An upcoming blogger and journalist within the industry, Heather-Anne Byrnes has taken her love of writing and the genre to several websites around the internet as well as her personal site, Horror Girly. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about getting into the industry, past experiences with work and her future plans.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general?
Heather-Anne Byrnes: Hey it’s nice to chat! I was a horror fan without realizing I was a horror fan as a youngster. But really it was watching The Ring (Japanese version) which fueled my love of Horror and I started collecting J-Horror and cult classics. My ex kept our 200 strong collection though.
A couple of years ago, I saw a poster for Grimmfest which is a genre festival based in Manchester. I bought a festival pass. They were showcasing horror films made by women. It planted a seed that I may be able to get a film made and fueled my love of independent horror. I am a genre festival junkie now!
Me: Were you into genre films growing up? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
HAB: It seems odd to say this but I was naturally drawn to horror but did not seek out horror films in the same way I do now.
I was always fascinated by scary stuff such as ghosts and haunted dolls. My mum would often be up late, and if I could not sleep, I would go and join her in watching late-night movies. She introduced me to The Thing and the Alien franchise. My family would watch The Outer Limits and Twilight Zone as well as old classics such as The Pit and the Pendulum. If we went to the video store - I was a child of the 80’s - I was always drawn to the horror covers. My mum rented out Hellraiser for me which remains one of my favourite franchises. I am so pleased to have been offered the opportunity to review Hellraiser: Judgement and Hellraiser: Revelations which are being released on DVD in February.
Me: When did you first discover your passion for writing? Were you always into writing growing up?
HAB: I enjoyed reading and discussing books at school, but I was never someone who aspired to write despite having a strong imagination.
I only discovered my passion for writing a few years ago. My marriage was breaking down and I was having vivid dreams. I literally woke up one day and started writing and didn’t stop. I published a children’s adventure book; The Dragon Children: The Prophecy under the pen name of Hannah Byrnes at the time. It was suggested from my style I would suit screenwriting. So I did a course, discovered I enjoyed writing horror and that has been my focus so far. I still plan to finish the Dragon Children series - It had 5* reviews. I think it would make a good fantasy adventure film franchise too.
My skills as a writer were used by the various law firms I worked for - I am also an employment lawyer - which got me into blogging. It’s a different style to novel or screenwriting. Film journalism seems to have a specific style again. But it’s all writing and I love it.
Me: How did you get into reviewing and discussing horror online? Were in involved in any sites early on?
HAB: It all started in 2020. I was determined to make a film before I was 40 but did not do anything until months before my 40th!. It is advised to watch as many films as you can in order to recognize the elements of a good -and bad - film. Given I was forming an opinion, it was a natural progression to write reviews. I have to admit I don’t like the way most reviews are written. Often the articles serve to apparently bolster egos rather than answering the question “do you recommend this film?” I was not involved in any other sites until HorrorGirly.com was established, then LoveHorror.co.uk approached me to write for them in Autumn last year. They are one of the oldest review sites and have a similar approach.
Me: Being a female writer in the community, was there a lot of acceptance or push-back on your views?
HAB: There was initially some mocking- usually from other bloggers! I think the worst insult I received was that I was ‘nothing more than a third-rate blogger.’ It did knock my confidence initially but I knew if I continued I would find my audience. It was one or two people. I got the last laugh as I now write for LoveHorror.co.uk as well as Horror Girly and have some steadfast followers who love my style. I have had push-back on some articles and reviews but I review that as a positive. It shows that my writing provokes enough of a reaction to make people want to reach out.
Overall I have received a lot of support. Not only from people reading my reviews but from filmmakers in the genre who have offered interviews and screener links. Some have become friends and are encouraging me both as a film journalist and a filmmaker. As a screenwriter (soon to be) filmmaker - I found it helped me relate to others involved in the horror genre. I have had interviewees say they really enjoyed my interviews as they are so different to the norm.
Me: You started your own site, HorrorGirly.com, to contain your writing and contributions to the genre. What was the inspiration to start the site?
HAB: Well firstly, I saw having my own site as a way of finding my own audience for my work. The best way to do this is to be true to yourself when creating. I wanted to start a conversation about films I enjoyed and my experiences within the genre. Writing a review does lead you to learning about the technical aspects of filmmaking, so it was a way of reflecting on a film I had watched in a constructive way.
If you look around the genre, most of the review sites look very similar in style. There also appears to be an expectation that women who love horror are more alternative - e.g wear more gothic fashion etc. I wanted my site to reflect who I am. So for example I adore horror, the paranormal, and industrial metal’ yet I also love Katy Perry, fashion and beauty and all things sparkly. Hence HorrorGirly.
Me: What is the goal of the site? Has that changed over time?
HAB: It was intended to track my journey as a filmmaker, with reviews secondary. However, now reviews and interviews make up the majority of the content and I have even started my own YouTube channel. I have subscribers! Whilst HorrorGirly and my career as a film journalist is less than a year old, I have found I really enjoy it. I get to watch horror films and talk about them!
Me: What are some of the more unique or memorable experiences working on the site has provided for you?
HAB: My first interview was with Laurence R. Harvey of Human Centipede 2. I really lacked confidence despite having done my research. I started asking questions off the back of other interviews and Laurence was disagreeing with what he was quoted to have been saying. For example, Human Centipede 2 is often referred to as torture porn, a label Laurence strongly disagrees with. We got into more of a discussion rather than a Q & A which I thought was the done thing. Laurence was lovely and incredibly patient and a big supporter of women in horror. He would later tell me he enjoyed the interview and that he was happy with the resulting article. Until then I was convinced it was apparent I was a novice. It gave me the confidence to approach others in the same way even if it is nerve-wracking.
Back last summer there was a storm on social media about allegations surrounding the Soska Sisters' behaviour on set. I had met them at Grimmfest in 2019 and they have a lot of time for their fans, but were not able to shake off the allegations. So I investigated the allegations and produced an article. It attracted thousands of views and equal measures of criticism and compliments. I still get people writing to me about it. Out of fairness I probably should look at some of the more serious allegations made against other film-makers, but I found the whole experience completely draining.
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
HAB: Remember I said I wanted to film my own film by the time I was 40? I turned 40 last year and shortly after was diagnosed with a rare form of Ovarian Cancer. It has been a huge battle. After a hysterectomy and chemotherapy last year, I was devastated to learn that I had another tumour and would need a total pelvic clearance. It was that or die within a very short time frame - and I have so much to live for.
I got tired of the poster image of the smiling survivor - it takes a hell of a lot to get there and more than just a few pounds. There is a whole team who is involved with your care. So when I was in hospital I documented the entire life changing journey, from all the pre-operative treatment to getting the news I was finally in remission last week. I filmed everyone who came to see me. It is in the process of being edited but ‘Shaping the Survivor’ will be released shortly to raise funds for the Christie Hospital- a specialist cancer hospital - in Manchester. It may not be horror, but it is a documentary style film, and I get to say I made a film by the time I was 40.
Me: Lastly, being that this is Women in Horror Month, what special message do you have for any women out there looking to join in the industry in any capacity as you are one yourself? Thank you again for your time!
HAB: Have confidence in yourself - even if you are starting out - there will be something unique you can bring to the table. You would be surprised at how friendly and accessible people are within the genre - so get talking to people - online and at festivals.
Thank you for having me!
To check out her site for yourself:
This interview ran as part of our Women in Horror Month celebrations. Click the banner below to check out all of our reviews and interviews about the occasion:
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