Darlings of Decay: Chewing Braaiiinns with… Rebecca Hansen

Recently I joined 32 other women who wrote in the Zombie genre and we released a fantastic compendium of undead treats for lovers of the genre! It’s called Darlings of Decay and the best news is that it’s a FREE download on Amazon! What a great way to try samples of some of the greats writing in the genre! Click on the cover and it will take you straight to Amazon.

Today I have the pleasure of presenting an interview with Becky Hansen, author of zombie fiction. For those of you that haven’t heard of Rebecca yet, let’s take a moment and introduce her…

Rebecca is a twin and lover of everything zombie. When she isn’t plotting gruesome fictional deaths she fancies hiking, painting and watching low-budget and foreign horror movies. A seasoned special effects make-up artist, she turns willing subjects into the walking dead on the weekends. She lives just north of Seattle with her boyfriend, three attack cats, a gun, axe, machete and small collection of knives.

Welcome Rebecca. So tell us: why Zombies? Is there anything specific that draws you to the genre?

I have loved the horror genre since I was little, my twin sister and I used to host our own horror movie marathons and the zombie thing kind of developed from there. We started dressing up as them on Halloween, then got into special effects makeup and started writing about them more recent years.

Tell us about your latest project.

I am currently working on some short stories with my sister that stemmed from a contest we ran when we tabled at Crypticon. I have been writing movie reviews with a friend of mine from watchplayread.com and finishing up a photo comic with my sister we are submitting as part of an artist collaboration.

What makes your Zombies different, if anything?

I wouldn’t say my zombies are necessarily that different from the main stream zombie (if there is one); I guess my writing often has a dark comedic side to it. So it isn’t necessarily completely scary, there is a lot to laugh out loud about.

Has there been a Zombie novel or short story that has inspired you to write in the genre? If so, tell us about it and why it inspired you.

When The Dead by Michelle Kilmer. Granted, she is my sister but I was truly inspired by her real life scenarios and cast of characters. I could relate to some of the things they dealt with (other than zombiesJ) in the story. I was driven to get some of my ideas out on paper, I have my sister to thank for that.

What is your all-time favourite Zombie book that you didn’t write?

Monster Island by David Wellington. I don’t know if it is my all time favourite but it is definitely a good read

I love Monster Island as well! Do you feel that gender plays a part in getting noticed in the genre? If so, why do you think readers are more comfortable reading Zombie works written by men?

I definitely think that it does. I am not exactly sure why though. Maybe people think the mind of a man can be far more dark and sinister than that of a woman? It isn’t the first thing that men have led (but the women are close behind). I don’t see why this, like many other things, can be conquered by females!

Have you ever thought about using a male pseudonym to sell more books?

No, I write as me. I make up enough in my stories; I wouldn’t want to sell under some sort of facade just for a better profit.

Characters or gore – what do you spend more time writing?

With previous work, probably characters. I would like to bring a little bit more gore into play though. It is something I personally prefer in the genre. There can never be enough gore!

What are your top 3 favourite Zombie films?

Dawn of the Dead (The remake)

Return of the Living Dead 3

Mutants

Do you think the popularity of The Walking Dead and its appearance in mainstream media has helped to increase the popularity of the genre, or has there always been such an interest?

Absolutely! I know so many people including family members that have little to no interest in Zombies fall completely for The Walking Dead. It seems now like people are more open to the idea. I know many conversations I have had with people about zombies are started over The Walking Dead. It’s almost like a zombie icebreaker.

Pop Quiz: If the Zombie Apocalypse were to occur right now, 5 things found in the room you are currently sitting will be your weapons – what are they?

Shoot. I am at my desk at work. Working hard! I think I’d have better luck building a barricade then finding anything worthy of weapon status. Basically, I’m screwed;

Pair of scissors
Small metal desk fan
Stapler
Computer tower CPU
Ikea VÄTE Table Lamp

Well Rebecca, you may well survive, but just by the skin of your teeth!

Let’s take a look at Rebecca’s collection with her sister Michelle – The Spread: A Zombie Short Story Collection…

You don’t know when it will change your life, or how, but the zombie plague is spreading quickly and in ways that no one could have imagined. In Part I, an independently-hired researcher watches a mysterious plague decimate an island and takes notes with a gun-toting guard at his side. but the brisk waters of the Puget Sound can’t keep it from spreading to the mainland. In Part II, follow the infection from chapter to chapter and person to person. A frightened neighborhood cat, a harmless fishing trip, a room full of infected preschoolers. perhaps someone will deliver it right to your front door. How kind. Featuring short stories that showcase the many ways in which a disease can overwhelm a city, The Spread will get you thinking of how mundane acts can become deadly. No matter your precautions, the spread will reach you. Of that you can be sure.