Withersin’s Damned Interview with:

M.W. Anderson

M. W. Anderson is a refugee from the 7th Circle of Hell (Alabama). He is the author of "The River Past Midnight" (his first poetry collection, published by Naked Snake Press), and "Miniatures Macabre," (his first short story collection, also by NSP). He has published several short stories & poems in the small press over the years, as well as providing cover art and illustrations for various small press publications. He is the co-editor (with Brett Savory) of “The Last Pentacle of the Sun: Writings in Support of the West Memphis Three.”

List website:

His web site is in dire need of an update, but a sampling of his art, fiction & poetry can accessed at: http://www.artandfiction.com

How can we contact you?

You can try mental telepathy, if that works for you…otherwise, try: mwanderson@artandfiction.com

In your own words, define Withersin.

Withersin – A secret taboo desire that--once realized--cannot be denied; it consumes, from the inside, the heart that holds it. It leaves the body an arid shell, and the soul a tiny, black stone.

If you were a sideshow act, what would you be?

A Soul Juggler

What is your greatest non-literary influence?

Indy Cinema

Describe your most irrational fear.

Waking up one morning to discover that I am Kaiser Souse…!

How about your most guilty pleasure?

I gave up the concept of “guilty pleasures” when I gave up religion. Pleasure is still a great thing, and I haven’t missed the guilt at all….

Name the most disturbing nursery rhyme/fairy tale you can recall.

Ring-Around-the-Rosie…I mean, seriously, how can you top a nursery rhyme about the Black Death???

Do you eat meat?

Every Day.

What were the skies like when you were young?

Beautifully Deceptive

Name your favorite garden tool.

I reckon my favorite garden tool is a Sling Blade—some folks call it a Kaiser Blade—but I call it a Sling Blade, mmhmm.

Name your least favorite color, first job and worst job.

1 – yellow

2 – laying sewer pipe

3 – My first job

Favorite:  Author, Movie, Music Group, Song, and Quote.

Author: Dennis Etchison

Movie: The Usual Suspects

Music Group: Tool

Song: Yet Another Movie, by Pink Floyd

Quote: “He who serves the State best, opposes the State most.”

--Henry David Thoreau

If you were a loaf of bread what kind would you be?

Cornbread ;-)

Weirdest news you have read in your local newspaper:

The story about the Pentagon’s admission that they investigated the possibility of developing a “Gay Bomb” that would make the enemy more interested in gay sex than fighting a war.

Why horror?

I write [sometimes] in the Horror genre because to me, if observed with a clear, rational eye, life in this world is a horror show. That’s why so many harp on having a “positive outlook”-- it’s a coping mechanism that, if overindulged, ultimately leads to denial. Realistic Horror strips away the “whitewash” of positive thinking and reveals the ugly truth beneath.

Here's a photo. (seen on Interview main page)

“INEDIBLE NOT INTENDED FOR HUMAN FOOD”

You have 112 words. Go.

Sorry, I’d just go around in circles, as I find this photo distinctly uninspiring.

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