An interview with Dan Strohschein by Shannon Flores, Writer for Darkened Hallways Magazine.

SF: HI Dan, I hope your week has been well.

DS: As well as it could possibly be going. Thank you.

SF: Can you give us a brief bio for our readers?

DS: Well, I was born in Southern California, where I was raised. My dad raised me on horror movies, desert hikes, and haunted houses during Halloween. I moved to Illinois for a few years, then to central Florida, where I am now. It's a wet hot place with a lot of bad drivers, but also stinted in loads of spiritualist people who see spirits everywhere.

SF: So when did you start writing?

DS: My earliest writings were when I was seven. I have written almost my entire life. I didn't start writing seriously for publication until I was in my mid twenties though.That's when I figured it was what I had always done, and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

SF: Have you always written horror?

DS: No, I have written fantasy, Young Adult, and even some small Science Fiction pieces. I found though, that horror, or Dark thrillers, whatever you call it now, was my particular art. I love the things that are supernatural, the things that inspire fear. Mostly, I love mixing the real fears of mankind with the fears of the supernatural.

SF: what do you mean?

DS: I like to take things that happen in real life, things we see on the news - murder, rape, assault, insanity, and give them a supernatural cause - ghosts, demons, vampires, aliens. To mix the fears, real and unreal, to blend into a perfect nightmare. That's what I do when I write. It's... my way of explaining why the world is the way it is.

SF: You mentioned Young Adult - did you mean your 'Afterlife' series?

DS: Yes, I always wanted to write through a child's eyes. I wanted to create a super hero for kids - one that was immune to monsters and boogeymen. I wanted to empower children to be able to see monsters in movies and during Halloween, and enjoy the thrill without the fear. The intent of the series was to show that fear can be controlled, like I control mine.

SF: so what, are you fearless?

DS: Oh no, there are still things that go bump in the night that scare me. But I won't talk about them.

SF: Why not?

DS: Because I think that if you talk about them, there is a possibility they will come true. So I write them out.

SF: What was different about writing for kids as opposed to writing for adults?

DS: With kids, there are no rules. Their imaginations are so capable that you don't have to give a plausible explanation for each unbelievable event. It simply is, because the author said it was.

SF: What about your current novel, Infirm? That is targeted towards adults, isn't it?

DS: Yes, that story is definitely not for kids. It's a horror novel about a detective whose search for a busload of missing children brings her face to face with a pathogen that wiped a civilization and brought ghosts from their graves. It's got it all - apocalyptic destruction, possesed kidnappers, ghosts, and an excellent mystery.

SF: Sounds interesting. What's your next project?

DS: I am working on the second book in Afterlife, and preparing some short stories to send out here and there.

SF: I look forward to seeing all of this come to light. Thank you for your time Dan!

DS: Thank you