Over the years I've been fortunate enough to catch some of Terry Wests' movies as well as his novels and have been hooked on his unique vision every since. I was lucky enough to catch him long enough to set and chat about his up coming release CECIL AND BUBBA MEET THE THANG. Here's what transpired...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Necrostein- What is your favorite project be it film or novel?

 

Terry M. West - of mine? What Price Gory the collection. Otherwise ,Night of the Living Dead as a favorite film and I am Legend as a favorite book.

 

Necro Stein -Of What Price Gory, which is your favorite story? why?

 

Terry M. West - I think the title story, What Price Gory. I feel it is the best written and original of my work. I also feel it speaks to people who write this stuff.

 

Necro Stein - Very nice..I can see that

 

Necrostein - I've seen you make comments before in the past claiming you enjoy writing more then directing. any specific reason behind that?

 

Terry M. West - Directing was a thankless pain in the ass for me, and I was never comfortable with my vision at the end. I feel I am a much better writer because I have complete control over the landscape. I don't rely on anyone but me and I can convey things that might not translate on the screen. I am not trying to pull what I want out of someone else. It's there, as I fully intended.Necro Stein - Makes sense. I've noticed that in the years I've been doing this.

 

Necrostein - when did you get into this industry? and what encouraged you to do so

 

Terry M. West - I got in when I was in my twenties. I was submitting to magazines like Twilight Zone and Horror Show in my late teens. I was a rabid fan, and it was what I wanted to do.

 

Necro Stein - Reading your work i mush ask how much of your tales are true life scenarios?

 

Terry M. West -Every one has a basis or a flicker of reality in it.

 

Necro Stein -nice. Do you find self publication to be easier in todays day?

 

Terry M. West - I think self-publication is much easier today, but I wish more would adhere to professional practices. Edits, formatting. There is unfortunately a lot of stuff out there that gives the indy author a bad rap. I have never found any different than making your own film or comic, and don;t understand the stigma as there have been plenty of crappy independent comics and films that don't catch as much flack as a poorly executed and self-pubbed zombie epic. I think people should relax. I have been traditionally published and I have self-pubbed but I simply call myself author because that is what I am.

 

Necro Stein - so true..in many waysNecrostein - who would be your favorite up and coming author?

 

Terry M. West - Hmmm, tough to say. There are so many, but I am really digging Rena Mason. I loved her book, The Evolutionist. She deserves all of the praise she gets, and she did a intro for Cecil & Bubba meet The Thang, because she rocks. I love Alex Johnson, Jeff Strand, Lori Lopez, Lisa Lane, Matt Drabble, Scott Nicholson and a few up and comers who haven't gotten a lot out there yet... Robin Dover, DS Ullery and Violet VanDoren. I have read their work, and people will know about them one day. They have serious chops.

 

Necro Stein - That's good to hear because I'm reading Gruff 123 next

 

Terry M. West - It's a good story.

 

Necro Stein - ...the misses.....shes the bread and butter of what you ACTUALLY release yeah? how detrimental is she to you other then your wife,lol?

 

Terry M. West - Regina is the biggest influence on my current work. I have been with her over a decade, and I had decided to leave the work behind and focus on my personal life when we met (which was in shambles before she came along, BTW). I had been quietly working on stuff in my spare time, and that is how you know you are a writer... when you do it because you have to. I found a ton of older stories that I thought I had lost, and decided to rework them, as my abilities have only grown with age. There are many things you grow too old to do. Writing is not one. It actually benefits from your experiences and wisdom. These super talented 20 year-old writers out there have no idea how fantastic they will be when they hit 50 or 60. I didn't, but I now concede that age has sharpened my ability. Anyway, back to Regina; she isn't a fan of the genre. But she loves anything that is well constructed and delivers what it is supposed to. She pushes me, when I haven't gone far enough, and pulls me back when I have gone too far. Everything I deliver now has her stamp on it before anyone else sees it. She knows my style and has pushed me to put out quality work. And it has paid off. For the first time in my career, I am actually selling more than a few copies of my books and I have been receiving mostly positive reviews for it. It has been a lot of work, but it was the only way to go. I see that, now. And I owe it all to my wife. She gave me the courage and the confidence to try again.

 

Necro Stein - nice...she seems awesome...nice woman ya got there big guy

 

Heather Omen -Why did you stop writing at one point?

 

Terry M. West - I had a ton of personal demons. I also had a large drug habit. I got involved in the softcore film market, and that association just about destroyed my credibility as a serious horror author. Many wondered what the hell I was doing with my career. It was a living, at the time, and maybe I was a little naive about what I was working on. If you do something long enough, though, it defines who you are. I didn't want to be known as the dude who directed a couple of Misty Mundae movies. I was better than that. Hell, everyone involved was better than that. The sabbatical I took was for the best, I think. I was able to re-emerge as a creator and some of that association has faded from the memories of many. Had I tried to switch gears on the heels of that film work, I would have never climbed out from under it.

 

Necro Stein - Ok man...Cecil and Bubba. Let's talk about those lovable rednecks for a bit. Did you ever believe that you'd get the love for them that you have?

 

Terry M. West - I had no clue. Honestly. I decided that the two were worthy of a follow-up, but I had no idea how popular they would become. There were a lot of favorites for people in What Price Gory?, but Cecil & Bubba meet a Succubus was at the top of everyone's list. And so many people were happy when they got to the end of that collection and saw a preview of the new novella. I have received some type of communication almost every day since What Price Gory? was published, and readers love the pair. They have definitely rang true with many.

 

Necro Stein - Yea.That, Put on A Happy Face and Midnight Snack were my favorites

 

Terry M. West - Yes. You know, when you are putting a collection together, you sometimes pick what you might feel are the ones that are more compelling. Midnight Snack surprised me. I had no idea so many people would dig that one, but it is often included in the top three list. For that collection..

 

Necro Stein - You've been in a few movies in your day and completely killed it...can we expect more acting from you in the future?

 

Terry M. West -You know, I have been very lucky with the acting gigs I have been offered. I don't actively seek out this work, as I am busy, but I certainly would not turn up my nose at a decent role.

 

Necro Stein- very nice.....your a jack of all trades my friend

 

Terry M. West -Too many at times lol

 

Necro Stein -lol. Since Cecil and Bubba Meet the Thang is complete and almost ready to go. what's next?

 

Terry M. West -Heroin in the Magic Now. My most personal story. It is about a softcore filmmaker with a huge heroin addiction living in an alternate NYC where monsters dwell. This is a novella length sequel to my story, Hardcore Crust, that is appearing in the Chupa Cabra House anthology, Axes of Evil. It is a metal-themed anthology edited by the great Alex Johnson and featuring Lucy Taylor, Charie D. LaMarr and Sephera Giron, among other. And then, a little break. But more will be coming... I also have stories appearing in two other upcoming anthologies: Vignettes from the End of the World by Apokrupha and one from Blood Reign Lit Magazine.

 

Necro Stein - Nice. I eagerly await them.

 

Be sure to hit up www.terrymwest.com for all happenings on what Terry West has to offer. In the meantime read our thoughts over some of his works.

 

CECIL AND BUBBA MEET A SUCCUBUS

 

WHAT PRICE GORY