Ray Daley
Website/blog: https://raymondwriteswrongs.wordpress.com/
Social Media links: @RayDaleyWriter [twitter]
Cry Baby Bridge story
“On Patrol at Copperhead Bridge”
Imagine if the best day of your life was also the last?
What are you reading right now?
The last thing I read was a drabble by Jenna Glover called “A Good AI” which I enjoyed massively. I’m not reading anything currently as I’m trying to write a couple of new stories so it’s a case of keeping my brain free to create.
books/short stories/poems/publishing projects you have out in the world now.
Fortunately, I maintain an on-going bibliography for just such purposes. You can also find all my old (before I got paid to write) work on Smashwords:- https://raymondwriteswrongs.wordpress.com/2019/04/23/bibliography-page-for-ray-daley/
I also have an ISFDB entry:- https://isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?235688
And am on The Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Weird Fiction Magazine Index:- http://www.philsp.com/homeville/SFI/n00405.htm#A138
What made you decide to write a story for Cry Baby Bridge: A collection of utter speculation?
I was attracted by the concept. I think I had the bridge in Beetlejuice in my head at the time.
Did you grow up with a cry baby bridge legend? Is it something that affected you or was it a new story for you?
I actually had to look up what one was, but it certainly sounded like something I’d have a good time writing and I honestly did. Our neighbourhood is more haunted houses than bridges.
Why do you think this legend is so pervasive? What truth do you think is behind it?
I think people love a good, weird haunting, and if it’s attached to something unusual that offers something extra in terms of interest.
What other projects are you working on? Where can we look for you next?
As of the time of writing this interview it’s August ’23, I’m currently compiling markets for a Submission Challenge I’ll be doing during September which is to submit at least 1 story every day to a paying market for a month. My next publication (during August) will either be in Stupefying Stories or Electric Spec. If it’s October, I’ll be making my 3rd appearance in Bards & Sages Quarterly. I’ve also got publications booked into next year already.
On writing:
There’s the old adage “A writer writes.” Don’t take any notice of that. Not everyone is built to be able to write every day and heaping pressure onto yourself when you aren’t feeling the urge isn’t good for your mental health. Being a writer isn’t JUST about writing. There’s finding markets to submit to, proofing, editing, having down time for yourself. As long as you’re doing something to further your writing career, you’re a writer.
A writer’s single best asset is their brain, so keep it healthy by taking care of yourself. Sleep, drink water, take breaks from the computer when you are writing (ideally 15 mins every 2 hours), get up and walk about so you aren’t hurting your back and spine too.
My best advice to other writers, follow writers in your genre and support them. Lift them when they are down, cheer their wins, commiserate their losses. Trust me, they’ll welcome the engagement. Also, if you’ve read something you like, tweet that writer and tell them so! There’s nothing like hearing someone enjoyed reading your work. You can always tweet me @RayDaleyWriter where I also share the links of markets I’m submitting work to.
LC W. Allingham 
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