Creator Chat: Colt Henderson

Me: "We’re talking today with Cmh Hen, who writes on Vocal as Colt Henderson. Colt, I CAN call you Colt during the interview, can’t I?"

Cmh: "Sure."

Me: "Can you tell me a little about yourself? Where do you call home? That kind of stuff!"

Cmh: "I live in Texas, I’ve gone to school in North Central Texas College."

Me: " Go Lions! Texas is a BIG place! I’ve heard that everything is big in Texas. Did that prepare you for the BIG audience that your writing has on Vocal?"

Cmh: "No! Not at all! Vocal is a great way to share stories, but I’ve never had this many people read what I write."

Me: "How do you feel about that?"

Cmh: "It makes me a little nervous, but it’s the way to build an audience. I hope people come to enjoy my writing."

Me: "How would you describe your genre?"

Cmh: "I like creating worlds and universes, describing their backstories, fictional creatures, different races and peoples. I take something mundane and usual and , well, I like turning the ordinary into a nightmare. And then taking that nightmare and twisting it a bit."

Me: "Scary stories, then?"

Cmh: "Yes, I think of it as miscellaneous horror. Creepy and scary stories for sure. Also, magical horror, which is my preference. "

Me: "I get it. So, do you also like to read horror stories?"

Cmh: "Oh yes, I read horror, but I also read other kinds of books, too. I like philosophy, sci-fi, adventure, suspense, thrillers, and history. I love anything that catches my attention. One of the things that I like best about history are the myths that littler it. Greek mythology has inspired me in my writing in the past."

Me: "Have you entered any Vocal Challenges?"

Cmh: "Yes, and one of my favorites of the seven stories I have on Vocal is Utopia Redux. It was my first story and my first Challenge. Not my usual horror writing, it’s a dystopian future. I was so into what I was writing I was sorry I had to stop once I hit the word limit. It’s definitely one story that I plan to go back to and expand and develop it further."

Me: "Can you pretend to read your stories for the first time? Tell me how you would describe it."

Cmh: "Well, I guess I’d have to say that I can rant sometimes. Lol. I get caught up in telling the scenes and sometimes I tell the reader too much. I joined Vocal to get an audience for my stories and also to develop myself as a writer. To be honest, I guess my writing is average; I wish it was more than that sometimes, and I know that I am growing as a writer as I keep entering challenges and sharing what I write."

Me: "What one thing do you want to learn and apply to your writing?"

Cmh: "That’s easy- dialog. I need some help with that and I think it would make my characters more real. I don’t have a lot of practice with it yet and it will really make my writing more interesting."

Me: "Let’s get into the personal stuff, okay?"

Cmh: "Okay, I’m ready for that. What do you want to know?"

Me: "We’ll start easy: Dogs or cats?"

Cmh: "I like all animals. I do have two dogs, though: Sir Cottonwood III and Lucyfur Morningstar."

Me: "What is the perfect temperature in a room to sleep at night?"

Cmh: "As long as it’s a little chilly I’m good. I just need my pillows and a fan running."

Me: "I’m going to get a bit more personal here….."

Cmh: "ok…."

Me: "What is your guilty sandwich indulgence?"

Cmh: (laughing) "That’s easy! A BLT with thick-cut bacon, romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sauteed onions, pickles, pepper jack cheese, on Texas toast."

Me: "Well, Colt, you certainly DO have a gift for descriptions, I think I need to cut this interview off now and go make me a sandwich! Thank you for talking with me."

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After our interview I decided to take another walk through Colt's stories, I remembered another fine description of food in the story of his that is my favorite. I dare anyone to make it to the end of this one and not immediately want a diner breakfast!

The interchange between the two main characters shows me that Colt has been practicing his dialog skills. It's a good story that shows the importance of clear communication, and it comes with his signature twist!