It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with S. R. Webster, author of A Girl Named Ghost

Author’s Bio: S. R. Webster has previously published works under the name Sandra R. Campbell, including paranormal thrillers Butterfly Harvest, Dark Migration, and The Dead Days Journal. Several of her short stories have appeared in Suspense magazine and various horror anthologies. Notably, Chilling Entertainment produced her short story Abandoned for the Simply Scary podcast.

 

After a brief hiatus, S. R. Webster is back, ready to unleash a new wave of monsters and genre-bending mayhem. A Girl Named Ghost is her debut publication as S. R. Webster. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association, the Maryland Writers’ Association, and the director of an M.W.A. critique group.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

S. R. Webster: A Girl Named Ghost was not conceived in the typical manner. Most of my stories come to me by disturbing news reports or nightmarish dreams (of which I have many). But this one all started with the title. I was lounging on the couch, engrossed in some forgettable TV show, when the title popped into my head. The book itself came much later.

 

DL: How do you overcome the challenges of writer’s block?

SRW: I like to refer to the writer's block as the “Slump Hump”. It's those moments when writers feel stuck nd unable to scale the towering mountain of their writing goals. Their well of inspiration has dried up and their motivation can’t be found. But there are ways to push through this obstacle, and it’s no trade secret.

 

The key is simple: distract your mind. Go for a walk, immerse yourself in nature, and leave your phone and music behind. Connect with fellow writers, sharing ideas and challenges with someone who understands can be helpful and therapeutic. And never underestimate the power of sleep! I often read over the troublesome piece of my manuscript before bed and wake up with a solution in mind. Let your subconscious do the work! There are countless methods for overcoming these hurdles; you just have to find the ones that work best for you.

 

DL: What obstacles did you encounter while writing this book?

SRW: All of them! I encountered a variety of obstacles, including time constraints due to my day job and family commitments, as well as issues with motivation and self-doubt. Even the most experienced writers can struggle with confidence at times. However, it's not the obstacles themselves that matter, but rather how we overcome them.

 

DL: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

SRW: Personally, I would love to have the ability to fly. It's something I often dream about and it's a feeling of freedom and movement that I never want to end. There's just something about being able to soar above everything else without any limitations that appeals to me.

 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

SRW: Become a part of the writing community. Contrary to popular belief, writing doesn't have to be a solitary activity. In fact, engaging with others in the writing community can lead to unexpected breakthroughs and opportunities. By fostering genuine connections within this community, I have gained valuable insights and been presented with unexpected opportunities that have propelled me forward on my writing journey. It's incredible how working together and supporting one another can open doors we never thought possible.

 

DL: What are three books you’ll never part with?  

SRW: Peter Rabbit was my constant companion as a child; I used to sleep with the book instead of a stuffed animal. Dracula sparked my love for dark literature, along with Poe's works. And of course, any of Clive Barker's books, but I especially treasure The Thief of Always, Imajica, and The Abarat Trilogy. Okay, that's technically more than three, but I think it's impossible for any author to narrow it down to just three books.

 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?

SRW: I'm not sure if you'll find the last fact to be fun, but it is interesting. So here are three facts about me: My husband and I got married on a lighthouse, specifically the Baltimore Harbor Light in the Chesapeake Bay, off the coast of Gibson Island. To my knowledge, we are still the first and only couple to do so. Secondly, I used to have a pet crow named Big Fellow when I was a child. We didn't know she was a girl for years, but she could talk! Her favorite words were "Hello," "Shut Up," and "Carol."

 

Surprisingly, my older sister was the one who caused more trouble back then. Now for an interesting but not-so-fun fact: When I was a kid, playing outside after a thunderstorm, I was bitten by a bat. I was rushed to the hospital and over the following weeks had to undergo several rounds of rabies shots. Needless to say, I was afraid of bats for quite some time, but now I have no problem exploring dark caves with sleeping bats hanging overhead. However, after only one spelunking trip my husband is neither a fan of bats nor caves.

 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from A Girl Named Ghost?

SRW: Sure, here you go:

“Time for some kinship care!” Grandma June announced as she approached the kitchen table with a steaming cup of tea.

The kinship care references started about ten years ago. My grandmother had sat me down one morning and read aloud an article from the National Institute of Health. A research study was conducted on the increasing number of grandparents caring for children. At the time, about two percent of US children were being raised by a grandparent.

They had even coined a term for it.

I will never forget the belly laugh that exploded from Grandma June the first time she said the words kinship care. Or how she nearly spat her coffee across the kitchen table.

“What a ridiculous name for such a wholesome, selfless act! Kinship care sounds so sterile and unfeeling. No matter who does the raising, family is love. And love is all a family ever needs!”

She was still chuckling under her breath, but as she continued to read, her laughter stopped. The research said that children raised by their grandparents were more prone to behavioral and emotional disturbances. When she got to the part about how those children were also more likely to be diagnosed with a psychological disorder, she balled the paper up and tossed it in the garbage.

We never discussed the article’s implications because we did not need another odd stacked against us…

 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

SRW: Right now, I am juggling several projects. One is a short story titled The Uncanny Chronicles—A Killer Family. I am also working on a companion novella for my book A Girl Named Ghost, called The Letters, which delves into the never-read letters written by Ghost's institutionalized mother. And finally, I’m returning to work on a novel I outlined years ago: The Weeping House, a tragic story about a woman held captive and forced to give birth to a child she never wanted.

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

SRW: Readers can find more information here:

• Website: https://srwebsterauthor.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/srwebsterwrites
• Book Buy Links: https://books2read.com/u/mg8PR7

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

SRW: Thanks again for the blog interview!