Duncan Thompson's Blog, page 3

My Typical Writing Day

A typical writing day for me is normally fueled by copious amounts of coffee.

Unfortunately, I still have a day job to contend with, so on the occasion I do have a day off I try to get as much writing in as possible. 

I’ll normally still be up at the crack of dawn to take my children to school and my better half to work.  Traffic depending, I will get home just after 9 am and boil the kettle for the first cup of coffee. But I won’t start to write straight away. I usual take an hour, savoring my coffee, to read. Not only is it important for a writer to write daily, but it is just as important to read daily. As Stephen King once said, “If you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the tools or the time to write.” Not only that, but I also find that this a great motivator to write.

I fire up the laptop, turn off the TV and the internet and put my phone on silent. I don’t want anything to distract me and take me out of my own private universe. 

I will set myself a word count – about 2,000 words before lunch. After about 1,000 words I take a short break to refill on coffee. I’ll down one cup then take another with me back to the laptop to sip as I write.

When I get to 2,000 words I’m usually pretty hungry so I save what I’m doing and make lunch. In one of my earlier blogs I mentioned how music is a great motivator and influence on my writing. When I write I envisage the story’s soundtrack, as if it were a movie. So, when making and eating lunch I have a playlist of what could be on the soundtrack playing in the background. This really helps me visualize forthcoming scenes in the story. 

After lunch, I don’t commence writing straight away. I normally spend a little more time reading.  One or two chapters, depending on length. Then it’s back to the laptop. I try to get another 1,000 words in and depending on time try to push for another 1,000 after that, with further cups of coffee.

Then it’s probably time to collect the kids from school, so at this point, I call it a day. Although I will try and get into at least another 500 words in the evening once they have gone to bed.

A Cheeky Chat With…

The hero of Within the Dark Places, Joe Costello.

So, Joe… You have just completed the 10th annual Iron Man competition, how are you feeling?

To be honest I’m a bit disappointed with my position. I’ve improved my finish each year I have entered, so I was really hoping to come first this year.

But you completed the course, only a handful of contestants make it to the finish line…

That is true. I just have a really competitive streak, especially against myself. I guess I hate to lose.

We all saw how you gave up your lead to help an injured constant to cross the finish line. Surly that is something to be proud off?

I suppose so, I didn’t really see it that way. I just hated to see him come so close to the finish and blow it on the last hurdle. I have a soft spot for the underdog I guess…

The contestants today were representing various charities. Who were you representing and why?

I was running for Epilepsy Awareness. My younger brother, Tony,  has suffered with the condition since childhood. I’ve always felt responsible for him, especially since our dad left.

It goes without saying you’re in great physical shape, and with your Italian heritage we have a lot of ladies here today asking if you’re single.

Ha ha, sorry ladies, I’m not. In fact, my fiancee, Linda, is stood just over there. We are getting married in a few weeks.

Congratulations. Have you had you’re stag do yet?

Actually, that’s tomorrow.

Anywhere exciting and who will be with you?

Just a quiet camping trip with a my brother and a two of my closest friends. If the ladies are interested though, my friend Charlie is single, and he has bigger muscles than me. Although he is a bit of a player, so maybe not a safe bet. Oh, Mike is single too, but not really in the best shape. Don’t let that put you off, he is a terrific guy; always eager to please and will do anything for his mates.

Well have fun and stay safe. I’m sure it will be a night to remember. 

If you want to find out more about Joe’s Stag Do, get your copy of Within The Dark Places by clicking the image below!

An Excerpt From My New Novella Within The Dark Places.

Whenever someone has finished reading Within the Dark Places the first question I always ask is, “What was your favorite part?” and I’m surprised that no two people have given the same answer. So I asked myself the same question, and while there are many moments to choose from, the following excerpt was certainly the most fun to write. The adrenaline rush I experienced afterwards lasted most of the day and I couldn’t stop shaking from the excitement. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Even though the torch was now dead, the light from the moon was strong enough to allow Mike to see a few yards ahead of him. He was about to pick up his collection of sticks and branches and make his way hastily back to the camp, when he saw the shadow of something moving up ahead. Mike paused, squinting through the thick lenses of his glasses. Whatever it was, it looked human in shape. Mike stood still — so did the shadow. The shadow was elongated, its legs and arms long and out of proportion to the head and body — like a stick man. Due to the distraction of the shadow, Mike hadn’t noticed that the whispering had now stopped. Even the woods themselves had also fallen silent; gone were the bird songs and animal calls. Mike continued to squint, tilting his head. The head of the shadow mirrored the movement. Mike took a step back. The shadow took a step back, its legs and arms stretched out farther. Mike now had a hunch as to what this thing was and began to relax a little. To test his theory he raised his arms above his head. The shadow raised its arms above its head. Mike performed a little knees-up jig. The shadow performed the same dance.

‘Jumping at my own shadow,’ Mike muttered, chuckling to himself.

But there was something more important than the silence he had also failed to notice. The moon wasn’t behind him to cast a shadow out in front, it was to his right. He bent down to finally pick up the firewood and then he saw his own shadow cast to the left.

An Excerpt From My New Novella Within the Dark Places.

Whenever someone has finished reading Within the Dark Places the first question I always ask is, “What was your favorite part?” and I’m surprised that no two people have given the same answer. So I asked myself the same question, and while there are many moments to choose from, the following excerpt was certainly the most fun to write.  The adrenaline rush I experienced afterwards lasted most of the day and I couldn’t stop shaking from the excitement.  I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Even though the torch was now dead, the light from the moon was strong enough to allow Mike to see a few yards ahead of him. He was about to pick up his collection of sticks and branches and make his way hastily back to the camp, when he saw the shadow of something moving up ahead. Mike paused, squinting through the thick lenses of his glasses. Whatever it was, it looked human in shape. Mike stood still — so did the shadow. The shadow was elongated, its legs and arms long and out of proportion to the head and body — like a stick man. Due to the distraction of the shadow, Mike hadn’t noticed that the whispering had now stopped. Even the woods themselves had also fallen silent; gone were the bird songs and animal calls. Mike continued to squint, tilting his head. The head of the shadow mirrored the movement. Mike took a step back. The shadow took a step back, its legs and arms stretched out farther. Mike now had a hunch as to what this thing was and began to relax a little. To test his theory he raised his arms above his head. The shadow raised its arms above its head. Mike performed a little knees-up jig. The shadow performed the same dance.

‘Jumping at my own shadow,’ Mike muttered, chuckling to himself.

But there was something more important than the silence he had also failed to notice. The moon wasn’t behind him to cast a shadow out in front, it was to his right. He bent down to finally pick up the firewood and then he saw his own shadow cast to the left.

To read the full story of Within the Dark Places, click the cover art below!

Top Ten Horror Reads

People want to be scared. They want the rush of being on edge, the pumping adrenaline and the quickening of their heart. But they also want it safe and controlled. Horror provides that. The main reason I’m drawn to the genre is because it provides an escapism which might just be real enough to make you think “that could happen to me.” Even though vampires and werewolves are generally seen as works of fiction, it’s much harder to prove they don’t exist than to prove they do. It’s that uncertainty and fear of the unknown that truly draws people (myself included) to horror.

10. Pyschoville by Tim Miller.

This is the story about a group of strangers who stumble into a backwater Texan. They are soon wrongfully imprisoned by the Deputy Sheriff and sold at auction to the different members of the community. Apart from this, there is very little in the way of story or plotting and very little suspense. However, the reason this book has made my list is due to Tim Miller’s unique, over the top, in your face style of writing. The torture and murder scenes are truly grotesque and disturbing, but at the same time, you find yourself in floods of tears with laughter. Tim Miller has the guts to push boundaries and explores the dark regions of the human psyche which is what sets him apart from other writers in the genre. 

9. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I’m sure most people are familiar with this tale of the world’s most famous detective. Although it is not considered a horror in the classic sense, when I read this book as a child it scared the heck out of me. Granted it was the abridged Ladybird publication, but it left an impression on me that very few books have done. From about the age of 8 to 18 I had a paralyzing fear of dogs after reading this and the most vivid dream I can recall of being pursued by a black wolf-like creature was certainly the result of this book.

8. Nekropolis by Tim Waggoner.

Again, this isn’t strictly a horror, rather it is a dark fantasy, but it certainly has its fair share of werewolves, vampires and other things that go bump in the night. Oh, and let’s not forget our hero, a zombie private eye. Tim Waggoner creates an alternative reality which could rival middle earth or even disc world, which includes all your Hammer Horror favorites. Nekropolis is fun and literally out of this world. It’s a great set-up for the wider series of books and I really wish someone would turn this into a TV show.

7. American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis.

See the world through the eyes of Patrick Bateman, a successful Wall Street Trader who happens to be a homicidal maniac. For me, it is a long winded read, given there is no plot to drive the exploits of Patrick, but like Pychoville, it is the murder scenes that make this an edgy read. The scene with the rat is truly disturbing. If you’ve read it then you’ll know what I’m talking about.

6. The Dead Zone by Stephen King.

You can’t deny that Stephen King is not only one of the greatest horror writers but also one of the greatest writers still working today. This was the first Stephen King book I attempted to read. I picked it up in a hotel gift shop when I was 11. I thought I’d look cool if I was seen reading a Stephen King novel, but gave it up after several pages. I finally read it in its entirety last Christmas and wished I’d picked it up again sooner. It is truly a thrilling read and the character of Greg Stillson is one of King’s greatest antagonists. What makes him more terrifying is that there is nothing supernatural about him; he is just a man and therefore has more potential to exist. 

5. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.

Again, this is not considered a horror but it is none-the-less thrilling, if not more so. I simply could not put this book down and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It was so well written that you simply glide through it. It’s a truly great mystery novel and what makes it scary is that it creates a huge need to have the questions answered rather than any horrifying content, although it certainly has its fair share of creepiness. 

4. Watchers by Dean Koontz.

Another real page turner which keeps you on edge throughout. Once again, you cannot put this down as you need to know what happens next, especially as each chapter ends on a cliffhanger and you need to read on to see how the situation resolves so you can get to the next one. Then you’re in the same trap again. It’s brilliant writing and Koontz at his best. 

3. Dracula by Bram Stoker.

Possibly one of the most influential horrors ever written. The legacy it has spawned goes without saying, but the original novel is almost a world away from what we associate with the legend. The scares here come from the psychological threat and the creepy atmosphere rather than blood and guts we recognise in vampire fiction today. Despite it certainly being a novel of its time, it is more gripping and thrilling than most horror fiction today.

2. It by Stephen King.

Remember when clowns were fun and lovable? No, me neither and you can thank Mr. King for that. Pennywise the clown is a true horror icon; he deserves to be up there with Dracula and Frankenstein and he is just pure evil. Certainly, the scariest parts of this books are the encounters the lead characters have with It when they are children. King knows exactly how to play on our childhood fears and exploits this to every level. While Pennywise is without a doubt the star of the show, it’s the bullies of the story which give the book a fear we all recognise and is all the more scary than the forms Pennywise appears in.

1. Pet Sematary by Stephen King.

Its only right that the King should have the top spot. Pet Sematary is by no means King’s greatest novel, and for most people it probably isn’t his scariest, but it got to me on a really personal level like no other horror novel. In fact, there were numerous moments where I had to put the book down as I was too shaken to read on. I eventually made it to the end and I think it must have taken a week for my heart rate to return to normal. Anyone who has children shares the same fear of losing a child and Stephen King really plays on this fear. What really got to me is that the little boy who is tragically lost is the same age my son was at the time of reading and even his character and appearance mirrored that of my boy. Another twist is that at the time the book was originally published I was the same age as little Gage Creed – a double whammy. 

Within The Dark Places is Out Now!

Available now on Amazon and Rowanvale Books. The Ebooks are also starting out as a free giveaway!

Get your copy here now: Within the Dark Places

10 Reasons to Self-Publish

1. You’re guaranteed to get your work published.

2. You retain greater creative control.

3. You receive a higher percentage in royalties.

4. You can write what you want to write, not what is currently popular.

5. You can build a stronger, more loyal fan base by marketing directly to readers of your chosen genre, not to the masses.

6. Many self-publishing service providers will work with you to bring your manuscript to a professional standard. This gives you plenty of opportunities to learn and improve your writing, whereas a standard rejection letter will not.

7. You are involved in the whole process from start to finish and watching your story evolve into a finished product is very rewarding. It’s not a case of submitting a manuscript then waiting to see it on the shelves.

8. Never judge a book by its cover, but the cover does give a first impression. A self-published writer will have input into the cover art, giving you control over that all-important first impression.

9. There is less pressure to meet book deals and deadlines, allowing you time to focus on quality rather than quantity.

10. Being indie is so much cooler than being commercial. Just take a look at indie music and films. Books are no different.

How To Keep The Creative Juices Flowing

Duncan Thompson
I think one of the most common questions most writers get asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” The honest answer is, I don’t go out and get them, they come to get me. The best stories are like acorns. All you need is one tiny seed to be able to sit back and watch a great oak grow. So how do I get the acorns to come to me? Plenty of sleep, or to be more precise, dreams. I keep a dream journal, and no matter how surreal the dream, I often find there is the start of a story there, especially for a writer of horror and the supernatural. After all, this is how Where the Darkness Hides (the following up to my debut novella, Within the Dark Places) came to fruition.

I listen to a lot of music – mostly through headphones to block everything else out. Not only does this help me write productively, but also daydreaming to the music gives me a creative boost, especially when it comes to kicking down the wall of writer’s block.

Exercising regularly and eating right may sound like I’m being patronising, but a healthy body really does equal a healthy mind. After all, the mind is the writer’s most important tool.

I make the time to play with my kids. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes opens up the imagination in ways you couldn’t… imagine. It also helps you to remember your own childhood and the fantasies you played and the fears experienced. For a horror writer, there is nothing quite as scary as childhood fears; the things that goes bump in the night and the monsters under the bed.

And finally, I simply write. Even if I don’t have a story in mind I write lots and lots of waffle, because it’s better than not writing at all. Writing, like all other skills, is a simple case of use it or lose it. Keep writing no matter how trivial, you may just surprise yourself.

How To Keep The Creative Juices Flowing.

I think one of the most common questions most writers get asked is, “Where do you get your ideas?” The honest answer is, I don’t go out and get them, they come to get me. The best stories are like acorns. All you need is one tiny seed to be able to sit back and watch a great oak grow. So how do I get the acorns to come to me? Plenty of sleep, or to be more precise, dreams. I keep a dream journal, and no matter how surreal the dream, I often find there is the start of a story there, especially for a writer of horror and the supernatural. After all, this is how Where the Darkness Hides (the following up to my debut novella, Within the Dark Places) came to fruition. 

I listen to a lot of music – mostly through headphones to block everything else out. Not only does this help me write productively, but also daydreaming to the music gives me a creative boost, especially when it comes to kicking down the wall of writer’s block.  

Exercising regularly and eating right may sound like I’m being patronising, but a healthy body really does equal a healthy mind.  After all, the mind is the writer’s most important tool. 

I make the time to play with my kids. Seeing the world through a child’s eyes opens up the imagination in ways you couldn’t… imagine. It also helps you to remember your own childhood and the fantasies you played and the fears experienced. For a horror writer, there is nothing quite as scary as childhood fears; the things that goes bump in the night and the monsters under the bed.

And finally, I simply write. Even if I don’t have a story in mind I write lots and lots of waffle, because it’s better than not writing at all. Writing, like all other skills, is a simple case of use it or lose it. Keep writing no matter how trivial, you may just surprise yourself.

10 Ways You Know That You're An Author

1. When the story you're currently working on is the first thing on your mind when you wake up, the last thing on your mind when you go to bed and all the times in between.

2. You subconsciously collect the names of people and places because they might make interest names for characters and locations.

3. You enjoy meeting new people. Not to be a social butterfly, but for character inspiration.

4. You are constantly asking yourself “what if…?” What if that happened? What if they did that?

5. You can’t go a day without writing and feel guilty if you do miss a day.

6. You have an odd sense of humor which only other authors will get.

7. It’s easier to express yourself in writing than vocally.

8. You know your characters better than your real friends and family.

9. When there is nothing more satisfying as seeing the look on someone’s face when they read your work.

10. It’s all you have every dreamed of doing since you were 6 years old.