During a recent panel at BookCon in New York City, acclaimed author and educator Tananarive Due shared insights into her writing process, particularly within the horror genre. The event, titled “Horror as a Mirror, Horror as Escape: How Lived Experiences Shape Fictional Fears,” took place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and attracted a variety of enthusiastic attendees keen to learn from Due, who has won numerous awards during her impressive 30-year career.
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In addressing the audience, Due revealed her methodology for crafting horror narratives, stating, “I find what scares me, I start with that, always. Turn it up to eleven.” This approach reflects a deep engagement with personal fears, allowing her to explore them creatively and transform them into compelling stories.
A significant figure in Due’s life that influences her work is her husband, Steven Barnes. She quoted him, saying: “Find a character for whom this is the best or worst thing that could happen to them.” This advice accentuates the importance of character-driven narratives in horror and highlights the complexities of human experience when confronted by fear.
Due’s dedication to the genre is further complemented by her academic role at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she teaches Afrofuturism and Black Horror. This unique blend of creative writing and education positions her as a prominent voice in contemporary literature.
Growing up, Due’s passion for horror was instilled in her by her late mother, Patricia Stephens Due, a civil rights activist who lived through the Jim Crow era. Reflecting on this influence, Due remarked, “I used to think it was just sort of this weird bug that this esteemed civil rights activism is in my horror books.” However, as she matured, she realised that horror serves as a powerful outlet for confronting and processing fear—something deeply rooted in both personal and societal histories.
She also touched upon the concept of horror as a timeless genre, particularly relevant in today’s world. “We can look at the times right now and say that these are times that call for some escapism,” Due suggested. “These are times that call for examples of heroes and heroines to rise up to the occasion against all odds and slay a monster or kill the zombies.” In this way, horror not only entertains but also empowers readers to confront their own challenges.
Due emphasised the enduring nature of fear and its role in the persistence of horror narratives. “As long as human beings have fear, horror shall rise,” she affirmed, underscoring the genre’s ability to resonate with audiences across different cultures and eras.
In addition to sharing her creative insights, Due also announced her upcoming thriller, “Mazywood,” which is set to be released on September 22 and is currently available for pre-order through various retailers. Her new work promises to blend her signature storytelling with an exploration of deeper emotional themes, further solidifying her position as a vital figure in the horror literature landscape.
Due’s commitment to her craft and her ability to draw from her lived experiences provide not only a glimpse into her own fears but also offer a shared space for readers grappling with their own anxieties. As her career continues to evolve, Tananarive Due remains an influential voice, bridging the worlds of fiction and reality through the lens of horror.