Jim's Favorite Writers
Charles L. Grant
The Official Charles L. Grant Homepage
Let's talk about Charles L. Grant for a minute, shall we? Charlie is, without doubt, one of the most prolific writers I know. A few years back there was a small celebration of him signing his 100th contract if that gives you any idea what I'm talking about.
100 contracts. My mind has trouble grasping that. I'm feeling pretty a good about doing around ten novel length works (all too many were game supplements done while I was working up the nerve to try this without a net to fall back on, it ain't always easy giving up on sure money, but you do what you have to.) The idea of a hundred is awe inspiring, but since then Charlie's probably done about another fifteen or so novels. And boys and girls, the man doesn't pump out crap, he writes the stuff that makes most horror writers green with envy.
Charlie is one of those writers who, like so many I write about in these little ditties, makes it look easy. And I know it's not, because I do the same sort of thing, even if I don't do it as well.
And Charlie has mastered one of the hardest things to get right in the task of luring in readers. He's mastered the slow build of suspense...what he calls "quiet horror." He doesn't resort to great waves of blood or heavy descriptions of how the eyes popped out of the victim's head as the mean old monster crushed in the skull. Oh, hell no, that's easy: Hollywood proved that a long time ago. It's also the best way in the world to cut corners. No, Charles L. Grant is more like a craftsman. He takes the time to build a level of suspense that makes you want to scream. He paints a picture with worlds that leaves you all but gasping for an escape route, and he does it with a gentle, nearly poetic prose that leaves the reader feeling almost lulled into a false sense of security even as that fear builds.
Once again, as with many of the authors I discuss in this particular section of my page, I am not merely envious of his talents, I am in awe of them. Charles L. Grant is one of the masters. Where would I even begin to cover the list of novels I've read, or the collections of stories he's edited. I can start with The Tea Party, one of the finest examples of horror that I've ever run across. The Tea Party is sublime. With almost no bloodshed and a complete refusal to follow anything even remotely like a formula, Charles L. Grant manages to reveal a story is everything The X Files strives to be. You're left wondering exactly what the hell is going on for the vast majority of the story, and the idea of not turning the next page is tantamount to insanity.
So, what has Charlie written that's worth reading? Damned near everything he's ever put on paper. In addition to writing the X-Files novels he tackled, he created one of the finest fictitious towns ever. I'm talking of Oxrun Station, the backdrop to several of his novels and the anthologies (along, of course, with Greystone Bay, an equally fine place to visit.) he edited.
Wow. Reading about Oxrun Station is like going home to visit your family and then finding that your memories of them are a bit out of whack with the reality. From Dialing The Wind to The Pet to The Hour Of The Oxrun Dead and everything I ever managed to find that took place in the town, I was drawn in and held captive by Grant's writing. I think it's fair to say that Charles L. Grant and Oxrun Station were both very seriously influential in my own writing. He just does it worlds better than I have ever managed.
I could ramble on and on (even more than I already have) about Charles L. Grant's writing. I could point out that he also writes under the name Lionel Fenn, doing absolutely priceless work as a mystery writer with a warped sense of humor. I could point out that the Shadows anthologies he edited are definitive examples of what anthologies should be and tell you matter of factly that I damned near went into mourning when the series ended. But I won't. I'd just be babbling on even more about what I've already said: Grant is one of the best. I will tell you that you should go pick up every book in his latest series, the Black Oaks novels. They are still more examples of his amazing talent and evidence that he just keeps getting better with every damned book.
But as always I feel I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you a little bit about the person I've met who happens to be the writer I'm discussing. Charlie is one of the finest people it has ever been my pleasure to encounter. He is eloquent, friendly and genuinely a delight to have a conversation with. He is also an unholy terror when he feels you're to living up to what you SHOULD be living up to. Charlie tore me a new rectal orifice a few years back. He got on my case because I'd sold four novels without benefit of an agent. He doesn't like to see people act against their own best interests. He was good enough to suggest a few people (some of whom I have yet to hear back from, but that's the way this business works) and I've contacted them. One of these days, I might yet actually manage to get an agent, and the fact that I remain agentless is only because I am not persistent enough in my pestering (well, that and the fact that I'm exceedingly picky) of the agents I've submitted to.
Charlie is also one of the examples in the world of how to handle fans with grace. He is attentive, charming and more than glad to sign a few books. He's glad to do it and manages a smile even when you know he's exhausted. Why? Because they took the time to meet him. Because they have questions and comments that he wants to hear, the better to continue refining his already considerable skills, and because, in his words to me once: "Listen, Moore, this lady bought my books and helps keep me fed with a roof over my head." Charlie is wise, too. I've met more than a few authors who could learn a thing or two from him regarding professional decorum, and most didn't have a tenth his talent. (webmaster's note: The "lady" in question was me and Charles Grant happily signed the 10 or so books I was carrying - not that I'm greedy, I was carrying books for several people. Chivalry isn't dead as long as Charles Grant is around...)
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