Author Spotlight: Chuck Tingle on Creating Art and Staying True to Oneself

Chuck Tingle is a real gem in the world of quirky stories. With titles like Camp Damascus and Bury Your Gays, he stands out with his unique storytelling capabilities that are both entertaining and refreshing. But Chuck's stories are more than just their shock value; they're about acceptance, love in its many forms, and staying true to yourself, no matter who you are. With a keen eye on the latest trends and a heart as big as his imagination, Chuck’s work has become a beacon for the LGBTQ+ community and anyone who's ever felt a bit different.

We recently caught up with Chuck to discuss what inspired him to write his most recent novel, Bury Your Gays, what he likes about the horror genre and what advice he’d give to aspiring authors looking to address heavier themes in their work. Buckle up, Buckaroos!

What inspired you to write Bury Your Gays?

I was inspired as a consumer of years of content where I thought queer characters were not getting a fair share in the story. I think the book is about changing that narrative, taking some tropes and turning them on their head. It’s also very personal to me. It’s about a character who finds salvation through the art that they create, which is akin to my own personal story.

How does horror as a genre (both movies and books) speak to you as a creator?

Horror as a genre has an inherent “punk rock” nature to it. You are playing with things that are outside of the traditional story structure. You are playing with reactions of the body, which are primal things. You are trying to elicit fear, instead of just running through the three acts of a normal story. Because of that, horror is often maligned as a silly thing, when really some of the best art is that primal art that elicits this reaction. Whether that is fear with horror, romance with erotica/arousal, and comedy with laughter. Rather than pushing these maligned genres away, I think there’s so much beauty to mine in the honesty of these primal, bodily reactions to art.  

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who wish to address heavier themes in their work while still engaging readers with an entertaining story?

My advice to any creator is that there’s no wrong way to create art. All forms of art are valid. Whatever is going to come out of your soul is going to be perfectly valid in the grand scope of things. Try not to worry too much about it. The more heart you put into it, whether that’s “heaviness” or not, if that can hit the bulls-eye in just the right way, there’s no way it can’t be entertaining. 

What is a horror book you’d recommend?

I highly recommend American Rapture by my good friend CJ Leede. It’s truly an amazing book!