Gareth Woos is the author of the ‘Rise’ trilogy as well as the recently released ‘Dead Inside’ which is the third installment. He had a chance to get some air and talk to us about the book, zombies, and some random fun. Enjoy!
Buy Zombie(BZ): Can you share with our readers a bit about the world that you’ve created in ‘Rise’ and its two sequels?
Gareth Wood(GW): It’s a bleak world with shreds of hope. Most of the world is choking with the undead, though a few places survive. Islands and cities with natural isolation did very well in some cases. The books are about the salvagers who go out into the world looking for supplies, the things and facts they find, and the people of the communities they encounter.
BZ: Without spoiling the first two novels, what can we expect in your recently released ‘Dead Inside’ that brings an end to your trilogy?
GW: Other than the violent death of every character ever? Well, that’s not true, I didn’t kill everyone off. But I did wrap up a plot left hanging from Age of the Dead, and sort of answered the question of ‘How did this all start?’, though some readers might find my answer less than helpful. The thing to remember is that from the character’s perspective, they may not have the background to fully appreciate the answer.
BZ: Which of the novels do you feel is the strongest installment of your trilogy and why?
GW: DEAD INSIDE. It’s the best thing I have written. I regard the first two books, ‘Rise’ and ‘Age of the Dead’ as practice. ‘Dead Inside’ is where I really found my voice as a writer. The character development is far better, the descriptions more clear, the action better paced, and the plot stronger.
One of the hardest things for me was learning to write dialog. I think I got it down in ‘Dead Inside’, but in ‘Age of the Dead’ I was still learning how to do that properly.
BZ: What inspired you to create the world of ‘Rise’?
GW: A bad zombie movie. One of the ones where characters were punished by the script for making bad decisions. Characters who had grown up in the world where a ZA had occurred, who knew what that meant, were acting in ways that were guaranteed to kill them. And they did kill them! Anyway, after I saw numerous characters ignoring the rules established, and dying horrifically for it just so the director could get his squick scenes, I’d had enough. I decided to write a story where the characters, even though they had no experience with the undead, could actually learn from their experiences. People adapt to dire situations, learn the rules of survival, and thrive if they don’t do the stupid.
BZ: How did you feel about hearing the Audible version of your first novel released?
GW: I heard ‘Rise’ was released on audiobook. I have not listened to it. Couldn’t do it. Same thing with ‘Age…’ The audiobooks are out there, but I have not listened to the first two. ‘Dead Inside’ on the other hand, I did check out. Strange feeling, hearing my words read back to me. Hearing the dialog I wrote, the intonation different from what I envisioned in my head, but still having it make sense… but I have to say I enjoyed the experience. I may download the other two at some point, now that I have heard ‘Dead Inside’ and liked it.
BZ: Permuted Press is known for their work with the post-apocalyptic genre, how has working with them been for you?
GW: Fantastic! Permuted has been a dream! I was an early adopter from before the change in ownership, but I have to say that the company has been very kind to all of us. I’m not just a published author for Permuted, I’m also a fan. Many of my favourite post-apocalypse books have come from Permuted.
BZ: The age old question which always must be asked, slow or fast zombies and why?
GW: For me, slow. I enjoy the relentless low speed pursuit that just never ends. The menacing approach of a swarm, the inevitable death coming that you know will never give up. It makes the horror that much sweeter.
BZ: Do you have any plans for future zombie novels lined up? Either a continuation of the world you created in ‘Rise’ or an entirely new setting? Any zombies with a sci-fi twist perhaps?
GW: No plans at the present for any future books set in the ‘Rise’ universe. I may tackle the zombies again in an unrelated work, but not yet.
BZ: What is your zombie survival plan or what would be the start of how you winged it in case of a zombie outbreak?
GW: I don’t think of myself as a prepper. I don’t own any firearms. But I do have a plan! My family has discussed what to do many times in case of a scenario (any scenario) involving having to bug-out quickly. We have an escape plan and I have a list of things I would bring along.
So let’s go worst case scenario, a full on global outbreak of zombies. Cities are death zones. I live in a city. I also need glasses to see, and have bad knees. I can hope, but in reality I’ll likely be one of the stinking undead coming for your neighbors. Please forgive me. It’s not really me anymore.
BZ: Who are 5 people, besides immediate family and nearby friends, that you would want to be stuck with or in a group with during an apocalyptic event not exactly a zombie outbreak but something that would affect life as you know it on a global scale? Why?
GW: Neil deGrasse Tyson, because as we were hacking zombies apart with machetes he’d constantly by making observations about the universe, and he’s a damn good speaker.
Sigourney Weaver. Hello? Ripley from Aliens? Probably great with a machete.
Lewis Dartnell, the author of The Knowledge, an important work for our times. I have no idea about his machete skills.
Jon Stewart, because I enjoy his wit. Also I bet he is pretty good with a machete.
A ninja.
BZ: What do you think would be the best and worst animal to have with you in the case of a zombie outbreak?
GW: Best? A loyal, well trained dog. Worst? A wasp hive.
BZ: Who do you feel is directly responsible for your entry into the field of writing and specifically the inclusion of zombies into your work?
GW: George A Romero, without question, is why I write zombie fiction. J. R. R. Tolkien is why I am a writer. If I’m ever as good as him… that would be a great day.
BZ: Do you have any suggestions, aside from your own work that is, on novels you recommend zombie fanatics pick up?
GW: The Infection and The Killing Floor by Craig diLouie. The Becoming series by Jessica Meigs. Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines. Rotter World by Scott Baker. Yeah, I know, all Permuted authors, but those guys have an eye for talent!
BZ: Where can readers and fans alike find out more information about your books and upcoming projects that you’re involved in?
GW: usually post stuff on my Facebook author’s page, Gareth C Wood-Author. You can also find me on Twitter, under @GarethWoodAuth. There’s a WordPress page as well, at http://garethcwood.wordpress.com/
BZ: Is there any other information you’d like to share with our readers?
GW: I know readers hear this stuff all the time, but there’s a reason for it. Reviews! Please leave them! It doesn’t matter if you hate a book or love it, but leaving an honest review can help your authors more than you realize. It helps them become better writers, and it helps promote their books via the magic of computer algorithms. So please, leave a rating or review once you finish a book.
