What Reading is to Us

            What are stories to you? Are they simply a way to pass time, or are they more? Can you pick up a book and truly travel, or do you simply just read about another’s adventure? With stories, we have the ability to interact and exchange with the characters involved, thus placing ourselves in the work. I am a writer; many of you know that by now. I am also, however, an avid reader and dreamer who loves the adventures of old. I am a reader, one who finds an escape in the works and world of fiction. This is what writing means to me, and below I will illustrate more.

           

            Every good book does not begin its life in such a vein. It takes months of planning and writing on the part of the author. When it is published, like any parent to a child, you hope the work is successful. We as writers have a sworn duty to see our work through to completion in accordance with the way the story desires to be told. It is nearly a sacred duty, but the story demands as much, and the readers want as much. Why, do you ask? It is because the book is such a powerful element in our time and culture. So much can come from a good read; we must always keep this as our focus when writing.

            Books, I have found over the years, have the power and ability to transport us to a place we have never been, to people we have never met and even to another body we have never experienced. When reading, you can “literally” become another person, be it adventurer, sorcerer or politician. Reading allows for a temporary shutdown of the reality factor, and a temporary resurgence of the imaginative factor. I recall traveling the hills of France on horseback with the other musketeers this past fall. Alexander Dumas set me on such a journey, I still regard it with the fondest memories. I live a nice, common life, with a good job and a good family; what I had then, however, was adventure! I was battling the Cardinal’s guards, thwarting his plans, and side-stepping Milady. Most of us live normal lives, but with books, we can live the life of Indiana Jones or D’Artagnan. This is the power of books.

            You have heard me mention my belief in escapism; I believe people want to read a book which allows them to escape the culture and society. I certainly do, hence my writing of secluded houses and desolate locations. When I sit down to read, I also want to journey to a far off place, be it the parlor of Sherlock Holmes or the decks of the Pequod. Books transport you to those locations and allow for the uncommon in the very common and natural day. Reading is like a mini-vacation, a little jaunt for the mind. When things are rough, and I am pulling 15 plus hour days, my mind is wandering through the House of the Seven Gables, remembering what it was like to visit there. I am racing across the moors with Holmes; I am stalking the monster I created with Frankenstein’s help; I am watching my youth wash away in a sea of blood while fighting with Henry in the Civil War, etc. The list goes on.

            I love to read nearly as much as I love to write. I love to escape and venture to some unknown land or uncharted island, if even for a short time. It’s a break, a sojourn for the mind. Remember this when next you sit to pen a work. People want a journey, an escape, something they will remember always. Let your work be a memory for them.

            As always, good luck writing.

Favorite Story Excerpts 2

            The first time I posted some of my favorite story excerpts, it was met with great enthusiasm, so I figured I would send some memorable moments your way once again. This time, however, I am more selective of what I reveal. The excerpts below are not only from my stories, but they are some of my favorite “bizarre and scary moments.” So, here we go. Enjoy and happy reading!

From Beyond the Window

The creature, tall with pale skin, had elongated limbs of uncommon proportion to its body. Its head was without hair. I could detect an odd amount of fingers on each had, and each of those with longer nails or talons than is customary on terrestrial creatures. I gripped the windowsill tightly as the thing stared at me through the thick darkness separating us. I do not recall now what ran through my mind, although I knew the flurry of thoughts were all dominated by the stern cowl of the thing. 

From The Expense of Ill Judgment

  I was nearly finished packing down the earth when a noise from behind startled me greatly. I tried to ignore it for fear of not finishing the task, but it persisted and when I turned, I found, before my eyes, the greatest gathering of the deceased that had ever congregated upon the soil of the living!

            I watched in horror as they each took partners and danced to music, ungodly music that I now heard so clearly! The song reverberated through the yard as the decayed bodies swayed to the notes in the most elaborate of manners. I shrieked aloud when they came near and brushed against me.

From Death Immortal

I surveyed the sight through the surrounding mist and recognized something unfamiliar; there was beside her tomb an object that few could disregard so easily as anything other than a stone. I could see hers plainly, but the second one I could not read as skillfully. I moved within view and bent low to read the inscription. The light of a match gave me just enough illumination to instill in my heart a fear uncanny and more surreal than all the greatest terrors combined. Upon the stone, I read the dates of the person: one vague and unmentionable, yet the other, oh that other date, I read with a power only fear materialized could wield. The second date was from a year ago this evening, the same night my beloved parted with the active strains of life. Then I looked with panic upon my face, at the name who so boldly drew their lot beside my beloved. There, written in a cursive I alone knew, was the name of my wife’s beloved, of her companion in life, and now in death. The name was mine. Truly, I had followed my wife to the grave!

 From An Unbinding Tie

When I slowly turned over, I saw through the darkness two images, one of my girl, and the other, some unrecognizable mass upon her. A sliver of the moon sliced through the curtains to give a shallow radiance to the scene. She was staring wide-eyed at the bristling hair and lowered ears of the beast, whose growl was growing more menacing and more terrible. The light caught its arresting eyes, droplets of darkness which no human could ever suffer to endure. They were as black as the vacant tomb, black as the soul which once burned with passion. Empty and void of life, they were animated by another source, another strength which emanated from the realm beyond.

I hope you have enjoyed this little sampling. They are some of my favorite moments, and I hold each of them dearly. On the right of the page is a link to my PubIt site, if you care to purchase any of these and help stimulate the economy (An Unbinding Tie is not yet released). If you have any stories to share, or wish to express any sentiments concerning these, feel free to leave a comment and I will get back with you.

As always, good luck writing.

The Writer's Library

            A good writer is sometimes only as good as the reference books they have in their collection. Being one who wrote academic papers for nine years, I understand wholly the value of a well-stocked library. In that same vein, I also understand the value of a well-stocked literary library. I am not merely referring to novels and such here, but non fiction books that can be used as reference works. I good story is researched accurately and presented factually. In this blog I will share some of my “horror oriented” works of reference.

           

            As most of you know by now, I am a horror/dark drama writer, so my library will sway towards the horror field. I have been collecting the books on an as-needs basis, selecting the work when I had a definite need for it (you should also keep an eye out for any bargains at the book store!). I have, for horror, a wonderful encyclopedia on ghosts and hauntings, The Element Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Hauntings, Theresa Cheung. It is a phenomenal book and alphabetically lists events, people and haunts for the past century. The book is great for research and inspiration. If you write any horror, it is a must have. While on ghosts, I also have Relax, It’s Only a Ghost, by “Ghostbuster” Echo Bodine. This little book is an easy read and covers some of her exploits in the real-life business of ghostbusting. Great for inspiration and knowledge on the supernatural, the book is also a pleasant read. The Rough Guide to Unexplained Phenomena, Bob Rickard and John Michell, is a great text for all things supernatural. It covers everything from aliens and levitation and strange rains (frogs, ect.) to various swarms and spontaneous combustion. It is great for general knowledge and inspiration. On witchcraft, the books I used were The Truth about Witchcraft Today, Scott Cunningham and The Wicca Handbook, Eileen Holland. The former was a more general book and useful for gaining a general knowledge of that faith. The latter is more detailed and takes a slightly different perspective than the former, but is also adequate for understanding Wicca. I found both very helpful in understanding spells, sacred space and Wiccan theology (Look for this info to appear later in my second novel!) Those about cover the major horror books in my library now. I do, however, keep others on hand as well.

            I have eclectic interests, and have found those interests to be of value in my writing career. For one thing, I have several books on architecture which have proven invaluable in creating scenes and structures. I sway towards gothic architecture (no surprise there!) yet often utilize Romanesque as well. I keep on hand two books on art; one is a general text book covering art through the centuries, and the other is a book dealing with Northern Renaissance art. I have a flare for knowledge and sophistication in my works and these books have been helpful. Because of the nature of some of my works, I have found the study of anatomy to be beneficial, and have an encyclopedia of the human body. Classical music terminology often appears in my writings, so I have a book on the subject. I like it, and it is a good read.

            I won’t bore you with the rest of my library; I don’t have the energy to catalogue 1500 books, and you don’t have the stamina for such an endeavor. I’m trying to develop my blog here, not destroy it! Like any good work, however, a properly written story is going to be accurate and will reveal a certain knowledge about the given material. Know your story; know your sources. Don’t put Sherman Tanks in the middle of Pickett’s Charge, and don’t give Constantine an atomic bomb! Know the history and know the fields you are writing about. I utilize witchcraft in some of my works, so I took the time to study the field and portray an accurate scene. Bleodisian dealt exclusively with blood and the cardiovascular system, so I learned about veins and arteries; a lot about veins and arteries! (I’m glad that’s done). The stories have authenticity and realism, and that is what we are striving for with our works. Aim for realism.

            As always, good luck writing.

Some Lessons Learned from Wicca

            As many of you may remember, I have been studying the Wiccan faith to gain a greater understanding of its beliefs and practice for my novels and short works of fiction. I have utilized witches and witchcraft recently in some of my works, and I have found a new avenue for character development with it. It’s been very interesting reading about the practice of folk magic, and it certainly has educated me on the subject (I take broom flying lessons on Thursdays). In the vein of exploration, I thought I would take a break from the instructional lessons and give you a glimpse into Wicca. Here we go…

           

            First, I learned Wicca isn’t what I thought it was. I approached the subject with no skepticism, but an open mind and I found so much more than I expected. I thought I would uncover the conventional ideas expressed by our culture: dark-cloaked people, black cats, old grey-haired ladies with malice upon their faces, sacrifices and death spells, etc. Cartoons and movie have instilled in us such an impression that it is difficult to see around the pointed hats and bubbling cauldrons, as well as the kid with the scar on his head. Witchcraft is very common, very real, practiced by very normal people who have learned to harness the energy of the Earth. Their Rede, or set of rules, forbids them from doing harm to anyone and allows for free practice so long as it harms none. What I nearly expected and what I found were two different things.

            Second, nature is imbued with power. This may be a little foreign to some, but after being infused with so much Christian doctrine, I do not find it strange at all. For Wiccans, everything has energy dwelling in it. That is how they can cast spells; they simply arouse the energy of the Earth, then direct it towards a goal. Rocks, especially certain varieties, have unique powers that enable the Wiccan to perform rituals and spells. I was certainly struck by the idea of nature seemingly being “God.” The Christian texts have sayings that strike at the notion of God being “above all, through all and in all.” To me, it certainly makes more sense to see the divine as a real and functioning part of this creation, and not some abstract entity realms away. The trees, the rocks, rivers, mountains, buildings, people, animals, all are part of the divine and a living expression of it. The divine in nature can also be experienced and touched; that amazes me. It is not distant, but very much a thriving part of all that is.

            Third, Wiccans believe in reincarnation. Now, on this point many people divide; Christians especially do not want to believe in reincarnation. The Christian view is that life is lived once and once only. It is easy to follow that until you look at ancient documents and see how many faiths have ideas concerning the notion. The Hebrews believed the prophet Elijah would return again. The Christian texts speak of Jesus as being Elijah, and John the Baptist as him also. The Dali Lama is a reincarnation of past spiritual leaders. The list goes on. For now it is easy to say that for Wiccans, and many Eastern faiths, reincarnation is a very natural process. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, though they see the process in a negative light and believe enlightenment allows them to escape the cycle of reincarnation. Wiccans believe in a more positive approach to the idea; we simply return and return. Life is not something to be escaped, but something to embrace. I like the idea of reincarnation, although I have many questions and have seemingly found some loopholes. Let’s hope I don’t fall through one when making my return trip!

            Lastly, natural energy can be harnessed. As I stated above, the energy of the world can be collected and used to achieve a goal. In most of the major world faiths today, you have to use prayer or some form of petition to bring about change. It is very taxing and will not always bring about the desired results. With prayer, the power is not in the person’s hands, but in the hands of the divinity to which they are praying. With Wicca, the power rests solely with the practitioner; they have the ability to harness the energy and send it forth to bring change. Of course, I see some loopholes here as well, but I think there is also a great chance of success. It is freeing to think one has the ability to create change. Personal power, it seems, is invested in the practitioner and not a distant entity. I might be more inclined to believe in the practice if I saw a witch make it rain, but for now I am open to it. After all, the energy is there; why not use it?

            It has been an interesting time reading about the subject. What I listed here was only a sampling of what I have read. As I read more, I will try to pass it along to you all. Remember to never judge a book by its cover and never take someone else’s opinion; research it yourself and come to your own conclusions. Until then, remember, when flying on your broomstick, slower traffic keeps to the right.

            As always, good luck writing.

Work Update 3

            It has been a while since I last posted and I have a lot going on, so I thought I would update you all on the latest projects. I have three underway right now; the first is the novella. I have completed it and revised it once. It needs two more readings, then it will be ready for submission. I think I have found a suitable publisher in Arkham, the same publisher which handled H.P. Lovecraft’s works. If you have not read him yet, do check him out. His work is great. The Novella came off really well, and I am pleased with it thus far. I have two short stories I am working on as well. The first is one which I have been working through for some time. It is the story about the departed lover who leaves her dog to her boyfriend. When he meets a new girl, the dog begins to act in bizarre behavior. The second is a 25 page work dealing with the traumatic story of a young girl, the Newsalem Witch! It was my first endeavor writing about a female lead, and I think it came across pretty well. It was also a first in that it was a “story within a story.” A young hiker, the main character, finds the lady’s journal and reads of her tragedy. I am pleased with it as well, and look forward to seeing it completed. The latter two will be on PubIt soon; I will let you know when. 

            Aside from these very active projects, I have some ideas mulling around in my mind. I will not share them now; sorry, I guard them jealously. Once I can get these out of the way, I want to put some attention toward the novella again and get it ready for its little flight to neverland (it’s probably where it will end up). I am also torturing myself by reading the Barnes and Noble unabridged version of Moby Dick. I thought it would be a good adventure book, but I have learned more about the color white and ropes than I have about the damned whale! It is a bit of a joke now around the house, and if the book were not on my electronic reader, I should have returned it to the ocean from whence it came! Oh well. Happy reading to me.

            That is all for now. I will give some details about the two works when I get them completed and before I put them up for sale. It has been busy here, and I am trying to get adjusted to the new summer schedule. Once I can fully embrace the summer months, I will start to crank out more blogs, perhaps two a week (not that anyone reads them, Hah!)

            As always, good luck writing.

What to Do With Downtime

            I have found that writing falls into two categories: intensive writing and intensive down-time. I have either been viciously typing away at the keys or I have been staring at the keyboard, sometimes trying to remember how it works. Some writers may have a happy medium between the two opposites, but for most it seems it is either feast or famine. We all know what to do with the writing times; write, and get as much on paper as possible. The times of austerity, however, can be tricky to manage, as the creative rivers all but dry up. Here are some of the things that I do when I have no major projects on hand.

            First, I research for future projects. What do I research, you may ask? Well, I read fervently and learn my material; anything that catches my eyes becomes a possible idea. Is your book historical? Know your information and dates? Are you writing about science? Learn the language of the field and the function of the sciences. Be fully prepared for your work and read everything! I have studied articles, books on various subjects ranging from mythology to Wicca, and mentally consumed my fair share of ghost stories. You may remember these were some of my avenues of inspiration. I am currently researching stuff on Wicca for my next novel. I may not have mentioned much about this current project yet, but soon I will give you some details on book 2. Researching is important to the whole scope of the endeavor, as it gets you in line with the reality of the story and helps to prepare you for the flowing of the rivers again. Do you neglect your research. More on this later.

            Second, I edit heavily. You may not be able to write, but you can edit like crazy. Take the document, a large cup of coffee/tea/milk/Bailey’s/etc. and read like mad. I try to edit when I finish the document, but sometimes it piles up on me. Those downtimes are wonderful for catching up on the editions and getting them in. Editing takes a lot of time, so use your downtime wisely and set aside an hour or two for editions. It may be tedious, but it sure beats staring at the keyboard.

            Third, and perhaps most importantly, I relax. As a writer, you are a bit of an entertainer. You create stories for amusement and pleasure. Sometimes, however, it is nice to simply read someone else’s works and allow your mind to wander. We spend so much of our time crafting tales, editing and researching the story we want to tell, that it is nice to sit back and allow someone else to narrate the adventure. Do not neglect reading, as it is a time for us to enjoy the craft without being totally immersed in the process.

            Downtime can sometimes be a pain, especially if deadlines are approaching, but if you have the available time, follow the above strategies and you just may appreciate the idle hours more than you previously thought.

            As always, good luck writing!

Excessive Gore

            We seem to live in a world today which thrives on gory descriptions. The bloodier the movie or book, the better it will sell, or so it is thought. We see movies like the Final Destination series and the Saw chain and realize we are obsessed with debased scenes. I refuse to watch gore, unless it is based on a historical war scene (in such matters I do not want to be lied to either, as I remember the stories my grandfather told me of the horrors of the Second World War.) Yet when it comes to entertainment, we gravitate towards the bloody; as writers, it should not be so with us. Too many works are created everyday that detail slimy, butcher-like scenes. That is not art; neither is it acceptable. Some may think it difficult to create a horror story without gruesome detail. I disagree. Below you will find a few hints on how to write a very good work of fiction without the mess.

            First, and most importantly, let the imagination work on its own. When a person is engulfed by a book, their brain is running “wide-open.” They are viewing the scenes you describe; they are engaging with the characters and the plot; they are remembering places and names, and perhaps even conjuring memories of their own. You need not inundate their minds with details of a bloody nature. Poe illustrates a good example in the Black Cat, where he plucks out the eye of the cat. What could have been a very blood scene in writing was glossed over very quickly with little to no gory detail. The mind knew what to think; everyone can create their own scene without unwanted detail. Let the mind of the reader work freely on these parts. This leads me to my second point, if blood is necessary, move through it quickly.

            If writing a horror story, you will encounter bloody moments. It is inevitable to create a story with violence and no blood shedding. To dwell on the bloodthirstiness of the scene, however, is not necessary. Pass through it quickly. In most of Poe’s works, he passed through the scenes very quickly and with little detail. In my works, I give very little detail on such matters, and opt to move around them quietly. Does that make me a bad writer? I should think not, since my work is more about art than mere entertainment. I write for the joy of writing and the art of the work, not subtle blood splattering. The action may be necessary for the storyline, but the excessive detail is not; mention and move on.

            Finally, remember your audience. It is always a good idea, if writing horror, to write to as general an audience as possible. Keep the gore to a minimum for the sake of the readers, and you will have better success with the reading population. People can enjoy a good scary story; not all people can stomach gruesome scenes. Write to the greater reading population and you will do alright.

            Well, still feeling the need to elaborate on the exploding head? Remember, what you create is art, not just archaic symbols on a page. You may walk into a museum and look at the works of Warhol and think, what? Some people may walk into your story and think the same, even though you, like Warhol, are brilliant.

            As always, good luck writing.