9) Do you go to conventions or socialize with other fans regularly?
I don't go to many conventions. Individually, I tend to get along with other horror movie fans really well, but I always feel a big group can be polarizing, and conversations become unpleasant arguments. I hate that, because I love horror movies, and clearly the people I'm talking to love horror movies, but we're yelling at each other because we feel like Carpenter's sold out or Tobe Hooper is overrated. I mean, really?10) Do you know people in your personal life who are also fans?
I have a lot of friends who are fans and see and talk to them pretty regularly. I even hosted two weeks of articles on my blog, which were just friends of mine discussing their favorite horror films of the last ten years. It was great.11) Describe your horror film/merchandise collection. Do you have a most prized item?
I admit I don't have a lot of horror-related shwag. I have a few old issues of Tales from the Crypt and some other EC comics in fairly good condition sealed up in Mylar bags like any good comic collector would tell you to do. And I have Mike Mignola's signature and sketch in the first Hellboy trade paperback, which isn't strictly horror, even though Mignola has drawn some things that have creeped me out more than a lot of things I've seen in movies.12) Do you think there are certain traits horror fans generally share?
This is going to sound corny, but I have to say passion. I mean, as much as I've rambled on here, I think any other horror fan would be just as verbose, and I've talked to so many who have told me stories about how their love of scary movies has helped them get through illnesses, their parents' divorce, or find their significant others. People really care about horror, and see it as a part of themselves, which I don't think you find in many other genres. I mean, how many romantic comedy conventions are going on out there?13) Can you describe why you are a horror fan?
Well, there's the writing aspect. I think horror is a really accessible genre, easy to get into, but also capable of dealing with so many hugely complicated things. It isn't completely in the mainstream, but I think it's cool because real innovation never happens in the mainstream. It's also attractive to me because it's so subversive. Horror's like that girl rocking black lipstick and combat boots who looks like she'd rather kick your ass than talk to you. She's interesting because she's intimidating. But it also invokes this really innocent feeling in me, like I'm that kid again whose Dad is letting him watch Alien, even though he's too young, and he's "not supposed to."If you want to see more of what goes on in the mind of this Killer Fan, visit his blog at mojo-wire-productions.blogspot.com/. And while you're at it, wash that pool blood out of your hair and email a request horror.guide@about.com with your name, age and hometown to be featured next!
