An accomplished writer on the heels of multiple series and titles to her name, R. Richards has brought a great touch to her work, regardless of the genre she writes in. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in writing, her 'Gravepulse' series of zombie novels, and other upcoming projects.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this! First off, who were some of your favourite writers growing up? Do you try to take influences from their style with your own voice in your work?
R. Richards: I didn’t really have any favourite writers growing up, mostly because I struggled with school in general. The whole environment just didn’t click with me. Some people are naturally academic and thrive in that structure, but I definitely wasn’t one of them. Sitting still, being told what to analyse and how to interpret it, I’d mentally checked out before the bell even rang.
It wasn’t that I didn’t love stories. I absolutely did. I just didn’t connect to them in a classroom setting. I’m a very visual learner, so film was where everything made sense to me. That’s how I absorbed storytelling, through atmosphere, tension, music, and imagery. I experienced stories on screen before I ever thought about picking up a book. So when I write now, I don’t think in paragraphs first; I think in scenes. I see it play out visually in my head, and then I shape the words around that. School might not have been my thing, but storytelling always was. I just found my way into it through a different door.
Me: What was the starting point of becoming a writer? Were you always into writing growing up?
RR: I didn’t grow up constantly writing. I left school young, but the only time I was ever really praised was when we were asked to write stories. That stuck with me. I started writing in 2020 to save my sanity. After my brother passed away, it hit me even harder. He’d written a science fiction novel on his laptop that never got published, and that’s always stayed with me, this unfinished dream sitting there. I’d always said I’d write a book “one day,” but after losing him, it stopped being a maybe and became something I felt I needed to do.
Me: Is there any specific genre you prefer to write? Is there a style or format that you find easier to get into, even if you don't have a preference?
RR: Horror is definitely my favourite genre to write. I also write thrillers and dark romance under different pen names. Horror is where I feel most at home. Zombie stories are my favourite. I love them because there are so many different directions you can take them. You can play with survival, psychology, society breaking down… There are endless possibilities. My zombies have a modern twist; I’ve very much dragged them into the 21st century. I like exploring how today’s world would actually respond, rather than sticking to the traditional formulas. As for style, I’ve found I prefer writing in first-person POV. It makes it easier for me to fully step into the character. To feel what they feel and see the world through their eyes. My stories are character-driven. They tend to lead me, rather than the other way around.
Me: How did you settle on the plots for your books? With the variety of series and styles you publish, what type of prep-work goes into making sure they fit into the previous book in the series?
RR: I tend to approach my stories very organically. I’m not a heavy planner. I prefer to start writing and let the story unfold naturally rather than outlining everything in advance. That said, I do keep a dedicated notebook with character details, timelines, and important plot points to ensure consistency, especially within a series. It helps me avoid contradictions and keeps the continuity intact from book to book. Ultimately, though, I trust my characters to guide the direction of the story. I like to think they tell me what needs to happen next.
I tend to approach my stories very organically. I’m not a heavy planner. I prefer to start writing and let the story unfold naturally rather than outlining everything in advance. That said, I do keep a dedicated notebook with character details, timelines, and important plot points to ensure consistency, especially within a series. It helps me avoid contradictions and keeps the continuity intact from book to book. Ultimately, though, I trust my characters to guide the direction of the story. I like to think they tell me what needs to happen next.
Me: With your 'Gravepulse' trilogy, was there any special significance to making the zombies interact in the way they do?
RR: Yes, I spent a lot of time thinking about what the zombie genre might be missing. We’ve seen fast zombies and slow, shambling ones countless times, but I wanted to introduce something that felt psychologically terrifying as well as physically dangerous. The idea of zombies being able to replicate the voices of your deceased loved ones, luring you into vulnerability before attacking, struck me as especially chilling. It adds an emotional layer of horror to the threat. In my Gravepulse trilogy, some zombies sprint while others shamble, but that added ability to mimic voices is what truly sets them apart and makes them uniquely unsettling.
Me: Is there anything while writing the characters that you were surprised by in telling their stories?
RR: Yes, I was genuinely surprised by how much my main character evolved. Alex Taylor begins the story completely terrified, but over the course of the trilogy, she transforms into a warrior. Watching her growth unfold naturally on the page was powerful, even for me as the writer. By the time I reached Book Three, the plot twists felt intense and deeply earned because of everything she had endured. I also introduced three major characters who share my children’s names, and they surprised me as well. The emotional weight of bringing them all together in the story was overwhelming in the best way. When it all culminated, I knew I had to dedicate the book to my kids. Writing the final installment was incredibly emotional; I cried through much of it. For months, I found myself completely immersed, and saying goodbye to those characters was far harder than I expected.
Me: What is your writing process? How do you stay focused on writing?
RR: My writing process typically involves three drafts. The first draft is around 40,000 words and acts as a loose framework for the story, almost like an extended outline. From there, I expand the narrative to reach the desired word count, adding depth, detail, and emotional layers. The third draft is where I bring everything together, focusing on flow, cohesion, and strengthening character arcs. That’s also when the formal editing process begins. I read the manuscript aloud using Word to catch awkward phrasing and pacing issues, then run it through editing tools like AutoCrit for deeper analysis. After that, I review it again in Word, use the Editor function for further refinement, and do multiple read-throughs to ensure it’s as polished as possible before formatting and preparing it for publication. Interestingly, these days I often design or finalize the cover before I even begin writing. Having a strong visual representation of the story helps inspire me and keeps me focused. It gives the project a tangible presence and motivates me to bring the vision fully to life
Me: Once it was finally written, what was the process for having it published?
RR: Once the manuscript is finished, I focus on formatting and double-checking every detail, especially chapters and structure. Recently, I’ve started making a checklist to keep track of everything, something I never liked doing before, but with my ADHD and chronic illnesses, it’s become essential. Otherwise, I tend to forget steps in the process. I typically start by publishing through Draft2Digital, which helps distribute the book and makes it available in retail stores. From there, I transfer the file to Amazon to cover both platforms. Draft2Digital can be expensive for paperback editions, but it’s currently the only way I can get my books into retail shops. While options like Ingram exist, I personally use the free ISBNs from Draft2Digital and Amazon, so Ingram isn’t part of my workflow. Publishing is definitely an investment, both financially and in time. I dedicate over 80 hours a week to my author career, so while my budget may be limited, I make up for it with sheer effort.
Me: What do you do to keep your creative energy flowing?
RR: I never run out of ideas. I currently have 15 manuscripts at various stages waiting for my attention! Right now, I’m focusing on smaller, bite-sized novellas because I’m waiting for an upcoming operation, and tackling my bigger manuscripts feels a bit overwhelming. My brain has been “throwing its toys out of the cot,” so to speak, so working on shorter projects keeps me productive without the stress. Hopefully, in a few months, I’ll be back to my usual self and can dive into the larger manuscripts, so they are ready for publication.
Me: Lastly, what else are you working on that you’d like to share with our readers? Thank you again for your time!
RR: I currently have three manuscripts in my new series, No Pulse, waiting for my attention. It’s a serious and dark zombie apocalypse story set in the UK, told from dual POVs with two main characters. I envision it as a big series, at least six books. I’m also working on my Necro Pulse Anthology, which is a collection of short stories set in my zombie universe. Each story is written by me, but what makes this anthology special is that each of my ARC readers gets a starring role and their very own story. Their real lives are woven into the narrative, making them part of the world in a very personal way. It’s my way of thanking them for their support and letting them be part of the creative process. On top of that, I’m continuing to develop other stories in my Deadpulse series. That series is a bit unusual; it blends comedy and horror, and every story is unique, keeping things fresh and unpredictable. Once I’m fully recovered, I’m planning to launch a podcast specifically for the Deadpulse series. I suppose you could say there’s a theme here: zombies, chaos, and creativity! It amazes me sometimes how my brain works, and I love exploring all the different directions my stories can take.
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