The Curious Accounts Of The Imaginary Friend
P.S. Gifford
ISBN: 9780980150636
Virtual Tales
Reviewed By Renee Washburn
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
A
serial killer is tormented by the ghosts of his victims – years after
his crimes were committed and concealed; a conniving golddigger murders
her husband and hides his body within the walls of their home – only to
have him mysteriously exact his revenge on her years later; rapt in her
undying love for him, a disturbed woman keeps her dead husband’s
rotting corpse around for years – and even feeds it breakfast every
morning.
Dozens of tales such as these – and ones even more bizarre – fill the pages of The Curious Accounts Of The Imaginary Friend.
In it, debut author P.S. Gifford introduces the reader to various
vignettes featuring a vast assortment of different characters who
commit the most gruesome acts imaginable. The uniting factor? An
omnipresent “Imaginary Friend” representing the personal conscience of
each malefactor, providing the reader with a first-hand look into their
conflicted, tormented souls.
Both disturbing and intriguing,
Curious Accounts is nothing if not imaginative. Gifford’s collection
delves deeply into the darkest dimensions of human nature, taking the
reader along for an eye-opening ride through the realm of twisted logic
that sinister minds often apply in justification of their malfeasance.
What’s most striking about Gifford’s stories, though, is the revealing
manner in which he frames his protagonists, successfully placing the
earnest – if not flawed – nature of their humanity on full display.
Consider,
for example, the account of the man who, as a teen, kills an
unsuspecting hobo in a remote wooded area…why? Because the transient is
about to feast upon a defenseless rabbit for dinner, and the teen has
always considered himself a protector of the innocent wildlife in the
area. After killing the hobo, though, the teen becomes stricken with
considerable grief that consumes him for thirty years until he finally
kills himself as an adult, unable to bear the weight of it
anymore…little does he know, though, he did the world a huge favor by
killing the hobo – who actually turned out to be an escaped mental
patient and one of the country’s most notorious serial killers.
Another
compelling story features a miserable knife salesman who for years
suffers through a loveless marriage to a woman who criticizes him
mercilessly at every turn. He finally kills her one day, then proceeds
to dismember her body, stuff her various parts in a suitcase, and make
his way to a major sales conference out of town – with plans to dump
her remains along the way. After arriving at the conference, he
prepares his presentation – only to realize, once he opens his
suitcase, that he disposed of the wrong one, exposing his heinous deed
in full view of all the conference attendees.
Definitely not for the squeamish, The Curious Accounts Of The Imaginary Friend
is, nonetheless, a skillfully crafted volume of stories sure to remind
the reader of that quite, yet powerful voice within us all – and the
equally powerful influence that it can wield over us if we’re not
careful…
Official Apex Reviews Interview: P.S. Gifford (The Curious Accounts Of The Imaginary Friend)
Apex Reviews: P.S., thanks for joining us for this interview. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Dare we ask...what inspired you to craft the stories in the book and compile them into a singular volume?
P.S. Gifford: I had been writing short fiction for a number of years - mostly horror-themed - when I was approached by an editor I had worked with previously to compile a collection of them. As I felt that there was a niche in the marketplace for such a collection, I jumped at the opportunity. I strongly believe, deep down, that all of us have an interest in the darker side of life…even those who will not readily admit it.
AR: How did the concept of the "Imaginary Friend" evolve?
PSG: I grew up watching shows such as The Twilight Zone, Tales of the Unexpected, Tales from the Crypt, The Outer Limits, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and so on - and always loved the use of a narrator to introduce them. I find Mr. Hitchcock’s introductions to this day wickedly funny. It seemed a natural progression that I should use a character to weave the stories together. After my editor and I toyed around with several notions, the imaginary friend came to us. It just seemed a natural fit.
AR: As our reviewer mentioned, the vignettes are centered mainly on morbid, macabre figures and their various gruesome acts. Has horror always been your genre of choice?
PSG: I have dabbled in many genres from slices of life: humor, satire, and science fiction - yet none of them gives me the exhilarating buzz of composing a devilish tale of woe, or, indeed, reading one. I can vividly recall the moment in time that I became a confirmed fan of the genre; it was early 1978. I got my young hands on John Saul’s first book, Suffer the Children. I read it in one night - and re-read it the second. I know I had read horror previously and enjoyed it, but nothing previously had managed to capture my complete imagination as this book. In a poetic twist of fate, I recently had a chance to meet and chat with John Saul at Dark Delicacies (A renowned horror-themed book store in Burbank, California). I got to talk with him for ten–fifteen minutes privately just prior to his signing, moments after securing my own signing at the same store. It was one of those perfect moments.
AR: Our reviewer also mentioned just how imaginative the tales in the book are. Where do you get your ideas from?
PSG: Ideas often stem from the most mundane everyday situations. I might overhear a husband and wife quibbling over purchasing regular or low fat milk, or a news headline might catch my eye, or I am driving along the highway and see an unusual looking character on the sidewalk. I am never without my trusty notepad and pencil. Other occasions dreams have inspired a storyline - or should I say nightmares - and many times my wife has discovered me at three in the morning tap-tap-tapping away at my keyboard with a wicked grin etched on my face. As strange as it might seem, even giving this interview now is generating inspiration…maybe that will appear in my next volume.
AR: Please explain to our readers what "ley lines" are.
PSG: Good question, and one with a variety of responses depending on your beliefs. The technical response is that they are hypothetical alignments of a number of places of interest, such as ancient monuments, ceremonial grounds, and various other geographically noteworthy sites. Alfred Watkins is first credited with the term in his book The Old Straight Track. Having been to such sites as Stonehenge, I can certainly accept the possibility of such things existing.
AR: We noticed in your bio that you've been writing since age 9. What inspired you to begin so early?
PSG: The simple reason is that it simply was what I attained the most pleasure from - apart from reading. As a young kid, I was always found buried in a book or attempting to write one. I suppose it is how I best managed to express myself, as I was always a terribly shy child. The fact that it garnered me positive attention from teachers, friends, and family no doubt stimulated me to keep going.
AR: We also noticed that, as you got older, you stopped writing for 15 years before resuming it once more in 2004. What sparked your return to the craft?
PSG: Despite having a well-paying job and a wonderful family, something was missing in my life: the written word. I found less and less time to write – and, indeed, even read - and this was having a profound negative impact on my state of mind. It was a spontaneous decision late one night at the restaurant that I managed. My wife and son were going camping, and I was stuck at my job as always. I simply walked out. It was about the best career decision I ever made – and I have never regretted it. Success should not be defined in terms of money; success, in my opinion, is making a living out of what you love doing most. With me, that is writing…
AR: Curious Accounts is composed solely of short stories, which appear to be your strong suit. Have you ventured into other genres of writing?
PSG: I have the first extremely rough drafts of two dark fiction novels completed, which will hopefully see the light of day at some point. I actually have a second book out currently, Dr. Offig’s Lessons from the Dark Side, which is similar to The Curious Accounts in many ways but is primarily intended for the young adult market (although it appears older readers are enjoying it just as much!) In this book, the eccentric Dr. Offig (Gifford backwards…) narrates. I am delighted with the way it is being received.
I have also written several autobiographical tales that can be found all over the web, the most popular ones evolving around the many dogs I have owned (or have been owned by, depending on your point of view). I suspect one day they will be brought together in a volume or two. Several of my works have been adapted into audio plays, and they can be heard by visiting www.brokensea.com – but be warned they are not for the squeamish!
AR: What is the "endless dream" referred to in your bio?
PSG: The endless dream is continuing down the path of being a published author. Most people have a dream, yet so many choose not to pursue it. It is endless, for there are infinite possibilities at where this enchanted road might lead me. I long ago learned never to put a limit on the power of dreams.
AR: What's next for you?
PSG: Currently I am putting the finishing touches on the follow up to The Curious Accounts of the Imaginary Friend, aptly titled the Further Accounts. Then I will complete a second volume of Dr. Offig, and then hopefully focus on one of my novels. 2009 is destined to be a year where I clock up a good many frequent flier miles, for I have several conventions and signings in the pipeline taking me all over the United States and to Canada. I also have some tentative plans for being back in England in late July and doing some promotional work in my native land. More on that when the details are confirmed, as I do not want to agitate the proverbial fickle hand of fate.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your writing efforts?
PSG: Simply by visiting me at my website www.psgifford.com or joining me on MySpace at myspace.com/psgifford. I am a frequent blogger, and there are often contests to be found to win free books and merchandise.
AR: Also, please share your contact information, just in case they'd like to reach you directly.
PSG: I can be contacted at Paul@psgifford.com and try to answer all the mail I receive, although sometimes it takes me a little while.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
PSG: I just want to say an immense thank you to everyone that has supported me by buying my books, emailing me, or showing up at signing events. At the end of the day, I couldn’t be doing any of this without you.
AR: Thanks again, P.S., and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
PSG: It was my pleasure - thank you!