Cristel’s poem Justice is an incredible reminder of the statue of JUSTICE being a woman and what that ought to mean, but what has been forgotten by too many!
They called her Lady,
And Mother, ignoring,
Her weighted scales,
Equal and imploring.
But still they came,
To play the penitent,
To touch her water
And absolve their sin.
As if Woman would
Forgive their hands
Upon her sisters’
Hearts and wombs.
a short expert from the poem JUSTICE by Cristel Orrand
Q (Crone Girls Press): Author Interview Question 1: What drove your story for this anthology? Tell us the “story behind the story.”
A (Author): We can separate the personal and political, but not when existence and autonomy are at stake. For me, politics have always been a part of my identity, and therefore part of my writing. Writing helps me process, and was the second thing I turned to (after yelling) to when SCOTUS issued this abhorrent ruling in June.
Q: What does it mean to read and write horror when you’re competing with news headlines (for example, this anthology came about in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V Wade)? How has it changed (or not!) your approach to the genre as a writer or as a fan?
A: I have no desire to compete with headline- I can’t write that fast anyway. 😉 The genre allows us to deal with universal responses to horror, whether the setting is a justice system, a forest of werewolves, or a cult.
Q: There are a number of different flavors of horror. Where does your story fit, and what drew you to this particular category?
A: I’ll tell you when I figure it out. I read in many genres, time periods, and languages, so my writing also tends to bend and blend genres. For my “Justice” contribution here, is “Dark Romanticism- Horror-Poetry” an option? 😉
Q: Why do you write horror? What about the genre appeals to you as an author?
A: The genre, perhaps more than any other, allows us to remove the fear from “normal” situations and place those mental and bio-physical responses in another context. It’s a helpful framework for writing, and probably mental health too.
Q: What’s next in your writing journey?
A: I’m finishing a southern gothic series of novels now (think if To Kill a Mockingbird, or In True Blood were written today, with different voices, a historical dual timeline and magical realism). I’m also working on a new poetry collection, and then it’s whichever story is most insistent because they never wait their turn in line.
About The Author
Cristel Orrand is the author of two novels, The Amalgamist and Khayal, the “Heartwood” poetry collection, the novelette M.O.U.T.H. Piece in the “Objectified” anthology, and is working on a southern gothic series, and her poetry. She is a mom, consultant, bibliophile, advocate, gardener, storyteller, cancer survivor, scavenger, and a pugilist, of all sorts. Cristel lives in Raleigh, NC, with her artist husband, kids, and dogs, doing anything they can dream up and cram into a day.
You can find her on her website, Instagram and Facebook.
Be sure to check out their story in A Woman Unbecoming
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