There’s nothing more
intriguing than an author who thinks outside and beyond a box to create frightful
tales of ghosts, zombies, and dark characters from beyond.
A couple of weeks
ago, as I was searching for new guests among a plethora of writers online to
fill the Pink Lounge, Lori Titus had caught my eye in a writing group. Perhaps
it was piercing her brown eyes and her gentle smile speaking to me from her profile
picture; or, her love for the paranormal was just as profound as mine; or maybe...just maybe...I needed to know who this author was in a genre with so few African
Americans.
Imani: Lori,
thank you for joining me in The Pink Lounge -- welcome. Let me ask you this
question I ask all of my guest: What makes Lori Titus the woman she is today?
Lori: Many things
go into making someone who they are. Two things that my mother taught me come
to mind. Perseverance, because success requires trial, failure, and the
stubbornness to get back up. The other value would be a curiosity about life
and learning in general. .
Imani: As I was
conducting research for this interview, I've noticed on many sites around the
web that you convey mystery and intrigue. Share with the readers how writing
"intrigued" you, and how did it lead you to the paranormal genre?
Lori: Writing, no
matter what kind of story, is about unlocking mysteries. I love to get into the
mind of a character, to hear their inner thoughts. Paranormal stories interest
me because they allow you to operate without the ordinary rules. If you can
create a world where monsters exist, telepathy is a given, or ghosts live among
us, anything is possible.
Writing, no matter what kind of story, is about unlocking mysteries. I love to get into the mind of a character, to hear their inner thoughts. Paranormal stories interest me because they allow you to operate without the ordinary rules. If you can create a world where monsters exist, telepathy is a given, or ghosts live among us, anything is possible.
Imani: What's
your methodology of a solid storyline?
Lori: My story
ideas start with a question. What happens if a girl has abilities that she
hides? What would happen if the dead could come back in one cursed town? From
there the storyline develops through the actions of the characters. Each step
supports the storyline and advances the characters' journey.
Imani: So is it
fair to ask that you are character-driven?
Lori: Yes, I
guess you could say that. I definitely like to experiment. If I don’t like how something comes out it
can always be cleaned up in the editing process.
Imani: Although
we have known each other for a brief time, as well as reading most of your work
online, I want to say before we go further that you are a phenomenal writer. So,
share with the readers each of your titles and their brief descriptions.
Lori: Thanks so
much for the compliment!
Here's a list of my titles:
Hunting in Closed Spaces: A young girl is abducted by a man who says he was sent to protect
her. Why are the powerful members of The Circle out to get her at any cost?
Lazarus: In
Lazarus, California, 1869, the dead don't always stay that way. Enter Luella, a
woman with a mysterious past and a plan to stop the dead from rising.
Green Water Lullaby:
A collection of stories featuring ghosts, ghouls and other bad things in the
town of Chrysallis, South Carolina.
Hailey's Shadow:
As an adult now accused of murder, Hailey had a troubled childhood, and was
known for starting fires. Are the "shadows" that she sees a fabrication
of a disturbed mind, or are they real?
The Guardians of Man:
This novel was a collaboration with Crystal Connor. In an isolated mountain
community, residents fear the coming of winter after a worldwide power outage
has left them without heat. What starts off as a technological disaster is
revealed to be something worse - the ultimate battle between good and evil.
Imani: Of all of
your characters, which one you would like to interview and why?
Lori: I would
like to talk to Justin, Marradith's love interest from Hunting in Closed
Spaces. He's one of those characters you never know what he will say.
Imani: The
Paranormal genre have a pool of talented writers, and yet the number of African
American authors are minimal. Why do you think that is so? And could it be an unreasonable
fear within the African American community towards the genre?
Lori: I am not
sure what it is. I believe that fundamentalist religion has something to do
with the fact we don't see many blacks writing in paranormal or horror genres.
That said, we are big consumers of this kind of fiction, in books and movies. I
believe it’s considered a guilty pleasure by most in the black community.
I am not sure what it is. I believe that fundamentalist religion has something to do with the fact we don't see many blacks writing in paranormal or horror genres. That said, we are big consumers of this kind of fiction, in books and movies. I believe it’s considered a guilty pleasure by most in the black community.
Imani: Now, you have
coauthored a few titles with authors; such as, Crystal Conner and Olivia
Weston. Tell us how you met these individuals, and what are the pros and cons
to coauthor books?
Lori: I met
Crystal through Facebook. After a while we started talking about writing
together. Crystal writes more horror driven and sci fi dark fiction as opposed
to mine, which tends to be paranormal and romance driven. Olivia Weston had
edited for Crystal before, and she agreed to edit The End is Now and The
Guardians of Man.
Imani: Do you
have plans for another collaboration with these ladies? Or, are you flying solo
with your own project(s)? And if so, could you share with us the details?
Lori: Crystal and
I don't have anything specific planned, but I am sure we'll collaborate
again. I have a plot idea that I am
holding on to just in case.
Imani: Among your
litany of accolades and achievements, you also own the website "Flashes in
the Dark". Share with the readers the concept behind this site, and where
do you see it going in five years?
Lori: My goal for
the next five years remains the same but on a larger scale - to introduce new
and established writers to readers who don't have much time but want to be
entertained.
Imani: Tell us
one thing you haven't shared with your readers. It can be a quirk, a favorite
food, or a hidden talent. The floor is yours.
Lori: I think
most people would but surprised to know that most of my stories have tie ins.
Luella is a great aunt to Marradith. The Guardians of Man also has a tie in to
The Marradith Ryder Series.
Imani: Finally, as an artist, we have muses and
person(s) we admired to help shape our craft. So, who is your inspiration and
if they were here right now, what would you say to them?
Lori: I would
tell my sister, Linda that it was all worth it.
Imani: Lori,
thank you for stopping by The Lounge. I had a blast. Tell the readers where
they can purchase your work, as well as finding you on the web?
Lori: My work is
available on Amazon.com. I am expecting to have a new novel called The Bell
House out in December or January. I also have two novels in progress. One is
tentatively titled The Daughters of Cain, which is about halfway through the
first draft. The second is The Art of Shadows, which will be going to an editor
soon. Shadows is the second book in The Marradith Ryder Series.
To learn more about Lori Titus and her amazing work visit
her at LoriBeth215.wordpress.com and FlashesInTheDark.com.
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