Today we have the privelage of interviewing author Ingrid St. John! Ingrid’s debut novel, HaUNTED, was published earlier this year and falls under the horror/thriller genre. Since her childhood, Ingrid has been in love with thriller, mysteries and horror. She grew reading many different authors/genres. However, it was after watching the classic horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street that she became inspired to write her own stories. In addition to her love of writing, she is the founder of 1287 Pictures, a production company that will produce horror and thriller films.

You can learn more about her on her OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

1) What made you start writing? Were there any particular books/events/people that inspired you to start writing?

I started writing when I was 7 years old. In the beginning they were very short stories about different adventures. Some were inspired from my travels to Chicago to visit family. Then it graduated into poems and a soap opera script that I created before having my friends at recess act out all the parts.

Francine Pascal (when I was a teen), Tananarive Due, Brandon Massey, Catherine Coulter, and Michael Romkey inspired me greatly to keep writing mystery with a thriller twist.

2) What drew you to the thriller genre?

It’s a genre that has always excited me. When I was watching films like Silence of the Lambs, Unbreakable, and The Prestige or reading books by Catherine Coulter and Tananarive Due it was always exciting to follow the protagonist(s) and how they were going to get out of a particular situation.

3) Where do you draw your inspiration? Is it more internal inspiration or external?

My inspiration is both internal and external. I like to people watch and let my imagination wonder; other times it is through listening to music, and the vibe I am getting from it when thinking about the setting and tone of the story. Some days I write to movie soundtracks; other times it is to Zepplin, Jimi or Prince. Baroque music has kept me in the zone as well.

4) What advice do you have for new/aspiring writers?

Be your true and honest self, and write in the genre you love creating.

Thank you for answering our questions, Ingrid! I particularly enjoyed your insight into your many inspirations. For our readers, be sure and check out Ingrid’s debut novel and follow her as she continues to further her writing career!