Yesterday I mentioned inspiration can be triggered by a variety of things. One of my questions gave this author an idea for a book (yay me!). Having read the series featured today and many of her other books, I have no doubt whatever comes out of that idea will be just as compelling. If supernatural suspense is your drug of choice, I can’t recommend this series enough. Welcome Mae Clair!
Hi, Teri! I’m super excited to be participating in Bad Moon Rising again this year. Thank you for arranging this awesome event, one where I always discover new books and new authors.
I’m bringing along Cusp of Night, a spooky tale that includes a haunted house, a 19th century spiritualist, seances, a mysterious creature, and dual mysteries—one set in the present and one in the 19th century. The book has over 100 reviews on Amazon, so readers can do plenty of poking around to see what others are saying about my supernatural mystery.
As always, you came up with a great assortment of creepy questions and writing-related questions to answer. I had fun with these!
Has a movie or book scared you so much you couldn’t sleep? Which one?
When I was a teenager, there were two books that terrified me—The Shining by Stephen King, and The Amityville Horror. When people think of The Shining, most remember the creepy ghost twins or the woman in the bathtub, but the moving topiary bushes were what kept me up at night. I still get goose bumps when I think about them.
Every movie adaptation I’ve seen of The Shining has fallen short of eliciting the fear I felt while reading. Today, the book remains one of my all-time favorites by King.
And then there is <shudder> The Amityville Horror. Knowing it was supposed to be true, pushed the terror element into the stratosphere. I devoured half the book in one afternoon, but was so terrified, I threw it in the trash without finishing it. Bleeding walls, clusters of flies, and a pig with glowing red eyes staring through the window at night—no thanks! I would have nothing to do with the movie either.
Would you rather use a Ouija board or participate in a séance?
This is a tough question because Ouija boards are not something I want to mess with, but going to a séance would be just as bad. Between the two, I’d opt for the séance. At least there, I wouldn’t be the one summoning the spirit. Strangely, while writing my reply for this question, I was hit by a great idea for a book. Thanks, Teri!
If you were in a horror movie, would you rather have a loaded gun or a car that wouldn’t break down?
Definitely the car. Hopefully, it would come with a full tank of gas which would get me far away from the ghouls, zombies, ghosts, and assorted nasties. The gun would only have so many shots, and bullets don’t work on all creatures anyway. The short version—I would rather flee than fight a bunch of supernatural thugs.
Do you write to music?
Only instrumental. I’m one of those authors who can’t abide distractions when I write—no TV or music with lyrics. I have a flatscreen television in my office, but I only use it for listening to a spa-type music channel.
Which comes first for you – plot or characters?
Characters. They randomly pop into my head and demand I find a plot for them. As an example, Lucinda Glass, the spiritualist in Cusp of Night, hung around in one form or another for a few years before I found a story to suit. Then there is Madison Hewitt, who grew from a single line in End of Day. Suddenly, my lead character had a sister in a care facility for the emotionally disturbed. Who knew? Certainly, not the author!
Describe your writing space.
I’m fortunate to have a dedicated office in my house for writing. I have a desk with an iMac computer, two bookcases, and an electric fireplace for ambiance. The smaller of the two bookcases is for craft books and topics I’ve researched; the larger for fiction—including several signed hardbacks from my favorite authors. I had canvas prints made from a few of my book covers for hanging on the walls (Cusp of Night is one), and there are black cat silhouettes above the closet and entrance doors. My own black cat, Raven, usually hangs out with me when I’m working.
This was fun, Teri. Thanks so much for having me on your blog!
The truth hides in dark places . . .
Recently settled in Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania, Maya Sinclair is enthralled by the town’s folklore, especially the legend about a centuries-old monster. A devil-like creature with uncanny abilities responsible for several horrific murders, the Fiend has evolved into the stuff of urban myth. But the past lives again when Maya witnesses an assault during the annual “Fiend Fest.” The victim is developer Leland Hode, patriarch of the town’s most powerful family, and he was attacked by someone dressed like the Fiend.
Compelled to discover who is behind the attack and why, Maya uncovers a shortlist of enemies of the Hode clan. The mystery deepens when she finds the journal of a late nineteenth-century spiritualist who once lived in Maya’s house–a woman whose ghost may still linger.
Known as the Blue Lady of Hode’s Hill due to a genetic condition, Lucinda Glass vanished without a trace and was believed to be one of the Fiend’s tragic victims. The disappearance of a young couple, combined with more sightings of the monster, trigger Maya to join forces with Leland’s son Collin. But the closer she gets to unearthing the truth, the closer she comes to a hidden world of twisted secrets, insanity, and evil that refuses to die . . .
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Cusp of Night is one of my favorite book covers for one of my favorite books in one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors ever. (Enough “favorites” in that sentence?) Period. Can’t give it or her enough praise. Glad to see Mae here today. And I’m with her on both the car and the Ouija board. Wishing her all the best.
Thanks, Teri.
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LOL! I REALLY loved that comment, Staci. Thanks for making my day with all of those “favorites.” 🙂
And, yeah, Ouija boards totally creep me out. Although I’m sure I’d be terrified in the seance, too. For someone who writes about spirits and creatures, I’m a wuss in real life 🙂
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Love it, Staci. Mae is one of my favorites as well.
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Thank you, Joan. That has me smiling ear to ear!
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Yay, Mae! I agree – the Hode’s Hill series is wonderful ❤️. And I agree about Amityville Horror. Whole new level of scary. 👻
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Thank you, Tessa. Glad you liked Hode’s Hill.:)
The Amityville Horror terrified me.I wanted nothing to do with that book and still don’t!
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I woke up at 3:15 AM a few nights ago – always think about that book (STILL) since that’s the time George kept waking up.
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Great post and answers to the questions. I’ve read the Hodes Hill stories and really enjoyed them.
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Thank you, Craig. I’m so glad you enjoyed Hode’s Hill. I loved delving into the aspects of Spiritualism from the 19th century.
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Yeah, I’d want that car with a full tank of gas, too! I agree with you about Amityville Horror, Mae. That movie stayed with me for years. Great interview, ladies. Congratulations, Mae!
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Thank you, Jill! 🙂
And wow, you watched the movie? I couldn’t work up the nerve. But, of course, I’d already been terrified by the book, LOL.
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Yep, Amityville Horror is a great movie. Didn’t they remake that movie like 5 times? LOL. Great interview!
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You liked the movie, Sue? And they actually remade it?
I’m not brave enough to watch. Half the book was more than enough for me, LOL!
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I know there was at least one remake, but a number of “off-shoots” from the franchise. The original (and remake) are pretty freaky! 🙂
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Just let toss another or two out there, LOL!
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The Shinning will always be a favorite of mine. I forgot about Amityville Horror, that was pretty terrifying I agree! I usually like silence when writing but instrumental music works too. Great interview 🙂
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Glad you enjoyed the interview, Denise.
The Shining is at the top of my favorite King reads (after Salem’s Lot), but I want nothing to do with Amityville. That one totally freaked me out, LOL.
And silence works best for me when I write, but sometimes I like to wallow in Celtic harp and dulcimer 🙂
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I knew they did a remake with Ryan Reynolds in 2005. Maybe more?
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Teri – I might be thinking of the off-shoots of the franchise. There’s so many!! LOL.
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Yep – I think I quit watching after the second one.
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And I thought one (which I avoided like the plague) was bad enough!!
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I loved this series. Great pick this week. And Mae’s answers were fun. One of my authors I’ve met online!
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Hi, Jay! I’m so glad you enjoyed Hode’s Hill. I loved doing the research that went into Cusp of Night. Like my Mothman books, I could spend hours talking about the “behind the scenes stuff,” LOL!
So glad we connected!
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100% agree – thank you!!!
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Loved Cusp of Night, Mae. Amityville Horror scared the pants off me. Quick story. When I signed my first publishing contract, the phone rang and when I checked the caller ID it read: AMITYVILLE. Nothing but static on the line.
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Sue, that is just too creepy! And I’m glad I’m not the only one who got freaked by Amiityville, LOL.
Also delighted that you enjoyed Cusp of Night. That book was such fun to write!
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I loved the entire Hode’s Hill series. Great supernatural suspense. And I really enjoyed the question and answer. I wasn’t brave enough to try either the book or the movie for Amityville. Too much for me! Summoning spirits gave you an idea for a new book, hmm? You’d be in your element. You’re good at giving me chills:)
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LOL! I’m glad those chills come across in my work, Judi, even if I avoid them in real life. I’m with you on Amityville. I regret even trying to read it, since those memories still stick with me.
So glad you enjoyed Cusp and all of Hode’s Hill!
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What a wonderful interview, Mae! I had to smile when you said you got an idea for a story as you answered the question about the Ouija Board or Seance. 🙂 I have participated with both and have to say the seance is a pretty amazing experience. Love the answer about the gun or car too. I’m no good with a gun, so a car would be my choice. Run, Forest, Run! 🙂 I loved the entire Hode’s Hill series. Thank you for sharing, ladies!
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Hi, Jan! You’re far braver than me with the seance. The only ones I ever participated in was as a kid when friends and I were playing around. Even those were creepy, LOL.
So glad you enjoyed Hode’s Hill. I loved writing the dual story lines in those books.
And yeah, gun or car—I’ll take car any day. The faster to get away 🙂
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Cusp of Night is a great read, AND it has a cool cover. The Amityville book scared me, too! I made it through to the end, but I had a pretty good nightmare afterwards.:-)
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You made it to the end? You are far braver than I am, Priscilla, LOL!
I am so glad you enjoyed Cusp. And the cover is one of my absolute favorites. 🙂
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Don’t need to add this one to my to-read list, because it’s already there. 😉
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Yay! So glad to hear, Tori. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
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I’m with you, I’d sooner run than fight any strange critters, too! Your office sounds so restful, no wonder you can write your amazing stories!
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Aww, thanks, Jacquie. I do love retreating there and crafting make believe worlds.
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What a great interview, Mae! I can see you working away in your writing room even as I type! 😀 Love this post, Teri, and love the entire Hode’s Hill series, Mae. And I think having canvas prints made of your covers is such a good idea, I’m going to do it with one or two of mine!
Thanks so much for having Mae here, Teri, and once again Bad Moon Rising has been a highlight in my day! Sharing this!! 🙂 ❤
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So glad you’re enjoying Bad Moon, Marcia! Speaking of prints – my sons had the cover of Sarah enlarged into a print for me at Christmas one year. It hangs at the top of the stairs in my house – totally freaks out visitors, lol.
Thanks for sharing Mae’s post!
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Great Goobley-Oobley! That’s such a cool idea, Teri, but that cover is pretty darn scary! 😲 Still. You wrote it. I’m assuming you can handle it! 😀 And it was my pleasure to share. I’m loving the series! 🙂
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Cool, Teri! And what a great gift.
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Yep – they did a good job.
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I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, Marcia. Teri asked such great questions. I had so much fun answering them.
My office is a wonderful place to work, and I so enjoy creating my stories there. Having the canvas prints in a nice addition for inspiration. I loved having them done and highly recommend them!
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Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
Time for my Bad Moon Rising reblog, and today, one of my best online friends is Teri Polen’s special guest! Author and fellow Dresdenphile Mae Clair is visiting, with an interview that’s loads of fun. And her featured Hode’s Hill series is fantastic! Hope you’ll head on over to check out the post, and will then share it with the Immediate World, so others can enjoy it too. Thanks, and thanks so much to Teri. This series is great fun! 🙂
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Woohoo! Thanks for that wonderful reblog, Marcia!!
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Great answers, Mae, and now you have a story idea!!
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Another one to add to my “to be written” list, Darlene 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the interview. Teri’s questions were great!
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So good to see Mae here, Teri. I enjoyed Cusp of Night and am looking forward to getting to the other two books in the series as well.
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You’ll enjoy them just as much, John. I think the last one is probably my favorite.
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So cool to hear, Teri!
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That is so wonderful to hear, John.
Thank you! And I wish you happy reading (and hope you’ll enjoy the stories) when the last two Hode’s Hill books surface in your TBR!
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What timing! Great to know more about Mae, as I finished Cusp of Night this morning, and have already started End of Day 😀
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I totally get the choice of the car!!! 🙂 I would be the same too: run far away.
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LOL! Glad we agree, Sophie. The more distance between me and any supernatural nasties the better! 🙂
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No Ouiji boards for me. And I had a well-learned lesson with a séance. I’m like you, Mae. Characters first, then the story.
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Sounds like we are in complete agreement regarding Ouija boards and seances, Joan. I want nothing to do with either,
And characters always drive the story for me. They have a mind of their own, LOL!
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Reblogged this on Cage Dunn: Fibber, Fabricator, Teller-of-tall-tales and commented:
More from #BadMoonRising – great stories from Mae Clair …
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Many thanks for reflagging the post!
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Thanks for sharing, Cage!
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Haha, I love how you got hit by the inspiration wand while writing to Teri’s questions. So, characters come and tippy tappy dance in your brain first too? Aren’t they insistent when they do that? Lovely to learn a little more about you, Mae – love the idea of canvas prints of your books covers!!
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Yep, characters are always nosing in my head and making their presence known. They have a lounge there where where they hang out until I find a place for them in a story. They’re so insistent.
And the canvas covers are really cool. I use Groupon. Guns of Perdition would make an awesome canvas print, Jess. Just saying 🙂
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Hehe, my reward for finishing all three books will be to do this 🤔😁
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Guns of Perdition would make a fantastic print!
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Wonderful to see Mae featured here with the Hode’s Hill series. I have read and enjoyed them all, Teri. The Shining is a book which I also rate as one of the creepiest I’ve ever read. Everything about that hotel was scary. I was also scared by Salem’s Lot.
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I rate The Shining the same, Robbie. I read Salem’s Lot, probably more than once, but it didn’t creep me out like The Shining. I did retain a couple of images in my mind from the Salem’s Lot TV show.
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I loved that mini series, Teri. I have it on DVD!
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I’m so glad you enjoyed my Hode’s Hill series, Robbie. Thank you!
Mr. King did a great job with The Shining and Salem’s Lot. Both were so creepy, but also sucked you in so that you couldn’t stop reading. At least I know I couldn’t, as spooked as I was, LOL!
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I’m far too much of a coward to even start reading Amityville and didn’t watch The Shining until two years ago – decades after my children had enjoyed it. I have Cusp of Night and it strikes me that it’ll make excellent Halloween reading.
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Cusp of Night is perfect for this time of year, Alex – I recommend you dive in today!
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Oooh, I’m excited to think that Cusp of Night might be part of your Halloween reading. Thank you so much!
And I have no idea why I ever started to read The Amityiville Horror. I must have had a moment of insanity to think I could deal with it. These days, I wouldn’t even have that book in my house!
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Hi Teri. Kudos to Mae, it’s a great book. 100 reviews. That’s amazing. Congrats on a lovely workspace and home, Mae. Hugs.
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I agree, Mae – and 100 reviews certainly makes a statement!
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That’s cool that one of Teri’s questions gave you an idea for a book. I look forward to learning what it is!
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Anything written by Mae Clair is sure to be a great read!
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Totally agree, Mark!
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Cusp of Night, what a great title! And a spiritualist as a ghost. Such a captivating concept. Can’t wait to read this. I’ve only recently discovered the goodness that is Mae Clair, so I have a lot of reading to catch up on. But it’s going to be pleasant and intriguing, I know that.
Plus I love the decor of your writing space. Inspires me to want to get more creative with my space, that I feel very lucky to have.
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You’ve got plenty to catch up on, and you’ll enjoy every minute, Brenda.
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