C.J. Ives Lopez's Blog, page 18

Poet and Novelist Beth Hildenbrand

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m the mother of five sons. I love music, classic horror, and basketball. My family is my foundation. I have a book group called Buy the Author. I have also started a women’s group called the Phoenix Sisterhood for women to lift each other up and share. It’s become a wonderful community.

2. Why do you write?

Because I must. I’ve been writing since I discovered books as a child. It’s a part of me. I love to tell stories.

3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I write Dark Fantasy, Horror, and Dark Poetry. It’s always been a fascination of mine. I generally refer to myself as a gothic ray of sunshine. I’m drawn to darkness but always try to see the bright side of things. And I love black leather.

https://smile.amazon.com/CAIN-Heretic...

4. Tell us about your book?

My novel Cain Heretic Son is a spin on the biblical story. In my version, Cain was cursed to Immortality. As part of his curse, he was made the Key to the Gates of Hell. Cain must fight his darker urges if he is ever to find redemption. Lucifer needs Cain to embrace his dark side. As Cain’s mortal friends are pulled into Lucifer’s plot Cain will have to decide if he will choose the Stairway to Heaven or the Highway to Hell.

5. How much time do you dedicate to your Author career?

As much as possible. I usually work 8 to 10 hours a day. Writing, social media for my books, and other advertising campaigns take up a lot of time. I keep the coffee flowing.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08RWT97PZ/ref6. How long on average does it take to write your books?

I would say a year to a year and a half. Life tends to take over when you least expect it. This year I will be releasing the sequel to Cain Heretic Son and my second book of poetry. I try to write something every day.

7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your Author career?

Buying my fellow Indie Author’s books. You can learn so much from your peers and you get the bonus of reading some really amazing books.

8. What is the most difficult part of being an author?

Time management. Social media can overtake you if you allow it to. Also, finding time for family is the most important thing for me. Some days I blink and the day is gone.

9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Write. Tell your stories. Also, make friends in the writing community. I have made some wonderful friendships and learned so much from my fellow writers.

10. What is your favorite book?

Gone with the Wind. I know it sounds comical coming from someone whose own writing is on the dark side, but Scarlett is a force to be reckoned with.

Follow Beth:

www.instagram.com/hildenbrandmary

www.facebook.com/bethhildenbrandauthor

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Published on September 30, 2021 07:37

YA Author BB Russell

Tell us a little about yourself

BB. Russell is a YA author who has her debut novel Kindreds on the shelf now. In addition to being a writer, I am an avid reader of all genres, mom of three, wife, therapist, educator, and dog lover! When I’m not writing, I can be found at one of my kids’ sporting events, sitting with a good book on my deck, or watching the newest thriller or YA rom-com on Netflix.

Why Do you write?

I write because I have to. I love it! Ever since I was little you could find me with a pen in my hand. Writing helps me be creative, get my emotions out, think things through, and lets my imagination run wild. I find myself when I am writing.

What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I write young adult books. I tell everyone, I didn’t pick YA, it picked me. When I sat down to write Kindreds, the story that kept coming was one of 16-year-old Lilah. I tried to write other things, but couldn’t. So, I wrote the story that my heart wanted to tell.

https://smile.amazon.com/Kindreds-B-B... us about your book

In this book, sixteen-year-old, Lilah, must decide if she should follow her heart and newfound love into Carnival Nolianna, a secret, disappearing world run only by foster children that is recruiting new members, or if she will listen to her head and follow the clues that Nolianna may not be what it seems. When Sebastian, the future leader of Nolianna sets his sights on having her join the carnival, she may not even have a choice! With time ticking away and a few kindred spirits to help her through, Lilah must decide if love is enough to keep her and Joey together in Nolianna, or if she can rely on what she knows to be true and save them from disappearing for good.

How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

I squeeze in time whenever I can. Being an author is more than just writing. It is also about taking time to read and figuring out what works (and doesn’t) in a storyline. It also means a lot of hours creating new material that will never see the light of day. It takes time to edit, rework, and sometimes even completely start over when a plot isn’t working. As an author, I also spend time researching, meeting people, working in critique groups, surfing social media for the newest trends in books, and networking. Some weeks I spend a few hours and others, a lot more! It is hard to quantify, but being an author is not for the faint of heart! Like all things, it takes time, devotion, and perseverance.

How long on average does it take you to write your books?

My first book took 9 years until publication. I have a few others that I have written that have taken 1-2 years. Now that I am published, my goal is to write one book a year.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

The best money I ever spent was on Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life. It has some invaluable advice about writing the first draft that I remind myself of almost weekly! The second best thing was on a membership to the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Lastly, an investment in my career as an author came when I attended a weekend workshop for children’s book authors put on by a well-known literary agency. Each of these investments contributed to my craft and being an author.

What is the most difficult part of being an author?

I think the most difficult part of being an author is putting my work in the world and waiting for feedback. It is difficult to be vulnerable and share something near to my heart, and then wait for others to share what they liked and didn’t about my writing.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

WRITE, and then KEEP WRITING. Don’t be afraid to edit and cut. Network and meet people.

What is your favorite book?

Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Follow B. B. Russell:

www.bbrussellauthor.com

bbrussellauthor@gmail.com

www.instagram.com/bbrussellauthor

www.facebook.com/bbrussell

www.twitter.com/bbrussellauthor

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Published on September 28, 2021 05:00

Witty Romance Writer – EH Lyon

1. Tell us a little about yourself

EH Lyon is a witty romance writer and has a thing for writing witty women, swoony men, and the steamy scenes that bring them together.

An American from the Midwest, she now lives in Europe with her small pack of humans. She types away on her laptop with music on repeat, a donut in one hand, a whiskey or coffee in the other, and the occasional glance at her yoga mat that she should probably use again. She also has too many nicknames for one life, so we’ll just stick to E for now…

Born in the U.S., I’ve lived most of my life in Europe. I’ve always been a writer in some capacity under a different name, but never romance.

Fate gave me a wild card in that I moved house a few days before the first lockdown in 2020. With no internet for two months, everything closed, and a young toddler who took naps, I wrote… a lot. It just came to me and flowed out. The rest is history. When I am not writing, I am literally eating cupcakes or donuts and getting in some yoga time.

2. Why Do you write?

I have tried yoga, running, baking, hobby after hobby, but I always return to writing. Writing is my home and where I seemed to be destined.

3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I write contemporary romance. My romance stories tend to be on the lighter and steamier side. I doubt you will ever see me write a really dark romance (you never know!). Under another yet-to-be-published name, I write fiction that is a mix of women’s fiction and historical (World War 2).

Romance is my escape and I think a cure for homesickness that I still occasionally have. My non-romance pen comes from years of research and university studies in that area.

4. Tell us about your book

I just finished the Matchbox Series, which is a sweet and sexy series. The stories follow a group of friends as their love lives implode in their small town.

Every book focuses on a different couple and each story is unique. We have single-dad, second chances, surprise baby, hockey, age-gap, friend’s sister, and all the tropes covered it seems. Every story is filled with banter and the occasional twist.

What I love hearing from readers who have read the series is that each book in the series gets better and better, plus they love revisiting their favorite characters throughout the series. It’s a feel-good series, which is what I felt we all needed during these times. The first in the series Different with You is currently free on all retailers too.

One of the side characters from another series is in The Unexpected Card . It’s filled with banter, steamy scenes, and a swoony boss. I loved writing it as it’s just a wild ride of a story about a boss who ends up on a business trip with his business partner’s sister in New Orleans. It’s enemies-to-lovers with an accidental pregnancy thrown in. My hope is whoever reads it just has a good time and smiles.

5. How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

Well, it’s my first year publishing novels so I can easily say A LOT of hours per week. That’s writing, marketing, administration, etc. I also debuted as a wide author, meaning I have many retailers to manage which adds to the admin side. I do have a day job, but luckily the past year I have been stuck at home in lockdown so I didn’t have to commute or have anywhere else to be in the evenings or weekends.

6. How long on average does it take you to write your books?

My fastest full-length novel was finished in 2 weeks. However, I normally average around 5 weeks for a full-length novel.

7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

Wow, tough one. Anything editing-related. I will not publish a book unless it has had at least 3 passes with an editor. I’m a writer and storylines easily come to me… grammar not so much!

8. What is the most difficult part of being an author?

The business side (marketing) is always changing. What worked last week may not work this week. You constantly have to pay attention and re-assess. The world of indie publishing has boomed in recent years. In a way that’s great as it’s easier to publish now. On the other hand, it means that the market is busy, and it takes time plus effort to stand out.

I see authors who have been around for years and are only now getting attention. Then I see authors who just debuted, made a viral TikTok video, and shoot to the top of book charts. Publishing these days involves a lot of luck, until then you keep trying.

9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Keep writing! Do not stop no matter what. You probably started writing because it is a passion, so keep that fuel going. If you are writing to publish, nothing sells one book better than another book. Enjoy the writing process, but if you publish then the moment you write ‘the end’ keep in mind that it becomes a product. I read that and it’s so true.

10. What is your favorite book?

I can’t possibly pick one. However, I will say that Bossman by Vi Keeland and Dirty Bad Boy by Mira Lyn Kelly are the stories that got me into writing romance.

Follow EH

sites/websiteWebsite: https://authorehlyon.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/authorehlyon

Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorehlyon

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/e-h-lyon

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20767232.E_H_Lyon

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Published on September 22, 2021 03:55

Short Story Writer – Debra Leigh Scott

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Short Story Writer Debra Leigh Scott shares some insight into her life and journey as a writer.

I was born to a Marine Corps father stationed at Camp Lejeune when I was born. Somehow, I think that, despite the fact that my parents were actually from Philadelphia, PA, those southern energies were somehow absorbed by my young body.

What does that mean?

It means that I love Southern food, Southern literature, Southern architecture; I love cities like Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans. But I don’t love the politics of the region and prefer to love from afar that which I find gracious and transcendent about the south.

I’ve lived my whole life above the Mason-Dixon Line in the Philadelphia region, in the Northeast. I’ve always been fascinated by literature, culture, world religions. As an undergraduate, I had a double major in English Lit and World Religions. My graduate work focused on world religions, with a focus on comparative mysticisms, and ultimately a focus on Renaissance mysticism and Renaissance Studies.

A second trip through grad school had me completing a Masters’s in creative writing. I have been a residency artist, teaching creative writing in schools throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I’ve also taught a variety of humanities classes at the university level, for about 25 years. (My personal website is www.debraleighscott.com) I’m the Founding Director of Hidden River Arts (www.hiddenriverarts.com), which is an international, inter-disciplinary arts organization; I’m the Founding Editor-in-Chief of Hidden River Publishing, an independent press.

I write fiction, non-fiction. I write plays. I’ve been working for years on a documentary about the corporate takeover of American academia. The film is called ‘Junct: The Trashing of Higher Ed. In America. I blog on higher education issues at The Homeless Adjunct. More about that: www.junctrebellion.com

I have published a collection of inter-related short stories, Other Likely Stories, which covers the years 1955-1975 in the lives of two military brat sisters and their bi-racial pyromaniac cousin.

I’ve recently finished a novel called Blue Roses, which I call “a mid-life coming of age story” about a woman turning 40, dealing with a “failure to thrive” personal history, and how she overcomes that to finally discover who she really is.

I’m working on a novel – this one has been years and years of work in rewriting, reconceptualizing, rewriting again – called Piety Street, which focuses on the eldest sister of the Other Likely Stories collection and her struggles with her personal demons, her childhood PTSD, and her attempt to reconstruct a year in her childhood that she can’t remember, but knows is filled with all kinds of answers to her emotional and mental problems.

I’m also working on several other novels, a new collection of short stories, a book of non-fiction that is a companion to the documentary. I also sing – I perform with my singing partner Jean Brooks, as “Cabaret Divas” – meant to be entirely tongue in cheek since there is nothing diva-like about either of us.

I like to read. I like foreign films. I enjoy cooking, but not cleaning up afterward. I love to travel. I’m learning Italian and hope to spend at least half of each year in Italy as soon as this pandemic is behind us.

2. Why Do you write?

I’ve never known a time when I didn’t write. I was making up stories before I could write – and when I could write, I was writing for my elementary school newspaper, then writing poetry, then writing stories. It’s as natural as breathing to me. In fact, it is probably more natural than breathing, since I have asthma.

3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I work in different genres. Literary fiction, I guess, would be one of the main genres. But I also enjoy writing in styles that might be considered a bit more contemporary. I’m also working right now on what I guess will be a suspense novel, although I’m not sure yet.

I like writing scripts. It’s not so much that I pick a genre as the story that flows onto my page shapes itself around a particular genre, and I figure it out as I go.

4. Tell us about your book.

Other Likely Stories is a collection of inter-related stories. It’s about the lives of two sisters, military brats during the anti-war Vietnam era, and their orphaned bi-racial cousin. The stories move from the 1950s, through the tumultuous ’60s, to April 30, 1975, the day of the Fall of Saigon. The reason that date is important is that Roy Meade, the military father is MIA and our two sister characters are deeply impacted by his disappearance. The historical times of this book are those of great political and cultural rupture. They serve as the backdrop for the stories of personal chaos.

Against the setting of historical change, there are very dark family troubles – incest, addiction, violence, and mental illness. But somehow, these stories are shot through with the incandescent hope for happiness and love that drives our three characters from the first word to the last of this collection.

My current projects: Crossing the Line is a new collection of short stories. Each story explores the life of an individual who has, in one way or another, gone WAY too far in some dangerous or unacceptable way, and once having crossed that line, they are then facing the questions that come from suddenly being ostracized, being no longer “you” in the ways you had once been.

Some of these stories have already been published in Stone Boat, Adelaide, Unlikely Stories, and one of the stories are being published in an anthology of Philadelphia writers that should be out in early summer 2021. Piety Street, as I mentioned above, is a novel that focuses on Rachael Meade, the eldest sister of the OLS collection. She is in New Orleans, attempting to reconstruct a traumatic year of her childhood that she has entirely blocked, feeling that restoring her memory, no matter how terrifying that might be, is her only hope in saving herself.

Blue Roses is a novel about a young woman about to turn 40, who has just lost both her famous parents. Her father was a world-renown composer and her mother a world-renown musical theatre star. In comparison, her life has been one of mediocrity. In comparison to their high-drama romance, her love life has been embarrassing.

She is their adopted child and longs to know her own history, which is something they always refused to discuss. It is a “failure to launch” story about a woman who manages to find herself, embrace her talents, and learn to thrive as a late bloomer.

5. How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

Never enough. I try to write or do writing-related research or other work each day. But because I also run an arts organization and an independent press, my days are always divided into pieces and there is always more things on each “to do” list than there are hours.

I’d say I aim for about two hours a day to focus exclusively on my own creative career, and about two hours a day on the other work – and then the remainder divided up as any particular day allows. I have to be flexible.

6. How long on average does it take you to write your books?

I’m a slow writer. It takes me years to complete a project. The stories in the first collection took me over ten years. One of the stories, “Red,” took me seven years. I wrote it, rewrote it, put it in a drawer, took it out, re-read, revised….until I finally understood what the story was about.

The novel I spoke of above, Piety Street, has gone through over a decade now of rewrites. Blue Roses was a little faster to finish, but it still took a few years. For some reason, I write my plays much more quickly. Scriptwriting comes faster to me. Dialogue comes faster.

7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

Attending the Sewanee Writers’ Conference – I was a Tennessee Williams scholar, but still had to cover my travel and other expenses. It was hard; I was a single parent raising two children, one a special needs child I was homeschooling.

8. What is the most difficult part of being an author?

The post-writing part – searching for publication, dealing with agents, dealing with promotion, and marketing. Being a writer is easy – if that means sitting down and writing the piece, revising, polishing. That process, I love.

But the rest of it, I wish I had the kind of support system we’re told that Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner had – agents and editors who took all the rest of that process off their shoulders so they only needed to be writers.

9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

I’ll echo one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten. It was at that Sewanee conference, where I was in a seminar hosted by Barry Hannah and Amy Hempel. One of my colleagues around that table was Elwood Reid, whose work you all should know – check him out.

When it was my turn to have some work on the table, he said something that blew the top of my head off – in a good way. He said, “You’ve got your hands on the shoulders of this character and you’re shoving her through the story. Let go. Step back. Get the hell away from her and let her show YOU what she’s gonna do.” It changed the way I write.

10. What is your favorite book?

That’s a really hard question because there is no single favorite book. I love Dickens, and I think my favorite of his novels is David Copperfield. Aunt Betsy Trotwood is one of my favorite characters in all of literature. I really love the work of the late Lewis Nordan, especially his story collections, Welcome to the Arrow Catcher Fair, The All-Girl Football Team, and Music of the Swamp.

The works of Eudora Welty, Carson McCullers, Flannery O’Connor. Other favorite living writers: Barbara Kingsolver, Tom Franklin (especially Poachers), and pretty much anyone who was included in any of the New Stories from the South anthologies that Algonquin used to put out.

I don’t think they publish it anymore. I wish they would. And, obviously, I want to give a shout-out to all the authors we publish at Hidden River (www.hiddenriverarts.com) since I love all the work we put out into the world and feel honored to have helped bring some beautiful work out into the world.

Follow Debra

Debra Leigh Scott: www.debraleighscott.com

Hidden River Arts: www.hiddenriverarts.com

‘Junct Rebellion: www.junctrebellion.com

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Published on September 21, 2021 06:13

Creative Writer and USMC Veteran – Cara North

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a creative writer and USMC Veteran Cara North. I’ve been creating characters and writing stories since grade school. I had my first in-school suspension my freshman year of high school thanks to a story I turned in for English. I guess that romance was a bit much for her.

I’m sure some of what I write as Cara North would get me suspended again.

I’m a USMC veteran, so I often write military characters. I enjoy fiction because it allows me to escape from reality and provides a reader with that escape for entertainment purposes.

My non-fiction is all about writing and my perspective in this industry after two decades and counting. I don’t always do what I suggest, but I own and admit that.

I could probably be more successful if I did, but I’m comfortable where I am and with what I’m producing. When I first started, I had the energy for all that stuff.

Now, I just want to write and connect with my readers. If that is seven people who can’t wait for the next book, so be it. I want to get those people the next book.

2. Why Do you write?

I write for myself, my sanity, so maybe I can add everyone around me to that list. When I don’t write creatively for an extended period of time, it has an effect on everything else I do. I don’t know how else to describe it, but I do know that people who know me well will ask if I have been writing and say it shows or they can tell if I haven’t been.

3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I read in a variety of genres so I write in a variety of genres. Primarily, my work is contemporary. I think when I started writing for publication, these were the characters that came to me and wanted their stories told. As I’ve progressed, more characters have popped up and they didn’t come from this reality, so I began writing some other genres.

My niece was upset that she was not 18 yet so she asked me to write something she could read. That was a few years ago. During the pandemic, Dating Wyatt’s Mom came about (it is standalone and free in e-book). Then, I woke one morning and The Drummonds happened.

I spent a year writing them and sending them out for edits. I began releasing them this year so they could roll out each month. Thanks to readers, I am working on the last of those books this year and they will release next year. I like to have a series finished before I release it these days.

4. Tell us about your book.

I have several, so I will pick the most recent release for my YA series which is JoJo. This book shows the PTSD and recovery process of sexual assault when the victim is not a female. My YA is for mature readers. I grew up in a rough area and poor, so I was not blind to the variety of horrors life could bring.

I spent my senior year of high school with a foster family and attended a good school. It was like I went to another world sometimes, so I guess my YA is a clash of those experiences with some modern twists.

5. How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

Time writing is any free time I have. Weekends, in between semesters, early morning, a lunch break in the afternoon, or before bed at night. Writing is what I do the most. Social media...I could do better and I don’t put in as much time as I should.

I attend Literary Love Savannah on an annual basis. It is the one conference I take time off from any and all jobs I am working to attend.

6. How long on average does it take you to write your books?

This varies on the length of the book and what else is going on. When I lost my full-time job, was looking for work, I was splitting my time with the grueling task of finding steady employment and writing because it made me less sad about my situation.

Now that I have full-time employment, I make time for writing, but it has slowed down again for sure.

7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

Literary Love Savannah annual reader author convention. I love the reader connection. I get to spend time with readers and other authors. We have fun and I feel rejuvenated at the end of that conference and motivated by my readers, the ones I meet, have meals with, speak to in person.

Sales are a motivator to keep writing, but even with a low sale on a book, if one of those readers liked it, I feel like it just sold a million copies. After all, not everyone will enjoy what I write, so those who do…connecting with them. Yeah, that is the best.

8. What is the most difficult part of being an author?

Marketing. I want to write. I need to sell books in order to pay for edits and covers, but when I spend time online it takes away from the writing, and marketing is one of those tricky things where I never really know what is working for me with the exception of a live event, which is why I do LLS every year.

Those readers buy print books on-site and ebooks throughout the year. They support me and I show up for them. The rest of my marketing…I have no idea. I just do what I can with what I have.

9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

Write your story. Your story, the one you want to write, not the one you think everyone else is writing or reading.

10. What is your favorite book?

Just one? Sheesh!

My favorite book I’ve read…wow. This is a tough question. Wuthering Heights, The Catcher in the Rye, Circle of Friends, On the Road, and more. All different types of stories, but ones I still enjoy to this day.

Follow Creative Writer and USMC Veteran Cara North:

http://www.creativewritingwithdrnagle.com

https://twitter.com/CaraNorthauthor

https://www.facebook.com/caranorthauthor/

https://www.pinterest.com/caranorthauthor

https://www.instagram.com/caranorth_author/?hl=en

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/982055.Cara_North_September_North_Echo_North

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cara-north

https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B002BLLE1U

https://www.patreon.com/musesandsirens

Get to know Cara North better by signing up for an email newsletter: Subscribe is at the bottom of the page https://www.creativewritingwithdrnagle.com/

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Published on September 20, 2021 06:18

Short Story Saturday

The Tale of Adam by Danni Bowen

The Tale of Adam by Danni Bowen is the first in our Saturday Short Story series and one that we hope you will enjoy. This new author has brought a fantastic horror/fantasy story to life on the pages of our blog. Read and enjoy. Don’t forget to comment and let her know how you feel about this fantastical journey.

Adam walked down the curving-packed dirt road towards the village. It was a cold night, but he liked that; he also enjoyed the feel of grit between his bare toes. He wanted to take in everything around him: the glittering stars above, the sound of creaking tree branches, and the smell of the villagers’ fireplaces. All he wanted to do was sit under a tree and submerge himself in the night. However, Master had given him a job, and he couldn’t let him down. He couldn’t break Master’s heart, not like everyone else did.

eerie village road

For just a second, he glanced back towards the lonely gray castle up on the hill. He knew Master would be watching him from the parapets, anticipating the death rattles of the villagers. Adam took a deep breath as he turned back towards the village and slowly let it out as he stepped into the main street. He should put his mind to the task. How should he kill?

Humans love to scream. Those screams always hurt his ears, so he should go mainly for head mutilations. Tongues severed, jaws ripped off, skulls crushed. Silently he stood at the first cottage, inspecting the craftsmanship. The wood was smooth with no threat of splinters, the door frame lovingly carved from oak, and the thatched roof was well-tended. It was sad that the world would lose such skillful hands. However, there were dozens more hands like them, but there was only one Master. Adam clenched his jaw, gently opened the door, and stepped uneasily into the darkness inside, picking up the beam beside the door.

The inhabitants were all asleep in a single large bed. A man, a woman, and a child, too young for them to take on features of either man or woman. With his supernatural strength, he crushed their heads with one blow. Blood pooled around his dirt-covered feet. The flattened head of the child stared at him accusingly with empty eye sockets.

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Adam’s head tilted with perplexed revulsion, but he had little time to study the bodies. There was a lot more he had to do. He walked to the next house, bloody footprints followed behind him. These next villagers were awake, though drunk. They were also easily dispatched. He ripped out their jaws, letting their tongues slip out through their necks.

And so it went. House by house he killed the villagers as silently as the Angel of Death killed the first sons of Egypt. He reached the last hut, a tiny pathetic straw hovel. What sort of pitiful creature lived in straw when everyone else built with wood and stone? It gave him pause, enough to look down at himself. Blood and viscera covered his bare chest, bits of bone were stuck under his fingernails. Even his feet were covered in shit and piss from the man he disemboweled with a stomp.

Adam grimaced in disgust, not just with the filth covering his body, but also with himself. This was senseless killing. He couldn’t do anything about it though, either the filth or the killing. This is what he had to do for Master. At least it was just the once. After this, Master’s restless, vengeance-seeking soul would be quieted. He’d be happy again. Just like on their journey here, when Master had taught him to read and write, and to appreciate the beauty of nature. He’d loved every minute.

Yet his stomach turned as he caught his own scent. He had to get this done, he wanted to be through with this. Adam opened the curtain to the straw house. Here I come little pig, he thought to himself. There was an old man sitting with his back to a small fire pit, staring at the door as if he was expecting someone.

“Took you long enough,” the old man said as he tilted a bottle to his lips, taking a swig.

Adam’s manners kicked in instantly, “I’m sorry to have made you wait.”

He paused in his thinking then. Looking around the one-room hovel he saw that there was no bed, just a pallet by the fire, not even a small opening for a window. It was empty of any comforts at all. “How did you know?”

“I could smell you.” The old man took another swig. He wiped his mouth before continuing. “Blindness makes the other senses sharper.”

Adam had heard of humans that were blind, but with his limited experience of the species, he had never come across it. He stepped inside and the curtain fell back into place.

“How long have you been blind?” Adam found himself asking, unable to stop himself.

“Forty excruciatingly long years,” he lamented.

Adam sat before the old man, crossing his legs to match his elder. “Born?”

The old man took another swig before answering. “Injury. I was only twenty when my family and I were attacked. They robbed me of everything, my wife, son, possessions, and then my sight.”

Adam frowned, “That’s tragic, but I’m afraid I’ve come to kill you.”

The old man laughed, though it sounded cracked and dry, “I know. Finally, I’ll be able to stop seeing their horrified faces. Their screams will die with me.”

Adam was shocked by this. “You’re happy?” He asked.

Again, the tired, brittle laugh, “To me, this is a kindness. The only way I can rest is by drinking myself into a stupor, but even that has stopped working.”

Never had Adam thought that death might be a blessing. He looked down at his grimy hands, the blood that caked them was drying and flaking off. A new wave of disgust, of guilt roiled in his gut. He’d seen maggots wriggling on a dead bird carcass before and that was exactly how his skin felt.

“Before death, I wish to ask you something.”

Adam breathed deeply, “Anything old man.”

“Set this cursed village on fire.”

Adam snapped his head up in surprise but only nodded. It was the old man’s last request; how could he refuse. “As you will.” He moved to his knees then. The old man smiled, feeling the man’s cold hands on the side of his head. Tears started to spill from his misted eyes and just before Adam snapped his neck, he whispered, “Thank you.”

The body dropped from his hands like a sack. He picked up part of the kindling from the hearth, walked outside, and started setting the houses on fire. The roaring flames gave the night a beautiful orange-red glow. He worried that the surrounding forest might be harmed, but remembered that it had rained the night before so there wouldn’t be too much damage. Especially since he smelled more rain on the way.

Once done, Adam decided it was time to get himself cleaned up. He couldn’t return to Master in such a state. Again, he was enveloped by the night. It was a nice feeling after such horrible acts. An odd sense of peace overcame him. Not all of it was bad, the old man had thanked him.

He stopped by a lake which wasn’t so far from the village that the fire didn’t light it well. He stepped into the chilling water, and slowly started cleaning himself up. Though the more he tried, the less he seemed to get clean. Frantically he started scrubbing, using his fingernails to score the taint from his skin.

It’s not coming off! Why wasn’t it washing off? Adam dove under the icy mountain water. There’s so much blood! So much! His lungs started to tighten with a lack of oxygen. He wanted to breathe, but did he deserve to? The pain in his chest made him surface, his inky black hair slithered over his shoulders.

Adam’s skin felt like it was on fire. Or was he feeling the heat from the village’s flames? Slowly he raised his hands from the water, still, they were red. This couldn’t be! He was the perfect being! What will Master think of me now? He caught his reflection staring back at him. The light made his eyes glow. Orange sclera with yellow irises scrutinized him. Those eyes that Master had made specially for him. The ones Master loved so much.

“Why did you do it?”

Adam’s eyes widened as his reflection seemed to move and talk on its own. “What?” He stuttered at himself.

“If killing all those people hurt you, then why did you do it?”

“Master wanted it so.”

“Why?” The reflection wavered pensively back and forth; its hands tucked behind its back.

“The village hurt him.”

“How?”

“I’m unsure.”

The reflection stilled, then glanced back at Adam. With a flick of its hair it said, “So, for an unknown reason, you slaughtered an entire village. Simply because your Master said to? Without explanation?”

Adam couldn’t face himself then, “Master knows what’s right. He is better and smarter than me in every way. Master created me. I cannot betray him.”

The reflection laughed, sending ripples through the water. The laughter was an odd sound. Adam had never heard himself laugh. Had he ever laughed before? Ever since he’d woke, all Master had done was prepare him to be the perfect creation, as intelligent as he was beautiful. Master hadn’t spent time joking with him.

“Remember Paradise Lost?”

Adam shook his head at that knowing full well what his reflection was getting at, “I love Master!”

“So, did Lucifer.”

“Master loves me!” Even to him, his voice sounded unsure.

“Oh? Do you think this because he took you to bed?” The reflection mocked venomously.

“Stop it!” Adam yelled covering his ears trying to block out the sound of his own voice.

“Master hurt you. Master will continue hurting you. You will never know peace until you can see him for what he is.”

The voice was in his head now. Adam cried out and ran from the lake. He ran until he got back to the edge of the village, his wet pants chaffing the entire way. The shame of what he had done gave him a moment’s pause, but he didn’t stop for long before heading back to the castle. All along the winding road he wracked his brain trying to convince himself that Master wouldn’t ask him to do this again. It was just the one time. Once Master understood how much he hated doing it, then they’d go about living their lives. Happily. Right?

He chanted this over and over again as he dashed up the stairs to the tower, only stopping once he saw Master’s silhouette against the burning night sky. A bright flash of blue-white split the night sky.

***

From his castle, the alchemist Victor Frankenstein stood above the village watching with a self-satisfied sneer at the chaotic inferno below him. He could almost smell the blood that bathed the streets and the charring of human flesh. Lightning split the black sky, eerily lighting Victor with pale blue and orange-red. Pride swelled his crippled heart at the thought of his Adam doing a good job. Humans were revolting sacks of viscera, whereas his creation was, in a word…ideal.

Crafted from the very finest human specimens, alive, dead, some parts he had even alchemically grown himself. Mostly organs, blood, and eyes. Those weren’t very viable after death. Victor had worked insanity-inducing hours to stitch together the love of his life. Of course, he had to kill his love so that he could build Adam perfectly.

Then again, Henry Clerval wasn’t the love of his life anymore. They changed Henry, Victor thought as he glared down at the village, as they had tried to change him. Crazy, they called him, for wanting to practice alchemy, but he certainly showed them. They’ll never hope to corrupt another person, ever again.

Victor thought about the night he’d killed Henry, his childhood friend and eventual lover. Henry, with his angelic face and halo of golden hair. He was lean without being scrawny. Every woman swooned at the mere mention of his name, men were envious of his heavenly being. Yet, the only one Henry ever had eyes for was Victor. At least…that’s what he once thought. That was until Henry came calling last year. The pain and anger seethed in his belly bitterly, leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

He’d begged Henry to stay, to watch him bring all his studying to fruition. Henry, ever polite, gently declined. He had an engagement that night. Victor understood, it was just the way his friend was.

“How about a kiss then, before you go?” He had said as he leaned against Henry’s chest. That’s when the nightmare began. Victor was roughly shoved away and it was all he could do to catch himself from careening onto the floor. His hip had been bruised from hitting the operating table. Shocked, he looked at Henry, devastation etched into his face.

“I’m sorry, Victor, I didn’t mean to push that forcefully. I was just stunned. I’m engaged to be married. It can’t be like that between us now.”

Victor gaped in surprise. Henry had promised to not get married. This is what was whispered to him before he’d left for University.

“But, Henry, I don’t…” His skin pricked with sweat from anxiety, he shook his head in confusion, “I don’t understand,” he whinged.

Victor reached out towards Henry then, hands trembling. Later he’d say it was exhaustion from many sleepless nights and the strain from creating his perfect being. That he was so…unfocused that night. He just wanted Henry to hold him. Why was this happening? Why was Henry standing there looking put off? As if he was disgusted in Victor now. As if he didn’t love him anymore?

“Henry?”

Victor watched as Henry’s golden curls bounced as he shook his head, “I don’t love you, Victor. Not like that. You’ll always be my best friend. My brother, but not lover.”

As Henry turned to leave, Victor felt something cold and solid in his hand. He broke then and charged his old friend, slitting his neck from behind. Victor held Henry close sobbing as the warm, sticky blood seeped through his clothing.

Victor held up his hands then, thoroughly inspecting them. No matter how many times he scrubbed sometimes he could still see the blood on them. His fingers curled up, making a fist as he glanced back at the village. Yes, they indeed got what they deserved.

“Master?”

Victor’s heart soared as he turned to face his beautiful, well-shaped tool. Made for his use specifically, one that would never fail him. Victor reached his hands out, motioning for Adam to come closer.

“My love, I was starting to worry. What took so long?”

Adam approached slowly, looking down at his master. Victor had slick black hair that spiked in the back, his green eyes were more vivid than the trees, and his hands were elegant but callused in ways that spoke of a medical profession. Adam could see the fragile state that Master was in, he wanted nothing more than to hold on to his creator for dear life.

Victor threaded his fingers in Adam’s sleek, damp hair. Wrapping his arms around the giant’s shoulder, he kissed him ardently.

After Victor leaned away from him, “Cleaned up,” Adam answered shortly, editing out everything else. Was this the start of things, he wondered? He was keeping things from Master now, which he very much did not like, but he couldn’t bear to tell him about what his reflection had said.

Victor leaned his head against Adam’s solid, naked chest. It was warm and Henry’s heart beat strongly behind the ribcage.

“Master, would you tell me the story about my birth?”

Victor smiled fondly as he tilted his head back to look up into those ethereal eyes. “Again? You’ve heard it over a dozen times now.”

“Just once more, please, Master?”

Victor could deny Adam nothing, “Alright.” He stepped back and sat down on one of the crenelations behind him. Slowly, he started weaving the tale of Adam’s birth.

It started after Mother died. She was the only one to truly love me. Father was ashamed of my…oddities. I felt so alone, no one would talk to me, except to shame me. Seeing as I couldn’t connect to humans, I turned to books for comfort. In those friendly pages, I found knowledge about alchemy.

I became obsessed, especially about bringing the dead back to life. With this I could possibly have Mother back. For years I searched and read everything I could about alchemy. That’s how I met Henry, he’d heard about the boy in love with death, he sought me out. He said I sounded interesting and different than everyone around him. At first I didn’t trust him, but the more Henry came around and listened to what I was reading, I slowly came to crave his presence.

The first time he kissed me I swear I saw paradise. The village harassed and beat us, once they found out. Our fathers tried to keep us apart. However, no one can keep lover’s apart when there are barns around. The night I left for University, Henry promised to love me forever and to never marry, and so I left Henry for three years, back in that village to be twisted and turned against me.

Even though I went to school for medicine, I secretly studied alchemy. With free access to supplies and equipment how could I not. I needed to test my theories first. I wanted to create something perfect. A present for myself, as lonely as I was. That’s how I came up with you Adam. I spent months sketching out how to put you together. Sleep didn’t come until I was satisfied with how you would look. Then there was the difficult part, getting the body parts. Of course, I couldn’t use organs. Those spoiled too quickly, I didn’t want you going around smelling of rot, so I decided I’d grow those alchemically. That took a few years, but a lot less time than it would have been if I had grown the body as well. I knew how to keep body parts fresh though. That was the easy part.

First, I started with your feet. I knew you were going to be rather tall, so I had to get the biggest feet I could find. I found a good pair on a hanged man. No one even noticed his feet were missing when they took him down. I had sawed them off with a bone saw, from the ankles down. It only took me a few minutes to accomplish this, but I was rather happy with the straight cuts I made. Precision was key after all. Second, your legs, those were taken from a highwayman who was drawn and quartered. This man was amazing at running away, you could say escaping was his forte. Those were from the hip joint down. Third, was the waist to the chest. Sadly, a very burly smith had been murdered by another after his career was threatened. The second-rate smith had bashed in the poor man’s head with his own hammer. I had to dig up his grave. This took hours, luckily, I was able to buy a few assistants to help me. These boys knew I was at University for medicine so it didn’t take much convincing, all they needed to know is I needed the body for a science project. Not once did they ask any further questions. Once I had cut the torso from the legs, neck, and arms I put the rest back into his coffin, though I did say a little prayer before covering him back up. Fourth, the arms of a juggling jester. He was beheaded. A famous juggler he was, a famous jester he was not. Fifth, the hands of a pick-pocket. He had amazingly nimble fingers for someone with such large hands. They did the cutting for me this time. I paid a child to snatch the hands from the stage for me while everyone else was watching the man bleed out. Sixth, the neck and head. I took those from a singer who had died from a heart aneurism. Luckily, his body was brought in to study the aneurism. I simply just snuck in at night, did the separation and left.

Of course, I had to clear out the organs before preserving the body parts. I’m sure the local hogs appreciated my generosity. They did become rather fond of me. It was also necessary for me to flush the parts of the coagulated blood. I was planning to replace the blood with liquid philosopher stones.

The organs were coming along rather nicely. The brain was taking rather long, but it wasn’t as bad as the heart. For some reason I couldn’t get the heart right. There were several failures and I was beginning to become vexed. After all, the other organs were doing great. Perfectly healthy, as I had followed the formulas meticulously. These were formulas I’d spent excruciatingly long nights creating with previous experiments. I kept asking myself, what am I supposed to do about the heart? To get a fresh enough heart I’d have to kidnap someone and kill them just before I brought you to life.

With this being my last option, I decided to prep my lab in the deepest cavern of the local mountains. The timing would have to be perfect. The health of your heart was vital. It’s not like I could just nab someone off the street. The person had to be an athlete of some kind. Someone who had lived a clean life. Knowing this I made my way back to my apartment at University. I thought I was going to have to pick a fellow student, so I started evaluating candidates, when Henry came to call. I had no idea he was back in town. I was euphoric at seeing him again. He hadn’t come to see me though; he came to meet his betrothed and to tell me we were through. Now at this point I was exhausted, near deranged with lack of sleep and sustenance, so it only makes sense that I’d crack under that kind of heartbreak.

I both do and don’t remember killing him. Once the scalpel was in my hand the world had become a crimson haze. Only after he was bleeding out in my arms did I come to. I knew this was my only option to give you life. Savagely I cut out Henry’s heart. Wrapped in up in one of my shirts, locked my door and ran. The town, forest, and most of the cave flew by without me registering where I was going. The smell of my lab and the cold dampness kicked my brain into action. Thankfully, I’d already situated your body into place in the transmutation circle. As quick as a whip I connected the organs with a potion I created to mend wounds without stitches. The heart fit perfectly in the configuration of your temple, Adam. Never before had I seen such a perfectly crafted body as you. Trust me, I’ve seen a lot of bodies by this time. I was in awe and I basked for just a moment.

I ran across the lab and started cranking the galvanic transducer which I had commissioned a phenomenal engineer to build for me. To get the circle to work I had to power it. There needed to be exactly 1,818 volts. If the voltage was over, it would cook the body, under would just do nothing. Then the organs would die. I’d have failed. The machine crackled as blue bolts burst from the turning wheels. It was hooked up to seven rods around the circle. As it started to near the first stage the circle started glowing. Not one specific color, but all colors. Joseph’s coat was put to shame by the brilliance of it. Only after the light became white did I know that I had to let go of the turn handle. It turned once, twice, thrice and then the entire cave was filled with waves of darkness. I was thrown from my feet into the stone wall and passed out.

When I woke, there you were sitting in the middle of the circle watching me attentively as if I was the most precious thing to you. I named you Adam. Took you home, fed, clothed, loved, and taught you.

“And now, here we are,” Victor finished with a proud lift of his head.

Adam knew the story by heart, but he did love hearing it again. There was something comforting about Victor reciting the story to him. Suddenly he thought of a question he’d never asked before.

“Why Adam?”

Victor paused slightly confused about the question. Adam had definitely asked questions before, mainly about lessons and how things worked in the natural order of things. Never really about any decisions he had made though.

“God’s first son was named Adam. Why should mine not be? After all I defeated death,” Victor said reasonably.

Adam nodded, not once breaking eye contact. With a smile Victor stood then threaded his fingers through Adam’s.

“Did the mission run smoothly?”

“Yes, Master.”

However, Victor noticed that Adam looked away then. Which peeked suspicion in him.

“Something wrong?”

Adam still wouldn’t meet his eyes and a grimace flashed across his face, just for a moment. He took a deep breathe before going forward with his question.

“What is next?”

Victor chuckled, “Well it’s on to the next mission. We still have the students and professors that called me a plaque on humanity.”

Adam felt his heart constrict. Panic gripped him. His reflection had been right. The murder wouldn’t end. And he wanted nothing more to do with it. He didn’t want to be a monster, he just wanted to live life happily, with Master by his side. Master was in pain though, vengeance hadn’t satisfied him and Adam was smart enough to know if they continued down this path of violence, things would end poorly. They’d both probably wind-up dead. He felt his eyes glaze over with tears.

Master was hurting and the only thing he could do to help was continuing this campaign of slaughter.

A soft whisper crossed his mind, “Thank you.”

Adam nearly gasped out loud. The old man had thanked him for his death. Called it a kindness. He looked at Victor then. Would it also be a blessing for Master? He thought, almost relieved. He stopped again. Would he be able to live with himself afterward, with the guilt of killing Master? After he had killed those villagers?

He knew that the castle was positioned on a cliff, high enough to kill instantly on impact. There’d be no pain. Their bodies would burn in the inferno below. Adam became sure of his next move. Decision made, he walked to the edge to look over the wall, gently dragging Victor behind him.

“Adam, love, what are you doing?” Victor smiled bemusedly as he jogged along. Trying to keep up. Not knowing what was coming, “Wanting to check out your masterpiece?”

“Master I love you, more than life itself. Please know that all I want is for you to be at peace.”

Victor chuckled, just a bit cocky, “As you should.”

Adam slung Victor up into his arms bridal style, “Then know what I do next is out of love.”

He stepped up on the wall.

“Hey, what are you doing?!” Victor started to struggle, punching and pushing against Adam. He looked down and cried out in pure terror, “Stop this! Stop right now, Adam! Stop!”

Adam bent down to kiss Master one last time. When he pulled back, he saw the tears streaming down Victor’s cheeks. The tears brightened the vivid green. Adam’s chest tightened, tears once again stinging his own eyes.

“No, Master, I don’t think I will.” This was the one and only time he’d disobey his Master. Lightning lit the sky more and more as Adam hesitated. The rain he’d predicted earlier came down in sheets. That’s when Adam stepped forward. Gravity only gave them a second or two of suspension before dragging them down to their graves. Victor’s screams echoed off the cliff. Adam held him tighter as they grew closer to the ground and whispered once more, “I love you,” before the world swallowed them, body and soul.

The Tale of Adam by Danni Bowen is the first of many short stories we hope to bring you. Danni is a fantastic breakthrough author of horror and fantasy. Her short story captivated us and we are proud to bring this as our first in the lineup. Let us know what you think, remember feedback is how authors grow. COmment, share, like, and let this new author feel the love.

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Published on September 18, 2021 05:44

Dark Fantasy Fiction Author – Carrie Weston

1. Tell us a little about yourself

Carrie Weston is a dark fantasy fiction author and shares her light with us.

I suppose I would say I am one of those people you meet and never forget; for I am quite eccentric. I live in the UK countryside opposite a graveyard with my family and pets. Since I was a little kid, I have always wanted to become a writer, either that or an acrobat and that’s kind of out of the question with the fact that I have a chronic illness (crps).

2. Why Do you write?

I write because it is what I love and I feel I can communicate effectively through writing to the world. For instance, I always used to be that shy little girl at school who spent every spare minute in the library dreaming she would be whisked off into an adventure in some far-off world. Why? Because I always felt like I didn’t fit in. Like I was different in some way (this was before my chronic illness). I have always loved the escapism books can provide and the sound advice within some of their pages. It doesn’t matter who you are, sometimes you need a break from the world. And I aim to give that to people through fantastical tales they can immerse themselves in.

Carrie Weston Books3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?

I write dark fantasy fiction simply because I love the scope of the genre. You can touch on horror themes on one side of the scales and then go all the way to the other, having a full-on romance. It’s exciting and fresh and alluring to young adults upward as some aspects seem to go against the so-called ‘normal life. Personally, I have always found myself drawn towards the darker side, the mysteries and questions rather than contempered drama, although I read all genres. A favorite aspect of dark fantasy for me is to explore the idea of stereotypical perfection and turn it on its head. For instance, in Xander Chase; unicorns (that are meant to be pure) are evil; not all of them, but enough to humanize them to the reader so they can relate that there is no such thing as perfect. We are all unique and special in our own ways.

4. Tell us about your book

I have the start of two series out now and a paranormal short story in an anthology. So that’s very exciting. To start I’ll tell you about my debut novel; Xander Chase and the Unicorn Code.

Xander Chase was thought up when my son asked why there were few unicorn books for boys that were ‘cool’. Well, I told him I would write him one and I did, starting with the most arrogant angel of Death I could imagine. In the novel, Xander is desperate to please his father- Death himself, in order to be named his successor. But to do that he has to uncover a mass murderer with the help of Detective Stacy and the only living witness Lilly. Xander Chase is a young adult crime fiction fantasy mash-up. It has everything from brotherly banter to threads of seductive romance as you read through the novel to find out ‘who done it.

Book 2 in the Xander Chase series will be coming soon!

My second series; A Dark Fairy Tale

Book 1 – P.E.T Empathisers is free to download when you sign up to my newsletter (which gives you glances at the real me – rubber gloves and all) – carrieweston.co.uk

P.E.T Empathisers explores the world of the fae and how they would see and treat humans they feel are beneath them. With fairies, dragons, and an evil Queen this book is a fun, fast-paced adventure I wanted to create as a give back to the people. Lockdown was hard on all of us and sometimes it’s just nice to have a little free entertainment.

Book 2 in the Dark Fairy tale series is out this year, I’m just finishing it up now. You’ll be able to purchase it from Amazon very soon!

The Unicorn5. How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

As an author, you have to learn to manage your time well, but when combined with a chronic illness such as CRPS time schedule can be difficult. I never know whether I am going to write when I wake up in the mornings or if I am going to feel unwell or have a flare-up of pain. But I am always telling stories to my family, hashing them out in my mind or recording them with my Dictaphone. Writing is such a part of me that I don’t feel whole without it, even though I do things a little differently.

6. How long on average does it take you to write your books?

For Xander Chase, I started writing it with the National Novel Writing Month in 2016. It didn’t get published until 2018 because I wasn’t happy with the manuscript and wanted it to be at its best. The next book in the series was a lot harder to write because it’s a connection book but still has to have the adventure and pull of the first along with its own unique romantic thread and so this probably took me longer as it was started straight after book 1 and it is due out as soon as I receive a release date.

On the other hand, P.E.T Empathisers took me several months to finish – yes, it’s shorter, but I also had very few life interruptions.

7. What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

The best money I have ever spent is on buying my laptop and a writing desk because now I have a space for me, where I can work and timeline scenes without packing up for tea every evening. I suggest anyone interested in writing as a career investing in a good laptop. By this, I don’t mean the most expensive, but one that you know how to work well, with a program like Windows 10 that has Microsoft word – as publishers usually require a word doc.

Carrie Weston 28. What is the most difficult part of being an author?

The most difficult part of being an author is remembering that you are constantly being judged. There are those who look up to you and value your guidance and there are those who merely don’t care. But hardest of all are those who don’t understand your unique perspective on the world and criticize your artistic talents openly. This can be heartbreaking, whether it’s a relative’s opinion of your novel, a reviewer, or a publisher. Criticism is hard to take, but when turned around and put to good use it can make us and our work stronger.

The most difficult part of being an author is when you have to pitch your idea to an agent/ publisher. You have very few minutes to pique their interest and even less time to make a favourable impression so that they can remember you. It is a very exciting and stressful experience and I recommend pitching at agent conventions so they are a little more relaxed with their time. Just remember to have faith in your work. It doesn’t matter if you stumble over your words, just laugh and start again – that is what I do.

9. What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

The best piece of advice I have for Authors and Writers is to never give up. That’s the only secret there is to getting published – just never give up!

10. What is your favorite book?

My absolute favourite book has to be Divine By Mistake by PC Cast. It is the story of a middle-aged woman who is pulled through a time portal by her evil look-alike to take her place as Priestess so her evil twin can run free in her time whilst she remains trapped in her twins. It’s a complicated story, but fun with a heavy romantic thread.

I love it so much because of the grounding she gives the fantasy. In actual fact, there is so much that you could actually believe it is possible for the fantastical creatures inside the novel to be alive.

Carrie Weston 3Follow Dark Fantasy Fiction Author – Carrie Weston

https://linktr.ee/Carrie_Weston

www,Carrieweston.co.uk

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Published on September 17, 2021 04:32

Dark Fantasy Fiction Author – Carrie Watson

1. Tell us a little about yourself

Carrie Watson is a dark fantasy fiction author and shares her light with us.

I suppose I would say I am one of those people you meet and never forget; for I am quite eccentric. I live in the UK countryside opposite a graveyard with my family and pets. Since I was a little kid, I have always wanted to become a writer, either that or an acrobat and that’s kind of out of the question with the fact that I have a chronic illness (crps).

2. Why Do you write?

I write because it is what I love and I feel I can communicate effectively through writing to the world. For instance, I always used to be that shy little girl at school who spent every spare minute in the library dreaming she would be whisked off into an adventure in some far-off world. Why? Because I always felt like I didn’t fit in. Like I was different in some way (this was before my chronic illness). I have always loved the escapism books can provide and the sound advice within some of their pages. It doesn’t matter who you are, sometimes you need a break from the world. And I aim to give that to people through fantastical tales they can immerse themselves in.

Carrie Watson Books3. What genre do you write and Why did you pick this genre?