Co-Authors Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl have agreed to answer our questions, see their answers in their own words here:
Please introduce yourself:
We are Kelly Florence and Meg Hafdahl, best friends and co-authors of five books: The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, The Science of Serial Killers, and the forthcoming The Science of Witchcraft. Meg is also the author of three novels, The Willoughby Chronicles, and three short story collections, Twisted Reveries I, II, and III. We also co-host the podcast Horror Rewind.
What is it that attracts you the horror genre for your chosen field of creative work?
Meg: Horror expands my mind. It forces me to see life from different perspectives. I am attracted to telling stories about complicated women and highlighting lesser-known movies and content creators. Horror, for me, is a catharsis. Sometimes it is just bloody fun, and other times there is a depth and meaning other genres don’t always pull off.
Kelly: I love to feel things viscerally and horror does that for me! I love to feel scared, in a safe way, and writing about horror movies has taught me so much about not only the process of filmmaking but also the true stories, legends, and science these films are based on.
Who inspires you in your work and in life?
Meg: As a writer I am inspired by women like Shirley Jackson, Sarah Langan, Tananarive Due, a million more. I’m also extra inspired by mothers who balance creativity in their life. It’s not easy and something I don’t think gets enough attention.
Kelly: I’m a big fan of the women who do it all like Alice Lowe who not only wrote, directed, and starred in her film Prevenge but was pregnant at the time! I’m also inspired by women like Phoebe Waller Bridge, Mindy Kaling, and Emerald Fennell who are amazing in multiple ways as writers, showrunners, and directors.
What are your passions, cinematic or otherwise?
Meg: Female driven horror! I am a book nerd too, so classic and modern horror lit is a true passion of mine.
Kelly: As Meg said, anything female driven! But I also love a good musical, whether it’s horror or not. And can we get a little more romance in our horror movies?
Considering this is 2022, why do you think we still need a movement like Women in Horror Month?
Meg: As I mentioned about motherhood, there are so many facets to being a woman; wherever you are on the female-identifying spectrum. It’s tough for some people to understand why women might be horror creators, but since Mary Shelley we have been at the forefront of ghouls and ghosties! Horror is not only a fun time for us, it can represent our struggle against the patriarchy, on small and big scales.
Kelly: I think it’s important to lift up underrepresented voices and keep teaching the world about all of the women who came before us who created horror content and lit the path so our journeys would be less scary!
What would you tell an up-and-coming creative in the world of horror who sees that being a woman/identifying as a woman as something that makes it so much more difficult at times?
Meg: Don’t let it stop you. You will have people make rude comments, or question your validity. But that can only stoke you to work harder. You have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself. If you love horror and want to create in this world, DO IT!
Kelly: Do the work, do the research, and live your passion!
What are your favorite bits of helpful advice that you have received about your work or your field?
Meg: Every creative endeavor can use another set of eyes. Constructive criticism is a valuable, not always ego boosting, but can make you better!
Kelly: Be willing to take feedback and stay true to yourself.
In honor of celebrating Women in Horror Month, who do you believe viewers should keep an eye on in terms of the creative ladies in horror?
We can’t wait to see what Nia DaCosta does next as well as Axelle Carolyn and us! ;)
What do you have coming soon that you can talk to us about?
Our next book is The Science of Witchcraft coming Oct 4th, it’s stuffed full of interviews, history, feminist diatribes, and of course, witches galore!
What do you hope to leave behind in your legacy as an artist?
The slightest bit of trail blazed where humans of every gender and walk of life feel like they are represented in horror.
Pop them links to follow your work here:
www.meghafdahl.com www.kellyflorence.com www.horrorrewind.com
Instagram: @kellyflorence19, @meghafdahl, @horrorrewind
Facebook: Kelly Florence, Meg Hafdahl, Horror Rewind
Twitter: @kellyflorence, @meghafdahl, @horrorrewind
TikTok: @kellyflorence19