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A Sense of Hope
The Scavenger follows three teens fighting their demons who make a wish at a mysterious well and find their lives are flipped upside down by the supernatural when something ancient, dark, and deadly starts to stalk them. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
As with a vast majority of stories, it started with a ‘What if” scenario i.e. what if three teenage kids, all close friends but all with their own personal issues, make a wish at a cursed well but their wishes come true in a twisted way? This came to me in mid-2019 and stayed in my mind for a few months. I then started to become familiar with the characters, getting to know their likes, dislikes, what makes them tick, etc. Once all the characters were fleshed out, I began plotting each chapter when I was very familiar with the main protagonists.
But I also think the inspiration came from Stephen King’s IT and the movie, Stand By Me, which apparently was based on one of King’s short stories too. I wanted to capture the same element of friendship or strong bond like the characters had in those stories. I must have pulled it off because fans really resonated with Jessica, Adrian, and Jared.
Jared, Jessica and Adrian are typical high schoolers on the surface, but are each facing struggles that weigh them down. What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
I know this is a cliché but I really enjoyed writing all the characters, especially Jared’s spooky scenes. They were fun because I always tried to up the scare factor each time something supernatural occurred in the book. Jessica, however, was a character I found hard to write because her scenes with her mother, Bertha, are raw and edgy. There’s always a tension there. It’s like a powder keg ready to explode.
There is another reason why her character touched me. When I was a kid, I knew some friends who were in exactly the same predicament she’s in. They had abusive parents, too, so writing those scenes in a way, brought it all back to me. Now that I’m older and can understand more of what they went through, my heart goes out to them.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The themes that were really important for me are: accepting yourself when people around you can’t and having the strength to stand up against someone/something far stronger than yourself. It’s gratifying to know that people find a sense of hope in The Scavenger‘s, conclusion.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
When I first started writing, The Scavenger, it was only meant to be a one-off. However, the reaction by readers was so strong that I decided to write a sequel. That was in 2021; fast-forward to present day and it has now turned into a four-book series.
In the next book, Unlucky Charm (Second Edition), we’re introduced to two new characters, Reggie and Zane, who are also long-time buddies. When one of them buys an antique pocket watch for his mother, little does he know that it will set off a chain of events that will ultimately change both their lives. Jared and Aunt Maybelle are called in to help. In this book, Jared develops his abilities even more and comes into his own. Jessica also develops a strong bond with her mom. An event at the end of the book sets up a HUGE rollercoaster ride in book three – Dark Secrets, where Jessica will come face-to-face with a shocking secret from Bertha’s past that will make her question everything she knew about her mom!
The final book of the series, Lurking Beasts, will hopefully be released in November of this year.
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Jared, Jessica, and Adrian seem like your typical high schoolers, but each harbors a secret that gnaws at their souls.
Jared is struggling for acceptance from his disapproving mother as a gay teen while enduring the relentless torment of a bully. Adrian is crushed under the weight of his father’s impossible expectations as he conceals a forbidden crush. Jessica, trapped in a nightmare with her abusive, alcoholic mother, dreams of escape but finds no solace.
Then, one frigid night, the trio stumbles upon an ancient wishing well, its ominous aura drawing them in. With eyes closed and hearts burdened, they each make a wish half-heartedly but secretly hope for something—anything—different. In a snap, their wishes seem to mysteriously materialize.
But they have no idea they’ve just awakened something far more sinister than their minds can grasp, and things are about to go horribly wrong!
The Scavenger (Second Edition) is the chilling beginning of the Hopps Town Quadrilogy, where every wish comes at a deadly price.
A Recipe for a Psychedelic Freakout Novel
In Many Arms Enfold Us, a young girl, her brother, and her mother move to a remote area of Montana and discover the horrifying truth about what lies beneath the town. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
As a teen in Portland, OR, I discovered there was a network of tunnels under our downtown, and that was the case in many cities. I’ve always been intrigued by cephalopods, jellyfish, and bioluminescence, and I spooked myself pretty hard thinking about encountering a floating, oxygen-breathing version in the Ape Cave lava tubes in Washington. Add to that my former religious upbringing, and my wariness of cults and groupthink–this election notwithstanding–and I felt I had the recipe for a real psychedelic freakout novel.
What intrigues you most about the horror genre?
When I was a boy, I saw the short film Amelia starring Karen Black. I had nightmares for a month, and my mom forbade me to watch horror films ever again. My rebellious nature ensured I’d be devoted to scary stories from that moment on. Then I discovered Stephen King and HP Lovecraft, and I was hooked. I steer away from splatter–I think it numbs us to violence. I prefer characters that discover their resilience and bravery through some supernatural trauma.
Is there anything from your own life you put into Kara and her family?
I was raised on a religious commune in the old growth redwoods of Humboldt, CA. My experience was fairly tame, but we were definitely a cult. We believed in demonic possession, and I saw my share of drifters hitchhiking through our camp, having drug-related episodes that we were convinced was the Devil. I spent hours peering into the forest with only a kerosene lantern, listening to the scuttle of unknown creatures, creating horrors for myself. In regards to cults—I think many people with only a faith-based education will have a difficult time criticizing their leaders and practicing independent thought, because obedience, fear, and arrogance are cooked into their unassailable belief. My church was dismayed when we moved to Portland and I attended public school, and for good reason. Evidence, scrutiny, scientific method, citations, and a curious mind are all enemies of religion. Worshipping imaginary friends is unwise–imposing them on others is abuse.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I recently finished an autofiction called The Devil Wand. The first half mirrors my upbringing, but the second half is fiction. The protagonist discovers from watching the opening scene in Kubrick’s The Shining that a VW bug driving through beautiful scenery can be made terrifying by adding scary music. He later becomes a preeminent avant-garde composer for horror film soundtracks, much like Joseph Bishara and Mark Korven. The novel will be published next year. Meanwhile, the book I’m currently writing is tentatively called Silverlake Demon. It’s about a young man living in LA who winds up homeless, and discovers a wealthy alchemist is using an experimental serum to eradicate the indigent population, mutating them and making them commit suicide.
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A terrifying novel that explores feminism and consent, religious fervor, and the dark history of American asylums—filled with kaleidoscopic wonder and cosmic terror.
Many Arms Enfold Us
Many Arms Enfold Us, by Diavolo Ray, offers a gripping horror novel tailored for young adult and teen readers, but it’s unsettling enough to leave anyone with a lingering chill. The story follows Kara, a young girl who moves with her brother and mother to the remote woodlands of Montana, where her mother plans to establish a local internet hub. But from the moment they arrive, it’s clear that something is horribly wrong beneath the town’s surface… literally. Hidden underground, parasitic creatures thrive, feeding on unsuspecting humans. Even more disturbing, the town’s residents seem eerily indifferent to the lurking danger.
From the very first page, Diavolo Ray masterfully keeps readers guessing. The suspense is palpable, with each twist and turn as unpredictable for the reader as it is for Kara herself. Her fear, disgust, and determination radiate through the narrative, creating a tense atmosphere that gradually builds to a state of dread. Rather than relying on traditional monsters or grotesque violence, the antagonists in this novel are far more sinister. They subtly manipulate, coaxing their victims into willing submission. The result is a science-fiction-horror hybrid that feels fresh and deeply unsettling.
Ray’s descriptive prowess immerses readers fully in Kara’s experience. Every scene is vivid and haunting, making you feel as though you are right there, fighting to escape the town’s suffocating grip. And then there’s the ending, which is far from offering a neat resolution. It leaves you with the unsettling realization that the danger is far from over. I won’t give the ending away, but it leaves the reader with the chilling implication that all of humanity might be at risk.
Many Arms Enfold Us brings a refreshing twist to the horror genre, combining sci-fi elements with a creeping psychological tension that leaves an impact. By the time you close the book, you might find yourself pondering just how real the threat of mind control could be.
Pages: 325 | ASIN : B0D42N6LSD
The Power To Help People
They Know When the Killer Will Strike follows a film crew that finds themselves hunted by a deadly presence, forcing the cast and crew to unravel the mystery before the final cut becomes their last. What inspired you to meld the worlds of Hollywood film-making and serial killer mysteries?
I’ve made or worked on a number of low-budget horror films, so having an unknown killer stalking members of a movie cast and crew seemed a natural extension of my experience (not to mention a fun scenario.)
The character Leo’s supernatural ability adds a unique twist to the narrative. How did you come up with this particular gift, and how do you see it shaping Leo’s journey across the series?
The saying, “The eyes are the windows to the soul” always intrigued me, so I began to imagine someone who had the ability to look into the eyes of another and “see” how and when that person will die. It’s a plot device that could go in many directions, but I chose to give this gift to a decent, extremely shy teen boy who hates looking into other’s eyes anyway. Leo has overcome some of his shyness since Book One, but given his discomfort with seeing people die, I don’t foresee him looking into the eyes of strangers unless it’s by accident. I picture him continuing to use the power to help people in his life who may want his help.
Throughout the book, you sprinkled tantalizing clues. How do you strike a balance between giving enough hints to keep readers engaged while not revealing too much too soon?
I read a fair number of mysteries, and it’s necessary to sprinkle clues and red herrings throughout such books to keep reader engagement. I think the trick is balancing out those moments with engaging character development, and I hope I succeeded in both arenas with this book.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have another Film Milieu Thriller story percolating, but I’m currently working on a sequel to my superhero-without-powers novel, Like A Hero, taking my main character and his blended family into thrilling new adventures.
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Cassie’s police officer dad and his detective girlfriend come aboard to thwart the murderer’s plans, but how do they stop someone whose identity remains hidden? With their death date rapidly approaching, Leo encourages the intended victims to turn the tables on their would-be killer, but when the plan goes horribly awry, all bets are off.
They Know When The Killer Will Strike concludes the stories begun in I Know When You’re Going To Die and The Horror Film Killer.
LITERARY TITAN 