anupcoming Gargoyle anthology, one in Janet Berliner's and Joyce Carol Oates' mother/daughter anthology and one in "Imagination Fully Dilated," the works of Alan M. Clark.
MsgId: *omni_visions(71)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:51:21 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Let me add one more. You've got one hell of a short story called "Going North" in Melissa Mia Hall's anthology, "WILD WOMEN" (Carroll & Graf). I think it's one of your very best -- a dysfunctional family story with a genuinely affecting grace note of functionality.As the minutes wind down. You started writing professionally, I believe, as a journalist, then segued into fiction. How did that work? And have you any hard-won wisdom for newer aspiring writers?
MsgId: *omni_visions(73)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:53:00 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
I'm glad you like that story, Ed, and I think you will also like (for the same reasons) my story in the Berliner/ Oates anthology called "Girl Under Glass." It's another of my Mommy-is-an-evil-monster stories!My advice would be never to write in order to make money. If you make money, that's nice, but to me that's like saying you're going to have a child so that it can be a great athlete or movie star and support you in your old age. I think it's a good idea to have a non-writer job to support oneself, at least in the beginning.
MsgId: *omni_visions(74)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:54:14 EDT 1997
From: EllenDatlow At: 38.26.12.162
Lucy,is Painted in Blood out yet?
MsgId: *omni_visions(76)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:55:41 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Not quite, Ellen, but my understanding is it should be any day now. Am I right, John?
MsgId: *omni_visions(77)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:56:56 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
I'll let Lucy answer precisely about the collection's advent. But when it's available check specialty sf/fantasy bookstores, or write the publisher: Silver Salamander Press, 4128 Woodland Park Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98103.
MsgId: *omni_visions(78)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:57:15 EDT 1997
From: guest At: 207.149.129.56
Actually, the book is at the bindery; we should be shipping within the next two weeks or so. BTW: advance orders have been very strong, so people wanting a hardcover (either Deluxe or Limited) should probably drop me a note at jpelan@cnw.com John Pelan
MsgId: *omni_visions(79)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:58:29 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
What about signings and personal appearances to promote the book?
MsgId: *omni_visions(80)
Date: Thu Sep 4 23:58:46 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Great! I'm glad the book is almost out and I'm looking forward to seeing it.Well, hey, if somebody wants to send me on a book tour, I'm sure I could make the time. At the moment, however, I guess I'll just wait and see.
MsgId: *omni_visions(82)
Date: Fri Sep 5 00:02:07 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
Uh oh. The server may be at the end of its tether, so...
MsgId: *omni_visions(83)
Date: Fri Sep 5 00:03:36 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Hey, thanks for having me on for an interview. This has been fun! I'm a little less techno-phobic than I was.
MsgId: *omni_visions(84)
Date: Fri Sep 5 00:06:02 EDT 1997
From: Ed_Bryant_mod At: 204.133.96.13
I can announce that a signing will follow Lucy's appearance at 2 PM, Sunday, Nov. 2nd, at the Rocky Mountain Book Festival in Denver. Otherwise, watch the sf/fantasy/horror news magazines for updates. Okay, then. I regret that it's time to sign off. Thank you, Lucy Taylor, for brightening OmniVisions tonight! All of you, look for "PAINTED IN BLOOD," the new collection. It will do unusual things to a variety of your organs. And thank you as well to Sean for technical assistance, and to Ellen for producing. Watch for news of Jim Freund's re-try of the interview with M. John Harrison. Tune in in two weeks when I talk with Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. And this Sunday for a special Jim Freund interview with Robert Silverberg. Good night, all!
MsgId: *omni_visions(85)
Date: Fri Sep 5 00:06:24 EDT 1997
From: EllenDatlow At: 38.26.12.162
Lucy, I'm sure Ed will reappear one more time to say goodnight. Meantime, thanks for being on the show tonight. And next week is Michael Swanwick about his new novel "Jack Faust."
MsgId: *omni_visions(87)
Date: Fri Sep 5 00:07:48 EDT 1997
From: lucytaylor At: 206.173.169.99
Thanks Ellen. Thanks for staying up so late to catch this.
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