Jinxed
Thommy Hutson
Publication date: March 13th 2018
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Young Adult
High School Can Be a Real Killer
Break a mirror
Walk under a ladder
Step on a crack
Innocent childhood superstitions …
But someone at the secluded Trask Academy of Performing Arts is taking things one deadly step further when the campus is rocked with the deaths of some of its star students.
Layna Curtis, a talented, popular senior, soon realizes that the seemingly random, accidental deaths of her friends aren’t random—or accidents—at all. Someone has taken the childhood games too far, using the idea of superstitions to dispose of their classmates. As Layna tries to convince people of her theory, she uncovers the terrifying notion that each escalating, gruesome murder leads closer to its final victim: her.
Will Layna’s opening night also be her final bow?
Interview with Thommy Hutson
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in “Jinxed?”
--I’d say they are typical
teenagers, if there is such a thing as “typical.” What was interesting to me
was looking at these young people through the lens of wanting to perform, to be
the best, to be a star. This desire informs what they do, say, and how they act
in so many ways … perhaps for both good and bad. I drew from some of my own
experiences attending a performing arts school when I was younger. Looking
back, everything we said or did was a little more heightened, affected, and
accentuated. More dramatic, for sure! I tried to imbue that into these
characters. There’s also a slight cynicism and flippancy to them. They are a
group of friends, but they are also individuals who have their own hopes and
desires and, sometimes, they care more about themselves than those around them.
I think that shines through in a way that moves the characters and story
forward and, hopefully, keeps people guessing.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have
planned for the future?
--I am currently working on the
sequel to “Jinxed.” It is book two of a trilogy and I am really excited to be
following these characters as they move through their lives. It’s also fun to
see who will survive, who won’t, and how it not only plays out, but how everything
ultimately ties together.
In addition, I’m prepping another
non-fiction project on the making of a really fun and well-known movie from the
80s. I can’t reveal the movie it is based on just yet, but like my previous
book, “Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy—The Making of Wes Craven’s A
Nightmare on Elm Street,” this will detail the complete making and legacy of
the film. I loved the movie when I was younger so I can’t wait to fully explore
its creation.
How
long would you say it takes you to write a book?
--My agent would say longer than she hopes!
It depends on the material, how detailed an outline I have created to work from
and, of course, if there are deadlines. I never try to rush it. I want to feel that
what I am writing is coming naturally for the story and characters and that I
am not pushing too hard to make something work. Sometimes it happens quickly
and sometimes…not so much! I’m also a big fan of reading things out loud,
especially dialogue. I like to roll the words around, hear how they sound, give
them inflection and life. I suppose my acting things out adds to the time it
takes for me to finish. But, it sure is fun!
What
is your favorite childhood book?
--I loved reading from a very young age so
it is hard to single out one thing. From Charlotte’s Web to The Outsiders to
The Velveteen Rabbit, I think I tended to gravitate toward stories that had a
little more at stake, stories with a lot of emotional resonance at their core.
Maybe I was pushing too, hard too fast as a kid. That said, I do remember
loving The Poky Little Puppy and Sam the Firehouse Cat!
If
you could spend the day with one of the characters from “Jinxed” who would it
be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go
and what you would do.
--I’d have to say that I should choose
Layna, because she is level-headed and would probably keep us out of trouble,
but what fun would that be? That said, I’d choose Nancy. She is definitely
someone who throws caution to the wind and wants to have a good time. She’s
silly, she’s snarky and just someone who will have your back…even though she
might be the reason you need someone at your back! I could see us just going
out and hopping from one friend’s party to the next and then driving all night,
listening to loud pop music, eating late-night snack food and just enjoying the
moment together.
What
was the hardest scene from “Jinxed?” to write?
--Even though I knew how book one was going
to end, I think the penultimate scene was the most difficult. I had to reveal
the killer, the motive, and wrap things up. It was something I wanted to be
exciting, thrilling, creepy, and have a lot of action. I’m happy with the way
it came out, especially since I was able to have fun with it. Some of the
characters are larger than life and a little more dramatic, particularly
because of the setting, so it was great to play with that and let things really
go.
What
made you want to become a writer?
--I was always telling stories. I think my
doing that and the incredible encouragement I got from family and teachers
growing up, being a writer was something that seemed obvious. I am really
thrilled that I have been able to create things in two mediums: screenplays and
books.
Just
for fun
a)
Favorite song: Right now it would have to be the soundtrack to “The
Greatest Showman.” In general, it’s 80s music.
b)
Favorite book: Too hard! But if I had to make a snap decision it would be
The Outsiders or Lord of the Flies.
c)
Favorite movie: Pretty in Pink (One of the many John Hughes films that I
love and were a big influence on me)
d)
Favorite tv show: Degrassi
e)
Favorite Food: Pizza and wings (I’m from Western New York, what can I
say!?)
f)
Favorite drink: Pepsi … or champagne!
g)
Favorite website: does Twitter count? I love engaging there. People can
follow me @ThommyHutson
Thanks
so much for visiting with us today!
Author Bio:
Born and raised in Upstate New York, Thommy graduated from UCLA and launched his career co-writing the story for the Warner Bros. animated hit SCOOBY-DOO IN WHERE’S MY MUMMY? He followed that with co-writing the concept and additional material for CHILL OUT, SCOOBY-DOO!
His career then took a thrilling turn when he wrote and produced several definitive genre film retrospectives for television and home entertainment: SCREAM: THE INSIDE STORY, NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY, MORE BRAINS! A RETURN TO THE LIVING DEAD and HIS NAME WAS JASON: 30 YEARS OF FRIDAY THE 13th.
He was also a staff writer on Hulu’s daily web series “The Morning After,” a smart, witty, pop culture program aimed at getting viewers up-to-date on the latest entertainment news and celebrity interviews.
Thommy also produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy.
He co-wrote and produced ANIMAL for Chiller Films and Drew Barrymore’s Flower Films. The project debuted in iTunes’ top ten horror films (reaching #1) and became the network’s highest-rated original movie.
Continuing his passion for uncovering the stories behind the story, he went on to produce CRYSTAL LAKE MEMORIES: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF FRIDAY THE 13th, which is the most comprehensive look at the popular film franchise.
As an author Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version distributed by Simon & Schuster reached number one in Amazon.com’s Movie History & Criticism category. He also has a deal with Vesuvian Media to write a YA thriller trilogy with the first book due out spring 2017.
He produced and made his feature directorial debut with THE ID, an independent psychological drama/thriller. Filmmaker Magazine stated it was “a deeply unsettling thriller that’s as moving as it is frightening…with skillful, provocative direction that has echoes of early Polanski.”
Most recently, Thommy wrote the screenplay for CineTel Films’ supernatural horror film TRUTH OR DARE. He is also directing, writing and producing a documentary with Clive Barker’s Seraphim Films in addition to developing other film and television properties with the company.
As an author, he is currently writing another book that definitively details the history, making and legacy of another fan-favorite genre film from the 1980s.
A member of the Producers Guild of America, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment through his company Hutson Ranch Media.
3 comments:
Thanks for hosting today, Nancy! :)
The cover is very cool! Sounds like a great read.
Sounds Awesome.
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