Q&A with Clive Barker
Carnage House regular contributor Chris McAuley interviews legendary New York Times best-selling author, Clive Barker.
by Chris McAuley
Chris McAuley: Regarding the Books of Blood, have you any stories you can share about writing it?
Clive Barker: The Books of Blood were a watershed moment for me, a time when I was exploring the boundaries of horror and the supernatural. I recall writing the first story, “The Book of Blood,” in a state of fevered intensity, as if the words were flowing through me from some deeper source.
Chris McAuley: Do you have a daily routine that you follow that assists you when writing or painting?
Clive Barker: My daily routine is quite disciplined, I’m afraid. I wake up early, around 5:00 a.m., and begin writing or painting. I find that the early morning hours are when I’m most receptive to the creative energies that drive me.
Chris McAuley: The themes of Eros and Thanatos are very prevalent in all aspects of your work. I believe that this gives your work incredible resonance and power. Can you remember when you began to explore these or when you became conscious of them?
Clive Barker: Ah, the themes of Eros and Thanatos! These are indeed the twin engines that drive much of my work. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of desire and death, and how these forces shape our human experience. I think this fascination began for me during my early studies of theology and mythology.
Chris McAuley: Can you tell me about your early days writing plays and the troupe that formed around your work? Do you have any memories you can share, and do you think that this prepared you for filmmaking?
Clive Barker: My early days writing plays were indeed formative, and the troupe that formed around my work was a wonderful community of like-minded souls. We pushed the boundaries of what was possible in theater, exploring the realms of horror, fantasy, and the surreal. This experience definitely prepared me for the world of filmmaking, where I’ve been able to bring my visions to life on a larger scale.
Chris McAuley: Are there any myths, cultural or otherwise, that resonate with you?
Clive Barker: As for myths and cultural resonances, I’ve always been drawn to the darker, more esoteric traditions that lurk in the shadows of human culture. The works of Lovecraft, Poe, and other masters of the macabre have been a constant source of inspiration for me.
Chris McAuley: Final question. Where does the Candyman come from? And is he real?
Clive Barker: And, finally, regarding the Candyman: Ah, the Candyman! He is indeed a creature of myth and legend, a figure who embodies the darker aspects of human nature. As for whether he’s “real”... well, I’ll leave that for you to decide. But I will say that the Candyman represents a certain kind of psychological truth, a manifestation of the fears and desires that lurk within us all.
Clive Barker reached out to Dr. Chris McAuley after reading his story in Carnage House titled “Crossing Boundaries,” calling it a “masterclass in crafting a sense of creeping dread and existential terror. The way you’ve woven together elements of cosmic horror, theology, and the search for transcendence is nothing short of remarkable.” We would like to thank Mr. Barker for his comments and support of Carnage House.
Chris McAuley is a New York Times best-selling and award-winning writer, known for co-creating the StokerVerse franchise with Dacre Stoker, a continuation of Bram Stoker’s legacy spanning graphic novels, books, audio dramas, games, and television. He is also the co-creator of Dark Legacies, a sci-fi franchise with Claudia Christian of Babylon 5. Chris has contributed to iconic franchises like Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica. His Three Musketeers vs. Cthulhu RPG earned an ENNIE nomination and became a comic series. Chris co-owns X-G3 Productions and is an executive producer of the award-winning film, The Stranded Warrior. His work has been recognized at film festivals worldwide, including wins at Virgin Spring Cinefest and Sweden Film Awards.