An Interview with Chace Boswell
Chace Boswell lives in the beautiful mountains of southwestern Virginia with his two teenage daughters. He is the author of the novel The Awakened, the poetry collection Forwards, Backwards and Everything In Between, and the short story collection Twisted Limbs. He is currently working on a new novel and a poetry collection.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
Most of the stuff I write is pretty dark, horror-related, so I really wanted to work on a project that came from another place. While there is some of the darkness sprinkled throughout the poetry collection, it comes much more from the heart. My softer, more vulnerable side comes out in my poetry, and I really needed to turn it loose and unbottle a bit of that which I tend to keep inside.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title was the simplest part of the entire process. I knew what the title was going to be before I even set pen to paper. I often feel alone even when surrounded by the hustle and bustle of daily life, so I thought A Lonely Crowd was fitting for the title and what I wanted to convey with the book to the reading public.
Describe your dream book cover.
I’ve thought about this quite a bit; I see someone standing in the center of a huge crowd, but something about them instantly makes them stand out, and you realize this person really isn’t part of this crowd at all. I wish I were a good enough artist to portray what I see in my mind, but sadly I can barely draw a stick figure.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
It would be one eclectic soundtrack. Some Teskey Brothers, J.J. Grey and Mofro would be on there, but there would also be a more metal side with some Mastodon, Gojira and Ghost thrown into the mix with a little bit of Sleep Token to tie it all up with a neat little bow.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I’ve been reading a lot of Cormac McCarthy, Agustina Bazterrica’s Tender Is the Flesh, Neil Gaiman, and then a lot of Poe and Lovecraft. I’m sort of all over the place when it comes to reading. I want to soak up everything I see.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Before my first poetry collection was published, I worked as a library assistant at a local college, which I absolutely loved. Later, I worked as the Education Coordinator at the local chapter of the Boys & Girls Club, which was such a rewarding job. I left there to be a stay-at-home dad and to write full-time.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
In eighth grade I had this English teacher, Mrs. Branson. She assigned a short story we had to write. She wound up sending my story to the Virginia state short story competition, where it finished in third place. That sort of lit the fire, and I have been writing ever since, so a big thanks to Mrs. Branson wherever she might be!
Where is your favorite place to write?
My sport for writing totally depends on what project I’m currently working on. If it’s poetry, it always has to be handwritten, usually somewhere outside; something about nature really gets the creative juice flowing. If I’m working on horror fiction, I work in my art studio and usually have some dark, heavy music playing to set the right mood.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Work harder and believe in yourself. When I first started out, I didn’t have much faith in myself or my work, but that has changed as I have gotten older. I write for me and then just hope it connects with others because really, once it’s out there, it’s out of my hands anyway.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I honestly just hope it gives my readers a momentary escape from reality. I think as crazy as the world has become, we all need that place we can go to escape. Books are a fantastic place to escape to; they always have been and always will be.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.
