Shandi Harvey, Academic Transfer
Shandi loves to read and write, so it seems only natural that
her imaginative story, "The Dead Don't Tell Secrets," is featured
in Volume 16. A true creative spirit, she talks with us about her
creative drive, her obsession with horror, and her fabulous middle
name.
Illuminations: Your short story, "The Dead Don't Tell Secrets," is
a scary trip! What was your motivation behind writing it?
Shandi: My motivation behind writing "The Dead Don't Tell Secrets"
is good old-fashioned horror. I have been a horror fan for the
greater part of my life, and I love all things spooky. I first came
up with the idea on my way back from Iowa. I was discussing my
ideas for Illuminations with my boyfriend, and I was toying around
with a zombie-themed short story. We began to elaborate on the
idea, and that is pretty much how we came up with it. I
specifically decided to leave the interpretations of what happened
to the people to the reader; I wanted the readers to be undecided
on whether the people had turned into zombies or into something
else completely.
I: Indeed! In your Vol. 15 bio, you say that you're a "huge book
nerd." What do you enjoy reading, and how do these books influence
your writing?
S: I enjoy reading pretty much anything I get my hands on. I tend
to lean more towards horror, supernatural, and true crime books,
primarily. I like scaring people, and I guess that is the biggest
way these types of books have influenced my writing.
I: In your bio, you also say, "Writing is what makes me 'me'." What
other writing projects are you working on? Why do you think writing
is so important to you?
S: Well currently I am working on my first novel entitled
"Angirean." It is the first of a trilogy. I am also working on
ideas for the next Illuminations. Writing for me has always been
important. Before I knew how to write, I was always telling
stories. Writing has been there for me when people haven't. I hold
writing very close; words are a passion, and if you know how to use
the words correctly, you can have a huge impact on people.
I: Agreed! You were named after a KISS song. What other quirky
facts should we know about you?
S: Well, when I was around two or three years old, I would help my
dad by modeling costumes that he was creating. I also worked at a
haunted house here in Lincoln for about three years; I started off
working in the dungeon room and then later on moved on to be a tour
guide. That was the most fun job I had ever had. Also, my middle
name is Starr, and it is unique by having it spelled with two
"r"s.
I: "Shandi Starr" - now that rocks! Back to writing, what do you
find to be the most challenging aspect of writing? What's the most
rewarding?
S: For me, the most challenging part of writing is finding the time
to be able to write. Being a full-time student and a mom has my
time pretty much filled up, but even though it makes writing
challenging, I will always find a small amount of time every day to
write at least something. The most rewarding part of writing for me
is being able to come up with something so creative that even I
feel inspired. Being able to see the words that I wrote in print or
in my notebook fills me with so much joy; it is simply something
that I do not take for granted.
I: What other creative activities do you enjoy?
S: I dabble with photography, stage makeup, and everyday makeup.
The brighter the colors, the better!
I: Terrific! What advice would you give others who want to write
fiction?
S: The advice I would give others is to simply write. Write what you
know, or write what you don't know. The important thing is that
you're writing. Even if it doesn't make sense at the time, it could
be the next best thing that the literary world has been waiting
for. Just remember, there really aren't any rules for writing
fiction. That is the best part, and those that say there are rules
are only stifling your creativity.
I: Good advice! OK, last but not least, here's the zany question of
the day. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not.
S: Yeah, I believe in ghosts. I have had firsthand experience with
a few! Also, I own a 1960s Ouija board, but it's mainly for
show.
I: Thanks, Shandi!
From "The Dead Don't Tell Secrets"
by Shandi Harvey
Ahead is the door to the pilots, and I hear the radio frantically
emitting noise. I can't make out the noise because of the tearing
of flesh and the horrendous screams going on behind me. The door is
cracked, and I slowly open it. Another stewardess is in the pilots'
area, but she is no longer a stewardess. Her lips are pressed to
the pilot's ear as she whispers something. A sulphur-like smell
emits from her parted lips as she speaks. The pilot seems asleep
and to have no idea what is happening to him. I run up behind her
and grab her off him.
"Not nice, not nice, NOT NICE!" she screams. The smell hits my
nostrils, and I gag. I can feel the bile rise in my throat like a
tidal wave.
"Stop!" I scream back, and she continues gnashing her lips with
that awful smell. Saliva shoots from her mouth, and it looks like
tar. A drop lands on my arm as I have her pinned between the wall
and myself, and I scream. It burns badly, and my skin peels away,
exposing tendons and bone….