[RLM] Your book talks about the importance of honesty and generational secrets. Was there a particular moment in your life that inspired you to write Chalk Mountain (CM)?

The whole ‘sins of the father’ theme runs through a lot of my work. Being a dad and wanting to be a good dad keeps that top of mind, for me, I think. A Southern Baptist upbringing also plays a role in that whole mindset as well.

[RLM] What drew you to include Norwegian folklore within the novel? Was it difficult to preserve the nature of international folklore when coupled with regional (Texas) folklore?

I stumbled upon the year walk tradition and became fascinated with the concept. Then I fell further down the Norwegian folklore rabbit hole and found these other creatures, and it was off to the races. 

Bringing another culture’s folklore back to Texas solves a lot of these problems. We’re a melting pot. Language, traditions, food, all get jumbled and altered when brought to a foreign place. As an example, I love Mexican food and Tex-Mex. A lot of people think these are the same thing, but they are very different. Same with the folklore of another country. When I bring them to Texas, I try and keep to the original tradition as closely as I can, but I’m an outsider; they are going to get changed or misinterpreted by the simple fact that I’m filtering them through my perceptions, experiences, and ideas. I would never write a story about a huldra or a year walk set in Norway because I would get it completely wrong. Maybe if I ran the story through the POV of a Texan in Norway, but that would still be playing with fire. 

[RLM] What’s one thing you’ve cut from the 1st draft that you wish you’d included in the published copy?  

I can’t think of anything of substance that was cut. The problem I had with CM was stretching. I wanted it to be a full length novel, but I kept tripping over my own feet. That happens to me a lot with long form novels. Novels are hard. At least for me. I was stuffing CM, not cutting.

[RLM] There are a couple of unanswered questions that arise within the last chapter, do you plan on writing a sequel about Buck Stasey and his legacy?

There is a lot left on Buck’s table and one day it deserves a revisit, but I have no current plans. Jack Ray, on the other hand…

[RLM] Is there a particular scene you’re incredibly proud of?

I really love Jack Ray and the bees.

[RLM] How has your writing evolved since you first began publishing?

If you write enough you start to see your own crutches and weaknesses. You have to be honest with yourself. I have tried to throw the crutches away completely and either strengthen or avoid my weaknesses. In the beginning I focused on form and structure. Now I focus almost solely on characters and character development. There are plenty of hooks out there to hang a story on. Finding the right characters is the challenge and to me, makes all the difference in creating a good story.

[RLM] After finishing this manuscript, did you immediately start something new?

I always have two to three projects going at once. I write folk horror/southern gothic short stories and novels, historical fiction and nonfiction local histories. I always have something else to work on.

[RLM] What are you working on next?

I’m always writing short stories and building another short story collection. I was recently asked to co-edit a short story anthology. I’ve never done that before. So far, it has been fun and exciting. I have a horror novel that has been sitting on the backburner for several years and I need to get reacquainted with those people and finish it up. I’m also researching a local history book I’m excited about.

I’m excited about 2026 because I have a novella and a historical novel with a publisher that are in the editing stage. Fingers crossed for a 2026 release of both.

You can find Mark A. Nobles novel Chalk Mountain on his website, along with is other works including his most recent short story collection, Stories of a Different Dark.

Mark A. Nobles (don’t forget the middle initial, he’s sensitive about that) writes Southern Gothic Horror (Chalk Mountain), Folk Horror (Stories of a Different Dark), Magical Realism (Dead Cat Bounce), Historical Fiction (We’re for Smoke), and local histories (Fort Worth’s Rock & Roll Roots). Mark does not have ADD, he has varied interests which are reflected in his diverse writing genres. He is a recipient of the Will Rogers Medalion Award and has a Pushcart nomination. His short stories have appeared in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. Mark is a sixth-generation Texan born on Fort Worth’s infamous Jacksboro Highway and proudly claims blood and kinship with Thunder Road’s gamblers, outlaws, and wastrels. After a lifetime in Fort Worth, he lives in Dallas now but hopes to die in the desert.