“For such a lovely girl, you have a twisted imagination!”
True comment. An accusation levelled in jest. But one that got me thinking nevertheless.
Why are my stories so dark? Where does all this angst, grief and disillusionment come from? I’ve had a perfectly normal and happy upbringing. I am in a good marriage with a supportive partner and lovely children. So, why do I insist on exploring such bleak scenarios and such murky characters?
I think, all writers are, first and foremost, observers. They observe life, people, situations, personalities and intentions. Then, in their own unique way, they try and make sense of the world around them through their writing.
For me, my stories are a form of catharsis. I live every single character’s life. I feel every single character’s pain. Then I bleed my heart out on paper, in the hope that I am able to lend credence to the compulsions that drive people to do what they do.
In ‘Damage’, my latest book of short stories I examine, amongst other things, the themes of infidelity, neglect, abandonment, abuse, corruption and unrequited love. These are all normal, everyday people who, for a variety of reasons, find their lives sliding off the beaten track. They either inflict damage, are the victims of damage, or both.
In life, our decisions are determined by a variety of factors. Birth, circumstances, upbringing, the presence/absence of love shape us into the people that we are. What we make of our lives are a combination of all this, and of conscious thought.
My characters are not evil. They are human. They combine within them light and dark, good and bad. Sometimes, their actions are determined by their constraints, sometimes by pressures outside of their control. Yet, none of the actions or the consequences unleashed, ever arise out of a vacuum.
So, the purpose of my walking on the dark side is simply this: to be able to confront the darkness within and without us. To acknowledge its existence and then, armed with that knowledge, try and combat it the best that we can.
Are you willing and able to peer into that dark abyss?
Damage available worldwide on Amazon. Links below:
