Rich Rurshell is a short story writer from Suffolk, England. He writes Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy stories, and occasionally dabbles in poetry. Rich has had stories appear in anthologies by Zombie Pirate Publishing, Stormy Island, and Clarendon House, as well as online publications such as Dastaan World, Jakob's Horror Box, and CafeLit. Aside from writing stories, Rich is a musician and likes to write and perform music.
MWS: Hello Rich! Nice to finally speak with you!
RR: Hi! It’s a pleasure...
MWS: I hear you are a bit of musician. What type of music do you play?
RR: Generally, rock and metal. I have played bass and guitar in several bands over the years. I sing in a band at the moment. But yeah, mostly rock and heavy metal.
MWS: Is that something you started an interest in as a child?
RR: I started playing the guitar when I was 14. I think I was in a band about a year later at school. I’ve been in bands ever since.
MWS: Do you listen to music while you write?
RR: Yes, sometimes. It has to be instrumental though, I can’t have lyrics playing. It distracts me. So, I like listening to Vangelis, Holst, movie soundtracks when I write. Sometimes I find the music has stopped and I’ve been writing in silence for ages.
MWS: That sounds lovely, being in the zone and the rest of the world disappears. Do you prefer pen and paper or electronic devices for notes and outlines?
RR: Actually, notes and outlines are usually written on the back of an envelope or an old bill or something. I’m not terribly organised.
MWS: Lol. There is a special kind of organization in chaos, and seems to best for most writers. Do you have a specific process for creating a storyline?
RR: I guess my process is: Think of an idea. Think some more about it. If I still like it three days later, get some notes down while it’s still cooking. Then write it.
MWS: Sounds good. Simple and clear. Let's talk about your short story in Stormy Island Publishing's anthology, Salty Tales, called Life Choices. no spoilers
I won't give anything away, but I will say I loved it. Was there anything that inspired it?
RR: Glad you enjoyed it. I went on holiday to Cornwall last year. I guess it’s more of a diary entry than a story.
MWS: Is it something you think you will build on and make a novel from?
RR: Good question! I’ve certainly thought about it. I think it could be quite fun. Let’s see what I get up to on holiday this year...
MWS: I truly hope you do. I would like to read more, I think it would do well. Subject: Galilee is a short story in Zombie Pirate Publishing's anthology World War Four, can you give us a little info on what it's about?
RR: Subject: Galilee is a story about a small village in no man’s land in a war between two global corporations. The village and its inhabitants are saved from certain annihilation by a mysterious stranger... Galilee. As the story progresses, Galilee’s motives become more apparent.
MWS: Well, now, I am going to need to read that, lol. . Which of the stories you have written would you say is your favorite?
RR: Wow... tough question! I was pretty pleased with the story “Nathan” that was included in Phuket Tattoo by Zombie Pirate Publishing. I had fun writing that one. But I’ve since written a story called “The Dreamer,” and I really like that. I’m currently looking for a home for it.
MWS: Do you dabble in different genres?
RR: I guess so. I really like writing Horror, Fantasy, and Sci-fi. Those are my go to genres, but sometimes I stray outside of them. I have a story called “Sofia” which will be included in the Inner Circle Writers’ Magazine this month. I don’t even know what genre that is.
MWS: Lol. Maybe you have created a new one! Would you say you have a favorite genre to write in?
RR: Horror I suppose. Followed closely by Sci-fi. Which pretty much applies to what I like to read as well.
MWS: Have you read anything that made you think differently about writing fiction?
RR: Yeah...some of the beta-Reading feedback I’ve had... I like a bit of brutally honest feedback, and I’ve had some! I certainly had some of my flaws pointed out, and I’ve done my best to adapt.
MWS: I like that also. You can't learn from likes and loves. I'd rather have an honest dislike than a fake thumbs up. . What are some authors that you admire the most for their storytelling abilities?
RR: Philip K. Dick, Haruki Murakami, Stephen King, Bret Easton Ellis. Philip K. Dick short stories are pretty much what got me into writing in the first place.
MWS: Has any of their work inspired something of your own?
RR: I think Stephen King’s IT had a big effect on me. The idea of some ancient evil presence. It didn’t inspire any story in particular, but it’s lurking there somewhere in the back of my mind when I’m writing Horror.
MWS: Can you give a little insight to what you are working on now?
RR: Ah... yeah, that’s easy... nothing. But most recently, I’ve been writing 100 word stories for the recent Drabble anthologies that are about at the moment. And I recently finished a collaboration story with Gregg Cunningham. That was pretty good fun...and pretty gross. But right now, I’m “in between stories”.
MWS: I hope you find inspiration soon. I've really enjoyed speaking with you today, Rich. I look forward to reading more of your work as well!
RR: Thank you! I’ve enjoyed myself. Thanks for taking the time to talk to me!
Find him on Facebook!
Read his short story, Nathan, found in Phuket Tattoo.
Subject Galilee in World War Four, and Life Choices in Salty Tales.
