Gabriel Maestas works at the warehouse by day, so he can bring you frightening or heartfelt stories by night! You can also catch him climbing a mountain, riding bikes around the neighborhood, or doing all sorts of nerdy things!
Maestes is a horror author from New Mexico. I caught up with him to talk Halloween, ghosts and scary films.
Imagine you’ve picked up a book and all you know about it is that it’s got your worst fear in it. What’s the book going to be about?
Werewolves! They frighten the daylights out of me! That or being buried alive 🤔
What’s your favourite spooky book of all time?
Pet Sematary by Stephen King! Honestly, nearly felt like a bad person after finishing it 🫠😲
For the writers: Can you give us a 50 word horror story?
Fifty words to frighten the beegezus out of a reader?! Well, here goes! The man walked into Taco Bell, excited for a scrumptious meal. He approached the counter to place his order when the young woman looked at him and said, “Sir…sir, we’re all out of taco sauce…” Ahhh!!!
You’ve been offered £100,000,000, but you have to have one of these in your room all night. Which one will it be?
A Clown toy.
A porcelain doll collection.
Taxidermy animals.
Do you like Halloween?
Love it!
What do I love about Halloween so much? What do I love about Halloween so much?! Slasher flicks with gratuitous story elements. 😂 Ha! JK, Halloween is one of those holidays/traditions where learning more about its origins is an annual event. Every season I learn more about the history of All Hallows Eve, or “La Noche de Brujas” (night of the witches) as it is referred to in Latin America and other Hispanic parts. 😂 Halloween is one of those holidays where you can easily dive into it not knowing full well why its fun to do so. And, its a cheap man’s dream holiday! Christmas, oh geez gotta buy a Brazilian gifts for everyone. Halloween, nope! Give me all your candy! 🤣 Not to mention its the only holiday (at least one I can think of) where you get to celebrate something that might scare you. Sure, the Easter Bunny can be creepy (I think that’s a cry for help for those who want Halloween to occur twice a year) but facing the reality of mortality it a lot easier when folks are handing you bite size chocolates after knocking on their door, threatening retaliation if they don’t succumb to extorsion. Its just a wholesome night 🥹😂
What is scarier? Aliens or vampires?
Why? Vampires are real! 🙄🤣 Aliens are pure Hollywood. And its the VAMPYRE, right Hannah?? haha psst, go order Salome… 🙊🤣
Do you have a regional or local monster/spirit legend where you’re from? Can you tell us about it?
The ditch witch! This is one of my favorite local New Mexico legends as it is claimed by New Mexicans when its origins are much more diverse. In short, we steal it daily. 😂 The myth of the Llorona stems as far south as Mexico and pre-Columbia on the southern continent. Legend has it she was a terrible mother in love with a man outside of her marriage and would do anything to be with him. Of course he didn’t like children so the Llorona drown her children in the river so they could be together. After doing this she was wrought with horrible guilt (to say the least!) and was cursed to follow along small river banks, looking for her babies. Adults familiar with the legend regale the frightening tale with an added twist: the ditch witch will snag you if you get too close to the water! 😲 I’ve seen grown men cower at the notion that this legend is true… ha, best scary legend ever!
Why do you think people enjoy scary stories so much?
People love to be scared for sooo many reasons. For example, my girlfriend claiiiims she doesn’t like scary movies…but I think its a matter of surprise! haha Scary tales make it very easy to hide or camouflage an ending, plot twist or character betrayal, which keeps a reader/viewer on their toes. Can’t do that with a love story. 🙄😂
Have you ever seen a ghost? Do you know anyone who says they have?
Saw one at a resort called Mount Chalet in Aspen, Colorado. Damn thing kept changing the TV channel! Inconsiderate…
What was your first introduction to horror? Can you remember?
The Care Bears movie! 1980’s cartoons didn’t hold back. The villian was a damn demon 😲
What is your favourite ghost story of all time? The one that still gives you goosebumps?
It’s a Japanese movie. Ringu. The ghost crawled out of the TV! Who does that?…
What was the last book you read that made you want to sleep with the lights on?
Can’t scare me!
Find more from Gabriel Maestes as well as his books on his website:
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