Hi! My name is Jorge Arenas and I'm primarily a horror writer, though I plan on expanding to sci-fi sometime in 2025. My latest book is A Blanket of Darkness which details the story of a data analyst who finds that while asleep he is leading a secret life in a plan far from Earth. I also have a novella series about an exorcist named Father Joon Woo who after witnessing his beloved lose her life during an exorcism dedicated his life to sending demons back to Hell. Book three is slated for early 2025 release. I also have a collection of short stories called The Dream Cycle which explores the many sub-genres of horror such as folk, myth, scifi, cosmic, etc.
2. What are your favourite books?
The Shadow Out of Time by HP Lovecraft
3. When did you know you wanted to be an author?
In 2011, I was working for a company that had me traveling 90% of the year and I found myself revisiting some old writings I had from a laptop from college. After reviewing what I had and my roommate giving me a bit of a push I thought that at the very least it would be a great hobby to start. Since my book's first release in 2020, it's gone well beyond a hobby and now is a part of my life.
4. What are your favourite and least favourite parts of the writing process?
Favourite: Research. For my main characters, I enjoy providing backstories that fit their personality. So the process would include building up a character profile, a legitimate profession, family dynamics, etc.
Least favourite: Editing. But, even though I find it to be the least favorite part of the process, it is extremely necessary as it is during that process when authors can discover issues such as plot holes, inconsistencies, etc.
5. What is your writing routine?
Least favourite: Editing. But, even though I find it to be the least favorite part of the process, it is extremely necessary as it is during that process when authors can discover issues such as plot holes, inconsistencies, etc.
5. What is your writing routine?
Typically, I spend my lunch period at work writing. It's not a lot of time, but I can push about 500 to 1000 words during this time. On the weekends, I enjoy taking afternoons to write. During these periods I have a bit of a ritual: I make some tea, get some cookies, and put on some cello music. For some reason, all of this gets the writing mood going.
6. How do you balance writing (and everything else to do with it) with the rest of your life?
6. How do you balance writing (and everything else to do with it) with the rest of your life?
This is the tricky part. I not only have a full-time job, but I also work on the side for both contract work as a writer, and for my wife's business doing everything from social media, books, and digital ads. So I am busy. The real trick is to not beat myself up if I miss a day, but I do my best to commit to a monthly minimal goal to keep the ball rolling; even if that means staying up a few hours late at night to meet those goals.
7. What inspires you? How do you beat writers block?
7. What inspires you? How do you beat writers block?
My dreams. They're quite vivid, yet I don't know how to control them like some people through lucid dreaming. So as you can imagine, nightmares tend to be the majority of my dreams, so I use them to draw inspiration. After being a martial artist for over 20 years, a good workout session is how I beat writers block.
8. How do you keep consistent/write a lot?
8. How do you keep consistent/write a lot?
As mentioned before, those monthly goals help a lot. Mix those with the concept of memento mori.
9. Does anyone read or edit your work before publication? If so, how did you find them?
9. Does anyone read or edit your work before publication? If so, how did you find them?
Typically, yes. These are other authors who don't write horror. I do this to remove any bias and to get solid feedback. I found them on Twitter! lol.
10. Can we have a sneaky look at your future plans?
10. Can we have a sneaky look at your future plans?
Love to! So soon, I'll have another collection of short stories done so The Dream Cycle will have another volume. Father Joon-Woo's journey has only begun so expect several more novellas documenting his battles against the forces of Hell. Finally, I have a new novel still in its earliest stages.
11. Finally, what advice would you give to other writers (inspiring, those publishing and those published)?
Write. That's it. Write. The truth is that the indie scene is the best place to start and you can really do a great deal of learning as author. Just don't get stuck in the mindset of doing anything else but writing.
11. Finally, what advice would you give to other writers (inspiring, those publishing and those published)?
Write. That's it. Write. The truth is that the indie scene is the best place to start and you can really do a great deal of learning as author. Just don't get stuck in the mindset of doing anything else but writing.
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