C.A. Verstraete's Blog, page 44
June 5, 2017
Today in History: Lizzie Borden Trial 125th Anniversary!
The Lizzie Borden Trial Begins!
This was a momentous month for the infamous Lizzie Borden. It was on this day in 1893 that the "trial of the 19th century" began.
(Leslie's Illustrated cover, June 19, 1893 showing Lizzie Borden listening during her trial.)
On June 5, 1893, crowds packed the circuit court in New Bedford, Massachusetts to not only get a glimpse of the accused axe murderer, Lizzie Borden, but to hear the details of one of the most shocking cases to occur in Fall River, Mass. history.
The news of the trial, in which the spinster-daughter Lizzie Borden was accused of the vicious murders of her father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby Durfee Borden on August 4, 1892, spread across the country. The trial was reported on by newspapers here and abroad.
Here's a glimpse of the front page of the June 9, 1893 Friday evening Daily Herald from Texas: (You can read the full copy here in PDF.) * See more newspapers here.
The case continues to fascinate today as it seems inconceivable to us, as it did to the jurors of the period, that a Victorian lady from a notable family could, or would, commit such a horrific murder. Many today insist she literally got away with murder. Some still believe she couldn't have done it. (See more information on the Famous Trials-Lizzie Borden website.)
As a writer, it's a case I always found fascinating. No matter how you view Lizzie, you still have to wonder how and why she (or anyone) could do such a thing. You only have to look at the crime scene photos to understand. Warning: garish photos. The autopsy reports are just as graphic. It was a truly horrific murder and a horrorific story.
To me, the photos and reports provided a reason for why she would do such a thing--she had no other choice. I built my novel, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, around the real life events, the trial, and the aftermath of her life. I used actual trial transcripts and information to provide a framework for the story and provide a plausible reason this could have happened. Once you look at the photos and read the reports, you'll see that it makes perfect sense in the horror realm.
*** Here's an excerpt detailing what brought Lizzie Borden to trial from my book, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter by C.A. Verstraete:
(Get in print - B&N - or Print & Kindle or Kindle Unlimited) - See more reviews and information on my website.
Chapter One
Q. You saw his face covered with blood?A. Yes sir.Q. Did you see his eyeball hanging out?A. No sir.Q. Did you see the gashes where his face was laid open?A. No sir.—Lizzie Borden at inquest, August 9-11, 1892, Fall River Courtroom
A ugust 4, 1892
Lizzie Borden drained the rest of her tea, set down her cup, and listened to the sound of furniture moving upstairs. My, my, foronly ten o’clock in the morning my stepmother is certainly energetic. Housecleaning, already? THUMP. For a moment, Lizzie forgot her plans to go shopping downtown. THUMP. There it went again. It sounded like her stepmother was rearranging the whole room. She paused at the bottom stair, her concern growing, when she heard another thump and then, the oddest of sounds—a moan. Uh-oh. What was that? Did she hurt herself? “Mrs. Borden?” Lizzie called. “Are you all right?” No answer. She wondered if her stepmother had taken ill, yet the shuffling, moving, and other unusual noises continued. Lizzie hurried up the stairs and paused outside the partially openeddoor. The strange moans coming from the room sent a shiver up herback. Lizzie pushed the door open wider and stared. Mrs. Abby Durfee Borden stood in front of the bureau mirror, clawing at her reflected image. And what a horrid image it was. The sixty-seven-year-old woman’s hair looked like it had never been combed and stuck out like porcupine quills. Her usually spotless housedress appeared wrinkled and torn. Yet, that wasn’t the worst. Dark red spots—Blood, Lizzie’s mind whispered—dotted the floor and streaked the sides of the older woman’s dress and sleeves. Lizzie gazed about the room in alarm. The tips of Father’s slippers peeking out from beneath the bed also glistened with the same viscous red liquid. All that blood! What happened here? Whathappened? She gasped, which got the attention of Mrs. Borden, who jerked her head and growled. Lizzie choked back a cry of alarm. Abby’s square, plain face now appeared twisted and ashen gray. Her eyes, once bright with interest, stared from under a milky covering as if she had cataracts. She resembled a female version of The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Another growl and a moan, and the older woman lunged, arms rigid, her stubby hands held out like claws. “Mrs. Borden, Abby!” Lizzie yelled and stumbled backward as fast as she could. “Abby, do you hearme?” Her stepmother shuffled forward, her steps slow but steady. She showed no emotion or sense of recognition. The only utterances she made were those strange low moans. Lizzie moved back even further, trying to keep some distance between her and Mrs. Borden’s grasping fingers. Then her foot hit something. Lizzie quickly glanced down at the silver hairbrush that had fallen to the floor. Too late, she realized her error. “No!” Lizzie cried out at the strange feeling of her stepmother’s clammy, cold hand around her wrist. “Abby, what happened? What’s wrong with you?” Mrs. Borden said nothing and moved in closer. Her mouth opened and closed, revealing bloodstained teeth. “No! Stay away!” Lizzie yelled. “Stop!” She didn’t. Instead, Mrs. Borden scratched andclawed at her. Lizzie leaned back, barely escaping the snap of the madwoman’s teeth at her neck. “Mrs. Bor—Abby! No, no!Stop!” Lizzie’s slight advantage of a few inches in height offered no protection against her shorter stepmother’s almost demonic and inhuman strength. The older woman bit and snapped like a rabid dog. Lizzie struggled to fight her off, and shoved her away, yet Mrs. Borden attacked again and again, her hands grabbing, her teeth seeking thetender flesh covered by Lizzie’s long, full sleeves. The two of them grappled and wrestled, bumping into the bedposts and banging into furniture. Lizzie yelped each time her soft flesh hit something hard. She felt her strength wane as the crazed woman’s gnarled hands clawed at her. Lizzie wondered how much more she could endure. Lizzie’s cries for help came out hoarse and weak. “Em-Emma!” She tried again. “Help! Help me!” She knew Emma had come in late last night from her trip out of town. But if Emma already woke and went downstairs, will she even hearme? Lizzie reeled back, her panic growing as her spine pressed against thefireplace. She pushed and fought in an attempt to keep this monster away, yet Mrs. Borden’s ugly face and snapping teeth edged closer and closer. Then Lizzie spotted it: the worn hatchet Father had left behind after he’d last brought in thenewly chopped wood. No, no! Her mind filled with horror, but when her stepmother came at her again, Lizzie whispered a prayer for forgiveness and grabbed the handle. She lifted the hatchet high overhead and swung ashard as she could. It hit her stepmother’s skull with a sickening thud. As impossible as it seemed, Mrs. Borden snarled and continued her attack. Lizzie hit her again, and again, and again. The blows raked her stepmother’s face and scraped deep furrows into tender flesh. The metal hatchet head pounded her stepmother’s shoulders and arms, the bones giving way with sickening crunches. Mrs. Borden’s broken arms dangled, hanging limp and ugly at her sides… and yet, dear God, yet she continued her attack. With the last bit of her strength, Lizzie raised the hatchet again and brought it down on Mrs. Borden’s head. Only then did her stepmother crumple and fall into a pile at Lizzie’s feet. It took a few minutes for Lizzie to comprehend the horrible scene. It didn’t seem real, but it was. With a cry, she threw the bloodied hatchet aside. She gagged as the weapon caught in the braided artificial hairpiece hanging from the back of Mrs. Borden’s gore-encrusted scalp. Retching, Lizzie ran to the other side of the bed, bent over, and vomited into the chamber pot. She crossed the room and leaned against the wall, her shoulders shaking with each heart-rending sob. Her hands trembled so hard she could barely hold them still, but she managed to cover her eyes in a feeble attempt to block out the carnage. It didn’t stop the horrific images that flashed in her mind, or the many questions. And it certainly did nothing for the soul-crushing guilt that filled her. Why? she cried. Why? Dear God, what have I done? What have I done?--CA Verstraete, girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com
This was a momentous month for the infamous Lizzie Borden. It was on this day in 1893 that the "trial of the 19th century" began.
(Leslie's Illustrated cover, June 19, 1893 showing Lizzie Borden listening during her trial.)
On June 5, 1893, crowds packed the circuit court in New Bedford, Massachusetts to not only get a glimpse of the accused axe murderer, Lizzie Borden, but to hear the details of one of the most shocking cases to occur in Fall River, Mass. history.
The news of the trial, in which the spinster-daughter Lizzie Borden was accused of the vicious murders of her father, Andrew, and stepmother, Abby Durfee Borden on August 4, 1892, spread across the country. The trial was reported on by newspapers here and abroad.
Here's a glimpse of the front page of the June 9, 1893 Friday evening Daily Herald from Texas: (You can read the full copy here in PDF.) * See more newspapers here.
The case continues to fascinate today as it seems inconceivable to us, as it did to the jurors of the period, that a Victorian lady from a notable family could, or would, commit such a horrific murder. Many today insist she literally got away with murder. Some still believe she couldn't have done it. (See more information on the Famous Trials-Lizzie Borden website.)
As a writer, it's a case I always found fascinating. No matter how you view Lizzie, you still have to wonder how and why she (or anyone) could do such a thing. You only have to look at the crime scene photos to understand. Warning: garish photos. The autopsy reports are just as graphic. It was a truly horrific murder and a horrorific story.
To me, the photos and reports provided a reason for why she would do such a thing--she had no other choice. I built my novel, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, around the real life events, the trial, and the aftermath of her life. I used actual trial transcripts and information to provide a framework for the story and provide a plausible reason this could have happened. Once you look at the photos and read the reports, you'll see that it makes perfect sense in the horror realm.
*** Here's an excerpt detailing what brought Lizzie Borden to trial from my book, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter by C.A. Verstraete:
(Get in print - B&N - or Print & Kindle or Kindle Unlimited) - See more reviews and information on my website.
Chapter One
Q. You saw his face covered with blood?A. Yes sir.Q. Did you see his eyeball hanging out?A. No sir.Q. Did you see the gashes where his face was laid open?A. No sir.—Lizzie Borden at inquest, August 9-11, 1892, Fall River Courtroom
A ugust 4, 1892
Lizzie Borden drained the rest of her tea, set down her cup, and listened to the sound of furniture moving upstairs. My, my, foronly ten o’clock in the morning my stepmother is certainly energetic. Housecleaning, already? THUMP. For a moment, Lizzie forgot her plans to go shopping downtown. THUMP. There it went again. It sounded like her stepmother was rearranging the whole room. She paused at the bottom stair, her concern growing, when she heard another thump and then, the oddest of sounds—a moan. Uh-oh. What was that? Did she hurt herself? “Mrs. Borden?” Lizzie called. “Are you all right?” No answer. She wondered if her stepmother had taken ill, yet the shuffling, moving, and other unusual noises continued. Lizzie hurried up the stairs and paused outside the partially openeddoor. The strange moans coming from the room sent a shiver up herback. Lizzie pushed the door open wider and stared. Mrs. Abby Durfee Borden stood in front of the bureau mirror, clawing at her reflected image. And what a horrid image it was. The sixty-seven-year-old woman’s hair looked like it had never been combed and stuck out like porcupine quills. Her usually spotless housedress appeared wrinkled and torn. Yet, that wasn’t the worst. Dark red spots—Blood, Lizzie’s mind whispered—dotted the floor and streaked the sides of the older woman’s dress and sleeves. Lizzie gazed about the room in alarm. The tips of Father’s slippers peeking out from beneath the bed also glistened with the same viscous red liquid. All that blood! What happened here? Whathappened? She gasped, which got the attention of Mrs. Borden, who jerked her head and growled. Lizzie choked back a cry of alarm. Abby’s square, plain face now appeared twisted and ashen gray. Her eyes, once bright with interest, stared from under a milky covering as if she had cataracts. She resembled a female version of The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Another growl and a moan, and the older woman lunged, arms rigid, her stubby hands held out like claws. “Mrs. Borden, Abby!” Lizzie yelled and stumbled backward as fast as she could. “Abby, do you hearme?” Her stepmother shuffled forward, her steps slow but steady. She showed no emotion or sense of recognition. The only utterances she made were those strange low moans. Lizzie moved back even further, trying to keep some distance between her and Mrs. Borden’s grasping fingers. Then her foot hit something. Lizzie quickly glanced down at the silver hairbrush that had fallen to the floor. Too late, she realized her error. “No!” Lizzie cried out at the strange feeling of her stepmother’s clammy, cold hand around her wrist. “Abby, what happened? What’s wrong with you?” Mrs. Borden said nothing and moved in closer. Her mouth opened and closed, revealing bloodstained teeth. “No! Stay away!” Lizzie yelled. “Stop!” She didn’t. Instead, Mrs. Borden scratched andclawed at her. Lizzie leaned back, barely escaping the snap of the madwoman’s teeth at her neck. “Mrs. Bor—Abby! No, no!Stop!” Lizzie’s slight advantage of a few inches in height offered no protection against her shorter stepmother’s almost demonic and inhuman strength. The older woman bit and snapped like a rabid dog. Lizzie struggled to fight her off, and shoved her away, yet Mrs. Borden attacked again and again, her hands grabbing, her teeth seeking thetender flesh covered by Lizzie’s long, full sleeves. The two of them grappled and wrestled, bumping into the bedposts and banging into furniture. Lizzie yelped each time her soft flesh hit something hard. She felt her strength wane as the crazed woman’s gnarled hands clawed at her. Lizzie wondered how much more she could endure. Lizzie’s cries for help came out hoarse and weak. “Em-Emma!” She tried again. “Help! Help me!” She knew Emma had come in late last night from her trip out of town. But if Emma already woke and went downstairs, will she even hearme? Lizzie reeled back, her panic growing as her spine pressed against thefireplace. She pushed and fought in an attempt to keep this monster away, yet Mrs. Borden’s ugly face and snapping teeth edged closer and closer. Then Lizzie spotted it: the worn hatchet Father had left behind after he’d last brought in thenewly chopped wood. No, no! Her mind filled with horror, but when her stepmother came at her again, Lizzie whispered a prayer for forgiveness and grabbed the handle. She lifted the hatchet high overhead and swung ashard as she could. It hit her stepmother’s skull with a sickening thud. As impossible as it seemed, Mrs. Borden snarled and continued her attack. Lizzie hit her again, and again, and again. The blows raked her stepmother’s face and scraped deep furrows into tender flesh. The metal hatchet head pounded her stepmother’s shoulders and arms, the bones giving way with sickening crunches. Mrs. Borden’s broken arms dangled, hanging limp and ugly at her sides… and yet, dear God, yet she continued her attack. With the last bit of her strength, Lizzie raised the hatchet again and brought it down on Mrs. Borden’s head. Only then did her stepmother crumple and fall into a pile at Lizzie’s feet. It took a few minutes for Lizzie to comprehend the horrible scene. It didn’t seem real, but it was. With a cry, she threw the bloodied hatchet aside. She gagged as the weapon caught in the braided artificial hairpiece hanging from the back of Mrs. Borden’s gore-encrusted scalp. Retching, Lizzie ran to the other side of the bed, bent over, and vomited into the chamber pot. She crossed the room and leaned against the wall, her shoulders shaking with each heart-rending sob. Her hands trembled so hard she could barely hold them still, but she managed to cover her eyes in a feeble attempt to block out the carnage. It didn’t stop the horrific images that flashed in her mind, or the many questions. And it certainly did nothing for the soul-crushing guilt that filled her. Why? she cried. Why? Dear God, what have I done? What have I done?--CA Verstraete, girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com
June 3, 2017
Vote for Lizzie Borden, #Zombie Hunter Cover!
Looking for votes!
Vote for my cover in this cover contest - vote here. (You may have to sign in but you can unsub after!)
Thank you!
Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter
Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become zombies?
Vote for my cover in this cover contest - vote here. (You may have to sign in but you can unsub after!)
Thank you!
Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter
Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become zombies?
June 2, 2017
Movie Review – Alien: Covenant
https://youtube.com/H0VW6sg50Pk or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBrrU5VXw6Q
I’m a huge Alien fan. When I turned 18 and was old enough to get a tattoo, the first thing I got was an Alien drone on my right shoulder blade. Many years later, I got a facehugger on the inside of my wrist. At some point in time, I will probably get an Alien Queen. When I grow up, I want to be an Alien Queen.
I’ve watched the first four movies in the franchise numerous times. I’ve read the novels and the comic books. I read commentary on the internet and interviews with the cast and crew of the movies. You might even say I’m a fanatic.
When Prometheus first came out, I was thrilled. Then I saw it. I’m not going to rehash what I thought about it because I’ve already written a review. In summary, I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t spectacular, either.
I recently rewatched the film, and it still boggles my mind that the scientists are such idiots. I mean, the geologist’s “puppies” can map the entire structure they are in and send those plans to whatever he wears on his wrist, but he still gets lost?
And the biologist finds a new alien species and the first thing he wants to do is pet it? I get he’s excited about a new species, but wouldn’t logic dictate that he should observe it first? Maybe I’m confused about the role of biologists…
But I digress.
When Covenant came out, I was excited, but I didn’t have high hopes. I was happy to see there was a traditional xenomorph in the film (after writing this review, I watched a video [only watch this video if you’ve seen the movie; spoilers abound] that explained these creatures were actually “protomorphs,” so not quite xenos yet), but I was going to reserve judgment until I watched the movie.
Covenant wasn’t terrible, but it was problematic. It raised a lot of questions and answered a few. In a way, I kind of felt like it was trying to rewrite Prometheus. I felt it was saying, “Well, that movie sucked, and the fans weren’t happy, so let’s pretend like it didn’t happen. But it did happen, so let’s erase the parts that were terrible and rewrite them with this film.”
The creatures were cool. The neomorphs were incredibly creepy, and the protomorph was badass. There were definite elements of horror films in the movie, including going into the equivalent of a dark basement and messing with stuff the characters aren’t supposed to mess with—just because someone told them it was okay. Why do they always believe the bad guy? Granted, they didn’t know it was the bad guy, but common sense, people! Come on!
However, it is the horror movie elements that make horror, horror. It’s smart people doing dumb things that makes the genre the genre, and if Covenant is trying to be a horror film, it stands to reason that these elements would be included.
Overall, I didn’t find the movie frightening. I don’t know if it’s because I knew what to expect (and I did; the bad guy and his motive isn’t a secret and there aren’t any unexpected twists) or if it just didn’t have any overly scary parts. It’s creepy enough that I won’t let my 8 and 10 year old watch it for fear of nightmares, but they are also 8 and 10.
I did enjoy the film. And I think the movie left itself open to expand the Alien universe.
The film wasn’t perfect by any sense of the imagination. There were some issues, such as pacing and not really caring at all about the characters. They tried to give them back stories and a reason to be liked, but most of them weren’t alive long enough to develop feelings for.
I will say that I really liked
I will definitely watch this film again, and I will attempt to look deeper into the narrative and tease out the hidden meanings. On the surface, it was a passable film. It had action and monsters—which is really the only criteria I need to enjoy a movie. Was it a spectacular Alien film? Not really, but it doesn’t dishonor the franchise either.
Has anyone else seen the movie? What are your thoughts?
I’m a huge Alien fan. When I turned 18 and was old enough to get a tattoo, the first thing I got was an Alien drone on my right shoulder blade. Many years later, I got a facehugger on the inside of my wrist. At some point in time, I will probably get an Alien Queen. When I grow up, I want to be an Alien Queen.
I’ve watched the first four movies in the franchise numerous times. I’ve read the novels and the comic books. I read commentary on the internet and interviews with the cast and crew of the movies. You might even say I’m a fanatic.
When Prometheus first came out, I was thrilled. Then I saw it. I’m not going to rehash what I thought about it because I’ve already written a review. In summary, I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t spectacular, either.
I recently rewatched the film, and it still boggles my mind that the scientists are such idiots. I mean, the geologist’s “puppies” can map the entire structure they are in and send those plans to whatever he wears on his wrist, but he still gets lost?
And the biologist finds a new alien species and the first thing he wants to do is pet it? I get he’s excited about a new species, but wouldn’t logic dictate that he should observe it first? Maybe I’m confused about the role of biologists…
But I digress.
When Covenant came out, I was excited, but I didn’t have high hopes. I was happy to see there was a traditional xenomorph in the film (after writing this review, I watched a video [only watch this video if you’ve seen the movie; spoilers abound] that explained these creatures were actually “protomorphs,” so not quite xenos yet), but I was going to reserve judgment until I watched the movie.
Covenant wasn’t terrible, but it was problematic. It raised a lot of questions and answered a few. In a way, I kind of felt like it was trying to rewrite Prometheus. I felt it was saying, “Well, that movie sucked, and the fans weren’t happy, so let’s pretend like it didn’t happen. But it did happen, so let’s erase the parts that were terrible and rewrite them with this film.”
The creatures were cool. The neomorphs were incredibly creepy, and the protomorph was badass. There were definite elements of horror films in the movie, including going into the equivalent of a dark basement and messing with stuff the characters aren’t supposed to mess with—just because someone told them it was okay. Why do they always believe the bad guy? Granted, they didn’t know it was the bad guy, but common sense, people! Come on!
However, it is the horror movie elements that make horror, horror. It’s smart people doing dumb things that makes the genre the genre, and if Covenant is trying to be a horror film, it stands to reason that these elements would be included.
Overall, I didn’t find the movie frightening. I don’t know if it’s because I knew what to expect (and I did; the bad guy and his motive isn’t a secret and there aren’t any unexpected twists) or if it just didn’t have any overly scary parts. It’s creepy enough that I won’t let my 8 and 10 year old watch it for fear of nightmares, but they are also 8 and 10.
I did enjoy the film. And I think the movie left itself open to expand the Alien universe.
The film wasn’t perfect by any sense of the imagination. There were some issues, such as pacing and not really caring at all about the characters. They tried to give them back stories and a reason to be liked, but most of them weren’t alive long enough to develop feelings for.
I will say that I really liked
I will definitely watch this film again, and I will attempt to look deeper into the narrative and tease out the hidden meanings. On the surface, it was a passable film. It had action and monsters—which is really the only criteria I need to enjoy a movie. Was it a spectacular Alien film? Not really, but it doesn’t dishonor the franchise either.
Has anyone else seen the movie? What are your thoughts?
June 1, 2017
Haunt Jaunts Radio & A New Dead Friend!
My friend Courtney Mroch has been making a splash for a while with her fascinating Haunt Jaunts paranormal tourism page - and now she's been doing a radio show too!
She has an, er, unusual silent co-host that I've kind of made friends with - Skellie! (Who has great reading taste, btw, too in Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter . ha!)
Skellie also is taking song and Shout Out Requests! I got mentioned on this week's show. (See Haunt Jaunts on Paramania Radio. Download MP3 of show at link.)Oh, and yes, in case you wondered, it seems taking these skeletons around and taking photos is a thing! ha! Here's a bunch of funny pix of Skeleton Friends on Pinterest.
May 29, 2017
New page for Dr. Bowen Mystery - Lizzie Borden's Doctor
Set up a new web page for my upcoming short mystery, The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River.
Check out the page here.
More details to come, but what do you think?
To see who is reading this - How about a quiz? What do you think will be on the full cover? Comment on the blog here to be entered to win a Kindle copy when it comes out! Be sure to leave a way to contact you!
May 26, 2017
Giving World War Z (the book) a Second Chance
Years ago, I attempted to read the book
World War Z
.
I had previously read The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks and loved it. I assumed I would also love his other book.
I didn’t hate it, exactly, but I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the other.
I loved the movie. But as you can imagine, the book and the movie are two very different things.One day at work, I got into a discussion about zombies with a coworker and commented about how I didn’t really enjoy the book World War Z. I read about half to three-fourths of the book before putting it down. He recommended I check out the audiobook. He told me there is a whole cast of characters that really bring the story to life.
I was slightly skeptical, but I was going to be driving for a ridiculous amount of time, so I decided to check it out.
I have no regrets about my decision. I didn’t finish the entire book while in the car, but I’m still engaged and still listening. It’s my unwind before I go to bed story at the moment. The different character voices really add to the story, and I think the audio version was the way the story was intended to be told.
Max Brooks does an amazing job of showing the human side of the zombie outbreak. Most films touch on this in their narrative and try to show how humans fight to survive the undead and how there is a thin line between us and them, but Brooks takes it to a degree of realism. He shows us how policies, laws, and a new way of life can be created with the rising of the dead. He does this through personal stories that range from politicians to soldiers to random survivors and shows us how they’ve changed and how the world has changed.
I feel like when I first read the story, I wasn’t aware of what Brooks was attempting to do. I get it now, and it’s brilliant. The book still has its fair share of zombie carnage and gore, but the realism of surviving is just amazing. He constructed his story well.
If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend listening to the World War Z audiobook.
Has anyone else read or listened to the book? What are you thoughts?
Before I go, because it’s still May, I’m giving away another zombie book. This one is my nonfiction book, Undead Obsessed . Enter now for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I had previously read The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks and loved it. I assumed I would also love his other book.
I didn’t hate it, exactly, but I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the other.
I loved the movie. But as you can imagine, the book and the movie are two very different things.One day at work, I got into a discussion about zombies with a coworker and commented about how I didn’t really enjoy the book World War Z. I read about half to three-fourths of the book before putting it down. He recommended I check out the audiobook. He told me there is a whole cast of characters that really bring the story to life.
I was slightly skeptical, but I was going to be driving for a ridiculous amount of time, so I decided to check it out.
I have no regrets about my decision. I didn’t finish the entire book while in the car, but I’m still engaged and still listening. It’s my unwind before I go to bed story at the moment. The different character voices really add to the story, and I think the audio version was the way the story was intended to be told.
Max Brooks does an amazing job of showing the human side of the zombie outbreak. Most films touch on this in their narrative and try to show how humans fight to survive the undead and how there is a thin line between us and them, but Brooks takes it to a degree of realism. He shows us how policies, laws, and a new way of life can be created with the rising of the dead. He does this through personal stories that range from politicians to soldiers to random survivors and shows us how they’ve changed and how the world has changed.
I feel like when I first read the story, I wasn’t aware of what Brooks was attempting to do. I get it now, and it’s brilliant. The book still has its fair share of zombie carnage and gore, but the realism of surviving is just amazing. He constructed his story well.
If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend listening to the World War Z audiobook.
Has anyone else read or listened to the book? What are you thoughts?
Before I go, because it’s still May, I’m giving away another zombie book. This one is my nonfiction book, Undead Obsessed . Enter now for your chance to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 24, 2017
Writing is Not for the Meek, #1LineWed
As I'm working on my latest project,
The Haunting of Dr. Bowen, A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River
, and looking at the latest set of notes/suggestions from another reader got me thinking - writing is not for the meek.
And since it's also #1LineWed - 1 Line Wednesday - here's a sample line from the upcoming Dr. Bowen story:
Now, back to writing.... you thought it was easy? haaaaa! Well, for me, nonfiction is easier since that's my background training and many years of newspaper writing. It doesn't mean it always goes smoothly, it's just my first experience.
Fiction is harder. If you are curious about the process, (well, for me), read on. Otherwise you might find this rather boring.
The saying is you write and then you rewrite and rewrite and... add about x times more. (I'm a serial re-reader and re-writer. So probably 20 times??) Very true.
I wrote the novella, revising as I go. Rereading quite a few times and revising some more. My writer's group got a short read of the very beginning. As it's short, two of the group read it and gave minor suggestions. Another fellow writer/editor read it - different suggestions.
Edited it. Edited it again.
Last reader/editor gave some other suggestions. Good ones, too, as they all see different things. Funny thing is how you can read something several times and you still don't see or miss certain things. But that's what pre-readers and beta readers are for.
So, I'll do some other changes, not major ones, which is good. Then it should be ready. Will I miss some things? Maybe. But it'll be the best I can make it right now.
The main thing: others like the story. I like the story. And I think you will, too.
I really had fun with this one, melding the past and distant past, and adding different spooky elements and some mysteries to Lizzie Borden's hometown. And Lizzie also has an influence in this since, after all, the doctor was among the first on the scene of the Borden murders....
So stayed tuned for more details! I'll share the back cover copy and the cover soon!!
And since it's also #1LineWed - 1 Line Wednesday - here's a sample line from the upcoming Dr. Bowen story:
"A dream. A bad dream, that's all it was. Just a dream." --Dr. Seabury Bowen
Now, back to writing.... you thought it was easy? haaaaa! Well, for me, nonfiction is easier since that's my background training and many years of newspaper writing. It doesn't mean it always goes smoothly, it's just my first experience.
Fiction is harder. If you are curious about the process, (well, for me), read on. Otherwise you might find this rather boring.
The saying is you write and then you rewrite and rewrite and... add about x times more. (I'm a serial re-reader and re-writer. So probably 20 times??) Very true.
I wrote the novella, revising as I go. Rereading quite a few times and revising some more. My writer's group got a short read of the very beginning. As it's short, two of the group read it and gave minor suggestions. Another fellow writer/editor read it - different suggestions.
Edited it. Edited it again.
Last reader/editor gave some other suggestions. Good ones, too, as they all see different things. Funny thing is how you can read something several times and you still don't see or miss certain things. But that's what pre-readers and beta readers are for.
So, I'll do some other changes, not major ones, which is good. Then it should be ready. Will I miss some things? Maybe. But it'll be the best I can make it right now.
The main thing: others like the story. I like the story. And I think you will, too.
I really had fun with this one, melding the past and distant past, and adding different spooky elements and some mysteries to Lizzie Borden's hometown. And Lizzie also has an influence in this since, after all, the doctor was among the first on the scene of the Borden murders....
So stayed tuned for more details! I'll share the back cover copy and the cover soon!!
May 21, 2017
Sneak Peek. #Mystery Cover in Progress!
A Sneak Peek!
The cover for the novella set in Lizzie Borden's hometown is making progress!
Here's a tiny sneak peek - deciding on which color looks better.
What do you pick?
** One winner will get a Kindle copy when it's done so post your preference! (Be sure to include an email to contact you.)
-- Christine Verstraete
The cover for the novella set in Lizzie Borden's hometown is making progress!
Here's a tiny sneak peek - deciding on which color looks better.
What do you pick?
** One winner will get a Kindle copy when it's done so post your preference! (Be sure to include an email to contact you.)
-- Christine Verstraete
May 19, 2017
Zombie Awareness Month
Half of May is already over, but did you know that it’s Zombie Awareness Month?
May was chosen because, apparently, a lot of zombie films are set in this month, including George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead .
Personally, I’m always aware of zombies and plan ways to defeat them. It pays to be constantly vigilant. My plan is to get out of town and into an area with terrain that is difficult for zombies to navigate or that makes it easy to see zombies coming from a long way away. If possible, I don’t plan on being around them at all.
Do you have a zombie plan? I would love to hear what it is!
I’m also celebrating Zombie Awareness Month by giving away zombie books. This time, it’s my religious zombie novella Finding Eden . For a chance to win, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!
Drunk womanizer Duke, spends his life selfishly taking care of himself and screw the rest of the world. After one particular black-out alcoholic binge, he wakes to find the world changed the dead are rising from their graves.
Lonely, guilt-ridden Hank is someone who minds his own business, and sympathetic but strong-willed Lana is on the receiving end of harassment by other students. Forced together for survival, the three misfits must confront their world gone strange. God said the people of Earth would be punished for their sins, and so the end has come.
Duke, Hank, and Lana must walk their own paths to salvation, but they also must depend on each other. Will their salvation lie in Finding Eden?
A zombie story with inspirational elements.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May was chosen because, apparently, a lot of zombie films are set in this month, including George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead .
Personally, I’m always aware of zombies and plan ways to defeat them. It pays to be constantly vigilant. My plan is to get out of town and into an area with terrain that is difficult for zombies to navigate or that makes it easy to see zombies coming from a long way away. If possible, I don’t plan on being around them at all.
Do you have a zombie plan? I would love to hear what it is!
I’m also celebrating Zombie Awareness Month by giving away zombie books. This time, it’s my religious zombie novella Finding Eden . For a chance to win, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below!
Drunk womanizer Duke, spends his life selfishly taking care of himself and screw the rest of the world. After one particular black-out alcoholic binge, he wakes to find the world changed the dead are rising from their graves.
Lonely, guilt-ridden Hank is someone who minds his own business, and sympathetic but strong-willed Lana is on the receiving end of harassment by other students. Forced together for survival, the three misfits must confront their world gone strange. God said the people of Earth would be punished for their sins, and so the end has come.
Duke, Hank, and Lana must walk their own paths to salvation, but they also must depend on each other. Will their salvation lie in Finding Eden?
A zombie story with inspirational elements.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 17, 2017
#1LineWed - 1LineWednesday - The Haunting of Dr. Bowen #mystery #spooky
#1LineWed - I'ts 1 Line Wednesday!
Getting excited! Working on finalizing the Dr. Bowen novella, The Haunting of Dr. Bowen: A Mystery in Lizzie Borden’s Fall River) - a spooky mystery and love story set in Lizzie's hometown.
It's a companion story to my book, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, from the point of view of Lizzie's neighbor and family doctor. I've really had fun writing this!
Here's one line:
Getting excited! Working on finalizing the Dr. Bowen novella, The Haunting of Dr. Bowen: A Mystery in Lizzie Borden’s Fall River) - a spooky mystery and love story set in Lizzie's hometown.
It's a companion story to my book, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, from the point of view of Lizzie's neighbor and family doctor. I've really had fun writing this!
Here's one line:
Can he discover who, or what, is shattering the peace before Fall River runs red?
C.A. Verstraete's Blog
- C.A. Verstraete's profile
- 80 followers
C.A. Verstraete isn't a Goodreads Author
(yet),
but they
do have a blog,
so here are some recent posts imported from
their feed.
