Jamie C. Pritchard's Blog, page 5
November 22, 2018
Bloody Good Quote: M.R. James
Origins: From the preface of James’ first published collection, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary (1904). It featured eight of his best with illustrations from his friend, James McBryde – on agreeing to draw, M.R. James agreed to publish! Like most great writer’s he is rather modest with the quality of stories that would go on to become stone-cold classics.
It’s the ‘pleasantly uncomfortable’ part of the quote which really speaks to me. There is a cosy aspect to horror. Being scared at home makes you appreciate your protection from the outside world that bit more…so long as something doesn’t start peering through the window…
November 21, 2018
November 19, 2018
Braindead Dairy #3: Chapter Length?
November 15, 2018
Bloody Good Quote: H.P. Lovecraft
Origins: Supernatural Horror in Literature (1927), a long essay by Lovecraft in which he breaks down the craft behind his spooky tales as well as the development of weird and gothic themes. It was written at a time when he was on fire (creatively speaking, not literally), churning out some of his best-known stories like The Colour out of Space and Pickman’s Model.
The quote itself is arguably the best explanation of why horror has such appeal.
November 12, 2018
Braindead Dairy #2
I’m not sure how well the cheese n’ ham’s been working but I’ve been happier with my output. One paragraph at a time, editing or deleting. Getting rid of what you realise is tosh is REALLY satisfying – click, highlight, gone! The more I’ve learnt about storytelling the more a basic principle has slapped me in the chops – YOU’VE EITHER GOT TO SAY SOMETHING OR SOMETHING’S GOT TO HAPPEN!
I started off writing articles, so I’ve got a bad habit of rounding off chapters too neatly. Readers like loose ends. Good stories are powered by them. But apart from my neatness there has been too much of the same rhythm – beginning in the morning, ending at night – and too much of the everyday – walking, eating – things that should only be touched on if it was an eventful walk or a super tasty meal.
GOOD STORIES CUT OUT THE MUNDANE! You must ensure that the connective tissues between the big moments are not a chore to read. Inform, entertain, reveal – there’s always a button to be pressed, and when in doubt…DELETE!
Slow but surely the first book of Legend of Simidae is taking shape. I’m going for a sense of place with distinct characters. Notes are being made for the re-re-edit. My manuscript is very much on the operating table. Lots of work is needed before the monster lives but it’s got a strong heartbeat. I think if the heart of any story continues to thump after tough times then it deserves to live!
November 9, 2018
November 8, 2018
Blood Good Advice: Kill Thought!
PERSON IN PIC: Henry Ward Beecher
QUOTE: “I don’t do more, but less, than other people. They do all their work three times over: once in anticipation, once in actuality, once in rumination. I do mine in actuality alone…”
It’s one of the hardest things to trick the mind into – to use its energy ONLY when the task’s at hand. I consider it a skill. To be able to switch off from your passion shows great discipline. It’s also healthy. Of course we reflect on our output, what comes next. The issue is we KEEP THINKING when the mind needs a recharge, some perspective – that’s when you start dancing with madness. Furthermore, all that thinking is going to blunt your efficiency when the time comes for you to do it again IN ACTUALITY. Try to fill your next day with numerous tasks if this happens. Train the mind to focus on one thing then focus on another.
If it still doesn’t work use a mallet!
November 5, 2018
Braindead Dairy #1
So far I’ve done the drafts of books 1 & 2. Am currently re-editing book 1. One reason is that many things have to be concrete before I type the finale, and the other is very simple – THE FIRST BOOK HAS TO BE SHIT HOT!
It can’t be emphasized enough. In any kind of series (and this applies to ANY form of storytelling) the first entry has to simultaneously make you care, take you on a journey and whet your appetite. It’s a tricky balancing act but consider it the minimum! Consider the fact that many will go no further irrespective of quality. Go check out the viewing numbers of any YouTube video cut into parts and it is virtually ALWAYS the first one that gets the most. There is what you could call ‘natural falloff’. It happens with anything. What YOU want to make sure is that it’s not an obvious lack of quality that’s turning people away!
Editing is an odd exercise. You’re not reading so there’s no flow to the story. It can make you feel lost. Nor do you have any idea of how long it will take as small problems can lead to bigger ones, huge holes that are a bastard to climb out of and smell. Not having any kind of handle on when you’ll be finished is one of my biggest concerns. At some point you HAVE TO TELL THE MIND TO SHUT UP! Fixing one problem can make you brood over two others. You see, it’s unhealthy! You’ve got to take a step back. Chill. Have a milkshake.
Progress has slowed but – Monster unveil, Plan to save the village – it’s rightfully slowed.
Sentiment of the Day – Hit it then quit it !
October 29, 2018
Under Your Stairs? Mr Skriegley
With Halloween just beyond the next tombstone, mentions of the Bogeyman will be rife, (and all should take heed), but, one can be overly focused on a single threat. It may comfort a select group to unearth one of the lesser known legends, a man who understandably makes few acquaintances – Mr Skriegley.
Just what kind of a danger he presents is unknown, but I’ll relay what’s come in on excited whispers…
He seeks shelter under your stairs. That is our first concern. He must therefore gain access to our homes…somehow, silently. Why under the stairs is anyone’s guess for he’s not a short man, folded up in an absurd manner, knees beside the head. Clothes are tight and thick – surely much too hot for indoors – but content he seems, strangely occupied.
In better light you can see what’s oft repeated – loooong hair and loooong nails. A pale face lives behind greasy strands, but never does he turns to you fully, only giving you one of his ears.
This is what children see when they open the door…when they are called…
It is only children Mr Skriegley is interested in talking to. He knows how to hush them up on first sight, tell them its okay, and once a connection is quickly made he instigates the talks via scratching and tapping from below, pricking the bubble of deep sleep, bringing them back down to open the door, to see him folded up like that…yet somehow, always, without waking the others…
As far as can be told he doesn’t kill, but now that doesn’t mean it’s not worse. The few who have seen him can’t stop talking about him, perhaps just three souls, but with enough volume and repetition to elevate an incident into legend.
And as for the name, well, it seems that’s the last thing he tells them on their final talk, one that’s like any other, one that doesn’t forewarn of a goodbye, but one night when they suspect they hear that scratching, that odd tapping, the door is opened to see it’s empty under the stairs…
Perhaps Mr Skriegley anticipated a problem. Perhaps that’s why he visits other homes.
But most odd of all is that when he is truly gone, when the startled child, cocksure of having heard that tapping and scratching, tip-toes downstairs to open the door and see an empty space…they can’t tell if they miss him…
October 22, 2018
Jack-O’-Lanterns: Jack-O’-What?
I never used to carve pumpkins as a kid. Mum was never a fan of Halloween, considered it a tacky tradition, saw the whole ‘trick-or-treat’ thing as begging. Going out with some kind of mask was the usual drill. I always thought Jack-o’-lanterns looked cool though – their jagged-toothed grins, that evil orange glow. Nowadays I don’t live with my mum (I’m all grown up!), I’ve got my pumpkins at the ready and it got me thinking about the origin of these iconic things.
Their name comes from the fabled will-o-the-wisp, that light seen hanging over swamps and bogs which some believe following can either bring fortune or ruin. The actual act of carving faces into vegetables however has been around for thousands of years, oddly enough.
It’s believed that the act of putting a candle inside a hollowed out ‘head’ came about in 19th century Ireland. Superstitious folk used to put them outside their door to ward off bad spirits. This usually coincided with the Gaelic festival known as Samhain when the harvest season is over and darkness starts to rule. Jack-o’-lanterns were also said to represent Christian souls stuck in purgatory. I like that!
Nowadays you could say they have been reduced to a symbol of fun. There is undoubtedly an flaccid, commercial aspect to the modern Halloween, but there will always be those who pause to wonder about the true meaning of what are the purest symbol of Halloween. I’m not against Halloween trees though!
In terms of design they tend to bounce between angry with sharp teeth or goofy. Illustrations of cute or happy pumpkins need to go! They are also a great medium for artists as there are some incredible pieces out there, and if you fancy trying to do something memorable you can even buy specialised pumpkin carving kits.
My two remained uncarved in the kitchen. Maybe I’ll go for something a bit different, more disturbing. They won’t be put outside to ward off bad spirits though. If there are any lingering about on October 31st, hopefully they’ll pay me a visit…
