OCD and the Chaos of Creating: A Conversation with Jon and Delaney

Some episodes are just fun, and others hit deep. This one did both. I sat down with horror author John and game designer Delaney to talk about the creative process, mental health, and their upcoming project with Ice Nine Kills: a full-blown horror-themed deck-building game called Ink on the Table. But what started as a chat about game mechanics and book releases quickly turned into a raw conversation about OCD, spiraling thoughts, burnout, and why creative work is sometimes the only thing keeping us sane.

The Reality of OCD and Creative Anxiety

If you’ve ever dealt with OCD, you know it’s not about being neat or liking symmetry. It’s about your brain convincing you of the worst-case scenario on loop. Both John and Delaney live with that reality. And they talked honestly about what it’s like trying to create, whether it’s a novel or a tabletop game, when your thoughts are constantly spiraling.

John shared how he writes OCD the way he lives it. It’s messy. It’s chaotic. It’s never the same two days in a row. His new novel Kill Beth dives into that space where obsession and horror intersect. But writing isn’t just a job for him - it’s how he stays grounded.

Delaney echoed that sentiment with her own design work. Whether she’s laying out card templates or building mechanics, she finds calm in the structure. Creating is what slows the noise.

From Comics to Tabletop Horror

Delaney started out in comics, but eventually moved into tabletop design. She talked about the grind of pitching games, getting rejected constantly, and still coming back because the ideas don’t stop. Even when she was burnt out and feeling like a fraud, she kept going, partly out of stubbornness, partly because creativity was how she processed her own trauma.

And that persistence led to Ink on the Table, a new horror-themed deck-builder in partnership with Ice Nine Kills. They’ve been working closely with the band to design a game that feels authentically tied to their music and aesthetic, bloody, theatrical, and high-stakes.

Building Together Without Burning Out

John and Delaney work together not just creatively, but as a couple. That dynamic brings a unique blend of chaos and trust to the process. They know how to push each other’s buttons, but they also know when to back off.

They shared openly about the importance of communication, giving each other space, and not letting creative collaboration destroy the personal relationship underneath. It’s something a lot of artists struggle with. When your art is personal, feedback can feel like an attack. But they’ve built a rhythm that works - most of the time.

Mental Health, Horror, and Community

We also talked about why horror fans and metalheads are some of the kindest people on the planet. Maybe it’s because we’ve all seen some dark things. Maybe it’s because we don’t pretend we’re okay when we’re not.

There’s something healing about horror. About putting your fears on the table and saying, “Let’s play.”

And there’s something healing about building a game with the people you trust. About writing a book that rips your insides out and then handing it to someone who says, “I get it.”

That’s what this episode was really about. Not just games and books, but what it means to create when your brain won’t let up. What it means to finish something even when the world says you can’t. And what it means to find connection in a space that often feels isolating.

Final Thoughts

John and Delaney are the real deal. They’re talented, sharp, and honest about the stuff most people hide. If you’ve ever wrestled with your own thoughts, doubted your abilities, or wondered whether what you’re making even matters - this episode is for you.

You can find Kill Beth wherever you buy books, and keep an eye out for Ink on the Table later this year.

Until then, keep creating. Keep surviving. And don’t let your brain tell you you’re alone.