James Schubert is a Game Design and Creative Writing student here at Brunel University.

What writers have influenced you most and why?

Brett Easton Ellis inspired me a great deal, so much so that I spent the first two years of my university creative writing career trying desperately to copy him and subsequently making every character Patrick Bateman. For the most part this was fine except for that one children’s story I wrote which ended with Mr. Squiffles nailing Nobbly Bobkins to an expensive Memphis Group Carlton Bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass while Easy Lover by Phil Collins and Philip Bailey played in the background. *pause for breath* People weren’t too keen on that one. Why did he inspire me so much? Not too sure, his initials spell BEE though, that’s pretty swish right?

What’s your favourite genre and why?

I tend to gravitate towards horror; H.P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, E.L. James, stuff like that. I also recently had a brief fling with Alt Lit in the sense that I discovered it, got quite into it and then a week later it came out that everyone involved in the movement was a monster, figures. If I had to justify why I was interested in Alt Lit it would partially be that I’m attracted by its infantile sincerity but mostly because it brings me ever closer to my dream of one day inserting a ‘Dickbutt’ (See: http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140201013626/trollpasta/images/a/a6/Dickbutt.jpg) into a story and not being called out on it.

Can you give us a brief insight into your writing process?

When it comes to writing specifically I find it hard to just come up with good ideas apropos of nothing, I need that moment of inspiration to pounce on me like an angry squirrel. Once that happens I’m finally ready to sit in front of a blank word processor for several hours and sink further and further into depression in the knowledge that, the longer I leave the idea in my head without writing it down, the more warped and ruined it becomes. On the flip side if I do write it down there’s a chance that I damage the idea beyond repair. Steps after this generally include staring into space, tidying my desk and watching YouTube videos of people playing videogames. Also I find it really easy to write if I’m listening to The Smiths; does that make me a nobber? I think that makes me a nobber.

What are your interests when you’re not writing?

Playing an unhealthy amount of video games, finding excuses to avoid going outside and just generally avoiding being an adult. I also enjoy making games, a creative pursuit that’s different from writing in the sense that when you tell someone about it at parties they’ll laugh at you to your face rather than waiting to do it behind your back.

You can read James’ short story, alongside many others, in The Psyche Supermarket released on the 11^th of March.

You can also find him on Twitter at @Jimmy_Schubert and check out his portfolio at http://james-schubert.blogspot.co.uk/p/about-me.html