Interview with Author D.J. Tuskmor

We like it when we encounter pieces that don't fit neatly into any genre or subgenre. D.J. Tuskmor's story "Last Meal of the Star-Eater"

is one of those pieces, with elements of sci-fi, fantasy, spec fic, lit fic, and horror. Check out the short interview we did with the author below for a little more on his inspiration and process.

What makes you keep writing, even when it's hard?

I love it. It is a simple answer, but it is the truth. Ever since I can remember, I have been daydreaming and building little worlds in my head. Somehow, despite everything the real world throws at you, I have never let go of that habit. Maybe I should have grown out of it by now, but I have not, and I do not plan to.

What other creative activities do you like to do?

Tabletop gaming is a blast and has a lot in common with writing, even as a player. I also try to play the mandolin. Maybe the most interesting hobby in this category is making video games, which lets me blend storytelling with interactive design.

Do you consider yourself an organized or chaotic writer? 

Chaos all day. I have tried to be more structured over the years, but the truth is I have to let it flow to make any progress. I do wish I could sit down and take a project straight from A to B, but the detours along the way are where I find the most joy.

Advice on creating that you’ve learned by trial and error?

None of this matters. Really, it is not that big of a deal. I spent years being a Super Serious Writer™ and got nowhere. About a year and a half ago, I decided to write without expectations or fear. Not too long after, I had my first publications. Letting go of the pressure made all the difference.

What is one unbelievable thing that happened to you that you can't prove to anyone else?

This might be cheating since there were three other people with me, but one time I questioned the presence of spirits in a supposedly haunted place. The moment the words left my mouth, a healthy sapling snapped in half right in front of us. No one was near it, and the wood was wet and healthy. It still sends shivers down my spine.

Describe your workspace.

I am lucky enough to have my own office space at home. It is a good size and has two separate desk and computer setups. One is for work, and the other is for writing and hobbies. The room is piled high with books I have not read, tabletop games, and electronic components I have not used yet. Shelves hold all the Lego models I have built, and comic book art hangs on the walls. It looks like a child, a literature professor, and an electrical engineer all had to share the same space.

Does your day job affect your writing topic or approach?

It affects my approach more than my topic. I work in cybersecurity, and my career has given me a stable life, which makes writing a lot easier than it would be in many other fields. So far, I have only written one cybersecurity-related story, but I have promised the universe that I will one day write a hyper-realistic hacker story. I suspect it will be a lot less exciting than people expect, but I plan to have fun with it.

What's your favorite obscure novel or short story (a work you never hear anyone else talking about)?

I do not know if it is truly obscure, but I read a novel last year called Dead Men’s Chests by William Sterling. It felt like the spiritual successor to The Mummy and deserves to be much more widely read.

In your opinion, who is an underrated author that more people should read?

I am going to give you two: Corey Farrenkopf and Brennan LaFaro. Corey writes beautiful, ethereal horror with a touch of the fantastical. Everything he releases, I run to read. Brennan has created one of my favorite fictional places, Buzzard’s Edge. If you love blood-pumping western horror, you should check out any of his work set there.

What is your least favorite word? 

"Synergy." Anyone who has spent enough time in a corporate environment knows how empty that word becomes. It gets thrown around in meetings to make vague ideas sound important, but most of the time, it means nothing at all.

What's your editing process? Do you have a first or beta reader, or a workshop group? 

I do two to three passes myself, usually with a good amount of time between each edit. Once I feel confident that I will not find any more major issues, I pass it off to my in-house editor, my wife. After making the changes she suggests, I might send it to one or two trusted friends for a final look.

Do you have a favorite book on writing or creating that's been a helpful resource?

Gentle Writing Advice by Chuck Wendig is one of my favorites. It is easy to get down on yourself or fall into negative self-talk. Chuck does a great job of encouraging a kinder approach by sharing his experiences and using plenty of humor along the way.

Where do you go when you need to work out a writing block? 

I walk off into the woods. There are 100 acres of public land behind the house, and when the weather is good, I just head out. Walking is a great way to clear my head, and I often have breakthroughs when my body is moving and my brain is in background processing mode.

What are your long-term writing goals? 

I want to publish a bunch of books. I do not necessarily care about accolades or commercial success. I just want to share my stories with people. I would be lying if I said I did not hope to make a living off writing someday, but as long as I get to put my stories out into the world, I will be happy.

What is your favorite banned book?

Animal Farm. I know it was written as an allegory for the Russian Revolution, but its themes of inequality, power, and corruption are just as relevant today. It is a sharp, timeless commentary on how those in control will always find ways to justify their actions, no matter how unjust they are.

Pigs or chickens?

Chickens! Have you seen the price of eggs? I’m building a coop as we speak.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever found lying on the street?

A person. My GPS took me down a weird little dirt road while I was traveling for a conference in Georgia. I stopped to make sure they were okay, but it turned out they just wanted to lay down. The road was not a busy one, and they decided a quick rest there was not as dangerous as you or I might think.

Do you believe in free will? Why or why not?

Absolutely! First, I went to Catholic school for thirteen years, so I am at least a little bit conditioned to believe in free will. Second, it would be pretty depressing if everything were predetermined. For my own sanity, I choose optimism and will keep believing in free will for as long as I can convince myself it exists.

If you were a cryptid, what would your name be and what strange habits would people whisper about?

Honestly, I already kind of look like Bigfoot. Big, hairy, lumbering through the woods. I am not sure we need to invent a new cryptid for me. Maybe a Bigfoot who went to college, wears glasses, and will absolutely corner you to talk about economic theory. Oh god, am I Pretentious Bigfoot?!

Unpopular opinion, go: Superhero fatigue is not real. People just miss good writing. This opinion might be more unpopular with the general audience than within the writing community, but the evidence backs it up. While the MCU flounders, fandoms are thriving around The Boys and Invincible. If the problem were the genre itself and not the quality of storytelling, these shows would be massive failures. Blaming superhero fatigue is lazy. It is just an excuse to avoid making better art.

D.J. Tuskmor grew up in New England, where folklore sparked a love of horror. By day, he works in cybersecurity; by night, he writes horror. You can find his latest work in Silly Goose Press (Issue 3), the forthcoming Hellbound Books’ Anthology of Splatterpunk 2, and on Flash Phantoms. Connect on socials @tuskmor.