An accomplished author with her work appearing in a variety of styles, Danielle Muething has gotten her career off to a great start with her work with everything from kid-friendly to more adult fare in her catalog. Now, in honor of Women in Horror Month, I talk with her about her early interest in writing, her process for writing, and her "Holiday Horrors" book series.
Me: Hello and thank you for taking the time to do this. First off, when did you get into horror in general? What films specifically got you into watching horror movies?
Danielle Muething: The first movie I remember seeing in the theatre was Poltergeist. PG-13 wasn’t a rating yet, so it was rated PG. My dad took us to see it. I was eight, and my brother was nine. That night it stormed, and we both ended up in my dad’s bed because we were positive the tree and clown were going to get us. Around that same time, I watched the ’78 version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Dark Night of the Scarecrow on TV. Those are my earliest horror movie memories, and they're still three great movies that I watch often.
Me: Who were some of your favorite writers growing up? Do you try to take influences from their style with your own voice in your work?
DM: The first books I read that I liked were by Christopher Pike. The covers for his books always grabbed my attention at book fairs, and I’d buy all I could afford. Then, I got into R.L. Stine and the Fear Street books. Eventually, I moved on to more adult authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I absolutely try to channel my inner Pike and Stine when I write. It would be lovely to think that someday my books will influence younger readers and writers like they did for me.
Me: What was the starting point of becoming a writer? Were you always into writing growing up?
DM: I was all about theatre and performing growing up. The first things I remember writing were skits for me and my friends to perform for fun. For a while, I only focused on performing, but when I was in my 40s, I was hired to be a part of a group for a Christmas event. They wanted us to do a ten-minute version of a Christmas Carol, so we sat down and wrote it together. Later, I expanded that into a 45-minute show for kids. Eventually, I was commissioned to write skits for local businesses and groups. It wasn’t until the end of my 40s that I decided to write a book.
My first attempt was romance, but I couldn’t get into it. My husband encourages me to change it up. He said I loved horror so much that I should try that genre instead. I thought about Pike and Stine and changed the plot to be young adult horror. Once I went that route, the story practically wrote itself.
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?
DM: So far, horror is my thing. I’ve only written young adult and middle grade, but someday I’d like to try my hand at something more adult. I do have two children’s books that were a blast to write. More of those are on the way. I guess since I’m new to it, I’m still finding my way. Who knows what the future may hold?
Me: Having contributed to various anthologies early in your career, what tools and skills do you acquire working on those that transferred to future projects?
DM: Interestingly enough, the anthologies were later. I already had five books out by the time my first short story was published. I like writing short stories because they challenge me to have a beginning, middle, and end without using a ton of words. I also like when I’m given a prompt and have to come up with something that fits. It reminds me of the theatre games we’d play back in my college days.
Me: What is the general process for getting involved in these projects?
DM: I’m a part of lots of writing groups on social media. Normally, the publishers will post that they’re looking for submissions. If an idea comes to me when they post their prompts, I’ll write it and send it in. I don’t try to force myself to write something if I’m not feeling it. Once I send something, I just cross my fingers in the hopes they’ll accept it. But if not, at least I have a short story for a future project.
Me: That brings us to your latest project, “Two of Hearts.” What can you tell us about the book?
DM: Let me take you back to 2025. I had the idea to write a Thanksgiving horror. I started writing it around September, but many things kept me from getting it released in time for the holidays. I decided I’d hold onto it and release it at the end of 2026. Then I had the idea to write horror books for lots of holidays. Thus was born my Holiday Horror series. Two of Hearts is the first in the series, and it’s set on Valentine’s Day. It’s about a girl named Harper who meets a boy named Nate. Nate seems nice, but he has a sordid past and some strange mood swings.
Me: How did you settle on the plots for your writing? With the story connecting to other upcoming entries in a Holiday Horror series, what type of prep-work goes into making sure it fits into the previous book in the series?
DM: The Thanksgiving book happened because I didn’t know of many Thanksgiving horrors. I wanted to write a big fight scene that involved a turkey dinner and fun ways to use the fixings to take out the bad guy. When I decided to turn it into a series, it helped that the town and some plot points were already established. Two of Hearts helped me set up more of the town and characters who will show up in later books. I have spreadsheets that keep track of all the characters - what book(s) they’re in, where they live, their relationships, etc. The thing is, I’m a pantser, so I don’t do a lot of preplanning. When I wrote Two of Hearts, I had to remember what happened in To Grandmother’s House We Go (the Thanksgiving book) and work some of that stuff in. There will be six books in all - Valentine’s, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas - and I can’t wait to see what happens in each of them.
Me: Is there anything while writing the characters that you were surprised by in telling their stories?
DM: My characters surprise me all the time! With Two of Hearts, I didn’t know how it was going to end. I had an idea, but it changed constantly. Finally, a line came to me that decided their fates. That’s always such a fun feeling.
Me: What is your writing process? How do you stay focused on writing?
DM: Like I said, I’m a pantser. That means I don’t do an outline or any kind of prep work. I’ll get the idea, maybe have a few plot points I’d like to work in, and then I sit down and start writing. I do have a place where I keep notes in my phone so I can write down ideas whenever they come to me. I go back and read through them when I’m looking for ideas. As far as focusing on writing, I have time set aside every day to sit down and write. Even if I only write twenty words during that time, I try to do it every day. Having that routine is helpful for me. And if I miss a day, I don’t beat myself up over it. It’s ok to take a break if you need it.
Me: Compared to your other series, which focus on younger age concepts, did that change of style challenge your writing skills?
DM: Writing for middle grade and high school, I do find it difficult to make sure the horror stays age-appropriate. Luckily, I have an amazing group of beta readers who will tell me when I’ve gone too far. Writing a children’s book was a whole new journey. Trying to get a message across without being condescending and doing it all within forty pages was a nice challenge.
Me: Once it was finally written, what was the process for having it published?
DM: I’ve self-published all of my books. It can be…difficult, haha. It’s nice, though, that there is so much out there to help with the process. Not only videos and websites, but many of my writer friends were happy to help me along the way. It’s a really great community.
Me: What do you do to keep your creative energy flowing?
DM: I love reading, watching movies and TV, and playing video games. All of those things influence my writing. I’m also into art. I like painting and drawing. Anything to keep my brain active.
Me: What else are you working on that you'd like to share with our readers?
DM: The Holiday Horror series will have six books by the end of the year. They’ll come out close to their holidays. Two of Hearts is already available. Next is Eggs. It’s an Easter sci-fi horror, and it will be out at the end of March. Do or Die is for Fourth of July, Dead Man’s Party for Halloween, To Grandmother’s House We Go is Thanksgiving, and Man with the Bag is Christmas. I’m also planning two more Cryptid Critters (children’s) books featuring Mothman and Squonk.
Me: Lastly, being that this is our Women in Horror Movement, 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!
DM: Write the book, paint the painting, sing the song, do the dance. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t, or that you’re too old to change things up.
It’s never too late. Thank you for sharing my story.
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