At long last, here is the interview for StarkLight Press from E.L. Caine, winner of our StarkLight Short Story Contest with her entry, “Watcher at the Door.”

Interview with E. L. Caine about her short story ‘Watcher at the Door’.

1. Do you have any sources of inspiration for your world?

   I think bad thoughts, like the worst ‘what ifs’ and then I write them down and hope that’s like knocking on wood and will keep the horribles in the closet where they belong.

2. What do you love most about writing?

   It’s a disease, incurable and ever present. I love it like I would love a hardcore case of psoriasis.

3. Who are your favourite writers? Why are they your favourites?

   I’ve always like comic books a lot but I’m not actually sure who they are by, Alan Moore for sure and Bryan Talbot. There are tons of other amazing authors out there but that’s all that’s really coming to mind, I’m sure I’ll kick myself later. Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett kick ass. I loved it when they teamed up in ‘Good Omens’. I’m hoping to take a crack at writing in the GAF universe, a whole galaxy should be big enough to play in.

4. What is the most unique aspect of your universe?

   I don’t really have a universe exactly. I have an idea of how the universe should probably work based largely off of half heard superstitions, dreams and probably last night’s meatloaf.

5. What is your favourite part of your universe?

   Definitely last night’s meatloaf. I don’t know, I guess I resent being questioned about any aspect of my universe since I am, effectively God in it and if I have a favorite I have a least favorite and that would make me less than omnipotent and I won’t have that called into question. I’ll stick with the meatloaf answer.

6. What do you think people will most enjoy about your universe?

   The meatloaf. It was excellent.

7. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

   You already know that I had meatloaf last night, this is getting personal. Well, I guess I can say that one of my favorite things in life is comfortable clothes. I really like them. Big sweaters, pajama pants, you get the idea. I generally like fictional people and places better than real life ones and I enjoy being persnickity whenever I can get way with it when confronted with reality.

8. Any words of advice of struggling writers?

   Stop struggling and let the drugs do their work… no, I’m kidding, don’t do drugs and stay in school. Seriously, just keep writing and do it because you like the result and it’s the only socially acceptable way that you can play God. I mean, you get to play at being God and you’re complaining that you want to get paid too???? You’ll be fine, just keep truckin’ and don’t listen to anything I tell you.