Interview with Science Fiction & Horror Author, Chris Wright

Today I am excited to introduce everyone to author Chris Wright. He is the author of the new science fiction-horror novel Survival. I chat with him about his book, writing, and what he’s learned on his writing journey.

Nicole: What inspires you to write?

Chris: In short, mysteries, and the fact that we are continually discovering something new as humans. Scientists, researchers, astronomers, archaeologists, and so on, are continually pushing the boundaries of our known world. The results are always intriguing, and often beg even more questions than they answer. It’s that mystery behind our existence that fascinates me and allows my imagination to run wild and conjure up new worlds and situations. I think as a species, we have so far taken a lot for granted and each new discovery questions what we all think we know. Quantum physics, for instance, flies in the face of classic Newtonian thinking and the quantum world is so strange; something I used as inspiration for my second book in the Survival Trilogy ‘Fragments.’

Nicole: What an amazing perspective! What have you learned since you began writing?

Chris: I have learned quite a lot, but probably the most eye-opening for me is how restrictive categorizing into specific genres is. With my first book, Survival, I hit that problem early on. It’s part horror, part science fiction, but also has elements of mystery, action and thriller. So the problem was how to describe and promote it. As it is ultimately set in a sci-fi realm, I labeled it as a sci-fi/horror but found that even labeling it that way alienated a potential audience. It has elements of horror, but they are in no way the same as you would encounter reading something from Stephen King or Dean Koontz for instance. The same problem lies with the sci-fi label because a diehard sci-fi fan may start the book and wonder what on earth it has to do with science fiction, because it is only further on in the book that the sci-f elements start to creep in. I have found genres restrictive, especially personally with my own stories, because they blur the lines across multiple genres.

In promoting my new book, I encountered the same rigid structure in terms of labeling. As it’s set in 2410 on an alien moon it falls within the sci-fi realm again, but it doesn’t stop there, as it’s also a thriller, and partly horror, with a spiritual and supernatural twist too. Labeling it solely under one individual genre isn’t quite adequate.

Nicole: That must be a challenge! What can you share to the readers about your books?

Chris: Well, I would say that the genre headings of science fiction and horror can instantly put some readers off, which I can fully understand. The perception of those genres is something that I think can now be challenged. Even if you stick rigidly to one of these, in particular, they still have multiple sub-genres, so a category can still be very diverse. With my books, I explore sub-sets of each genre involved, crossing and blurring the lines regularly. The genre of my books tells you little about what they are because within them is embedded the struggle of humanity itself. Horror and science fiction ask profound questions about life and death, and that is a central theme of my books. As one reviewer said, “These are books about what it is to be human, which is ironic as there are a lot of inhuman characters in it.” I’m questioning what is real, how much we can rely on our own senses and so much more. Another reviewer, when describing Fragments said, “A dark fate for mankind lies in wait at the edge of our perception, as in the best science fiction, shedding light on our inner flaws.”

Central themes like this are explored throughout the book, and I can only do that through crafting believable characters forced into unbelievable situations. So, even though the books are firmly rooted in a sci-fi horror context, it’s the exploration of the characters and their experiences that make them interesting. I’m able to deal with their emotions, their fears, hope, dreams, and paranoia, certainly with the final part of the trilogy I Am Auton. I also ask deep questions, like what makes us human and so on. The stories also have a strong female presence, which I think is an important aspect when dealing with life, death, and the universe, after all, none of us would be here without a mother. This is represented by the fact that none of the stories would exist in the first place, if not for three female characters: Monique, Sheryl, and Gina. Without them, there would be nothing else.

Nicole: That’s so thought-provoking. What is your next book? And when is it due?

Chris: My next novel is called The Daemon’s Wish and is set in the year 2410 when humanity has colonized and terraformed Mars and Jupiter’s moon, Europa. The story is set in Europa, where a series of gruesome murders have taken place. The police and a criminal profiler, called Noah, are looking into the murders as they try to catch the perpetrator. But, as with all my books, things aren’t always what they first appear to be. The police begin to suspect Noah, and Noah suffers debilitating blackouts and seizures, claiming he can’t remember where he was. It’s another rollercoaster, where we see the cat and mouse chase for the killer unfold, as the suspicion is cast back and forth on Noah, even to the point that his girlfriend also becomes suspicious of him.

I won’t give any more away, other than to say that it’s a suspense thriller set in space, with supernatural and spiritual elements spliced within it, which should keep people guessing until the surprise ending. It’s due for release on the 28^th of April through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and all other good online book stores.

Nicole: I can’t wait! Thank you for chatting with me today and best of luck on your books.

Enticed by the sound of reading a sci-fi/horror book? Make sure you check out Chris Wright’s books here and purchase a copy for yourself:

Chris Wright, born and raised in Derbyshire, UK, is the author of science fiction and horror, blurring the lines between what is real and what is imagined. His first novel, Survival is a relentless journey into a nightmare world where reality preys upon people, and nothing is ever quite what it seems. He recently completed the Survival Series with two sequels: Fragments and I Am Auton. He is also writing more works of fiction, so is set to expand his universe of sci-fi/horror into countless directions.

Make sure to follow him on GoodReads!

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