“I’m drawn to characters who defy conventional molds, who grapple with their inner conflicts and navigate morally ambiguous situations.”
– J.J. Alo
A multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, J.J. Alo has carved a niche for himself as a celebrated commercial actor, writer, and the mastermind behind the Southern New England Horror Anthology series.
With an unyielding fascination for the macabre, J.J. has meticulously crafted award-winning horror screenplays and novels that ensnare readers with their deeply etched characters and mesmerizing antiheroes. His acclaimed work, including “The Street Between the Pines,” accordingly has garnered prestigious accolades such as getting nominated for the 2024 President’s Book Award from the Florida Authors & Publishers Association and attaining finalist positions in renowned competitions like the Chanticleer International Book Awards and the Killer Nashville Claymore Award Competition.
Residing on the Connecticut Shoreline with his cadre of ‘insane’ cats, J.J. Alo draws inspiration from his eclectic interests in pop culture, ComicCon, and cosplay, all of which infuse his narratives with a unique depth and authenticity. As we explore his world, we uncover not just a storyteller but a visionary whose tales resonate with both quirky and profound insight.
Explore the haunting tales and creative journey of J.J. Alo as we look into the mysteries of horror literature through his eyes.
TWB: Your anthology series has hooked readers with its deeply etched characters and mesmerizing antiheroes. What inspired you to create such complex figures in your stories?
JJA: I’m a huge movie buff. Love ’em! And I’ve seen just about everything. I love all genres. I’m constantly inspired by certain personalities, however. My favorite characters are the underdogs… the gravely misunderstood—the ones least likely to step up, so to speak, to a higher calling and push all their chips in to face the impossible, which goes against their own core values. They likely have ulterior motives, but at the end of the day, they do right by the viewer/reader. They’re the best to flesh out on the written page.
TWB: “The Street Between the Pines” has received multiple accolades. Tell us more about these achievements. Can you also share the journey behind writing the novel and what these recognitions mean to you?
JJA: I can’t express how honored I am and how rewarding it has been to receive recognition for my achievements in writing. I don’t come from a literary background, so the fact my story has touched the people who’ve read it has been nothing short of humbling and validating. It’s allotted me the confidence to continue writing and following my passion to bring to the world my Southern New England Horror anthology series.
TWB: Your work spans across novels and screenplays, both of which have received critical acclaim. How do you approach the differences in writing for these two mediums?
JJA: Oooh, good question! Writing a novel and a screenplay are two vastly different animals. My personal approach is to write the screenplay first. For me, it serves as a blueprint to my novel. I get a sense of the dialogue, and I can flesh out a story in a three-part structure. It’s a simplified version for the Big Screen. Then there’s the fun of writing the novel. I can expand on all these great ideas which influence the larger world I create behind them. It’s served me well thus far.
TWB: Horror is a genre that thrives on atmosphere and tension. How do you build such an immersive and sinister atmosphere in your stories?
JJA: I must say, writing, in a way, takes a village, so to speak. I read horror. I love horror. I’ve learned how to write compelling and suspenseful scenes simply inspired by what I’ve read from some of The Greats. For me, I can put myself in the shoes of my characters. I can see the scene play out in my mind’s eye, and I leave nothing to chance or question. My job is to keep you at the edge of your seat, and I hope at the end of the day I have accomplished that.
TWB: Your love for pop culture, ComicCon, and cosplay is evident. How do these interests influence your writing and storytelling?
JJA: Haha, oh how I love to be in character! I grew up a shy, anxious, and very insecure person. Halloween was always my favorite holiday… an excuse to be anybody but myself. To be recognized. To belong. I think it comes from my love of movies. I’ve always envisioned myself as these characters and fantasized about acting out crazy action scenes. And it comes out in my writing. In a way, I also see myself as my characters—cracking a joke or saving the day! Although I’ve overcome some of these insecurities, I’m still oddly (and mostly) comfortable “in character.” And to be honest, I love the attention. Comic-cons are great for a self-esteem boost!
TWB: You mentioned having six ‘insane’ cats. How do they fit into your creative routine and life at your Connecticut Shoreline home?
JJA: Well, unfortunately, I’m down to five. One passed over the winter. I love cats. My first cat, which I adopted in 2006, was the inspiration for Street. You’ll read about it in the afterword. I also include it in the story narrative. It’s meta that way. You’ll always find them somewhere in my stories. There’s just something about cats, though, isn’t there? The superstitions. The mythologies. How early Christianity portrayed them as evil. I think they fit very well in horror and suspense.
TWB: With numerous awards under your belt, what do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
JJA: The most rewarding aspect thus far is the validation. Having another person read and enjoy and possibly relate to something I’ve concocted in my mind. It’s a bit surreal. As a writer, you can spend a lot of time questioning your value or your talent. Mine didn’t come easy. I’m passionate about my writing, and even though I didn’t come from a background in it, I’ve taken the steps to learn the craft, to devour all the information to improve my skills. Working with great editors helps. I’ve learned quite a bit about story structure… the “what to do” (and more importantly, what not to do). Now, if I can just get someone to option that screenplay…
TWB: Can you describe a particularly challenging moment in your writing career and how you overcame it?
JJA: There are many challenges that can come with writing. The research can be tough or time-consuming when crafting a story. As a self-published author, I’ve had to learn a lot when it came to editing. Making sure you dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s can be tough even with a brilliant editor and copywriting. The most difficult for me, however, happened in post-production—finding a literary agent. Going through the motions. Crafting a pristine query letter and synopsis. All to be constantly rejected time and time again. But don’t fret! You can still publish successfully without one! Perhaps an agent will come with time. We’ll see.
TWB: What advice would you give to aspiring horror writers who want to create memorable and impactful stories?
JJA: Know your audience. Be your audience. Put yourself in their shoes. You must have a love and passion for your genre in order to write successfully. And read a lot of it. Watch it, too. It’s the only way. Hell, I’d love to write romance and fantasy because they’re the most successfully selling genres. Will I? Doubtfully. Unless I can weave a supernatural/paranormal bent into it. But even then… stick to what drives you.
TWB: Aside from horror, are there other genres or types of stories you are passionate about exploring in the future?
JJA: I’d love to world-build and concoct a fantasy series… but dark fantasy, of course. Something similar to King’s Dark Tower series. That would be awesome. I am currently working (horror adjacent) on a novel based on my TV pilot screenplay, In the Weeds, loosely based on my life working in the restaurant industry—a comedy/drama. Think High Fidelity, but in a restaurant.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“As a writer, you can spend a lot of time questioning your value or your talent. Mine didn’t come easy. I’m passionate about my writing, and even though I didn’t come from a background in it, I’ve taken the steps to learn the craft, to devour all the information to improve my skills.”
– J.J. Alo
Useful Links
- Read the book’s BREW review here.
- Get a copy of the book here.
- View the book on Goodreads here.
- Visit J.J. Alo’s website here.
Share Your Insights
We hope you found J.J. Alo’s insights into the world of horror storytelling as fascinating as we did! Now, we want to hear from you:
- Which aspect of J.J. Alo’s creative process resonated with you the most?
- How do you think pop culture influences modern horror literature?
- What genre would you like to see J.J. Alo explore next, and why?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation!
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I loved the author’s advice to writers, but I wonder how he handles what I’ll call cross-contamination, for lack of a better term. Maybe it’s because I’m a novice writer, but I feel it’s easy to end up imitating other creators if one reads too much of one genre.
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