The Spooky Six with Alvar Theo and Willow Croft

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I’m not only excited to interview author Alvar Theo, I’m thrilled to heat up a cup of my favourite chocolate elixir drink from the Kakawa Chocolate House for my “Spooky Six” guest!

Alvar Theo (they/he) is the author of Benothinged, a horror comedy from Haunt Publishing. They started writing at five years old, making Red Dwarf fanfiction in the form of picture books. This was quite possibly before they could even write as they only ever got as far as drawing the pictures. They continued to write off and on but only began to take it seriously as a career path in the last decade or so. They’ve written sketches for podcasts and have a folder full of feature screenplays unlikely to ever see the light of day. Benothinged is their first novel.

They write with a focus on outsiders, generally isolated queer people. Their fiction tends to explore: gender; mental illness; social isolation and poverty, all with a blackly comic undertone.

They hale from the Black Country – Tolkien’s inspiration for Mordor – where they live with a cat and two dogs who take up most of their time.

When they’re not writing or taking care of their pets, they enjoy reading and watching Asian dramas. They’re allegedly learning to speak Thai. Their most expensive hobby is attending conventions where they cosplay and collect pins, art and independent comics. Formerly, their most expensive hobby was collecting tattoos, but a mixture of ill health and running out of space meant they had to give that up. They are immensely proud of the time they got to show writer Al Ewing the Loki: Agent of Asgard tattoos on their calf. It remains one of their all time favourite memories.

They have a degree in Psychology and Creative Writing. They have previously worked as a bookseller, library attendant across various libraries and administrator for trade unions. At the time of writing, they are horrendously unemployed. This is due to a mixture of ill health and shit luck.

Links:

https://bsky.app/profile/alvartheo.bsky.social

https://www.hauntpublishing.com/books/p/alvar-theo/benothinged/9781915691095

Willow Croft: “Hey, look at that derelict Victorian mansion . . . let’s go explore it!” What’s the most unusual setting you’ve read about in a horror/thriller book, or included in your own creative works?

Alvar Theo: I’m a big fan of the DeadEndia graphic novels by Hamish Steele about an elevator to heaven and hell located in (effectively) Dollywood.

As far as my own work goes, I have a screenplay set in the warehouse of a corrupt company that is in no way supposed to represent any company from real life.

Willow Croft: “It was a dark and stormy night . . .” What are your go-to comfort foods, drinks, or other ways to wind down after a long day (or night) of writing?

Alvar Theo: My main comfort drink is hot chocolate. But I tend to write at night so I don’t eat/drink afterwards. My post-writing wind down usually consists of filling in my writing journal and then getting in bed with the cat.

Willow Croft: “Did you hear that noise?” Everyone, even us horror/suspense writers, have our night terrors. What is it that frightens you the most?

Alvar Theo: The realistic/downer answer is the future. Between my deteriorating health and the state of the country, I am not very hopeful.

Otherwise, the main thing that scares me is my own imagination. I’m forever convincing myself that something is going to pop up in the window or is chasing me up and down the stairs. It’s just something I’ve never grown out of. And I’m probably never going to.

Willow Croft: “I’m sure it was nothing. But I’ll just go outside and check, anyway. Alone. With no weapons.” Have you ever gotten writers’ block? If so, how do you combat it? Do you have certain rituals or practices that help get you into the writing (or creating) mindset?

Alvar Theo: These days, the main thing that prevents me from writing is my own health. Then there’s the psychological block that comes from not writing for a period of time. I deal with the former by making myself take a break for rest or exercise, whatever my stupid body apparently needs. I deal with the latter by bullying myself. There comes a point where I just sit myself at my desk and tell myself I have to write a sentence, or a paragraph. I’m usually able to force myself back into the swing of writing that way.

Willow Croft: “Don’t go into the basement!” Are you an impulsive pantser or a plotter with outlines galore? What other writing/industry advice would you share with your fellow writers & creators?

Alvar Theo: I’m mainly a plotter. I really can’t start things without making copious notes. It’s how I figure out the story. However, I know I use plotting as an excuse to not make a start sometimes. I just have to identify when I’m doing that and put a stop to it.

In terms of writing advice, the things I find helpful are: finishing things, letting them be imperfect but complete; writing non-linearly as necessary (with my memory issues, it’s often necessary to get things down before I forget them even if that’s not the next part of the story). I also have a Not Now Book which I recommend. It’s basically for me to detail ideas I’ve had but have no intention of working on just then. It’s so I can focus on current projects without worrying that I’m going to forget an exciting idea if I don’t throw myself into it right there and then.

Willow Croft: “Ring ring!” It’s the middle of the night and the phone mysteriously rings. Which notable writer, or person from history, would be on the other end of the line?

Alvar Theo: My phone is off all night and I don’t even answer it during the day. I’d just turn it on when I woke up and see I had a missed call from Shirley Jackson at midnight. I’d be sorry I missed her but she can always call back at a more reasonable time if she wants.

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