Interview with David Mayo
Author of Idimmu
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How would you describe IDIMMU to a new reader?
- It is about an ancient creature, imprisoned since Sumerian times, that is inadvertently released in modern times. It is about the Vatican and its secrets. It is about psychomanteums and true-mirrors. And, it is about a savior and hunter who is unaware of her birthright.
Why horror?
- I love horror, but only certain sub-genres. I do not care for man's inhumanity to man and therefore do not care for serial killer stories or maniacs or any other killers. I love the paranormal, the stories that cannot happen (we assume) in normal life. The dread of the unknown or the unseen.
Where did the idea for IDIMMU come from?
- Long ago I read a book by Raymond Moody about the psychomanteum and its use as a kind of spiritual phonebook. Psychomanteums are the modern day scrying. It utilizes a mirror in a dark room. This bit of useless information was tucked in my mind when I ran across the idea of true-mirrors that have the unique property of reflecting one's image in a non-reversed manner. While considering an idea for my second book, these two elements joined and I sat down and wrote half of the novel in four days.
There is a fair amount of gore in your novel. Did that concern you?
- It did not concern me at all. Those who enjoy a good horror novel will not be put off by it. It is, after all, creature violence and is descriptive of the malevolence of the Idimmu.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors? How would you advise a new author about traditional publishing versus self publishing?
- Simple. Write. Produce. Write your first novel, then the second, then the third. Keep producing. If after 4 or 5 books you are getting no response whatsoever and after appropriate promotions have been employed, you may be in the wrong field of endeavor. Don't expect adoration from your first. However, persist.
Which authors do you most admire? Which qualities, in particular, have influenced your writing?
- In terms of horror beyond the big guns of King, Koontz and Rice, I have discovered many wonderful horror authors through the Kindle store. Matt Drabble, Michael McBride, Iain Rob Wright, Ania Ahlborn and Jeremy Bates, to name a few.
IDIMMU is fast paced and full of dread in places. How did you accomplish this?
- I don't write long chapters which I feel keeps the pace up. The dread is strictly fear-based. I also believe that opening up the strangeness so even law enforcement finds themselves in the middle of the terror adds a different level to it.
If IDIMMU were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- Although I do visualize the set pieces in the book as if in a movie, I do not do the same for the characters. I generally have no one in mind for characters. They are created to fit the role.
How have readers responded to IDIMMU?
- This was my second novel which still fits my expectations of a first novel. Keep expectations low. I have only garnered one review and it was complimentary. Also, this book has been out only a few month now, so it is early and I am patient. I believe my writing style and maturity improves with every book.
Where next? What are you working on now?
- I have published my third novel, PORTAL. I have begun my forth and fifth novel, DUSTER and THE FOUR LEG SOLUTION, and hope to publish both by mid 2020.
