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Justin Behrens: I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember, and reading horror since I was a teenager (a few decades ago). During all of that time, I never aspired to become a writer. But subconsciously over the years, I think I absorbed the basics of storytelling by reading so many great stories. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve taken writing seriously (I dabbled a little previously). So while I dived right in and wrote a novel without consciously studying the craft, I had a pretty good intuitive understanding of the process from decades of reading. Basically, I was studying for decades; I just didn’t know it.

BHB: What do you think about the future of books with all the new technology coming out (like Kindle and foldable screens)?

JB: I’m pretty old school when it comes to books. I love books, the weight of them, the way they look on a bookshelf, the words on the page. I think there will always be physical books. That said, I support anything that puts stories in the hands of readers. I think things like Kindle/eBooks are great additions to publishing.

BHB: How difficult was the publishing process for you?

JB: It wasn’t difficult. It was exciting and educational. The only difficult part for me was dealing with my own impatience. Once the publishing process had begun, I really wanted to see a finished book in my hands. It was a good day when I opened my own book.

BHB: How much of your own promotion do you do?

JB: Most of it. I think most writers do a lot of their own promotion. It’s been an eye-opening experience promoting my first novel, “Bad Paths.” I’ve learned a lot. I think self-promotion is a necessary and vital part of publishing. The publishing process doesn’t end when a book is published, it really only just begins. After all, you can write the next “Great American Novel,” but readers aren’t going to read it if they don’t know it exists.

BHB: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

JB: Well, I’m far from an expert on writing or publishing, so I only know what has worked for me. If you want to be a writer, read, a lot. If you want to write horror for example (or science fiction, or fantasy, or whatever it may be), read the genre voraciously. Learn from the writers that have already written the kind of work you want to write. Enjoy the process of reading (and writing). If you don’t love reading, I don’t think you have much business writing. And if you want to be a writer, write. It sounds obvious, but it’s surprising how often I end up in a discussion with someone about how he or she wants to be a writer, but hasn’t written anything. The discussions usually end up being about ideas and excuses: “I have some great ideas for some stories, but I don’t have time to write them.” Ideas don’t create books, writing does. Don’t be afraid to write. Writing is a wonderful thing, magical. I love it.

BHB: What are your future plans?

JB: I’m currently writing another horror novel. It seems to be what I’m supposed to do. I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.

BHB: How do you juggle writing with the rest of your life?

JB: Writing is an integral part of my life, so I make time for it. For me writing is not a burden, or something that I force myself to do. Writing is something that I love to do. If you love something, you find time for it.

BHB: Do you have any methods or rituals to your writing?

JB: Not really. Writing is something that I do, every day. It’s just something that feels natural to me. I sit down at the computer and type away, things happen, and eventually a story results.

BHB: How do you find inspiration?

JB: The act of writing itself is inspirational to me. I’m excited when I get to sit down and write. And reading great stories inspires me to try to do the same.

BHB: Was there one certain event or happening that made you want to write a book?

JB: Oddly enough, a few years ago I was reading a terrible novel and I thought, I can’t believe I paid money for this. How did this ever get published? I can do better than this. And I found that once I began writing, I liked it so much I couldn’t stop. It felt like I had discovered something that I was supposed to be doing. Writing still feels that way to me.

BHB: What are the most difficult and rewarding aspects of being a published writer?

JB: I don’t find anything about being a published writer difficult. The most rewarding aspect, by far, is talking to or receiving an email from a reader who enjoyed my work. It always makes me smile. I’m always humbled and grateful that someone took the time to read my work.

BHB: What do you do against writer’s block?

JB: I’ve never suffered from writer’s block, thankfully.

BHB: Do you use an outline when writing? Do you stay linear or do you skip in time?

JB: I don’t use outlines, character notes, plotting, etc. For me, writing is more of an organic process. I have an idea, I plant a seed, and I watch the idea grow into a story. It’s my job to make sure the seed grows, not to necessarily dictate what it grows into. When I’m writing, story comes first. If I focus on the story, everything else usually falls into place.

BHB: How difficult was it to get an agent?

JB: I’ll let you know when (and if) I have one.

BHB: How important is a good website and do you utilize blogging?

JB: I think the Internet in general in extremely important. It’s an amazing informational and entertainment tool. And yes, I blog.

BHB: What do you prefer and why: Mass-market paperback or hard cover for your debut novel?

JB: My debut novel, “Bad Paths” was published in hard cover and trade paperback. From an esthetics standpoint, nothing beats the look and feel of a hard cover book. Obviously trade paperback editions are less expensive to produce, and hence are less expensive to purchase. Mass-market paperbacks are usually even less expensive. I would love to have a mass-market paperback deal to make my novel more accessible to readers at less cost to them.

BHB: Are you religious?

JB: Nope.

BHB: Do you believe in a after life?

JB: I’m hopeful that our consciousness goes on in some way after we die. It would be sad if we simply cease to exist after death.

BHB: Is this story a metaphor?

JB: Not directly. Although, in a way, it could be argued that a lot of horror is metaphorical by nature.

Thank you very much for this interview, and good luck with your writing!

Bad Paths Review

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