Why I Started Writing Horror

Hello, everyone! It's nice to meet you! It's been quite the journey, but the book is finally out. As the first post on this blog, I wanted to welcome you all!

I am a horror writer, but, in spite of that, or maybe, as I sometimes say, because of that, I try not to forget to be kind and warm with everyone, so I would like to wish you, my reader, whoever you may be, a wonderful day!

Now, with that out of the way, let's get back to the topic at hand, shall we? I really enjoy this question, and the answer is not as simple as one might expect.

I loved writing ever since I was a child. I actually started doing it at 12. It wasn't something that complex: a bit of poetry, a few novellas that are still waiting to be published to this day, and a larger novel that I still have to finish. I never got to publish those novellas because I am a perfectionist, and while they were decent, I felt they were much too childish, too innocent, seeing the world in mostly black and white.

Well, the world is not like that, and this is one of the central themes I wanted to address with Cody Newman's Insanity Journal. I would definitely want to get back to those early works someday, make the story a little more polished, but preserve the childlike innocence I had while writing them.

Things don't have to always be so "doom and gloom" all the time, do they? I surely hope not!

Growing up, I started learning more about the world - growing, improving, and, most importantly, understanding myself better. I developed a passion for horror, psychology, and philosophy. I've read countless stories and books, and I've listened to audiobooks.

It feels so nice when you find that one-in-a-hundred story that resonates with you on a deeper level, and I could not stop reading. Is this an addiction? I'm starting to question that myself, to be honest, but I'm not worried. Living a life that is meaningful to yourself seems like the best life one can live.

Reading so much, combined with the unpredictability of life... well... tends to sometimes get you into some unexpected situations. This is where I was when I decided to start writing Insanity Journal.

I was not in the best of spots. The feelings I put into the book are actually what I felt like at that time. All the sorrow, all the pain the main character went through were all mine, but transposed as an imperfect reflection - a distorted mirror - showing the feelings through the lens of a different life.

I wrote the book as my emotions evolved, and I finished it as my emotions concluded. It's bittersweet, really.

But so is life.

And remember: even when you feel that your nightmare is overwhelming, when the abyss stares right into you, find the power to make it blink.

I really hope to see you soon!