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Though Sam Lohr grew up in rural Lancaster, Pennsylvania (and still loves a good Amish whoopie pie), he knew there was too much world out there not to explore. He spent many years acting and singing on stages up and down the East Coast and Midwestern states, even as far as Britain and the Caribbean. He studied film production in Florida and currently works from his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, with multiple TV studios in Los Angeles and New York.
When he’s not on a Zoom call or putting out email fires, Sam spends time with his wife and son, records news for the Economist Podcast, composes music, walks the dog, is subservient to the cat, and buries himself in stories. Whether it be a movie, show, podcast, audiobook, physical book, article, or video game, Sam loves a good story. And as much as he loves experiencing the stories of others, crafting his own has always been a passion close to his heart. |
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But, the trouble with such a busy schedule was that Sam could not write a story to completion. Every concept was (and still is) filed away for a later date. The short story format seemed ideal to satiate Sam’s need to write, and so he is currently working on an anthology of short stories to be compiled into one book.
The discovery of micro-fiction, however, has been a game changer. Sam has a tendency to fill pages with descriptions of fantastical locations, creatures, character studies, and societal structures, all intended for much larger stories, but micro-fiction has forced him to focus on a single moment. Or, at least, stop droning on and on and get to the point. The world only needs one Tolkien.
The discovery of micro-fiction, however, has been a game changer. Sam has a tendency to fill pages with descriptions of fantastical locations, creatures, character studies, and societal structures, all intended for much larger stories, but micro-fiction has forced him to focus on a single moment. Or, at least, stop droning on and on and get to the point. The world only needs one Tolkien.
Interview with Sam Lohr
about his story "Reader's Choice"
Honorable Mention for The Scribes Prize
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What inspired this piece?
As a lifelong writer and gamer, I’ve written or played many, many characters through a myriad of undesirable situations. The idea of control, the determination of an outcome based on the choices of a third party, has always fascinated me. What if the roles were reversed? How helpless would that feel, knowing my mortality was based on the whims of another?
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I have a tendency to over-explain in my writing. Too much detail, not enough movement. Micro-fiction has been a helpful tool that forces me to focus on what is most important in a given scene or story. And it’s a blast!
Who are some authors that inspire you?
By default, I am a psychological horror fanatic. Make me squirm and question my reality while doing it. Thus, this list: H.P Lovecraft, Stephen King (Dark Tower series, all the way!), Chuck Palahniuk, Joe Abercrombie, Aldous Huxley, Christopher Buehlman, Sayaka Murata, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and many others.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
That’s what I find fun about this story. The reader could close the book here, and, in their mind, the woman would still be alive. However, if the reader continues, she will be caught. The initial goal of the concept was to highlight how addicted we as humans are to the desire to experience suffering by proxy. We watch horror movies, listen to our true crime podcasts, read books that spell out brutality in all its grisly details, and then, our intrigue satiated, we go on about our normal lives. We all do it, but imagine if we were on the receiving end.
What's next on the horizon for you?
Currently, I’m working on an anthology of short stories all tied to a central theme and the effects of one character throughout. Hopefully, this will be out the door early next year!
As a lifelong writer and gamer, I’ve written or played many, many characters through a myriad of undesirable situations. The idea of control, the determination of an outcome based on the choices of a third party, has always fascinated me. What if the roles were reversed? How helpless would that feel, knowing my mortality was based on the whims of another?
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I have a tendency to over-explain in my writing. Too much detail, not enough movement. Micro-fiction has been a helpful tool that forces me to focus on what is most important in a given scene or story. And it’s a blast!
Who are some authors that inspire you?
By default, I am a psychological horror fanatic. Make me squirm and question my reality while doing it. Thus, this list: H.P Lovecraft, Stephen King (Dark Tower series, all the way!), Chuck Palahniuk, Joe Abercrombie, Aldous Huxley, Christopher Buehlman, Sayaka Murata, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and many others.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
That’s what I find fun about this story. The reader could close the book here, and, in their mind, the woman would still be alive. However, if the reader continues, she will be caught. The initial goal of the concept was to highlight how addicted we as humans are to the desire to experience suffering by proxy. We watch horror movies, listen to our true crime podcasts, read books that spell out brutality in all its grisly details, and then, our intrigue satiated, we go on about our normal lives. We all do it, but imagine if we were on the receiving end.
What's next on the horizon for you?
Currently, I’m working on an anthology of short stories all tied to a central theme and the effects of one character throughout. Hopefully, this will be out the door early next year!