A.F. Stewart's Blog, page 73
July 21, 2015
Interview With Author Dani Hoots
Today, I have a great interview with the prolific, multi-genre writer, Dani Hoots. Enjoy...
Interview with Author Dani Hoots
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Well, I am an author that resides outside Seattle, Washington with my husband and two cats. I have a B.S. in Anthropology and a Masters of Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University, where I am also enrolled in an online program for Novel Writing through the Piper Center at ASU. My hobbies include learning German and Swedish, playing the violin, volunteering for conservation organizations, and watching anime and reading manga. I also love working at conventions, such as Comic-con, where I get to meet my readers and other artists like me.
You have an impressive array of novellas and series. Could you tell us a bit about your books?
Yes. I have five series currently that are either finished or I’m in the middle of them, along with some free short stories that are available for download. They all range from science fiction, fantasy, to horror and romance. A Falling Starr Trilogy follows Angela Starr as she can’t remember who she is, and is taken to a new world and finds out that it is her home. She must figure out who exactly she was in this world and why there are so many people after her.
A World of Vampires Series follows different myths and legends throughout the world about vampires, and each novella has to do with a different character in a different place and time in history as they discover these creatures. My stories range from 1930’s Boston, following the Native American version of a vampire called a Hooh-Strah-Dooh, to 1700s Scotland with the Baobhan Sith, and the newest one to be released is set in 16th century Chile with the Peuchen legend.
The Sanshlian Series, which includes my first indie published novel The Quest, follows Arcadia Rieturf who was taken from her family and trained to be the Emperor’s Shadow. She becomes emotionless and ruthless, believing in everything her master, the emperor, does—that is, until she runs into her long lost brother who wants to find the legendary planet of Sanshli, which can be used to destroy the Pandronan Empire and bring back the New Republic that once ruled. Now Arcadia must choose between her loyalty and her family.
My Broken Heart Series is a collection of different romance stories of people who have had their heart broken. For this, I decided to do all types of “doomed to fail” relationships including a girl falling in love with her father’s intern, a graduate school teacher-student romance, boss-employee relationship, and so on. This series also includes two LGBT novellas that have not yet been released. Lastly, I have a series called Damon Salvatore: Life After Lost that I published through Kindle Worlds. This is through The Vampire Diaries and follows Damon just after he runs off from Mystic Falls after he is turned into a vampire.
You are also working on a comic called Hel's Labyrinth. What’s the premise, and how does working on a comic differ from writing a book?
Hel’s Labyrinth follows a girl named Phoebe who unwillingly gets trapped into Niflhel, the Scandinavian underworld, with seven other circus attendees. There, they have to face Norse mythical beings that are trying to kill them and survive to the end of the labyrinth to face Hel herself, as she is the one behind it all and is trying to bring Ragnarok to end the world. To learn more about it and stay informed, please check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/antikcomics
Working on a comic is a lot of fun, especially when it is with a friend. Being a writer can be lonely a lot of time, so working on joint projects is definitely exciting. I found that the difference is when it comes to actually writing the story, as you don’t need to worry about describing things since that is what the art does. Mainly, all your focus is on dialogue and you have to make sure all the information is given only through dialogue. It is quite interesting, actually, to have to change your focus on how most information is given. As for marketing and all the pre- and post-production work, it is a lot like writing a novel.
You’ve also written a book (based on the Vampire Diaries) for Kindle Worlds. How was that experience?
It was a lot of fun since I got to be able to write about a character I absolutely love. There is definitely a lot we don’t know about Damon in The Vampire Diaries and it was fun to put together some of the pieces, even though it’s not canon. It was also helpful in developing a fan base and beginning my career as a writer.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
I am not sure what would be my favorite, but if I had to pick, it would probably be urban and historic fantasy. I love doing research on different times in history, or different places throughout the world, and learn a lot by writing A World of Vampires Series, and a novel I am working on called The Chained. Science Fiction is a close second though, as I have great interest in space exploration and grew up reading Isaac Asimov and Star Wars books.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
I try to write every day, even if it is just a little. I make myself a pot of herbal tea, get my cat to lie down next to me, blast some music that inspires me (ranging from folk to German metal), and go to work in my study. That is pretty much my every day. My ideas originate from many things, such as dreams, history books, or just interactions with people on the streets. I find inspiration in everything around me.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
I would have to say that a lot of the time being a writer can be very lonely. Sure there is a lot of people online to talk to, but actual physical interaction is a lot different. That is why I like working at conventions, meeting people, and joining clubs like German club, soccer, and volunteering places.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
My favorite authors include Isaac Asimov, Kevin J. Anderson, Timothy Zahn, and I get inspired by many animes and mangas, such as Sailor Moon, Fairy Tail, and Trigun. Isaac Asimov was a very scientific writer and it is very motivating how he was able to incorporate it in his writing. When I was young, I read a lot of Timothy Zahn and Kevin J. Anderson and those stories were what made get serious about writing, along with watching/reading Sailor Moon, Trigun, and many other Japanese anime and manga.
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
My next project is going to be a young adult paranormal mystery. It is still in the works, but I know it will follow a young girl who is starting her freshman year at a boarding school outside of Leavenworth, Washington. She starts hearing a voice talking to her and strange things begin happening at the school where she has to solve the mystery of what happens. I’m very excited to start working on it soon and I hope to release the first one this fall.
You can find out more about the author and her books at her websites:
www.danihoots.com www.confessionsofageekess.com
Interview with Author Dani Hoots
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Well, I am an author that resides outside Seattle, Washington with my husband and two cats. I have a B.S. in Anthropology and a Masters of Urban and Environmental Planning from Arizona State University, where I am also enrolled in an online program for Novel Writing through the Piper Center at ASU. My hobbies include learning German and Swedish, playing the violin, volunteering for conservation organizations, and watching anime and reading manga. I also love working at conventions, such as Comic-con, where I get to meet my readers and other artists like me.
You have an impressive array of novellas and series. Could you tell us a bit about your books?
Yes. I have five series currently that are either finished or I’m in the middle of them, along with some free short stories that are available for download. They all range from science fiction, fantasy, to horror and romance. A Falling Starr Trilogy follows Angela Starr as she can’t remember who she is, and is taken to a new world and finds out that it is her home. She must figure out who exactly she was in this world and why there are so many people after her.
A World of Vampires Series follows different myths and legends throughout the world about vampires, and each novella has to do with a different character in a different place and time in history as they discover these creatures. My stories range from 1930’s Boston, following the Native American version of a vampire called a Hooh-Strah-Dooh, to 1700s Scotland with the Baobhan Sith, and the newest one to be released is set in 16th century Chile with the Peuchen legend.
The Sanshlian Series, which includes my first indie published novel The Quest, follows Arcadia Rieturf who was taken from her family and trained to be the Emperor’s Shadow. She becomes emotionless and ruthless, believing in everything her master, the emperor, does—that is, until she runs into her long lost brother who wants to find the legendary planet of Sanshli, which can be used to destroy the Pandronan Empire and bring back the New Republic that once ruled. Now Arcadia must choose between her loyalty and her family.
My Broken Heart Series is a collection of different romance stories of people who have had their heart broken. For this, I decided to do all types of “doomed to fail” relationships including a girl falling in love with her father’s intern, a graduate school teacher-student romance, boss-employee relationship, and so on. This series also includes two LGBT novellas that have not yet been released. Lastly, I have a series called Damon Salvatore: Life After Lost that I published through Kindle Worlds. This is through The Vampire Diaries and follows Damon just after he runs off from Mystic Falls after he is turned into a vampire.
You are also working on a comic called Hel's Labyrinth. What’s the premise, and how does working on a comic differ from writing a book?
Hel’s Labyrinth follows a girl named Phoebe who unwillingly gets trapped into Niflhel, the Scandinavian underworld, with seven other circus attendees. There, they have to face Norse mythical beings that are trying to kill them and survive to the end of the labyrinth to face Hel herself, as she is the one behind it all and is trying to bring Ragnarok to end the world. To learn more about it and stay informed, please check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/antikcomics
Working on a comic is a lot of fun, especially when it is with a friend. Being a writer can be lonely a lot of time, so working on joint projects is definitely exciting. I found that the difference is when it comes to actually writing the story, as you don’t need to worry about describing things since that is what the art does. Mainly, all your focus is on dialogue and you have to make sure all the information is given only through dialogue. It is quite interesting, actually, to have to change your focus on how most information is given. As for marketing and all the pre- and post-production work, it is a lot like writing a novel.
You’ve also written a book (based on the Vampire Diaries) for Kindle Worlds. How was that experience?
It was a lot of fun since I got to be able to write about a character I absolutely love. There is definitely a lot we don’t know about Damon in The Vampire Diaries and it was fun to put together some of the pieces, even though it’s not canon. It was also helpful in developing a fan base and beginning my career as a writer.
You write in several genres. Do you have a favourite? And if so, why?
I am not sure what would be my favorite, but if I had to pick, it would probably be urban and historic fantasy. I love doing research on different times in history, or different places throughout the world, and learn a lot by writing A World of Vampires Series, and a novel I am working on called The Chained. Science Fiction is a close second though, as I have great interest in space exploration and grew up reading Isaac Asimov and Star Wars books.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
I try to write every day, even if it is just a little. I make myself a pot of herbal tea, get my cat to lie down next to me, blast some music that inspires me (ranging from folk to German metal), and go to work in my study. That is pretty much my every day. My ideas originate from many things, such as dreams, history books, or just interactions with people on the streets. I find inspiration in everything around me.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
I would have to say that a lot of the time being a writer can be very lonely. Sure there is a lot of people online to talk to, but actual physical interaction is a lot different. That is why I like working at conventions, meeting people, and joining clubs like German club, soccer, and volunteering places.
Do you have a favourite author, or writing inspiration?
My favorite authors include Isaac Asimov, Kevin J. Anderson, Timothy Zahn, and I get inspired by many animes and mangas, such as Sailor Moon, Fairy Tail, and Trigun. Isaac Asimov was a very scientific writer and it is very motivating how he was able to incorporate it in his writing. When I was young, I read a lot of Timothy Zahn and Kevin J. Anderson and those stories were what made get serious about writing, along with watching/reading Sailor Moon, Trigun, and many other Japanese anime and manga.
What’s your next project? Any upcoming book secrets you care to reveal?
My next project is going to be a young adult paranormal mystery. It is still in the works, but I know it will follow a young girl who is starting her freshman year at a boarding school outside of Leavenworth, Washington. She starts hearing a voice talking to her and strange things begin happening at the school where she has to solve the mystery of what happens. I’m very excited to start working on it soon and I hope to release the first one this fall.
You can find out more about the author and her books at her websites:
www.danihoots.com www.confessionsofageekess.com
July 19, 2015
Book Spotlight: Sevara: Dawn of Hope
Today I have a book spotlight for the YA fantasy novel, Sevara: Dawn of Hope by Damian Wampler. Enjoy!
Sevara: Dawn of Hope by Damian Wampler
Sevara’s orphanage teaches wife etiquette instead of arithmetic, domestic duties instead of grammar, and stick fighting instead of phys ed. There’s a swimming pool (but no water) and a doctor (who sells the unwanted girls to slave traders). All girls must become servant-wives, or be kicked out onto the streets with nothing. Sevara refuses to marry, and doesn’t last long on the outside.
Luckily, someone has been watching her.
Given incredible powers, Sevara must choose between protecting the city, and saving the only man she’s ever loved. Dawn of Hope is a one hundred thousand word young adult novel that will appeal to readers of all ages, and is suitable for children over the age of thirteen.
Sevara: Dawn of Hope is available at:
Amazon
Author Bio:
Damian is a lifelong documentary photographer who originally hails from Newark, Delaware. Damian earned a bachelor's degree in English and Anthropology from Boston University and boarded a place bound for Kyrgyzstan shortly after, where he taught English for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. Later, he earned a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Russian, Eastern Europe and Central Asian Studies, and returned to the Kyrgyz republic as a Fulbright researcher. He returned to the United States to study digital photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He also wrote and produced a full-length play which premiered June, 2009. Damian is also the writer and creator of the Sevara graphic novel.
Author Website: http://www.sevarawillrise.com
Sevara: Dawn of Hope by Damian Wampler
Sevara’s orphanage teaches wife etiquette instead of arithmetic, domestic duties instead of grammar, and stick fighting instead of phys ed. There’s a swimming pool (but no water) and a doctor (who sells the unwanted girls to slave traders). All girls must become servant-wives, or be kicked out onto the streets with nothing. Sevara refuses to marry, and doesn’t last long on the outside.
Luckily, someone has been watching her.
Given incredible powers, Sevara must choose between protecting the city, and saving the only man she’s ever loved. Dawn of Hope is a one hundred thousand word young adult novel that will appeal to readers of all ages, and is suitable for children over the age of thirteen.
Sevara: Dawn of Hope is available at:
Amazon
Author Bio:
Damian is a lifelong documentary photographer who originally hails from Newark, Delaware. Damian earned a bachelor's degree in English and Anthropology from Boston University and boarded a place bound for Kyrgyzstan shortly after, where he taught English for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. Later, he earned a Master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Russian, Eastern Europe and Central Asian Studies, and returned to the Kyrgyz republic as a Fulbright researcher. He returned to the United States to study digital photography at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He also wrote and produced a full-length play which premiered June, 2009. Damian is also the writer and creator of the Sevara graphic novel.
Author Website: http://www.sevarawillrise.com
July 17, 2015
Interview With Tabitha Darling
Today I have an interview with author Tabitha Darling who stops by to chat about her new book, Chiron's Honor, and writing. Enjoy.
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
I am originally from Alaska. Having spent nearly 20 years up there, I learned to hunt for food, trap and fish etc. I have seen fifty below zero temperatures, five foot snow, moose, bear and the northern lights. After finding Mr. Right I am now a happy Texan author, editor and artist. I own three horses, four chickens, and three geese. I am also wife to a robot building husband and mom to a one year old.
Can you tell us about your newest release, Chiron's Honor?
Chiron's Honor brings a genetically engineered centaur species back to Earth after a separation of nearly 3,000 years. The centaur cannot reproduce, their longevity is severely shortened and they are looking for answers to have a chance at living again. This book is meant to bring realism to classical mythology.
Your new book is a fantasy. What interests you about the genre as a writer? Are you a fan of the genre, and if so why?
I am a picky reader as I have read all the great classics such as Tolkien, Asimov, and James Herriot etc. I can't stand formulaic books, shallow plots, or the shallow use of writing and language. What I like about the fantasy genre is just pushing the limits of what we assume, tweaking the standards, messing with the status quo. Experimenting, and testing. I like a good unicorn book, or a novel with rich character in dragons, and in the human characters. No more wizards, spells, apprenticeships, or doomsday, but give me a really well thought out book and sharp author. I am definitely a fan of fiction and fantasy! In this crazy world we need it!
You’ve also included aspects of mythology in your book. As a writer what do you find most intriguing about myths?
Ironically I got interested in mythology from Stargate SG1, an old sci-fi T.V. series. It is fascinating to learn about the old languages used, how the common person lived, the ruling structure of a society, how they viewed nature and animals, how religions and concept of magic were perceived. I prefer to read the old stories, which were once considered fact and just ask in my writing what if they had been true and we never found out? That is the underlying question in this current series I'm working on.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate
My ideas pop into my head usually without forethought. Literally while I'm typing! Chiron's Honor actually wrote itself, there was no plan whatsoever except the vague idea of what I wanted to get across. Even the structure formed itself partway through, I liked it and kept it. The structure itself I have never used before. I think the book surprised me!
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Editing, I hate editing! Second, is advertising. Lastly, researching old dead civilizations!
Where do you get your inspirations or ideas?
Pretty much in one of two ways. I get lucky have great ideas that pp into my head for which I quickly jot down notes. And lastly, literally n the fly while I'm typing. Beyond that, just the desire to mess with assumptions and see where they take me.
Do you have a favourite author?
Not just one favorite author but many. If I was forced at threat to my life, I'd have to say Tolkien.
What’s the next project? Any new books in the works?
This has got to be a trick question! I have two books in one series to work on, two books each in their own series to finish, and two more each in THEIR own series to write. I am working on five separate series at the same time, and just hop from one book to the next as I feel the need or finish a book to move on.
You can find out more on the author and her books at her website and blog.
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.I am originally from Alaska. Having spent nearly 20 years up there, I learned to hunt for food, trap and fish etc. I have seen fifty below zero temperatures, five foot snow, moose, bear and the northern lights. After finding Mr. Right I am now a happy Texan author, editor and artist. I own three horses, four chickens, and three geese. I am also wife to a robot building husband and mom to a one year old.
Can you tell us about your newest release, Chiron's Honor?
Chiron's Honor brings a genetically engineered centaur species back to Earth after a separation of nearly 3,000 years. The centaur cannot reproduce, their longevity is severely shortened and they are looking for answers to have a chance at living again. This book is meant to bring realism to classical mythology.
Your new book is a fantasy. What interests you about the genre as a writer? Are you a fan of the genre, and if so why?
I am a picky reader as I have read all the great classics such as Tolkien, Asimov, and James Herriot etc. I can't stand formulaic books, shallow plots, or the shallow use of writing and language. What I like about the fantasy genre is just pushing the limits of what we assume, tweaking the standards, messing with the status quo. Experimenting, and testing. I like a good unicorn book, or a novel with rich character in dragons, and in the human characters. No more wizards, spells, apprenticeships, or doomsday, but give me a really well thought out book and sharp author. I am definitely a fan of fiction and fantasy! In this crazy world we need it!
You’ve also included aspects of mythology in your book. As a writer what do you find most intriguing about myths?
Ironically I got interested in mythology from Stargate SG1, an old sci-fi T.V. series. It is fascinating to learn about the old languages used, how the common person lived, the ruling structure of a society, how they viewed nature and animals, how religions and concept of magic were perceived. I prefer to read the old stories, which were once considered fact and just ask in my writing what if they had been true and we never found out? That is the underlying question in this current series I'm working on.
Can you tell us about your writing process? Where do your ideas originate
My ideas pop into my head usually without forethought. Literally while I'm typing! Chiron's Honor actually wrote itself, there was no plan whatsoever except the vague idea of what I wanted to get across. Even the structure formed itself partway through, I liked it and kept it. The structure itself I have never used before. I think the book surprised me!
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Editing, I hate editing! Second, is advertising. Lastly, researching old dead civilizations!
Where do you get your inspirations or ideas?
Pretty much in one of two ways. I get lucky have great ideas that pp into my head for which I quickly jot down notes. And lastly, literally n the fly while I'm typing. Beyond that, just the desire to mess with assumptions and see where they take me.
Do you have a favourite author?
Not just one favorite author but many. If I was forced at threat to my life, I'd have to say Tolkien.
What’s the next project? Any new books in the works?
This has got to be a trick question! I have two books in one series to work on, two books each in their own series to finish, and two more each in THEIR own series to write. I am working on five separate series at the same time, and just hop from one book to the next as I feel the need or finish a book to move on.
You can find out more on the author and her books at her website and blog.
July 15, 2015
Drabble Wednesday: Comeuppance And A Little Sunshine
Today on Drabble Wednesday it’s payback time, with three stories of less than savoury characters getting theirs. Also the last story, The Real Estate Game, features the main character concept by one of the winners in my Sunshine Book Show Rafflecopter Contest, Linda Bonney Olin. Congratulations, Linda, and I hope you enjoy your character’s demise.
No Rhyme, Nor Reason
“One bone, two. Is the sky still blue?”She skipped a few steps, stirring up dust.“Two bones, three. What will become of me?”She twirled about, dancing, coming to a stop beside a figure slumped in the corner. “My name’s Lucy, what’s yours?” No answer, and suddenly—“Time for grub, maggots!" The prison guard ambled down the corridor between cells, followed by men pushing three trolleys. As he neared, the guard halted abruptly, staring into Lucy’s cell.“What the— Lucy! What did I tell ya! Stop killing your cellmates!”“Why?” She giggled. “Three bones, four. I want some more.”
High Stakes Hnefa-Tafl
The chieftain hesitated, his hand wavering over a game piece. He glanced at his opponent. The inscrutable stranger smiled.One of his nearby servants coughed. “Quiet!” The chieftain roared, and struck the man in the face. “I need quiet!” Then he inhaled, and shifted a piece.“Unfortunate.” His opponent made his play. “I have captured your king. You have yielded the game.”“NO!” The chieftain slammed his fists on the board flinging it into the air.“Yes! I will collect our wager.” The stranger waved his hand. “Your soul!”The tyrannical chieftain gasped and died, while his oppressed subjects cheered.
This next story is the result of my Sunshine Book Show Giveaway. My prize winner, Linda Bonney Olin, got to create and name a character to be used in Drabble Wednesday. Here is her character, iffy real estate agent Emma Faye Kerr, and her poor unfortunate (but well-deserved) fate:
The Real Estate Game
Emma Faye Kerr stared at the black spot on the wall. She couldn’t unload this rattling monstrosity of house on unsuspecting clients if they could see the problems.“Stupid painters. They promised they’d hide those mold stains. I’ve got a couple ripe for the plucking coming in an hour.”She leaned in, taking a closer look. Her hand brushed against the spot.“What the—”She screamed. Black slime slid from the wall onto her hand. It grew, engulfed her, consuming flesh and bone. Within minutes nothing was left of Emma Faye Kerr but a black stain on the floor.
No Rhyme, Nor Reason
“One bone, two. Is the sky still blue?”She skipped a few steps, stirring up dust.“Two bones, three. What will become of me?”She twirled about, dancing, coming to a stop beside a figure slumped in the corner. “My name’s Lucy, what’s yours?” No answer, and suddenly—“Time for grub, maggots!" The prison guard ambled down the corridor between cells, followed by men pushing three trolleys. As he neared, the guard halted abruptly, staring into Lucy’s cell.“What the— Lucy! What did I tell ya! Stop killing your cellmates!”“Why?” She giggled. “Three bones, four. I want some more.”
High Stakes Hnefa-Tafl
The chieftain hesitated, his hand wavering over a game piece. He glanced at his opponent. The inscrutable stranger smiled.One of his nearby servants coughed. “Quiet!” The chieftain roared, and struck the man in the face. “I need quiet!” Then he inhaled, and shifted a piece.“Unfortunate.” His opponent made his play. “I have captured your king. You have yielded the game.”“NO!” The chieftain slammed his fists on the board flinging it into the air.“Yes! I will collect our wager.” The stranger waved his hand. “Your soul!”The tyrannical chieftain gasped and died, while his oppressed subjects cheered.
This next story is the result of my Sunshine Book Show Giveaway. My prize winner, Linda Bonney Olin, got to create and name a character to be used in Drabble Wednesday. Here is her character, iffy real estate agent Emma Faye Kerr, and her poor unfortunate (but well-deserved) fate:
The Real Estate Game
Emma Faye Kerr stared at the black spot on the wall. She couldn’t unload this rattling monstrosity of house on unsuspecting clients if they could see the problems.“Stupid painters. They promised they’d hide those mold stains. I’ve got a couple ripe for the plucking coming in an hour.”She leaned in, taking a closer look. Her hand brushed against the spot.“What the—”She screamed. Black slime slid from the wall onto her hand. It grew, engulfed her, consuming flesh and bone. Within minutes nothing was left of Emma Faye Kerr but a black stain on the floor.
July 10, 2015
Interview With Robert Eggleton
Today I have a great interview with talented writer Robert Eggleton, author of Rarity from the Hollow. Enjoy...
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Thanks for the invitation. I was born in 1951, the oldest son of an impoverished family in West Virginia. We received government surplus food called commodities. My alcoholic and occasionally abusive father had PTSD from WWII. It was called shell shock back then. My mom did the best she could, but somebody had to support my family. I worked odd jobs until I got a minimum wage one in a drug store when I was twelve. I’ve made payments into America’s Social Security fund for the next fifty-two years.
In the 8th grade, I won the school’s short story contest: a redneck semi truck driver became so obsessed with the conflict between Jewish vs. Christian theology that he lost concentration on the road and caused a terrible accident. I decided that I wanted to be a writer and dreamed of getting rich. As it often does, life got in the way. Between school and work, I was too exhausted to write any more stories until recently.
I continued to work at various minimum wage jobs during high school and college. Work, antiwar activities and school kept me too busy to write stories, so I wrote poems on scraps of paper. One was published in the state’s 1972 West Virginia Student Poetry Anthology. Another was published in a local zine. I graduated in 1973 with a degree in social work and received an MSW from WVU in 1977.
After college, I focused on children’s advocacy. The Vietnam War and the draft had ended. My new political cause became children’s rights and welfare. I was involved in this emotionally charged work for the next forty years. It supplanted my need to write fiction. Instead, I wrote manuals, research, investigative, and statistical reports.
In 2003, I became a children’s psychotherapist at our local community mental health center. It was an intensive program for kids with very severe emotional disturbances. One day at work in 2006, during a group therapy session, I met the real-life role model for my fictional protagonist. Lacy Dawn had been severely abused, but was so resilient that it was inspiring to everybody who met her, staff and her peers alike.
I started writing fiction. Three short Lacy Dawn Adventures have been published in magazines. My debut novel, Rarity from the Hollow, was released in 2012 by Dog Horn Publishing, a small traditional press located in Leeds. In May 2015, I retired from my job as a children’s psychotherapist so that I could concentrate on writing fiction that introduces Lacy Dawn to the rest of the world.
Can you tell us about your book, Rarity from the Hollow?
Sure, but I don’t want to spoil anything for its readers. This novel, similar to the truck driver’s introspections that I mentioned before, is full of contrasts: harsh reality amplifies outrageous fantasy, bitterness blends into acceptance and empowerment, tragedy inspires comedy, and a biography of a victim becomes a science fiction story. It does not fit neatly into a genre, such as romance, horror or even speculative fiction.
This novel was written for an adult audience, but does not have graphic sex scenes, a lot of violence or any of the other similar content that one might assume to be attributable to an Adults Only classification. It is sweet but frank and honest with no holds barred. It addresses the complexities of real life for some people, but presents sensitive topics that might trigger emotional distress with comic relief. My intent was for readers to enjoy the experiences that I created with everyday words and colloquialism, but not to gloss over realism in the way that some YA titles accomplish.
In a nutshell, Rarity from the Hollow is about a little girl who learns to be the Savior of the Universe with the help of her family and friends. It’s up to readers to decide which scenes are dissociative as a result of Lacy Dawn’s traumas and which scenes are pure fantasy and science fiction.
Your book integrates serious social issues into its narrative. What led you to write a novel that included these issues?
The short answer to your question is tradition. Historically, fiction has fueled social activism, debate, and the adoption of evolving or devolving social policy. Frankly, while I've read nonstop for decades, when I started writing it, I was not aware of the big debate in the marketplace about whether fiction should or should not be pure escapism. I now belong to a writer’s group in cyberspace with members who debate this very issue. The focus seems to be on whether the inclusion of serious topics in fictional works would help or hurt sales.
Did the GLBTQ titles increasingly being released, and the popularity of television shows such as Modern Family, influence the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that same-sex marriage was a Constitutional right? I don’t know and the answer wouldn’t make any difference to my products. I simply write what I know, what I’ve experienced in my own life, and hope that readers enjoy the comical slant that I place on complex issues.
I do believe that all artists have an opportunity to have a positive or negative impact on society. Artists aspire to achieve an audience. They need one as much as they need oxygen or food. There are many examples of fund-raising campaigns for various wonderful causes put together by popular artists. It was in remembrance of George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh that I have donated author proceeds to a child abuse prevention program in West Virginia.
Why did you decide to use the SF/Fantasy genre as the underpinning of the novel, as opposed to another genre?
I selected the SF/F backdrop for this story because it was the best fit by process of elimination. The novel also has elements of horror, mystery, romance, self-help, and thriller. It is not a good example of the historical or western genres, although the social issues that we talked about before have been present throughout history, including in the Wild West.
In today’s reality the systems in place to help maltreated children are woefully inadequate. I felt that the literary, biographical, nonfiction genres wouldn’t work because the story would have been so depressing that only the most determined would have finished it.
I felt that the story had to be hopeful. I wanted it to inspire survivors of child maltreatment toward competitiveness within our existing economic structures, instead of folks using past victimization as an excuse for inactivity. I didn’t think that anybody would bite on the theme of a knight on a white stallion galloping off a hillside to swoop victims into safety, like in the traditional romance genre. That almost never actually happens in real life, so that genre was too unrealistic as the primary. There was already enough horror in the story, so that genre was out too. What could be more horrific than child abuse?
The protagonist and her traumatized teammates needed fantastical elements to achieve empowerment. But, as in life, one cannot overcome barriers to the pursuit of happiness by simply imagining them away. That’s where the science fiction came into play. It provided a power source. I tied the science fiction to Capitalism because in today’s reality it will take significant financial investment by benefactors to significantly improve the welfare of children in the world. Our governments are unlikely to do so in the near future because of the politics.
What did you find most challenging about writing Rarity from the Hollow?
Writing comes easy for me, but the third scene in the story was especially challenging. It was a domestic violence scene that triggered my own psychological distress. Tears blurred my vision each time that I reworked it. The only other challenges were the typical ones that all writers of anything experience, such as proofreading what you intended to write instead of what’s actually on the page. After I submitted a story to a publisher in the early morning hours of July 4, 2014, I still found typos that I’d missed.
Your book is also, in part, a satire. Was that a conscious choice to offset the more stark aspects of the novel, or did it evolve as a natural process of writing?
I’ve always loved to read the puns, the double entendres, and satire in the works of others. I’m sure that had a big impact on what I write. Some of the satire in this novel evolved as a natural process, while other sections were inserted because I had found the narrative in need of a lighter tone to offset stark aspects. If I found a place during the drafts that I felt was too “heavy” for me to read as its writer, I figured that it would be way to much for the reader.
Do you having any writing inspirations or favourite authors?
I’m not sure that you have enough bandwidth for me to make a complete list of inspirations and favourites, so here’s a few. Ferlinghetti, the poet of the Beat Generation, showed me how to enjoy my anger about political and societal issues. Similarly, Vonnegut’s anger in Breakfast of Champions helped me stay strong as a children’s advocate and as a writer, and how to experiment with my writing style outside of commonly accepted structures and formats. The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter series reinforced my faith in the potential of adolescent morality and the future of the world. Watership Down by R. Adams was such a sweet adventure that some of this element just is a necessary ingredient of even the scariest or saddest story. The versatility in cross-genre and the use of humour by Bradbury had to have been a subliminal inspiration, especially now that I think about it. Dean Koontz has been masterful. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by D. Adams and Another Roadside Attraction by Robbins pushed me into the wilder side of writing regardless of censorship, as did the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics. And, Stephen King’s use of everyday horror convinced me that alarming scenes can be created by using almost anything as a prop.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?Is this a trick question? Nobody can always do what they like to do, but the activity that I like most is reading. Of course, there are other activities that I enjoy, such as watching WVU sports, gardening, home repairs, family events, and my son, he’s 41, always has something new and fun to show me, usually from the internet.
What’s next for you?
Hah! This is another trick question. I will continue to write fiction for eternity.
Author Bio:
Robert Eggleton has served as a children's advocate for over forty years. He is best known for his investigative reports about children’s programs, most of which were published by the West Virginia Supreme Court where he worked from 1982 through 1997. Today, he is a recently retired psychotherapist from the mental health center in Charleston, West Virginia. Rarity from the Hollow is his debut novel and its release followed publication of three short Lacy Dawn Adventures in magazines: Wingspan Quarterly, Beyond Centauri, and Atomjack Science Fiction. Author proceeds have been donated to a child abuse prevention program operated by Children’s Home Society of West Virginia: http://www.childhswv.org/
Find out more about Robert Eggleton and his books and these websites:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13603677-rarity-from-the-hollow
https://www.facebook.com/robert.eggleton2
https://twitter.com/roberteggleton2
Rarity from the Hollow
Lacy Dawn is a true daughter of Appalachia, and then some. She lives in a hollow with her worn-out mom, her Iraq War disabled dad, and her mutt Brownie, a dog who's very skilled at laying fiber optic cable. Lacy Dawn's android boyfriend has come to the hollow with a mission. His equipment includes infomercial videos of Earth's earliest proto-humans from millennia ago. He was sent by the Manager of the Mall on planet Shptiludrp (Shop 'till You Drop): he must recruit Lacy Dawn to save the Universe in exchange for the designation of Earth as a planet which is eligible for continued existence within a universal economic structure that exploits underdeveloped planets for their mineral content. Lacy Dawn’s magic enables her to save the universe, Earth, and, most importantly, her own family.
Link for excerpt of the 1st Chapter: http://www.wattpad.com/12596126-rarity-from-the-hollow-excerpt
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little about yourself.
Thanks for the invitation. I was born in 1951, the oldest son of an impoverished family in West Virginia. We received government surplus food called commodities. My alcoholic and occasionally abusive father had PTSD from WWII. It was called shell shock back then. My mom did the best she could, but somebody had to support my family. I worked odd jobs until I got a minimum wage one in a drug store when I was twelve. I’ve made payments into America’s Social Security fund for the next fifty-two years.
In the 8th grade, I won the school’s short story contest: a redneck semi truck driver became so obsessed with the conflict between Jewish vs. Christian theology that he lost concentration on the road and caused a terrible accident. I decided that I wanted to be a writer and dreamed of getting rich. As it often does, life got in the way. Between school and work, I was too exhausted to write any more stories until recently.
I continued to work at various minimum wage jobs during high school and college. Work, antiwar activities and school kept me too busy to write stories, so I wrote poems on scraps of paper. One was published in the state’s 1972 West Virginia Student Poetry Anthology. Another was published in a local zine. I graduated in 1973 with a degree in social work and received an MSW from WVU in 1977.
After college, I focused on children’s advocacy. The Vietnam War and the draft had ended. My new political cause became children’s rights and welfare. I was involved in this emotionally charged work for the next forty years. It supplanted my need to write fiction. Instead, I wrote manuals, research, investigative, and statistical reports.
In 2003, I became a children’s psychotherapist at our local community mental health center. It was an intensive program for kids with very severe emotional disturbances. One day at work in 2006, during a group therapy session, I met the real-life role model for my fictional protagonist. Lacy Dawn had been severely abused, but was so resilient that it was inspiring to everybody who met her, staff and her peers alike.
I started writing fiction. Three short Lacy Dawn Adventures have been published in magazines. My debut novel, Rarity from the Hollow, was released in 2012 by Dog Horn Publishing, a small traditional press located in Leeds. In May 2015, I retired from my job as a children’s psychotherapist so that I could concentrate on writing fiction that introduces Lacy Dawn to the rest of the world.
Can you tell us about your book, Rarity from the Hollow?
Sure, but I don’t want to spoil anything for its readers. This novel, similar to the truck driver’s introspections that I mentioned before, is full of contrasts: harsh reality amplifies outrageous fantasy, bitterness blends into acceptance and empowerment, tragedy inspires comedy, and a biography of a victim becomes a science fiction story. It does not fit neatly into a genre, such as romance, horror or even speculative fiction.
This novel was written for an adult audience, but does not have graphic sex scenes, a lot of violence or any of the other similar content that one might assume to be attributable to an Adults Only classification. It is sweet but frank and honest with no holds barred. It addresses the complexities of real life for some people, but presents sensitive topics that might trigger emotional distress with comic relief. My intent was for readers to enjoy the experiences that I created with everyday words and colloquialism, but not to gloss over realism in the way that some YA titles accomplish.
In a nutshell, Rarity from the Hollow is about a little girl who learns to be the Savior of the Universe with the help of her family and friends. It’s up to readers to decide which scenes are dissociative as a result of Lacy Dawn’s traumas and which scenes are pure fantasy and science fiction.
Your book integrates serious social issues into its narrative. What led you to write a novel that included these issues?
The short answer to your question is tradition. Historically, fiction has fueled social activism, debate, and the adoption of evolving or devolving social policy. Frankly, while I've read nonstop for decades, when I started writing it, I was not aware of the big debate in the marketplace about whether fiction should or should not be pure escapism. I now belong to a writer’s group in cyberspace with members who debate this very issue. The focus seems to be on whether the inclusion of serious topics in fictional works would help or hurt sales.
Did the GLBTQ titles increasingly being released, and the popularity of television shows such as Modern Family, influence the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that same-sex marriage was a Constitutional right? I don’t know and the answer wouldn’t make any difference to my products. I simply write what I know, what I’ve experienced in my own life, and hope that readers enjoy the comical slant that I place on complex issues.
I do believe that all artists have an opportunity to have a positive or negative impact on society. Artists aspire to achieve an audience. They need one as much as they need oxygen or food. There are many examples of fund-raising campaigns for various wonderful causes put together by popular artists. It was in remembrance of George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh that I have donated author proceeds to a child abuse prevention program in West Virginia.
Why did you decide to use the SF/Fantasy genre as the underpinning of the novel, as opposed to another genre?
I selected the SF/F backdrop for this story because it was the best fit by process of elimination. The novel also has elements of horror, mystery, romance, self-help, and thriller. It is not a good example of the historical or western genres, although the social issues that we talked about before have been present throughout history, including in the Wild West.
In today’s reality the systems in place to help maltreated children are woefully inadequate. I felt that the literary, biographical, nonfiction genres wouldn’t work because the story would have been so depressing that only the most determined would have finished it.
I felt that the story had to be hopeful. I wanted it to inspire survivors of child maltreatment toward competitiveness within our existing economic structures, instead of folks using past victimization as an excuse for inactivity. I didn’t think that anybody would bite on the theme of a knight on a white stallion galloping off a hillside to swoop victims into safety, like in the traditional romance genre. That almost never actually happens in real life, so that genre was too unrealistic as the primary. There was already enough horror in the story, so that genre was out too. What could be more horrific than child abuse?
The protagonist and her traumatized teammates needed fantastical elements to achieve empowerment. But, as in life, one cannot overcome barriers to the pursuit of happiness by simply imagining them away. That’s where the science fiction came into play. It provided a power source. I tied the science fiction to Capitalism because in today’s reality it will take significant financial investment by benefactors to significantly improve the welfare of children in the world. Our governments are unlikely to do so in the near future because of the politics.
What did you find most challenging about writing Rarity from the Hollow?
Writing comes easy for me, but the third scene in the story was especially challenging. It was a domestic violence scene that triggered my own psychological distress. Tears blurred my vision each time that I reworked it. The only other challenges were the typical ones that all writers of anything experience, such as proofreading what you intended to write instead of what’s actually on the page. After I submitted a story to a publisher in the early morning hours of July 4, 2014, I still found typos that I’d missed.
Your book is also, in part, a satire. Was that a conscious choice to offset the more stark aspects of the novel, or did it evolve as a natural process of writing?
I’ve always loved to read the puns, the double entendres, and satire in the works of others. I’m sure that had a big impact on what I write. Some of the satire in this novel evolved as a natural process, while other sections were inserted because I had found the narrative in need of a lighter tone to offset stark aspects. If I found a place during the drafts that I felt was too “heavy” for me to read as its writer, I figured that it would be way to much for the reader.
Do you having any writing inspirations or favourite authors?
I’m not sure that you have enough bandwidth for me to make a complete list of inspirations and favourites, so here’s a few. Ferlinghetti, the poet of the Beat Generation, showed me how to enjoy my anger about political and societal issues. Similarly, Vonnegut’s anger in Breakfast of Champions helped me stay strong as a children’s advocate and as a writer, and how to experiment with my writing style outside of commonly accepted structures and formats. The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Harry Potter series reinforced my faith in the potential of adolescent morality and the future of the world. Watership Down by R. Adams was such a sweet adventure that some of this element just is a necessary ingredient of even the scariest or saddest story. The versatility in cross-genre and the use of humour by Bradbury had to have been a subliminal inspiration, especially now that I think about it. Dean Koontz has been masterful. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by D. Adams and Another Roadside Attraction by Robbins pushed me into the wilder side of writing regardless of censorship, as did the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics. And, Stephen King’s use of everyday horror convinced me that alarming scenes can be created by using almost anything as a prop.
What do you like to do when you're not writing?Is this a trick question? Nobody can always do what they like to do, but the activity that I like most is reading. Of course, there are other activities that I enjoy, such as watching WVU sports, gardening, home repairs, family events, and my son, he’s 41, always has something new and fun to show me, usually from the internet.
What’s next for you?
Hah! This is another trick question. I will continue to write fiction for eternity.
Author Bio:
Robert Eggleton has served as a children's advocate for over forty years. He is best known for his investigative reports about children’s programs, most of which were published by the West Virginia Supreme Court where he worked from 1982 through 1997. Today, he is a recently retired psychotherapist from the mental health center in Charleston, West Virginia. Rarity from the Hollow is his debut novel and its release followed publication of three short Lacy Dawn Adventures in magazines: Wingspan Quarterly, Beyond Centauri, and Atomjack Science Fiction. Author proceeds have been donated to a child abuse prevention program operated by Children’s Home Society of West Virginia: http://www.childhswv.org/
Find out more about Robert Eggleton and his books and these websites:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13603677-rarity-from-the-hollow
https://www.facebook.com/robert.eggleton2
https://twitter.com/roberteggleton2
Rarity from the Hollow
Lacy Dawn is a true daughter of Appalachia, and then some. She lives in a hollow with her worn-out mom, her Iraq War disabled dad, and her mutt Brownie, a dog who's very skilled at laying fiber optic cable. Lacy Dawn's android boyfriend has come to the hollow with a mission. His equipment includes infomercial videos of Earth's earliest proto-humans from millennia ago. He was sent by the Manager of the Mall on planet Shptiludrp (Shop 'till You Drop): he must recruit Lacy Dawn to save the Universe in exchange for the designation of Earth as a planet which is eligible for continued existence within a universal economic structure that exploits underdeveloped planets for their mineral content. Lacy Dawn’s magic enables her to save the universe, Earth, and, most importantly, her own family.
Link for excerpt of the 1st Chapter: http://www.wattpad.com/12596126-rarity-from-the-hollow-excerpt
July 8, 2015
Drabble Wednesday: Dark Beauty
On today’s Drabble Wednesday we focus on beauty—dark, faded, and terrible…
The Orchard
The aroma of the blossoms saturated the orchard with a honeyed, almost cloying scent. They swaddled the trees in pastel pink and white; a perfect scene of the season. Life abounded in the blooms, with the promise of luscious, succulent fruit to come.A cool spring breeze fluttered the petals, scattering a few to the dew-damped grass below. It swirled through branches, coiled around tree trunks, caressing the healed scars marring the bark. The cuts were deep, but they mended, new bark growing and reshaping the tree.Still, they linger, those wounds. Like the bones buried beneath the tree roots.
The Window
A web of cracks spoils the flower patterns on the coloured glass, and the once vivid hues have faded from sunlight and layers of grime. The overgrown garden is only a blur of jumbled shades seen through the damaged, dirty window, but she sits in her tattered rocking chair and stares past the glass.Perhaps she remembers far better days, her mind transported to happier times. Perhaps she ponders dormant secrets, or former, clandestine trysts among the roses. Perhaps memories of her wedding, or her children playing keep her gaze so rapt.Or perhaps, alone, she simply waits to die.
The Cosmos Viewpoint
I beheld the universe.In all its glory and wonder. In all its horror and despair. I went mad, surrounded by the force of creation. I experienced perfection, for an infinitesimal time and the briefest of moments. I was everywhere at once, and nowhere.I beheld the universe.Saw the divine infinite.Saw the stygian void.Now…I cannot escape it. I shut my eyes and it is there. It whispers in my head. It blots out the sun and sky. It wraps around my soul and devours me.I am caught, I am snared.Help me.Somebody help me.
The Orchard
The aroma of the blossoms saturated the orchard with a honeyed, almost cloying scent. They swaddled the trees in pastel pink and white; a perfect scene of the season. Life abounded in the blooms, with the promise of luscious, succulent fruit to come.A cool spring breeze fluttered the petals, scattering a few to the dew-damped grass below. It swirled through branches, coiled around tree trunks, caressing the healed scars marring the bark. The cuts were deep, but they mended, new bark growing and reshaping the tree.Still, they linger, those wounds. Like the bones buried beneath the tree roots.
The Window
A web of cracks spoils the flower patterns on the coloured glass, and the once vivid hues have faded from sunlight and layers of grime. The overgrown garden is only a blur of jumbled shades seen through the damaged, dirty window, but she sits in her tattered rocking chair and stares past the glass.Perhaps she remembers far better days, her mind transported to happier times. Perhaps she ponders dormant secrets, or former, clandestine trysts among the roses. Perhaps memories of her wedding, or her children playing keep her gaze so rapt.Or perhaps, alone, she simply waits to die.
The Cosmos Viewpoint
I beheld the universe.In all its glory and wonder. In all its horror and despair. I went mad, surrounded by the force of creation. I experienced perfection, for an infinitesimal time and the briefest of moments. I was everywhere at once, and nowhere.I beheld the universe.Saw the divine infinite.Saw the stygian void.Now…I cannot escape it. I shut my eyes and it is there. It whispers in my head. It blots out the sun and sky. It wraps around my soul and devours me.I am caught, I am snared.Help me.Somebody help me.
July 7, 2015
Sunshine Book Show Celebration
Tomorrow, July 8th please come and join me, and a host of other talented authors when we light up Facebook with a most awesome party! It's one of those multi-author takeover events, and the authors will be there answering questions, entertaining with games and photos, and offering cool giveaways and contests. We will be showcasing several different genres and loads of great books. It should be quite the party.
Check out the Sunshine Book Show Celebration Page for a sneak peek at the guest authors: http://www.sunshinebookshow.com/SBS-Celebration.html
I'm up at 2:30 PM EST until 3:00 PM EST, and I’ll be offering up some ebook prizes of Fairy Tale Fusion, doing a Q&A, plus my great Rafflecopter giveaway that goes until July 10th. (Psst, you can check out the Rafflecopter giveaway now. Just click on the blog's giveaway tab.)
Here’s the author schedule and the event link:
Schedule(All Times Are EST)
12:00 – 12:30 pm: Maria DeVivo (Welcome and Roll Call)12:30 – 1:00 pm: Karen Black1:00 – 1:30 pm: Mysti Parker1:30 – 2:00 pm: Cris Pasqueralle2:00 – 2:30 pm: Viv Drewa2:30 – 3:00 pm: A. F. Stewart3:00 – 3:30 pm: Patty Wiseman3:30 – 4:00 pm: Maria DeVivo4:00 – 4:30 pm: Uvi Poznansky4:30 – 5:00 pm: Janet Morris5:00 – 5:30 pm: Linda Bonney Olin5:30 – 6:00 pm: Chuck Lovatt6:00 – 6:30 pm: Candace Bowser6:30 – 7:00 pm: Barbara Ehrentreu7:00 – 8:00 pm: Eileen Register
Sunshine Book Show Celebration: https://www.facebook.com/events/918042634900643/
Please pop by and join us!
July 1, 2015
Drabble Wednesday: Macabre Musings
Today, on this Canada Day edition of Drabble Wednesday, I bring you some ghosts, some trains, and a tiny touch of the apocalypse…
Endings
I sit on the damp park bench, careful not to slip on the wet pavement. It’s a foggy morning full of drizzle, not any different from yesterday or the day before. The days seem to blend now, with rain and faded colours.Still, the park is beautiful. It’s quiet, no one is here yet. The fog diffuses the morning light, giving the trees a soft, velvet look. Almost a sepia tone, like pictures my grandmother showed me.It won’t stay this way. The scavengers, the abandoned survivors of the plague will come soon. Nevertheless…It’s a nice place to die.
The Bridge
Why am I here?I am standing on a bridge?In the fog?I am so cold…
Why am I here?I am still on the bridge?It is so cold.I thought it was summer.
Why am I here?Why is it so foggy?Why is my dress sodden?It is cold... so cold.
Why am I here?I am cold… so cold… so wet…I cannot see in this fog… wait, I believe… there are people?Help me… oh, please,help me…
And folks, this turn of the century bridge is the next stop on our ghost tour…
Old Photos
Look at the photo.Can you hear the train?There’s no train in the photo you say.I know. But it’s there, a ghost at my shoulder. I can hear it.I can hear its forlorn whistle, the clackety clack of its wheels against the tracks, sense its rumble under my feet. I even smell its belching smoke.I see that smile. The ramblings of an old man. I’m not crazy. The train is real. It’s haunting me.It’s John’s old train you see. He’s never forgiven me, and now he’s coming back. Each day the train gets closer, closer…
~*~
And for an extra Canada Day treat, here’s the link to my free flash fiction short, Even the Paranormal Play Sports: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/113780
Even the Paranormal Play Sports
Things have taken a turn for the paranormal in a small corner of Canada. Set against the backdrop of a hockey game, teenager Deidre Dawson tells her strange story to a reporter.
Happy Canada Day!
Endings
I sit on the damp park bench, careful not to slip on the wet pavement. It’s a foggy morning full of drizzle, not any different from yesterday or the day before. The days seem to blend now, with rain and faded colours.Still, the park is beautiful. It’s quiet, no one is here yet. The fog diffuses the morning light, giving the trees a soft, velvet look. Almost a sepia tone, like pictures my grandmother showed me.It won’t stay this way. The scavengers, the abandoned survivors of the plague will come soon. Nevertheless…It’s a nice place to die.
The Bridge
Why am I here?I am standing on a bridge?In the fog?I am so cold…
Why am I here?I am still on the bridge?It is so cold.I thought it was summer.
Why am I here?Why is it so foggy?Why is my dress sodden?It is cold... so cold.
Why am I here?I am cold… so cold… so wet…I cannot see in this fog… wait, I believe… there are people?Help me… oh, please,help me…
And folks, this turn of the century bridge is the next stop on our ghost tour…
Old Photos
Look at the photo.Can you hear the train?There’s no train in the photo you say.I know. But it’s there, a ghost at my shoulder. I can hear it.I can hear its forlorn whistle, the clackety clack of its wheels against the tracks, sense its rumble under my feet. I even smell its belching smoke.I see that smile. The ramblings of an old man. I’m not crazy. The train is real. It’s haunting me.It’s John’s old train you see. He’s never forgiven me, and now he’s coming back. Each day the train gets closer, closer…
~*~
And for an extra Canada Day treat, here’s the link to my free flash fiction short, Even the Paranormal Play Sports: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/113780
Even the Paranormal Play Sports
Things have taken a turn for the paranormal in a small corner of Canada. Set against the backdrop of a hockey game, teenager Deidre Dawson tells her strange story to a reporter.
Happy Canada Day!
June 28, 2015
Book Spotlight: Coffin Riders
Today we shine the spotlight on the intriguing fantasy horror novel, Coffin Riders by James W. Bodden. It looks like a great book, and a treat for horror fans, so enjoy...
Coffin Riders by James W. Bodden
The worst part about hell? There aren't enough towels.
Bloom deep-throats the barrel, and pulls the trigger. He waits for Lorraine to follow him into the afterlife, just like they planned, but she never shows. Death has no payoff.
He drops down to the underworld, a place called Paradise Cove, an assisted afterlife facility masquerading as a cheap hotel deep in the bowels of the earth. A modern day Dante, Bloom searches desperately for a way out of hell. He journeys through the nine known underworlds in a mad search for his lady love to take the revenge he thinks he is owed.
Death is a spiral: the deeper you go the worse it gets.
You can find Coffin Riders at: Amazon Goodreads
Author Bio:
James W. Bodden’s the writer of the Red Light Princess, and Coffin Riders. He lives in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and has hunted UFOs for a late night radio show, and after fresh corpses as a crime beat reporter.
Coffin Riders by James W. Bodden
The worst part about hell? There aren't enough towels.
Bloom deep-throats the barrel, and pulls the trigger. He waits for Lorraine to follow him into the afterlife, just like they planned, but she never shows. Death has no payoff.
He drops down to the underworld, a place called Paradise Cove, an assisted afterlife facility masquerading as a cheap hotel deep in the bowels of the earth. A modern day Dante, Bloom searches desperately for a way out of hell. He journeys through the nine known underworlds in a mad search for his lady love to take the revenge he thinks he is owed.
Death is a spiral: the deeper you go the worse it gets.
You can find Coffin Riders at: Amazon Goodreads
Author Bio:James W. Bodden’s the writer of the Red Light Princess, and Coffin Riders. He lives in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and has hunted UFOs for a late night radio show, and after fresh corpses as a crime beat reporter.
June 26, 2015
Pinterest Is A Porno Site (Among Other Things)
Pinterest Is A Porno Site (Among Other Things)
As some of you may already know if you read my previous post, or have been following my Twitter updates, I’ve been having trouble with policy violators (aka porno pinners) over at Pinterest. A gaggle of them (for some unknown and creepy reason) have targeted one of my group book boards on the site. I’m not saying this is an attack or anything, but I’ve been getting at least one of these sleazy, sexist profiles following my book board each day for weeks.
Now I’m not overly prudish, or against nudity, and I’m not talking about art shots, nude paintings, sexy celebrity photos, or even those lingerie boards. What I’ve been dealing with is full frontal, sexist exploitation of women (plus a few men as well) and the very definition of pornography. Many of these images are very graphic, very sexual (and sexist) in nature, and in some cases designed to imitate under age schoolgirls. This is not what I signed on to view, and I believe it SHOULD NOT be displayed on a public forum like Pinterest. And I’m betting NOT ONE of those sexist jerks that post these photos would take copies into a crowded public place like a mall and show them to strangers. Yet, they have NO problem doing the virtual equivalent on Pinterest.
But wait, Pinterest has a policy against these types of pins, doesn’t it? Supposedly it does. Yet by my recent experience it is turning a blind eye, and these profiles, boards and pins are flourishing on the site. And to make my troubles worse is their recent change to their reporting process. Now you have to get up close and personal with the pins to report them (so good job Pinterest—to get rid of graphic sexual photos, you have to interact with them). Plus the system is not working properly, at least for me. I may be biased, but it seems Pinterest is making it harder to report violators and to want to report violators. Making it a hassle to report a violation does not encourage people to use the process. As well, they’ve certainly been giving me the runaround about fixing my problem with their system.
I used to love Pinterest, in part because it wasn’t a place I had to navigate around creeps and sexism. I guess that’s changed. I feel like I want to chuck the whole thing, but I put a lot of time into my profile, so I probably won’t leave (though I may have to delete that book board). I do know I certainly won’t be as frequent a visitor on the site anymore. To sum up, all I have to say is this—Pinterest isn’t a family friendly site, so if that’s what you are looking for, either stay off the site or pay very close attention to who is following you and exactly what they are pinning.
