Angela Albee

Tracy Crockett - Firstly, introduce yourself to our readers…

Angela Albee - Hello readers out there, fans of the horror, the thrill, the chill. I am excited to be part of this interview to share a bit of myself with you all. I am Angela Albee

Tracy - Where are you from?
I was born and raised in a small town in Wisconsin. I moved to the Twin Cities (MN) after my first college didn’t work out. That’s a whole other story. I live in town with my husband and soul mate, Dave, along with our 2 cats, Budah and Blaze.

Tracy - How long have you been writing?

Angela - I wrote my first poem when I was about 10 years old. My family and I went out to eat one stormy evening. Our dog, Woolie, hated storms and would run, yelp and jump around her dog house (it was more of a little playhouse) during storms. As we pulled into the driveway, my young eyes saw our beloved dog hanging from the shingles of the playhouse. She had been startled by the storm, pumped up on the house and when she went to jump down, her chain caught and her life was over. I was traumatized by the sight. I wanted to memorialize her and the best way I thought to do so was to write and dedicate a poem to her called, Memories of a Stormy Night. I am now 33, so I’ve been continuing to write tributes to those lost and dark, demented poetry and stories these past 20+ years.

Tracy - Is there any one person that influenced you growing up causing you to do what you do now?

Angela - I have always admired Edgar Allen Poe and his works. He’s so mysterious and dark. He’s always been a favorite and a great influence. More recently, I have looked up to and admired Edward Lee. His writing is so intense, graphic and detailed that I find myself in the story with the other characters. That is what I want out of my writing…for the reader to be immersed in the words, the emotions, the terror…

Tracy - How do you see the movement in authors of today? For example, would you say the writings have gotten better or worse in the last 5 years?

Angela - It depends on the genre of writing and the opinions and likes of others. Everyone has different tastes. For example, I may find a story completely amazing and rave about it…you may find that same story stale and boring. It’s all a matter of opinion. I discovered the work of Edward Lee just over 5 years ago and have wondered why I hadn’t heard of him before. It just so happened that an old co-worker had a book of his and thought I’d enjoy it. I did. I now have quite the little collection of his fiction work. So, I guess to really answer this question, I think the writings have gotten better.

Tracy - Who’s your favorite author?

Angela - I think I answered that in the last question. Edward Lee, by far, is my favorite. I am also quite fond of Stephan King, John Saul and Dean Koontz, to name a few. Edward Lee’s work just pulls me into every story. I once was pissed off after finishing a book of his and didn’t like how it just ended…I wanted more. I ended up finding his email address and emailed him. To my joy, he informed me of a sequel (which I’ve since read) and we’ve been in periodic correspondence since then. It’s a nice feeling to speak with someone you admire and think of as a possible mentor…

Tracy - What can you tell us about Wedding Bells. Tortured Souls? Where did the idea stem?

Angela - In college, I wrote a 1 page story called, The Ring. I received high marks on the story and many years later, I decided to expand it from a 500 word story to a 10000+ word one. I’m not sure where the idea came from. As a creative mind, my thoughts are constantly racing, always having visions of different things, even horrific visions. It’s like little movies that don’t have yet to be filmed play in my head. All the time, day and night. Wedding Bells, Tortured Souls is one of those movies. I could see all the terror, all the horror in my own mind, so I knew I had to transfer those thoughts to paper.

Tracy - Are there any interesting stories to go along with Wedding Bells?

Angela - Not really. Many people wonder how I can be so outgoing, so relaxed, yet write so dark and twisted words. It’s just part of my nature, I guess. My parents were into horror, so I was exposed to scary movies and such at a very young age and have enjoyed the genre ever since.

Tracy - How many other works have you released?

Angela - Besides several poems published in various magazines/anthologies and Wedding Bells, Tortured Souls, I also have a collection of dark poetry published through Sams dot Publishing.

Tracy - Out of everything you’ve written what’s your favorite? Why?

Angela - I really can’t choose one. I love all my work for different reasons. I like how I capture the memories and spirits of those lost in my tribute poems. I like the visions that dance in my head when I’m picturing a horror story. I like the minimal way I write, few words, but so much emotion.

Tracy - Have you ever been approached to make one of your stories into film?

Angela - I have approached others, but no one has approached me. I feel Wedding Bells, Tortured Souls would make a great movie. It’s a wonderful film, when it plays in my head.

Tracy - How do you feel about that?

Angela - I think it’s every authors dream to see their work on the big screen, or even the small screen. To see the work come to life like that would be amazing.

Tracy - Do you like horror movies?

Angela - Oh yes, indeed. I love the thrills it gives me, love the chills, love the little hairs on my neck to stand on end, while I grip the cushions waiting for the next horrific scene. I love the movie that is unpredictable, keeping you guessing till the very end. I like the gore, the blood, the guts. Hell, I still love the classic slasher flicks like Friday the 13^th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Candyman and so many more. When I see commercials for new horror movies coming out and I get a chill up my back, I know that is a movie I must see. If a film clip is shown for 30 seconds and it grips my attention and toys with my emotion and mind, I know I will see it.

Tracy - If so any favorites?

Angela - Here’s a short list of my favorites as there are so very many: Omen (trilogy), The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, The Exorcist, Poltergeist, Sleepaway Camp, Seven, Firestarter, Carrie, Christine, Amityville Horror, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Candyman, People Under the Stairs, the Saw movies, Pet Semetery, Puppetmaster, Hellraiser, Halloween, Children of the Corn, Final Desitnation, pretty much any vampire movie…there are so many more

Tracy - What’s in store for Angela Albee next?

Angela - I have another collection of poems (dark and tribute) in the works for my next poetry book, The Darkness Falls Upon My Soul.

I also have another story (more like a novelette) called, Edge of Darkness. It is almost in the finishing stages, and then I will send around to publishers in hopes of selling it. Edge of darkness has horror, terror, revenge, fear…all the emotions and images of darkness.

I also have a couple other stories in the very early stages. I plan to revisit those story ideas and expand, hopefully write another novelette. One of those stories, I feel has great potential. It will be titled either The Devil’s List or Satan’s Assassin.

Tracy -Where could one obtain your musings?

Angela - For my poetry book, In the Dark, you can purchase online at http://www.genremall.com/poetryr.htm#inthedark (if on myspace, you’ll need to change the 2 little dots after ‘htm’ to the number/pound symbol (#).

Wedding Bells, Tortured Souls is available through me. You can contact me on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/darkangela13, arrange to send payment and you’ll receive a personalized signed copy of the book.  OR you can purchase through the Den of Iniquities at http://www.myspace.com/den_of_iniquities666.

Tracy - Any advice you could give an aspiring author?

Angela - No matter how many rejections you receive, keep trying, keep sending, keep writing. Never give up your passions. Even if you‘ve received 100 rejections and you feel like giving up, that 101^st letter you receive may have a check waiting in the envelope for your sold story or poem.

It’s your dream and you can make it happen.

Tracy - Now this is your dime. Is there anything you’d like to add that hasn’t been mentioned yet?

Angela - I just want to share my work with the world. I would love people to know my name, to value my work, to enjoy the fears, the chills, the thrills that my work instills upon you. I hope you’ve enjoyed this little interview and have learned a bit more about me. I also hope that you are inspired to pick up one of my books or are inspired to write a story or poem of your own.

Keep it dark.

For more information and upcoming projects you can visit Angela at her home on the internet.