Exploring Fear, Hope, And The Art Of Storytelling
Iain Rob Wright discusses crafting relatable characters, balancing fear and hope, navigating self-publishing, and the creative inspiration behind his chilling Cursed Manuscripts series in this insightful and inspiring interview.
Few authors capture the essence of human resilience amidst unimaginable terror quite like Iain Rob Wright. With a catalogue of over twenty gripping novels, this British horror maestro has carved a niche for himself as a storyteller who blends the ordinary with the extraordinary. From the apocalyptic chaos of The Gates to the gritty, tension-filled pages of ASBO, Iain’s work spans a diverse range of subgenres, each infused with his signature style and originality.
Beyond the accolades and bestseller charts, Iain remains refreshingly grounded—a devoted husband, father, and pet owner who draws inspiration from the everyday lives of those around him. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into his creative process, the evolving world of self-publishing, and the delicate balance between fear and hope that defines his work. For fans of horror and aspiring writers alike, Iain Rob Wright’s journey is as inspiring as the stories he tells.
Your novels often feature ordinary characters facing extraordinary horrors. How do you develop relatable protagonists, and what role does character development play in your storytelling process?
I suppose I’m just ordinary myself, which gives me insight into everyday people. I’m not a retired cop, ex-military, or a qualified lawyer, so I don’t have the knowledge to create those kinds of characters. I’m a father, husband, and pet owner. My characters are the kinds of people I know, love, and tolerate.
You’ve mentioned that horror is a hopeful genre, emphasizing human resilience. Can you elaborate on how you balance fear and hope in your narratives to engage readers effectively?
I think you can get the balance right by following time-tested narrative structures like the Hero’s Journey, for example. If your character starts the book in a good place, then you need to reverse that and make them fight to keep hold of what they have. Likewise, if a character starts in a bad place, then you need to give them a bit of fun and adventure for testing them truly or else the story will just feel cruel. Peaks and troughs are important–as are plucky sidekick characters to add levity.
With the evolving landscape of self-publishing, what strategies have you found most effective in maintaining your success, and how do you adapt to industry changes?
It’s getting tougher, and the only thing I can truly control is my output, so creating and publishing new books is always priority 1. Priority 2 is building and maintaining your own audience through a personal website, mailing list etc. To be self-sufficient, you have to give yourself as much control over your own platform as possible. Don’t rely on Amazon or Facebook to always have your best interests at heart.
Your ‘Cursed Manuscripts’ series presents unique and chilling tales. What inspired this collection, and how do you approach creating fresh horror concepts within it?
I like to write standalones, but series perform better. The Cursed Manuscripts is a way to enjoy the benefits of both. They are standalone novels that exist in a shared universe. Over time, a complex tapestry will be woven that will compel and reward readers who remain invested in the series. It’s both a business and creative decision as I get to explore many topics while also reusing characters and gaining the positives of a decent readthru.
As someone who transitioned from various jobs to full-time writing, what advice would you offer aspiring authors seeking to make a similar leap into a sustainable writing career?
Just do it. To get anywhere, you have to first get started. So get something out there for people to see and go from there. It doesn’t have to be great, only a starting point. Then you can concentrate on making book 2 better, and book 3 even better than that. Compete only with yourself and try to increase your sales month by month, even if they are only single digits. Also, negative reviews are your best tool for improving.
