Rebecca Besser's Blog, page 68
February 25, 2013
Meet Jessica Weiss - WiHM
Jess: Thanks for having me, Bec. My name is Jessica Weiss and I love to read, write, edit, and collect short stories. I started sending my short stories out in 2009.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Jess: In the horror genre, I love to cause goose bumps on readers. It’s scarier to me to feel the nasties crawling on my arm then to see their bloody guts on the floor.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Jess: My favorite horror creature will always be the one no one sees and survives. In other words: the bogey man under the bed and in the closet. The unseen and felt horrors give me serious nightmares.
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Jess: Bloody smears leaving a trail clenches my gut more than blood and guts splattered across the walls. 90% of the time, blood splatter is accompanied by an immediate body, which leaves nothing for you to explore or discover.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Jess: I couldn’t tell you how well I’ve been received in the large horror community. I haven’t made a big enough splash, positively or negatively, to cause a stir. As for the smaller horror community, I’ve been received well.
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Jess: When I think of filling the world with horror, I immediately think of the dark side of human nature. I prefer to take from reality and shine a light on the slimy underbelly. The closer to “that could really happen” I can make a story, the more horrifying it truly is.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Jess: My creativity is inspired by life. Now that might sound droll or trite, but if you read the paper, blogs, news reports…truth is much stranger than any fiction I can come up with. At least I know that my life has been stranger than fictions I’ve read.
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Jess: I’d like to share with your readers that not only do I write horror stories but I also publish them. Wicked East Press is currently undergoing major changes but has a full line up of anthologies that will be in need of creative writers. Your readers can check out our open submissions at www.wickedeastpress.com
February 24, 2013
Meet Mariah Deitrick - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Mariah: Hmm, what to say about myself? I’m a stay at home mom of four. When I’m not running kid all over, taking care of pets, and doing housework, I’m busy writing or just lounging around in my sweats. There’s nothing too exciting about me, but my life is never boring.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Mariah: I’ve always been a huge fan of horror. I love it because it’s so easy to put myself in the situations and connect with the characters. I may not be afraid of zombie attacks or a vampire draining my blood from my body, but I know what fear feels like. So that makes it so much easier to create believable characters and express how they feel and react to different circumstances.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Mariah: Ooh, this is tricky. There are so many great monsters to choose from. I guess I’ll go with the monster I write about most. Zombies. They’re gross and I can toss them in almost any situation.
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Mariah: Splatter.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Mariah: Yes.
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Mariah: Zombies mostly.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Mariah: Pretty much anything: A movie, a book, a conversation, an oddly shaped shadow…really, the list could go on and on. Ideas are everywhere when I’m NOT looking for them.
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Mariah: I don’t think so. Thanks so much for having me today!
Links:
www.mariahdeitrick.weebly.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mariah-Deitrick/315236258570624?ref=hl
February 22, 2013
Meet Katie Cord - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Katie: Hi Rebecca! I’m Katie Cord, a writer of fiction, creative non-fiction, and lover of all things sci-fi, paranormal, fantasy, and horror. I own Evil Girlfriend Media. We are a company primarily focused on providing entertainment in sci-fi, paranormal, fantasy, and horror.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Katie: Creating in the horror genre allows me to explore my own fears. After meeting Don Coscarelli at Crypticon in Seattle, we discussed why he was inspired to write/direct Bubba Ho-Tep and after he spoke about it, I knew we were thinking on the same wave length about horror. You create worlds that allow you to express your own fear and in the end it gives you great pleasure to spread out those feelings to others, especially if it creates terrorifying joy. I wrote a short story collection while I was being tested for a multitude of neurological diseases and the fear resonates through the stories.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Katie: Zombies. I don’t even have to hesitate on that one. They are the perfect metaphor of Western culture. They don’t think and want to consume everything.
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Katie: Smears when zombies are eating, splatter when they are getting killed. Even though I think the blood would probably have congealed so they would actually smear when you are cracking open their skulls and splatter when they are eating living humans. Oh well, I like it the other way.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Katie: I’ve sort of stayed within the zombie community a lot. I need to get out more. By joining the Women in Horror network, and Wicked Women Writers I hope that I can network with more people. I want women to know about Evil Girlfriend Media. We want to publish women horror writers! I’ll have to get back to you on how Evil Girlfriend Media is being received in the horror community. We are too new at this point.
My only bad experience was meeting a certain actor/director who was incredibly demeaning to me, so I did not feel welcomed at that point. I searched online after I met him and learned he sort of enjoys being incredibly mean to women creators so I brushed it off. It just sucks because I’d idolized the guy since age nine after reading an article about him in Fangoria. Oh well, everyone else has been great. If you are a new writer in horror, find cool people and connect with them. If you meet jerks or people who hate your work, don’t quit. Just don’t be involved with those people. There are enough encouraging people out there. They may not tell you that you’re awesome every time you make something, but they will give you feedback that will make you better.
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Katie: Like many writers, I like to look at something that would be average and mundane then see what could happen with that. What is the biggest fear of many mothers? Losing their child or not being able to protect them. What is the biggest fear of a bride? Her wedding is completely ruined. I like to think about those things and then wonder how I can make it really twisted crazy and horrible. I like a dash of dark humor in there as well.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Katie: The visions and voices in my head. It’s a very odd experience. I was at a conference where these two women were discussing what to write next. What shocked me was that they were trying to project what would be the next big thing. I interjected my opinion, “Write whatever voice is talking the loudest or image is replayed the most in your head. It might not be the one you want to work on, but at least it will leave, so you can work on what you want”. They looked at me oddly but the speaker at the event said almost the exact same thing. So I felt okay with my crazy. I’m still confused about where these ladies get their ideas from. Obviously not the same place as me.
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Katie: I’d like to invite your readers to follow Evil Girlfriend Media on Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. We are accepting submissions at this time for three anthologies as well as manuscripts.
Links:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/evilgirlfriendmedia
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvilGMedia
Google+: https://plus.google.com/b/105741500653839933197/105741500653839933197/posts
websites: www.evilgirlfriendmedia.com
www.katiecord.com 
Meet Jaime Johnesee - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
JJ: Thanks for having me here, love what you've done with the place since last year. Are those new curtains? As for me, not much to tell; I'm a wife, mom and zoologist. I write because I have to, it's a very large part of my life, and sanity.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
JJ: I love making people feel that spark of fright. To me, the best compliment is when someone tells me they are absolutely terrified because of something I wrote. I have one friend, Ruth, who told me she has a hard time going down in the basement for fear of spiders after reading my story Living Nightmares. Affecting someone just a tiny bit with something that came from my imagination is one of the reasons I love writing horror and will continue working in this far reaching genre.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
JJ: That is a tough one. So many amazing monsters. Pennywise is one I wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. Let's not forget the Cenobites, Xenomorphs, and Elder Gods. I don't think I can pick a favorite really, it'd be like asking me to pick which of my two kids is my favorite.
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
JJ: Gosh, both create such a visual; with smears there's the likelihood that someone has just escaped some horrific torture and is working to wreak vengeance upon their captor. With spatter there's the picture of someone bludgeoning someone to death their arm swinging and the spatter casting onto the ceiling above them as they dim the life from some poor soul. I guess if I have to choose, I'll pick smears.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
JJ: I haven't had anyone try and kick me out yet. Seriously though, the folks I have spoken with have all been absolutely amazing and super helpful. Horror authors may write some terrifying stuff but they're some of the kindest most genuine people I know.
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
JJ: I like my human monsters, but have also created a whole world of shape shifters and vampires.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
JJ: Life. A serene looking snowfall can start off some truly horrifying thoughts in my mind. I probably shouldn't have said that part out loud. 
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
JJ: I have a little something coming out this month so keep your eyes open folks. Thanks for having me here, Rebecca. Thanks also, to my readers for believing in me and continuing to read my books. It is very much appreciated.
Bio:
Jaime Johnesee worked as a zookeeper for fourteen years before deciding to focus on her passion of writing. Her decision has proven to be a good one, as her books have been received with critical acclaim, including Oh The Horror and Shifters, which was recognized as one of the best horror novellas of 2012. Although her initial foray into the literary world has been marked by success, Jaime has just begun and is a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. You can visit her online at www.JaimeJohnesee.com as well as through her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Links: www.JaimeJohnesee.com
February 21, 2013
Meet Joy Killar - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Joy Killar: Hi Rebecca. Thank you for having me here today. I am Joy Killar, the gas mask, pig-tailed, Zombie-slayer! I am a Fiend for the zombie genre. My passion for zombie apocalypse books, movies, and real-life survival awareness has driven me for decades. I eat, sleep, and dream Z-day! I am the creator of the websites/FB pages: Zombie Fiend (currently under re-construction) and Gas Mask Fiend. I edit, publish, and market zombie and apocalyptic literature. And I am also known for promoting Indie events and programs in the horror community.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Joy Killar: I absolutely love the people in the Indie horror community. They tend to be quirky characters. They have a lot of fun with themselves and with the genre. We are a fairly close knit group and none of us take blood and guts seriously. Except a couple of us that get together and burn candles while we drink goat’s blood at midnight the third Tuesday of every month. Other than that, the people are so much fun!
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Joy Killar: I love Zombies, and only zombies. You could say I am a purist. I honestly haven't read or seen much in any other genre. Zombies are my intense fascination because they are relentless and without emotion. They are driven by an unending hunger that is nearly unstoppable when they are en masse. Unlike other horror icons, such as the pansy vampires or werewolves, the Zombie will never seek out affection or vengeance. You cannot plead with a zombie. Bottom line: cut off their head or they will eat you. With most zombie literature or films the blood, gore, and action is brutal and often very few humans (if any) survive; much to my delight!
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Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Joy Killar: If I have to choose I would have to say ...splears. Wait, I mean smatter.
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Joy Killar: I create authors from writers, and websites from thin air.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Joy Killar: I am not sure the word “inspires” is applicable. Society is heading for an apocalypse- perhaps not Zombie, but all the signs of a complete civil collapse are telltale. Our modern world is becoming more and more savage. Preparing for devastation no longer feels foolish. You don't even need creativity to create horror these days.
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Joy Killar: I'm very proud to have been involved with the following books. Please check them out!
Keep Your Crowbar Handy by S.P. Durnin
Hunger Pangs: Dark Confessions - Tales for your Dining Pleasure Edited by Adam Costola & Eve Bellator
Free Today - Hall of Twelve
FREE TODAY: Hall of Twelve (Feb 21)! Go download and share with your friends, because if it reaches 2000 or more downloads, I'll make Nurse Blood free on Saturday (Feb 23).
US: http://www.amazon.com/Hall-of-Twelve-ebook/dp/B00B14OLD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361452044&sr=8-1&keywords=hall+of+twelve+rebecca%pl510�sser
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hall-of-Twelve-ebook/dp/B00B14OLD6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1361452146&sr=8-1
*Note: Available everywhere through Amazon, so check for your country; it should be free!*
February 19, 2013
Meet Nicole Zoltack - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Nicole: Hi, everyone! Thanks for having me, Bec!
First and foremost, I’m a wife and mommy. I have a very understanding and wonderful husband and three rowdy and rambunctious young boys (the eldest is four, the youngest will turn one soon!)
I’m also a writer - fantasy/paranormal, romance, and horror, of course! Lately, my writing has gotten a little darker as I explore monsters and the darker side of characters’ souls.
And I edit - for small publishing houses and freelance. And when I’m not busy (ha!), I enjoying doing to Renaissance Faires and horseback riding. I’m also addicted to the show Once Upon a Time.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Nicole: I love that there are no limits and how it can easily be combined with other genres. Most of my horror stories have a paranormal aspect to them. I enjoy writing about creatures and monsters. We all have good and bad in us; if we’re not careful, we can become monsters too.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Nicole: Probably vampires - and I don’t mean the kind you date (definitely not Twilight, and no The Vampire Diaries either - although I do enjoy the show!). Vampires are intriguing because they were once human but now must rely on them and their blood to continue living their immortal life. I like the balance of strengths and weakness they have, that’s it’s not just roses and blood to be a vampire.
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Nicole: Smears. Blood splatter is just from a violent act, but a smear could be for continuing the violent act elsewhere or a smidgen of hope that they got away.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Nicole: Every part of the writing community, including the horror aspect, has been wonderful. I feel blessed to be a part of the community!
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Nicole: By creating loving characters and strip them of everything they love. By creating monsters of my own creation. By using tension and mystery and suspense and lots and lots of blood.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Nicole: Everything! Nightmares, movies, TV, books, my friends and family. I can find inspiration just about anywhere, in any aspect of life!
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Nicole: Horror can be enjoyed by everyone - it’s not for any specific type of person. Why not give it a try? And I would love to invite everyone over to my blog http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com I’m going to be having a giveaway soon so drop by and stalk me!
February 17, 2013
Meet Kim Curley - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Kim: Housewife and mother of two, I’ve been writing for years, but didn’t get serious about it until 2008. I took writing courses, and graduated from the Institute of Children’s Literature in 2010. I had two stories published in 2012: a novella, “Faith,” included in the Wicked East Press “Earth’s End” anthology. The second, a nonfiction piece for Hidden Thoughts Press anthology, “Anxiety Disorders True Stories From Survivors.” 
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Kim: You can get as wild and crazy with characters and storylines as you want! This is a new area for me, and I like the challenge not to write what so many others have written before, or try not to use descriptions and phrases that seem the norm for the horror genre.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Kim: ChubbChubbs! They’re like furry little quizanarts!
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Kim: Splatter! The more, the better!
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Kim: I’m still new at this, but, I’d have to say the horror community has been more generous with their support and encouragement than other writing communities. Everyone is welcoming and inviting. Oh, and the ideas I’ve bounced off of people never ends! I love that!
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Kim: I like to create strange creatures that one would not find in nature. But, that’s getting harder to do, with scientists finding new species almost daily. I research a lot of books, but shy away from Dungeons and Dragons stuff. That’s a creation someone else concocted, and I’m not going to steal ideas. Besides, inevitably, human beings are usually the ones hiding behind the monsters they’ve created.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Kim: Books, books, and more books! And, I love and appreciate my author friends who allow me to share and bounce ideas off of them. Those are my favorite invaluable resources for my creativity.
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Kim: Question: When are you going to have something else published again? Answer: When I get the chance to write and find the right publisher for my projects! Yes, that’s plural: projects! I’m having a shaky start this year, but I’m hoping to churn out more reading material for the masses.
Thank you for having me here today! And, many thanks to everyone who has supported me in my writing endeavors. I greatly appreciate your kindness…and patience!
Find Kim Curley:
http://cupcakesblogcorner.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/kim.curley1
https://twiter.com/kim_curley
February 16, 2013
Meet Suzi M - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Suzi: This is always the hardest question. Do I start off with the long creepy walks under old broken piers or do I talk about my obsession with collecting antique bobbins and knitting needles? I guess a better place to start would be the writing. I’m Suzi, and I write the kind of horror that sticks to your ribs and makes you shiver with revulsion while continuing to read. That’s not to say my work is gratuitously violent or gory, it’s more like a clown at midnight… holding a really shiny new straightrazor and smiling.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Suzi: I love to create ‘easter eggs’ in my work. Hidden bits and pieces of information that when pieced together will create an entirely new element, be it cameo appearances by characters or deeper and darker meaning to the storylines and histories contained in those stories. Each of my stories wears a mask, and if the reader is daring and takes a peek beneath it, they’ll find an entirely new world contained beneath that veneer. Horror has so many nooks and shadows to hide things in, how could I NOT love it? For every story’s scary mask, there’s an even scarier monster lurking!
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Suzi: Humans. Plain old, ordinary humans. We know what to expect from a zombie or werewolf or vampire as they stay relatively true to their inherent nature. Hell, even demons and supernatural creatures we barely blink at these days because they have some sort of consistency. Rabid animals? We know the symptoms and hope not to get attacked by one. Wild animals? If you don’t want to get attacked just stay out of their habitats. All the stories have been written and changes in details go on and on, but we still know what to expect to some extent. Humans, though. Wow. Not a day goes by that I am not terrified at the latest insanity, stupidity, or outright atrocity accomplished by a seemingly normal person or persons. And as a horror character (and in everyday life, really), a human is a consistent x-factor. A wild card. An exercise in chaos that can result in a beautiful angel or a horrible monster all based on the outcome of a single instant in a day. That’s terrifying when you think about it. The history of a human being’s ability to get seriously creative with inflicting pain on another human or animal scares the hell out of me. Every time I think I’ve seen it all, the news comes on and there’s something worse out there waiting. If I get stumped on writing a character and want to make it something more horrifying than what it is, all I need to do is ask ‘What if it was a human?’
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Suzi: Depends on the trajectory and force of impact.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Suzi: Shh. I’m crashing the party. *grin*
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Suzi: I work in a variety of mediums. These days I have more time for writing, so I write. I have been known to work in various art forms from sculpture to canvas and even film, video, and photography.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Suzi: Night time. I can’t quite explain it. There’s something about sunset that triggers the creative part of my brain and next thing I know I’m writing or drawing or building a 7 foot wireframe grim reaper to hang in the tree in front of the house. (And for the record, every year the cops get called when the reaper gets put up in the tree on October 1st, and for an entire month no one will walk on the sidewalk by our house, so I guess I did a good job on him. *evil laugh*)
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Suzi: I have a great sense of humor.
Suzi's Blog 'The Fear Behind the Smiles': http://suzi.typepad.com/
Fb Fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzi-M/54616181082
Bio:
Suzi M writes for fun and occasionally profit. The Immortal War Series - comprised of NEMESIS, LAMIA, and THE TOWER - can be found in both print and Kindle formats.
In 2010, ten of Suzi's short stories were published in the international Cover Stories Euphictional Anthology.
Currently, Suzi is working on a several new projects and released The Lazarus Stone (Conspiracy Edit) under the pseudonym Xircon.
When not busy with her own work or getting pictures and autographs of people who recognize her on the street, Suzi helps support the efforts of independent artists, writers, musicians, and film-makers.
You can follow her on Twitter @xirconnia or join the Suzi M Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Suzi-M/54616181082
February 14, 2013
Meet Monique Snyman - WiHM
Bec: Welcome to my blog, and thank you for participating in WiHM 2013! Please start out by telling everyone a little bit about yourself…
Monique: Well, I’m predominantly an author for young adult audiences, but from time to time my work becomes darker, especially when it comes to my short stories. Other than that I also edit books (mostly horror), review films, books and games and do interviews.
Bec: What do you absolutely love about creating in the horror genre? Why?
Monique: Horror has so many sub-genres that there’s always room to wiggle around, but what makes horror beautiful is that it’s memorable. Dracula is a memorable character; Pennywise is a memorable character etc. What the genre basically comes down to is the way it preys on people’s fears and that is what I love the most, because it makes things much more memorable.
Bec: What’s your favorite horror creature? Why?
Monique: That’s a tough one, but I guess my favorite horror creature would be a ghost or a poltergeist. They’re a part of humanity’s primal fears, nothing can beat that.
Bec: Blood splatter or smears?
Monique: Splatter, definitely.
Bec: Have you been received well in the horror community?
Monique: It depends. With women, I have been received well in regards to my writing, but unfortunately when it comes to male audiences, I still have to break through the glass. When it comes to my editing and reviewing on the other hand, it’s a whole different story.
Bec: What do you create to infest the world with horror?
Monique: Blood, gore, festering sores and pain in general? I don’t know I just let the stories write themselves most of the time and let my characters lead me. Typically I write strong female characters, because I find that there’s nothing more painful to read about (or watch) than a pathetic woman sitting around and waiting to be rescued.
Bec: What inspires your creativity?
Monique: Predominantly music, but sometimes I have dreams… scary dreams…
Bec: Is there anything I haven’t asked you about that you would like to share?
Monique: My favorite horror movie is The Exorcist, that’s something you didn’t ask. Oh, and my main review website can be found at www.killeraphrodite.com. Other than that, you can find out more about me and my work by going to www.charmingincantations.com or just Google me… it’s what all the cool kids are doing apparently. *sticks out tongue*
