The Spooky Six with David Watkins and Willow Croft

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Before I invited David Watkins into my parlour, I had to (temporarily) relocate all of my spider friends. But don’t worry, no spiders were harmed in the making of this interview (probably to David Watkins’ great chagrin!); in fact, I’ve promised them a fine feast of flies upon their return. Pull up a chair, grab a slice of pizza, and enjoy the interview!

And, mark your reading calendars, because Watkins’ Book Three in the Original series drops November 15, 2024: https://www.amazon.com/Originals-Rage-werewolf-thriller-Book-ebook/dp/B0DJMSTS87. Perfect if you like your horror with a dash of werewolf lore!

David Watkins (pronouns he and him) lives in Devon in the UK with his beautiful wife, two sons, ridiculous dog and psychotic cat. Only occasionally does he wonder ‘how did I get here?’ He has currently released four novels (The Original’s Return, The Original’s Retribution, The Devil’s Inn and The Exeter Incident) and two novellas (Rhitta Gawr and St Neith, both available from Demain Publishing), with the third book in the Original series, The Original’s Rage, to be released on November 15, 2024. Each book is well rated and reviewed on Amazon and beyond.

He hates referring to himself in the third person, but no-one else is going to write this for him.

Dave can be found on most social media sites that aren’t run by a giant orange baby, although he is inexplicably still on the one run by a low-rent Bond villain. Drop by and say hello, where you’ll find him ranting about horror, the British education system and Welsh rugby, but not usually at the same time.

Prior to The Original’s Rage, his most recent novel is The Exeter Incident in which an awful lot of monsters eat an awful lot of people. Published by D&T Publishing, it quickly garnered rave reviews and Tim Lebbon called it a ‘brutal, bloody, brilliant novel’ and ‘an essential read’.

More praise for David Watkins (which makes him uncomfortable as he’s very British):

“…gut twisting scenes…” 4* Joe X Young, (The Devil’s Inn)

“..a damn entertaining read..” – DLS Reviews (The Devil’s Inn)

“Watkins writes with a real flow for tension.” – Steve Stred, Kendall Reviews

“Great horror! I couldn’t put the book down” 4.5*, Pamela Kinney, Ismellsheep.com (The Original’s Return)

“a heart thumping, balls-to-the-wall thriller with some pretty neat plot twists. Highly recommended.” – Dave Jeffery, author of the A Quiet Apocalypse series

“…pitch-perfect action sequences combine with the wild Celtic magic to create a genuinely thrilling experience” – JIM MCLEOD, GINGERNUTS OF HORROR

“…a wonderful mix of old school horror story and psychological mind games.” – GBHBL.COM

Interested in finding out more? All David’s books can be found here: https://author.to/DavidWatkins

Website: www.david-watkins.com

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?

David Watkins: That’s a great question! I love horror books set in more modern settings, like council estates or new buildings. Adam Nevill’s No-One Gets Out Alive takes a good look at modern entrapment and how people can find themselves trapped in horrible situations, and that’s before the ghosts get involved. It’s a masterpiece. There are a couple of authors who have a fantastic sense of place in their stories, and CC Adams and Laura Mauro immediately spring to mind.

An honorary mention to Dave Jeffery, who with the A Quiet Apocalypse series manages to make Birmingham an even more horrifying place.

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?

David Watkins: Pizza for the win, washed down with a decent beer such as Exmoor Gold or Yellowhammer.

Just don’t put any fucking pineapple on the pizza or in the beer.

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?

David Watkins: I really hate spiders. I don’t trust anything with more limbs than me.

Also, bad things happening to my children or my wife.

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?

David Watkins: I thankfully have not suffered with writers’ block. I have written a page, where at the end of it, the best thing that can happen is to press ‘delete’.

Writing is about getting your arse in a seat and putting in the work. These are the ways we improve our writing – by doing it in, finishing a piece, letting others read it, improving and so on. We also improve by reading – both within our chosen genre and without. I don’t understand anyone who says they are a writer, but they don’t read.

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?

David Watkins: Ah, the old plot v pants argument. I’m a little bit of both. I have a rough idea of what’s meant to happen, but often a character will have a very different idea. Captain Peter Knowles was originally intended to be the bad guy of The Original’s Return, but he turned out to be the hero. I think a plan is great, and I’m definitely more productive with one, but don’t be a slave to it. Trust your instincts, Luke.

I would also dismiss the ‘you must write every day’ advice and change it to ‘you must write regularly’ (please don’t burn me!). Regularly means different things to different people, obviously, but if you sit down every Monday night and write for an hour, then eventually you will write a novel. It’ll just take longer than someone who does it every day. Find a schedule that works for you and stick with it. Before long, your brain will kick into the fact it’s Monday and time to write and the sessions will get more productive.

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?

David Watkins: Stephen King and he’d be telling me how dare I tell people they don’t need to write every day.

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