S.G. Browne Interview
Why did you choose to glamorize zombies?
I don’t know if I’d call it glamorizing zombies as much as it is just offering a different perspective. When you think about it, most zombie film and fiction is about the people rather than the zombies. I wanted to tell a story about the zombies.
How did you come up with the idea for Breathers?
Back in 2001, I sat down to write a short story about zombies and thought: What would happen if I came back from the dead but instead of the stereotypical Hollywood zombie, I was just a reanimated corpse who was slowly decomposing, had no rights, no future, and I needed some serious therapy? That question led to my 2,000 word short story “A Zombie’s Lament.†A couple of years later, inspired by reading Chuck Palahniuk and Christopher Moore, I added an additional 80,000 words and came up with Breathers.
Was the main character of A Zombie’s Lament, Andy? Or was he created for Breathers?
Although the main character didn’t have a name in the short story, he was essentially Andy. Except he lived in his parents’ attic instead of their wine cellar. For those who are interested, you can read “A Zombie’s Lament†in the John Skipp edited anthology Zombies: Encounters With the Hungry Dead.
Is there a sequel to Breathers in the works?
I never actually intended the story to continue beyond the last line in the book, so I have no idea where it might go. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a sequel, but only if I can come up with an original story that doesn’t regurgitate what I’ve already done in Breathers. At the moment, I’m working on my third novel and have two more ideas simmering on the stove, so any potential follow-up would be a few years off. How’s that for a definite maybe?
I will have to say that my wife, along with countless others, will be very upset at the news.
Well, I hope you won’t pelt me with expired food products.
What would be your weapon of choice against the undead?
Limiting my answer to items I have on hand, that would be the Louisville Slugger I’ve had since I was six-years-old. It’s just the right size to wield as a club. I don’t own a machete, otherwise I’d probably use that.
Who would be the five people, aside from friends/family, you would want with you if a zombie outbreak happened?
Are we talking alive or historical? Let’s do historical:
Joan of Arc, Genghis Khan, Moses, Julia Childs, and Charlie Chaplin. You can always use a good martyr, a good warrior, a good miracle, a good cook, and a good laugh.
Now let’s do people alive.
Okay. That one’s a bit tougher. But here we go:
Jackie Chan for muscle, John Stewart for comic relief, Stephen Hawking for planning and strategy, Martha Stewart for meals, and Kate Beckinsale for, um, foot rubs.
Do you have any inside information you can share about for the Breathers movie adaptation?
Last I’d heard they had a script undergoing some final edits and would hopefully be sending it off for casting soon. Whatever that means. I’m really just sitting here crossing my fingers and hoping the film actually gets made.
What characteristics need to be present in order to be considered a zombie?
Well, in addition to a lifeless, decomposing body, you’d probably need a good sense of humor, a capacity to endure being pelted with expired food products, and it wouldn’t hurt to have some good culinary skills. Fresh Breather doesn’t taste nearly as good off the bone as when it’s cooked up in a red wine reduction and served with asparagus and rice pilaf.
Do you feel that a virus needs to be in place?
Not necessarily. Zombies have been caused by viruses, radiation, and voodoo, among other things, so I think there’s room for alternative causes. In the world I imagined, a small percentage of the population has a dormant gene that activates upon death, causing those with the active gene to reanimate.
Do you have any upcoming books you’d like to share with us?
My next novel, Fated, hits the shelves November 2010. A dark, irreverent comedy about fate, destiny, and the karmic consequences of getting involved in the lives of humans, the novel is told from the POV of Fate, who deals with the majority of the human race fated to live mediocre lives, to not live up to their potential, or to end up as career politicians. The book also features Destiny, Death, Karma, Lady Luck, Sloth, Gluttony, most of the other deadly sins, some virtues, a handful of emotions, and even God, who runs everything, naturally. Though he’s a bit of a megalomaniac.
Would any of your new work be containing zombies?
As far as my next couple of novels, no. (He says, ducking a rotten tomato.) But I do have a short story coming up in the John Joseph Adams anthology, The Living Dead 2, which I believe will be in stores this September. The story, “Zombie Gigolo,†takes some of the aspects of Breathers and makes them a bit more visceral and disgusting. I read it for the Gross Out Contest at the World Horror Convention in 2008 and ended up taking home third place.
How long have you been writing?
Although I took some creative writing classes in college, I started writing seriously in 1990. Well, not seriously, but with a purpose. My first short story, “Wish You Were Here,†was published in Redcat magazine in 1993. As for the quality of the writing, let’s just say it wouldn’t make it into anyone’s “Year’s Best†anthology.
When the zombie apocalypse finally occurs what’s your survival plan?
To always have at least one person between me and the nearest zombie.
What is your current favorite zombie novel and movie?
Favorite zombie novel would probably be World War Z by Max Brooks. Very well-written and thought out, with all of the social and political angles of a zombie virus outbreak thoroughly researched and realistic. Brooks should be consulted if the zombie war ever does happen.
As for favorite movie, that’s a tough call. The original Night of the Living Dead is still one of the scariest films I’ve ever seen, and I loved the remake of Dawn of the Dead. But I’ll change things up and go with Fido. While most zombie movies and books deal with the humans’ side of the story, Fido focuses more on the zombies, on their relationship to us, and I like that. Plus it’s smart, funny, heartwarming, and reasonably disgusting – all the qualities of a good zombie comedy.
What are your thoughts on Romero finally giving the cause for the living dead? What answer, if any, would disappoint you?
He’s giving a reason? I had no idea. I don’t get out much. But as far as I’m concerned, radiation, viruses, voodoo, no more room in hell – those all work for me. I can’t think of anything off hand that I’d find disappointing.
Outside of your own undead universe do you prefer slow or fast zombies and why?
I do love the classic Romero zombie, slow and plodding, wearing you down with its inexorable hunger. But I find the slow zombies more terrifying when they overwhelm you with sheer numbers. With the fast zombies, all it takes is one to pump up the adrenaline level. There’s nothing like a tenacious, reanimated corpse bearing down on you with the speed of an Olympic sprinter to make you wish you’d worn Depends.
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us Scott. We, here at BuyZombie.com will continue to support you and your writing. Thanks for giving the world Breathers and thanks in advance for the sequel, if it happens.
Thank you. It’s been a pleasure.
Breathers is available from Amazon.
