Photo: Dane Cobain, a master of diverse literary genres, captured in his creative element.
Balancing Freelance Work and Personal Projects
Dane Cobain shares his journey from poetry to diverse genres, balancing freelance work, and insights into his unique dictionary and collaborations.
Dane Cobain, a multifaceted author hailing from High Wycombe, UK, has carved a unique niche in the literary world with his diverse array of works spanning genres from crime and horror to poetry and non-fiction. His journey from a songwriter and lyricist to a celebrated author is a testament to his passion for language and storytelling. Cobain’s ability to seamlessly transition between genres is not only a reflection of his wide reading habits but also his dedication to crafting stories that he himself would love to read.
His impressive bibliography includes titles such as “No Rest for the Wicked,” a supernatural thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and “Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home,” a poignant collection of poetry. Cobain’s literary fiction work, “Former.ly,” and his insightful non-fiction book, “Social Paranoia,” showcase his versatility and keen understanding of the human condition. His horror novels, including “Come On Up to the House” and “Meat,” delve into the darker aspects of storytelling, while his crime and detective series, featuring titles like “Driven” and “The Tower Hill Terror,” highlight his knack for suspense and intrigue.
In “The Lexicologist’s Handbook,” Cobain shares his love for unusual and obscure words, offering readers a unique tool to enhance their own creative processes. His involvement in anthologies such as “Subject Verb Object” and “Local Haunts: A HorrorTube Anthology” further demonstrates his collaborative spirit and respect for the writing community.
Dane Cobain’s works are not just stories; they are explorations of language and creativity, inviting readers to embark on journeys that challenge, entertain, and inspire. His contributions to literature are a testament to his enduring passion for writing and his commitment to sharing that passion with the world.
Dane Cobain’s literary versatility and passion for storytelling make him a remarkable and inspiring figure in contemporary literature.
What inspired your transition from poetry to genres like crime and horror, and how do you approach writing in such diverse styles?
I got my start with writing as a songwriter and lyricist, and that led pretty naturally into writing poetry. By the time that I was seventeen, I was writing music, lyrics and poetry, keeping a journal and working on my first novel.
A lot of that older stuff never saw the light of day, but it’s the reason why I fell in love with writing and it led me to where I am now.
As for approaching writing in different styles and genres, I’m a wide reader and that certainly helps. I’ve always taken the approach of writing books that I’d want to read myself.
“Balance doesn’t really exist, and I’m constantly playing around with new approaches to organisation and productivity.” – Dane Cobain
Can you share any particular challenges you’ve faced in balancing your writing projects with your freelance work, and how do you stay motivated through different genres?
Balance doesn’t really exist, and I’m constantly playing around with new approaches to organisation and productivity to try to separate the two and to make sure that I give both my own work and my client work the focus they deserve.
Unfortunately, client work generally takes precedent because that’s what pays the bills. But I’m getting better at it.
I stay motivated just because I love what I do. But as I said, it can be hard to find the time to dedicate to my writing that it really deserves.
What motivated you to create The Lexicologist’s Handbook, and how did you select which unusual words to include in this unique dictionary?
This one’s pretty simple. I used to have a dedicated notebook to “collect” words that I thought were unusual or obscure, and that had about half of the words that ended up in the final book. I thought it would be nice to share that collection with the world and so I then expanded the collection by skim-reading the Oxford English Dictionary from cover to cover. I basically looked at the words that were defined and then paused to read the individual definition of any that I hadn’t come across before.
In your opinion, how can expanding one’s vocabulary with unusual words from The Lexicologist’s Handbook enhance a writer’s creative process, and what advice would you give to someone looking to incorporate these words into their writing?
I think like most things in life, it’s all about inspiration. I don’t think having a wider vocabulary necessarily makes you a better writer, but I do think that it provides you with another tool in your toolkit.
My big tip to someone looking to use the words in their own writing would be to not overdo it. It still needs to feel natural to the reader, so sprinkle them in like you’re decorating a cake instead of making them a central ingredient of the mixture.
What inspired you to create Local Haunts: A HorrorTube Anthology, and how did the HorrorTube community influence the selection of stories included in this collection?
Local Haunts was actually created by Regina Saint Clare. I just submitted a story to the anthology. But it was great to work with the HorrorTube community as we’re all friends who’ve been watching each other’s videos for years.
Can you share any memorable experiences or challenges you faced while collaborating with the diverse authors in Local Haunts, especially considering the global themes of horror and local haunts?
As above, I wasn’t too involved. I just wrote my story and submitted it. I have worked on anthologies in the past though, and they’re a nightmare. I have a lot of respect for Regina for managing the whole process so smoothly and efficiently.
