Exclusive Interview with Werewolf Haiku’s Ryan Mecum

Thanks to the awesomeness that is Twitter, I connected with the hilarious and brilliant poet, Ryan Mecam, and landed us an interview. Ryan is the man behind the incredible Zombie Haiku, Vampire Haiku and of course, Werewolf Haiku.

1. Can you tell our readers a bit about your new book Werewolf Haiku?
Werewolf Haiku is a work of fiction, written as a poetry journal of a mailman who updates his journal only in haiku.  He gets turned into a werewolf and adorably disgusting haiku ensues!

2. Why haiku?
Attempting Werewolf Sonnets was a nightmare!  Plus, I love the short and awkward abruptness of the 5,7,5 syllable haiku structure.

3. Was it difficult to write an entire story in haiku?
This is my third book of a monster narrating his life in haiku form, so I’m starting to get the hang of it.  However, it still a tricky game.  It’s always a bit depressing to spend months writing the book, and then an hour reading it.

4. What is it about werewolves that you love?
Where to begin?  First, there’s the Jeckll and Hyde aspect of a poor innocent with the wolf trapped within.  I love the Fight Club symbolism in the werewolf’s suppression of pure male rage.  I love the transformation F/X in movies that seem to be constantly attempting to one up each other.  I love the folklore.  I love the teeth.

5. You have also written books on vampires and zombies, which has been your favorite so far?
I love monsters.  This question is like asking me to pick a favorite kid.  Zombie Haiku was exciting because it was my first published book.  Vampire Haiku was exciting because I felt I told a better story in haiku.  Werewolf haiku was exciting because it was the most fun to write.  I’m excited for it to make it into the hands of werewolf fans because I think they’ll see it as a repulsive little love letter from me to them.

6. While internet stalking you (creeeeepy) I came across an interview that asked how a youth minister like yourself could be interested in the monster filled world of blood, fangs and gore, and while I don’t like being a copycat, I loved your answer so I’ll go ahead and ask the same thing.
Creepy indeed!  Hope you found nothing nude.  I’m not sure how I answered this question originally, but as someone who believes that part of the holy ghost, a piece of god in the form of a spirit, actually lives somewhere inside my body… also having an interest in ghoulies that go bump in the night doesn’t seem like much of a stretch. I like God, Jesus, zombies, vampires, werewolves, and gross little poems.  Some people find that odd, but that’s me.

7. What are your favorite werewolf books and movies?
Favorite Werewolf Book:  Cycle Of The Werewolf.  Favorite Werewolf Movie:  Dog Soldiers (with Ginger Snaps and American Werewolf in London somewhere far behind).

8. Who would win in a fight, a werewolf or vampire?
Tough question.  Depends on the specific werewolf and the vampire.  Little kids beat up the werewolf in The Monster Squad, but that werewolf would have no problem killing Twilight’s Edward.  Edward would be able to kill Teen Wolf, though.  If I had to fight Mike Tyson, I’d rather be a werewolf.  If I had to fight James Bond, I’d rather be a vampire.

9. How would you describe yourself in three words?
Slouching toward Bethlehem.

10. And finally, what other projects are you currently working on? Any goodies we should watch out for?
Your guess is as good as mine… which is not actually true.  I have a few different things I’m working on, but nothing I’d want anyone watching out for just yet.  However, one project definitely involves more werewolves and full moons.  We’ll see.

– Moonlight