GREETINGS, BOOKWORMS! I’m Aisha Kandisha, Head Librarian at Kandisha Press. Join me in the dusty stacks of the library I will never leave again as I chat with some of my favorite Women in Horror. Today we feature author Rebecca A. Dolence!
Rebecca A. Dolence is a lover of stories, over-analyzing, and everything creepy. She is a an Author Accelerator Certified Fiction Book Coach who specializes in coaching fantasy, magical realism, and various subgenres of horror for adults and children (yes, kids love horror too), by helping authors from the scary blank page, to drafting and revision, to a complete manuscript. She loves supporting writers through collaboration and brainstorming to help the words dance off the page.
With a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, Rebecca is a long-time member of SCBWI, and has earned several certificates in writing for children from The Institute of Children’s Literature.
When she’s not helping authors, she writes a blog, Positive Perspectives for Pouty People, listens to the crows cackle and occasionally, you’ll find her dancing under the moonlight in the backyard or flinging mud in her Jeep. To learn more about Rebecca’s coaching options, her Creature of the Month free newsletter, and upcoming workshops, visit http://www.radnotesbookcoaching.com.
What do you believe are your strengths in writing? And when you feel you need to improve on a particular writing skill, how do you go about it?
My imagination takes me to some really weird places. Let’s face it, as horror readers and writers, if we see a filled garbage bag on the side of the road, the first thing we think is, dead body. I love writing to fears and using metaphor and hidden symbolism to really dig the blade deep into the reader.
I think my writing flaw is similar to many writers. I see the scene unfolding in my mind, but the words on the page don’t always portray the images, the smells, the tastes, the sounds, stuck in my brain. This is why it’s so important to have a trustworthy writing group, an honest beta reader, or a hired book coach. An outside perspective changes everything.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community?
Honestly, I think the book industry as a whole is a bit scary right now. Publishers are making book deals with robots (AI), the subjectiveness of agents feels as confining as a medieval dungeon, and sadly, publishing is so tough that writers don’t know which came first—the pop culture or the story.
Finding a writing community that helps rather than hinders is invaluable. We are all looking for a place we belong. I mean, writing isn’t easy. There are so many layers to story that yes, a community of writers is important. Writers can easily research the wonderful book coaches and editors, specifically ones that share writing tips. Between free YouTube videos and small fee workshops, writers aren’t alone. Apps like Substack and Patreon, to name a couple, offer writers a place to feel comfortable sharing their stories with other writers. Sharing stories with strangers online is such a positive, uplifting space to ask for advice, and of course, offer help. It’s a place to take that shy writer, afraid to show their voice to the world, and just start.
Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as an independent author these days?
The simplest answer is, yes—does anyone feel a but coming on?
First, we have to remember that this is a multi-million-dollar business. Spending three years writing a book is only the first step to publishing independently. It’s not the best writers list; it’s the best sellers list. That means an indie writer needs to learn digital formatting, cover designs, flap jackets, log lines, and marketing. Indie writers need to immerse themselves in process of self-publishing.
And while I feel it is easier to publish as an independent, writers need to face a harsh truth—you need to brand yourself. Indie writers must create an image that attracts their ideal audience in an honest and transparent way. That means a writer needs to know who their audience is, because readers aren’t a one-size-fits-all. There’s a huge difference in marketing techniques that attract a romance reader versus a horror reader.
Finally, to quote A League of their Own, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
Hmmm. It took me four years and several rewrites/revisions to create a young adult gothic horror novel, SOULS OF SAMHAIN, starting around 2013. My goal was to write a book that I would have enjoyed reading when I was that age. Something twisted, something dark, and something gay. When I was growing up, being gay wasn’t acceptable. Whether that was societal norms or family ethics, I can’t say, but I can say there weren’t any books out in the market that helped me deal with the fact that I wasn’t allowed personal authentication. I loved the story I created, but unfortunately, the publishers weren’t as thrilled. And even though I often think about Alex [protagonist], she holds a special place in my heart. You can read an excerpt from it here.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
I spend a lot of time working on short stories. Every October 31st, I send an original scary story to my blog followers. I love writing shorts for a few reasons. First, they have to be tight and concise, utilizing strong words and no fluff. Second, the first line has to be eye-catching, something wild, like telling a verbal story that starts out, “I was fifteen when that guy pushed me off the bridge…” What better way to capture attention.
Short stories leave room for interpretation and it’s acceptable to leave strings untied—no tight weaving at the end of the story allows the reader’s imagination to run wild. But lately, I can’t seem to get a novel out of my head. I’ll give you a hint— We all know we live in a matrix, but who actually runs the global multi-layered system? Well, I think I figured out the grand scheme of how it works. [insert evil laugh]. I’ve been slowly building the plot and finally, the characters are boiling toward the surface of my mind’s eye.
KANDISHA PRESS 
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