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March 26, 2025 57 mins

In this episode of Dark Side of the Word, hosts Kait and CJ discuss their latest book club read, I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones. They share personal updates on their creative journeys, health struggles, and the chaos of life that has impacted their writing. The conversation delves into the themes of the book, the unique writing style, and the characters, leading to diverging opinions on the effectiveness of the narrative. The hosts explore the balance of horror and humor in the story, as well as the portrayal of violence and gore. They conclude with reflections on their reading experiences and future literary endeavors.


Takeaways:

  • Shit happens, and we just happen to be in a clip cycle.
  • Health struggles can significantly impact creativity.
  • The importance of critique groups for writers.
  • Unique elements in horror literature can refresh the genre.
  • Diverging opinions on writing style can lead to rich discussions.
  • The portrayal of violence in horror can be both creative and impactful.
  • Character development is crucial in horror narratives.
  • Setting can act as a character in its own right.
  • Personal experiences can shape our reading preferences.
  • Finding balance in life and writing is an ongoing challenge.


Make sure to follow Dark Side of the Word on Instagram to stay up to date. And comment, rate, and subscribe to help other listeners find their next book. 


CJ: 

Blog - https://www.wellreadtart.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/awellreadtart/

Bookshop Affiliate: https://bookshop.org/shop/awellreadtart 


Kait:

Blog - https://darksideoftheword.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaitarmada/

Bookshop Affiliate: https://bookshop.org/shop/darksideoftheword 

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