Hub - Issue 22
Page 3
Marie O’Regan: What did you think of the film version of Slugs, and are there any other books in particular you’d like to see made into films or TV shows?
Shaun Hutson: The film of Slugs was good fun. I just thought at the time “if it’s good I’ll say it’s because it was based on my novel, if it’s shit I’ll blame the film makers…” Any writer knows that when they sell their book for filming that not much of what they wrote will end up on the screen. It’s no good bitching and whining about it, you just take the money and run and hope they do a good job. Obviously I’d like to see everything I’ve ever written turned into films and TV and all for huge amounts of money…If Paramount rang up tomorrow and said “we’d like to buy the rights for all your books for an obscene amount of money and turn them into musicals’” I’d be delighted. The public are not stupid enough to think that a film’s bad because of the book it was based on. Besides, if the studios pay you enough, who fucking cares…
Paul Kane: In Shadows, you deal with the subconscious and hypnosis, did you have to do a lot of research about this subject and what conclusions did you draw about the human mind from them?
Shaun Hutson: I went down to London to do the research, to a place called the Institute of Psychical Research and spoke to a nice lady - who thought I was a journalist trying to write an exposé - about astral travel, hypnosis, out of the body experiences and stuff like that. My conclusions about the human mind were pretty much made up without visiting that place though. The human mind is capable of some amazing things and some horrible things. Pretty obvious I know but, as I said before, we all have two sides to us and sometimes the darker side is more attractive. Sorry to sound pretentious but think about it, the human mind can produce thoughts like those of Einstein or like those of Hitler…Fuck, sorry, getting really arty-farty now, forgive me.
Marie O’Regan: You’ve used archaeology as a basis for a couple of your books – The Skull and Relics – is this something that interests you, and what scope do you think there is in the past for horror?
Shaun Hutson: The archaeological aspects of those books was purely a plot device but the research was fun in both cases. Trying to mix stuff from the past with present day is good fun and it’s been done to death in films and books but, if the materials there then why not? I’ve got a book coming up that’s set in 1812 and a few of mine have had historical connections. Renegades and Nemesis to name but two.
Paul Kane: If you possessed a powerful medallion like the one in Death Day, what would you use it for?
Shaun Hutson: I’d use it to make myself win about thirty million on the Euro Lottery then I’d retire…
Marie O’Regan: I read that you’re like a ‘method actor’ with your main protagonists, getting into their heads – has this ever proved difficult for you?
Shaun Hutson: It’s not always pleasant. Getting into the mind of a copper is bad enough but getting into the mind of a paedophile or a killer is horrible and sometimes very, very hard to do. However, in my books, I think that all sides should be shown equally. It should be possible for the reader to understand why every single character works the way they do and thinks the way they do.
Paul Kane: You’ve also used policemen as central characters quite a few times; what do you think makes these good heroes to write about? And have you ever visited a police station, watched their procedures for research?
Shaun Hutson: Police are useful as central characters because they’re usually on the spot when something’s happened. I find the idea of the bumbling amateur sorting things out a bit irritating actually so if you’ve got a police procedural novel then it’s best to have a copper in one of the lead roles. Naturally I’ve spoken to policemen over the years for research and I visited New Scotland Yard while researching Victims (the Black Museum there, more specifically). Most of the stuff I need I can get from books or articles. If you start getting too technical then readers switch off.
Marie O’Regan: You’ve also written in various other genres, like war, western and SF under different names. Aside from horror, which one was your favourite to write in?
Shaun Hutson: I loved writing the westerns. Another genre that’s dead and buried unfortunately. Same with war. No one publishes them anymore. If it’s war then it has to be historical war. When I was a kid I read all the Sven Hassel WW2 novels about the Germans but there’s no call for stuff like that now. Shame, because it’s better than the slew of Chick-lit and Geezer books - Nick Hornby and Tony Parsons type stuff - that pollute the shelves. The readers have changed, that’s the problem. Publishing is dominated by the middle classes and they prefer their stuff nice and cosy. Non-confrontational and not too challenging. Fuckers.
Paul Kane: Twisted Souls deals with fear – what’s your biggest fear yourself?
Shaun Hutson: Death. Blindness. Morbid enough for you? I suppose I should say something amusing like being stuck in a room with a bunch of other authors but I’d be lying. No, seriously, I’m terrified of death. I tend to side with Woody Allen on that one. When asked if he wanted to achieve immortality through his work he said no, he wanted to achieve it by not dying…I’ll go with that, Woody…
Marie O’Regan: What is it in particular you love so much about Michelle Pfeiffer’s footwear?
Shaun Hutson: They’re exquisite. She’s exquisite. So are her feet…Oops, sorry, got carried away there…I happen to think she is one of the most underrated and brilliant actresses ever to grace the screen, apart from being one of the most stunningly beautiful women I’ve ever seen so, when the chance to buy some of her shoes came along I thought, why not. I was also offered one of her T-shirts but declined - and no, this wasn’t by some L.A. burglar, it’s a reputable shop in London who sell film star memorabilia. I’ve got lots of stuff to do with Peckinpah films - none of Sam’s shoes though, thank God - so, when a couple of pairs of Michelle’s shoes came on the market I didn’t hesitate. Surely it’s no worse than a Star Wars fan buying a model of Darth Vader is it…?
Paul Kane: The subject of racism underpins everything in your new book Unmarked Graves – is this a subject you feel strongly about yourself?
Shaun Hutson: I feel strongly about people who can’t mind their own business and if that includes not being able to see past the colour of someone’s skin then yes. And it works both ways. People are intolerant regardless of their colour. I wanted to show that racism can be a two way thing, not just directed at non-English people. Racism of any kind is wrong, whether it’s white against black or black against white. Having said that, anyone is entitled to have an opinion on the matter, it’s just a question of how they express it. I believe in live and let live. As long as peoples’ beliefs don’t damage the way I live then that’s fine.
Marie O’Regan: And lastly, are you a fan of zombie movies yourself?
Shaun Hutson: No. I can’t stand zombie movies. The only one I really like is Plague of the Zombies, very stylish like so much of the early Hammer films. I know this is heresy to horror fans but I’m not too fond of Romero’s ‘dead’ films either….sorry…
You can visit Shaun’s site at http://www.shaunhutson.com
*The title of this interview was invented at the last minute by one of our editors. It’s rubbish – we know that – but you’re more interested in the interview, anyway, so stop hassling me! Go on – go! Ain’t you got no ‘omes to go to?
Coming Next Week:
Fiction: As The Crow Flies by David Hoing
Review Feature: 2000AD – The Best of British
If you have enjoyed this week’s issue, please consider making a small donation at www.hub-mag.co.uk. We pay our writers, and your support is appreciated.
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