I know of the late Richard Laymon's work from the above essay and reading one of his short stories, Hammerhead, found in a collection called The Museum of Horrors. Very creepy. His advice is sound. His fiction is scary.
My guess is that if you know about Joe R. Lansdale you most likely discovered him via the novella, Bubba-Ho-Tep, which was made into a movie starring B-movie actor Bruce Campbell (If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor) as the late Elvis, King of Rock n' Roll and intrepid Mummy hunter. Reid's interview with Lansdale is first rate-- and perfect for those getting started and unsure of how to get going.
Dennis Lehane's work is everywhere. Read it. My favorite Lehane book is Mystic River, with Shutter Island a close second. Oh, they were made into pretty good movies, too.
Author Joe Hill is author Stephen King's son, so it is a safe bet he is getting some good advice from his old man. Joe's short story collection is wonderful. It's called 20th Century Ghosts. Find it and read it. I also enjoyed his breakout first novel Heart-Shaped Box. Frightened at the prospect of writing a novel? Joe's advice is right on time.
In addition to the above links, I'm going to add 4 of my favorite books on the subject:
- The first, and my long-time favorite, is by the late, great Ray Bradbury: Zen and the Art of Writing. The man was exploding with passion and enthusiasm for his work. I can't recommend ZATAOW enough. My favorite Bradbury novel (he's mostly known for short stories) is Something Wicked this Way Comes.
- The second is literally related to Joe Hill, above. Stephen King's On Writing is not only a favorite of many who would want to know how fiction works (at least King's fiction) but I suspect it is also an example of a father trying to give the best possible advice to his son on how to break into the family business. Truly, Uncle Stevie is the fellow you want by your side when the voice of the quitties is shouting you down and making you feel like you just canna do it. (Bonus Book: If you are interested in horror in particular and fantasy/science fiction in general please consider reading King's other nonfiction masterpiece Danse Macabre for a second helping from the master).
- The third is Bird by Bird by Ann Lamotte. This is a truly inspirational book. Writing is a lonely business, and the voice of Ann Lamotte is a whisper and shout of kindness and encouragement.
- Fourth is a book by mystery writer Lawrence Block. If you want straight talk from a seasoned professional novelist, the tough guy in the room-- read Writing the Novel: From Plot to Print. My favorite part is his chapter on what to do when you get stuck. I have to add that I consider this hard to find book the most practical of the bunch. Not the best necessarily, but the most practical for the do-it-yourself-er.
Best of luck and keep writing!
