An Interview with D.J. Slater
D.J. Slater is a Milwaukee native with a love for sharing stories. He wrote his first in third grade followed by several more during his school years, mostly about dinosaurs and an ambitious detective. His passion for writing took him on an appropriate career path—journalism, magazines, and marketing.
He has a BA in journalism and history from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. His career path includes roles at DeanHouston, KHL Publications, and the Wausau Daily Herald, and stints at The Washington Post, Wisconsin State Journal, and Green Bay Press-Gazette. Legend Has It is his first novel.
When not writing, he loves acting, singing, movies, his family, friends, and (not surprisingly) haunted house attractions. A special shoutout to his late Grandma Barb, who told him to write his stories down.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
There is a real-life legend of a traveling haunted house attraction in the Midwest that many people still talk about. The legend states that an extreme haunted house can be found somewhere in the Midwest every October. If you live in Wisconsin, it’s usually said to be on the outskirts of Chicago. It features ten to thirteen stories of challenges, such as trap doors, maze-like hallways, and actors who can throw you out of the house. You sign a waiver upon entering and if you can make it to the top floor, you win a cash prize. The only problem is that this place isn’t real. But I wondered what would happen if this place were real and everything inside was there to kill you.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The first working title I had for this novel was Horror House, but I knew that was too generic and it needed some punch. I kept coming back to the idea that the house was a real-life rumor and thought of the common phrase, ‘rumor has it.’ But that was a mainstream movie title. Still, I liked the flow of that title, so I thought of another name for a rumor, and legend popped into my mind.
Describe your dream book cover.
Honestly, the one Rowan Prose Publishing came up with is better than anything I could have thought up. Ten out of ten. five stars. No notes.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
I think it would do well with some original instrumental tracks that give off a foreboding and spooky vibe. But if I had to pick some mainstream songs for this soundtrack, the first one that comes to mind is Centuries by Fall Out Boy. That might not make sense based on the title and vibe of the book, but it ties into the villain.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I’ve been on a streak of reading mainly horror novels (The Shining, Hide, We Used to Live Here, The Return). When you write horror, it helps to read it. Usually, my reading habits are plot-driven without a specific genre, but I’m focusing more on horror lately as I tackle a new writing project.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I have experience as a newspaper journalist, a magazine writer/editor, a publicity specialist for a marketing firm, and a marketing/PR writer for a law firm. Despite my love for horror, I’m actually a pretty sappy and sentimental person.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
My childhood years involved a lot of reading and watching movies. I had two grandmas who would watch my sister and me over the summer. Grandma Barb was the one who loved horror, so I watched my share of movies that I probably shouldn’t have at my age. Grandma Katie was into mainstream movies and The Twilight Zone. So I got a healthy dose of eighties movies (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future) and the timeless tales of the classic black-and-white TV series. The combination of those influences spurred my love for the art of storytelling and set my imagination into overdrive. I started thinking of how I would write some of these stories and eventually started putting pen to paper.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I have a designated writing nook in my house, which tends to be where I get most of my writing done, so it’s a favorite by default, but I thoroughly enjoy finding a quiet spot in a coffee shop and losing myself in my narratives.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Keep writing. Seriously, though. It’s so simple but spot on. The only way to get better at something is to keep doing it. Repetition breeds proficiency.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I hope they come away with the feeling that they read something truly unique. I love it when I’m reading a book or watching a movie and it feels fresh and inventive. I tried to create something that wasn’t predictable or common with Legend Has It, and I hope readers come away feeling the same way.
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