In fiction, I think that horror gives the writer an opportunity to go for the ultimate experiences in fear, violence, gross-out, etc. As a horror writer, I go incognito. I don't sport leather duds or fingerless gloves. As for respect, horror writing don't get none. Except among horror fans and kids.
Kids think horror is coolest thing a person can write.
General readers, however, seem to think we're delving in garbage and not real authors. So I hope the door don't hit their butts on the way out. You can find out more about her and her intense fiction at Pandora Station , a site she shares with Poppy Z. Brite and Caitlin R. Kiernan. I write dark fiction because I am driven to. Most of what I write is highly sexual for that same reason.