This interview with ravishing alternative writer & L.A. reviewer Staci Layne Wilson reveals Wilson's many unique talents, how she has made them work for her -- and how you can too!

http://www.staciwilson.com/ is the most intriguing website you'll ever come across. It belongs to an equally intriguing young lady named Staci Layne Wilson who is an MPAA Accredited Journalist & Reviewer, Active Member of the L.A. Press Club and Active Member of the Horror Writers Association. I was fortunate enough to snag an interview with Staci on the fly (in a matter of like two or three emails):

Me: Tell me why you became an alternative writer.

Staci: Because mainstream wouldn't have me!

Me: Have you been writing long?

Staci: Hm, I'll resist the temptation to say something about how tired my hands are...I sold my very first article at the age of 12 to Horse & Horseman magazine, and I've been regularly published in one form or another ever since. (I'm 12-1/2 now.)

Me: Which of the alternative genres do you enjoy most?

Staci: Horror and fantasy have always been faves. When it comes to horror it takes a lot to scare me, though -- I think maybe my mom scarred me for life by taking me to see The Exorcist at the drive-in when I was just a tiny tot. As for fantasy, as a kid I devoured The Chronicles of Narnia or anything by Tolkien. (And when I say devoured, I mean that -- there wasn't much to eat around our house.) Waaaaay back when I was a pre-teen, there was no Information Super Highway, no X-Box, and no multiplex, so reading was a great pastime.

Me: And what, of your writing, has produced the most money?

Staci: I have made the most money on erotica even though I, personally, am not a fan of it and feel a bit shy writing those love scenes! There are lots of websites -- porn and real erotica (I've never written porn) -- that you can find via Google searches, using terms like "sexy+stories+writers+guidelines" that pay anything from .03 cents a word to $1.00 a word. I believe Gothic.net pays .03 cents a word, which is the minimum pro rate. Circlet Press is always looking for short stories, novellas and books.

The first erotica story I sold was for a hardcover anthology called SEDUCTIONS, and they paid $2,500 flat fee, first North American rights. The editor, Lonnie Barbach, PhD (a renown sex therapist), ran an ad in Writers Digest, and I answered it (I had no special connections, or anything). It was that simple :)

Me: So were their "other genres in your life" before you hunkered down with horror and fantasy?

Staci: Not really. I did have a lot of success in writing nonfiction (concentrating mainly on horses and cats... but I never did try to 'concentrate' on orange juice -- I heard that blonde joke early on!). I think that is a very good way to break into writing, professionally; if you are good at something (whether it be knitting or flying airplanes), write about it and see which magazines might be good markets for your work.

Me: That's great advice for writers! Could you also share how you come up with your story/book ideas?

Staci: When it comes to my short stories, I almost always come up with an intriguing title, then work my story around that. As for books, the ideas usually just come to me -- I've been inspired by true crime TV shows, quickly warping reality and thinking, "Yeah, but what if... ?"

Me: Describe the sorts of realms/scenarios readers can expect to find in your books.

Staci: I'm not the type of writer that creates whole new worlds (ala Barker, Tolkien, or Anthony). My fiction is usually either set right here in the world we all know and love, or it's in a similar, familiar realm -- for example, my latest novel Rock & Roll Fantasy has been compared to Alice in Wonderland -- while my heroine does go into a completely different dimension ruled by the tarot, it could just as well all have been a dream. (However, I assure you, Bobby Ewing doesn't pop up in the shower at the end.)

Me: Do you plan the direction of your stories as, or before, you write?

Staci: I am definitely not much of a plotter. Which probably makes it more difficult on myself, but I generally write a short outline (4 - 8 pages; more like a synopsis, really) and take it from there. In a way, it's a more harder row to hoe (as they say in the turnip biz) but it's also more freeing -- it's fun and exciting for me when my stories take an unexpected twist.

Yes, I usually do have an ending in mind before I begin writing a novel or short story.

Me: What/who have been among the strangest aspects of the alternative genre? [I'm thinking specifically of rock star Marilyn Manson -- whom she has interviewed]

Staci: Actually, I find that the 'alternative' genre has some of the most open-minded, professional, friendly people I've ever met.

[Well put and enough said]

Me: What advice can you give to beginning writers interested in writing fantasy/horror?

Staci: I wouldn't recommend starting right off the bat with a book. Unless, of course, you have a book that you are just dying to get on paper (you know who you are). I'd begin with short stories, and I'd definitely join several online writing communities (winding up with only a few -- join several at first to get a feel for the tone of the groups and their members. Like real world communities, each one attracts certain types of people). There are lots of good ones to be found at http://www.yahoogroups.com

Me: What are your recent books like?

Staci: I have three new books, any of which might be of interest to one of your readers:

1) Rock & Roll Fantasy -- out now Themes: quest fantasy, classic rock, tarot cards http://www.staciwilson.com/rockandroll.h...

2. The Life & Times of Rapunzel -- out now Themes: quest fantasy, time travel, romance, cats http://www.staciwilson.com/rapunzel.html

3. Horses By E-Mail -- coming in June 2003 Themes: teenagers, travel, friendship, horses http://www.staciwilson.com/horsesbyemail..."

Rock & Roll Fantasy is set in a tarot-tinged world. Each chapter represents a card from the Major Arcana, and each card is personified by a person from the world of classic rock (guess who -- don't sue!). I was absolutely thrilled to get blurbs for the back cover from some of my favorite writers (Piers Anthony) and musicians (Ray Manzarek from The Doors), and have been bowled over by the positive response from readers and reviewers. Another great thing was the support from contributors -- several talented artists allowed me to use their tarot card illustrations inside, and two good friends of mine designed a cover way beyond my expectations (the cover is quite stunning -- especially if you hit someone over the head with it -- it's even up for a Quasar Award). There's a lot of info online about Rock & Roll Fantasy here: http://www.staciwilson.com/rocknroll.html

I've got two paperbacks out from Amber Quill (Rock N Roll Fantasy is published by Double Dragon). One is an adventure for young adults called Horses By eMail, and the other is a light, humorous fantasy called The Life & Times of Rapunzel. I have two horror novels ready to go, but no publishers for them yet. I'm also about to start work on a Dark Commandos novel (http://www.darkcommandos.com)

Me: Which book of yours do you like best?

Staci: They are all different, but I would say the labor of Rock & Roll Fantasy had the most love. I put a lot of my heart into it, and a lot of thought weaving lyrics and song titles into the text and dialog, and choosing just right rock personality for each card's meaning. It was important to me that it be illustrated and have a beautiful, eye-catching cover, so I took of that on, myself. I'm very pleased with the end-result.

Me: Describe your writing life.

Staci: Do or die! Actually, the creative writing often falls by the wayside these days because being an entertainment reporter and movie reviewer is very much deadline oriented. I *have* to be there on the red carpet to get my interviews, and movie reviews *must* be published no later than the day of release. However, up until recently, I've written my novels on my own time without a publisher waiting for it, so it's easy to be "lazy" that way.

Me: Thanks so much for agreeing to be interviewed! Any further thoughts?

Staci: Good luck, everyone, and thank you for taking the time to learn a little bit about me and my books.