Alex Laybourne's Blog, page 68
October 25, 2012
Guest Post: Haunted House Rules by Tonia Brown
Today it is my honor to play host to the fabulous Tonia Brown. Now, I know you are all fed up with me waffling on, so I will waste no more time and shall saw… take it away Tonia
Hello there! My name is Tonia Brown and I am the author of several novels ranging from humor to horror to steampunk. My latest horror novel, Sundowners, just hit the interwebs. It’s a backwoods southern horror, all about the importance of family, the dangers of gossip and the nature of the artistic muse.
The season for haunting is upon us again, and nothing says Halloween like a good old-fashioned haunted house. Though, these days I find myself disappointed with haunts more often then not. It’s not that I am some kind of expert. I’ve done my share of haunts and to be honest while it does take a lot of work to throw one together, it doesn’t take much to make it good. Yet, something has gone awry in today’s haunt market. As far as I am concerned there are far too many chainsaw-wielding jerks trying to rush me through a half assed excuse for a haunted house, and not enough quality scares. Are you haunted house owners listening? Good, because I have some suggestions I learned from my old man. Through the years our dad taught us the trick to pulling off a good haunt isn’t so much the quality of the props or the believability of the haunt, as it is three essential things: atmosphere, timing, and good gaffs.
Atmosphere is the most important thing on the list, yet it is both the easiest to achieve and the most forgotten in homemade haunts. A scary atmosphere doesn’t have to come at the expense of thousands of dollars worth of makeup and props. A little music and a little darkness goes a long, long way.
One of our local haunts always starts with the same distinctive entryway into their haunted house, and it is the most effective use of atmosphere I have ever seen. When you enter the house proper, you are shuffled into a completely dark room. Some spooky music plays softly in the back ground. You don’t know if someone is going to jump out or if the lights will suddenly come on or what is going to happen. Then, a pinpoint of red light shines into the room from the far end. A laser pointer perhaps? No way to tell. A voice in the darkness commands you to follow the light. Follow the light you do, because you have little other choice. And there you are, bunched up against your husbands back, choking him to death by yanking on his shirttail as you shuffle toward the pinpoint of blood red light in the otherwise total darkness. Atmosphere set. Frightened mood achieved.
The second thing dad always said was important was timing. Horror, like humor, requires a delicate balance of timing to make it work right. Screams and spooks and general jumping out of the darkness are all well and good, but useless unless done at just the right time. Setting up cues for your audience to expect a spook is a good idea for pacing the timing. Verbal cues or other aural cues like tense music or sudden silence lets them know a spook is on the way. Then you can really screw with their senses. They begin to rely on the cues and when they don’t get it, they jump twice as high when someone scares them.
The third thing relies on both a good atmosphere and well-paced timing, and that is a simple but effective gaff. Gaffs are the tricks of the haunted house. The coffin with the person hiding inside and jumps out as you pass by. The hole in the wall that someone pokes their hand through to grab at you when you draw near. These days, too many folks are relying on buckets of blood and elaborate scenes to scare folks when all it really takes is just a two dollar baby doll made into a puppet and manned by someone hiding behind a sheet of black plastic.
Seriously.
We did that as our main gaff for our last four haunted houses. Winston was his name and he was glorious! My twin sister took one of those plastic headed, soft bodied babies we got from the Goodwill, slit its back open to make a puppet out of it, and then ran a tube through its head and out of its mouth. The moment that baby started growling and whining and calling the audience his nom-noms, well, the looks on the audience faces were priceless. But not as priceless as when it started vomiting blood at their feet. Lordy, you have never seen grown men move so fast to get the hell away from that demon baby!
So there you have it. A few simple ideas to make your haunted house better. And feel free to make a Winston of your own. Just remember he needs his nom-noms, or he gets fussy.
Happy Halloween, and happy haunting.
Tonia Brown’s short stories have appeared in a variety of anthologies. She has cranked out several books, including Sundowners, Badass Zombie Road Trip and the weird west series Railroad! Tonia lives in North Carolina with her genius husband and an ever fluctuating number of cats. When not writing she raises unicorns and fights crime with her husband under the code names Dr. Weird and his sexy sidekick Butternut.
You can learn more about her at: www.thebackseatwriter.com
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All five of us – Tonia Brown, James N Cook, John O’ Brien, Armand Rosamilia and Mark Tufo – hope you have been following along on the Haunted Halloween Blog Tour 2012. We love to see comments after the posts, and we also love to pick a random commenter and give away a free eBook or even a signed print book, so maybe you’ll get lucky!
We have centralized all the upcoming dates and blog posts on a Facebook event page. Feel free to join us there and see what is coming up next!
https://www.facebook.com/events/211796112284317/
October 24, 2012
Eyes Bigger Than The Plate
As I am sure every writer in the world is aware, November is almost upon us, and that means… NaNoWriMo
I know that a lot of my friends are taking part, and even those that will not still see November as a writing / editing month and will do something to honor it.
I have not planned my NaNo entry as of yet. I have a rough idea, and as I always like to do, I know the end. How I’ll get there is up to my twisted mind to decide. I am confident that all will go well, and more ready for the challenge… Are you?
Anyway, as the title of the post would suggest, I am once again contemplating something that would be a very large undertaking. It is a challenge, and I never met a challenge I didn’t at least fight to the bitter end.
I am thinking about writing two NaNo entries… of sorts, simultaneously. Allow me to elaborate.
I have a story to tell, and 1500 words a day will, I think be rather manageable. But on top of that, I have this site to run. If I have learned anything over the 20 months I have been running it, it is that if I do not post, I do not get many hits. I have been on a blogging role recently averaging well over 100 visitors a day and have been collecting new followers at a rate that may have me thinking I know what I am doing before too long. I don’t really want to stop blogging or cut back and effectively nullify all my hard work…. hence my idea.
A NaNo Diary
The premiss is simple, a diary detailing my writing exploits as I journey the NaNo course. The highs and the lows, the thoughts and struggles of combining writing, work and family life. That way I don’t have to waste time thinking about a blog post, or worry about when to post it, I can simply write my ‘diary’ and things will at least keep ticking over, my name will not be forgotten. Besides, maybe I could hit 1500 words a day on that too. I will not push the word count on this post, but would want at least 1000 words a day and as I said, would like to hit the NaNo standard. It would be fitting if nothing else.
Maybe it is too much, maybe I am nuts, it is quite possible, but in any case, I am sure it will be a fun ride.
Guest Post - TW Brown
Reblogged from Armand Rosamilia:
It has been a crazy road when I look over my shoulder at the Zomblog series. Considering that the very first book was never intended to be published, I would have to say that I have very little to complain about. For those who didn’t know, I actually began work on Zomblog as a daily writing exercise that was supposed to get me warmed up for writing my first real zombie novel—Dead: The Ugly Beginning.
A guest post from TW Brown wherein he talks about his upcoming release Zomblog: Snoe (the fourth book in a series that is about far more than Zombies)
Am I Really So Shallow
Apparently the answer to that would be yes.
I should probably back up a bit and explain….
I have read a lot of posts recently about how people are branding their books as being a Kindle Bestseller… or Amazon Bestseller. Now, I understand this, and can see why people are doing it, but the argument against it is simple. With all the free promotions, and sub-sub-sub-sub categories that novels can appear in, seemingly at random (on occasion) there is really nothing that substantial to the Bestseller claim being made.
Why do people do it then? There are many reasons, with increased sales being the main one, but let’s face it, at the end of the day, we are all, to a certain degree… shallow. We want to see how successful we are, how good. If that little line helps people feel better about themselves and their work, then why not put it. It is not a lie, if you were number 1 of a specific list, then you are indeed, or were for a period of time, a bestseller. It is how you interpret it that makes the real difference.
To therefore return to my initial banner, and the tongue in cheek (honestly) proclamation that I am Number One.
As many of you know, I relocated to the Netherlands, from the UK 6 years ago now, and since then I have settled into life, and fully embraced the writer in me.
I was searching the internet yesterday, trying to find other Dutch horror writers, and… you guessed it. I could not find any. I few who have written a horror novel amongst others, but none that were really Horror Authors. The closest was a man who they called the Dutch Stephen King because he had written two horror novels, but the rest have been children’s fiction, and more fantasy based.
It is therefore only natural that I stake my claim as being Hollands Premier Horror Author. Will I be adding it as a tag line on my novels… probably not, but hey, I smiled all day yesterday at the thought of it.
October 22, 2012
The Places I Would Write.
It is very much Autumn outside now. The trees were late heading into the season this year, but there can be no dispute anymore. The world is awash with colour. Blue skies and sun can be seen, but so can cold winds and grey skies.
I love this time of year, from walking through the woods with the kids, and sitting indoors on those rainy days. There is something about the season that just lights up my soul.
With NaNo coming up just around the corner, I have been thinking about my writing schedule a lot. With the kids, it can be hard to find time to write, I have been sitting here for the last thirty minutes (and it is only 05.45 now) with a sleeping baby in one arm. The day-job really hampers me, as it does for everybody who has to work one to survive. You lose so much quality writing time just (in my case) sitting behind a desk drawing doodles with the puddle of brain that has dribble out of your ears.
This then got me thinking about if I was a full-time writer. Where would I write? I have no…. writers cave, or secret hideaway that I can retreat to. My writing is done on the sofa in the living room on my company laptop, or in the corner of the same room, on a half busted computer and an uncomfortable chair.
I would need a place to escape to, somewhere nearby, and I was surprised to find that I came up with a list.
The Library
The Library is a classic choice, and with the silence that it offers, a great place for me to go when I really need to really knuckle down and concentrate. Maybe for those damned edits that never seem to do themselves, no matter how long you ignore them..
The Cemetery
Ok, maybe I am just a freak who is beyond help, but there is a large cemetery across the road from my house, and on those nice warm, I imagine early spring of Autumn (as my love for this season has been confirmed already) days, sitting on one of the benches that have been placed in the grounds, writing on my laptop. I don’t know there is just something peaceful about it, that beats the quiet of a library… I should have put this last so as not to scare you away.
In the park overlooking the Rhine
The town I live in is effective cut in half but the Rhine, it feeds into the Ocean here. There is a lovely stretch of park that follows the river, and many places to sit and enjoy the view. This is another place that I could quite happily sit at. I see this more on those cold days, a hat, scarf, cup of coffee in one hand and a the laptop, or maybe, for this location, pen and paper is best. Notes, and plotting done by the riverside.
In the Dunes
I am also surrounded by miles and miles of Sand Dunes. I used to bike through them to get to work, at my previous job. It was wonderful. The scenery, the wildlife, and once again… the tranquility of it all. Another level apart from the library and the cemetery, there was something about being out in nature that just never failed to get me feeling inspired.
Coffee shops,
Let’s face it, they are classics for a reason. Whether it be the hustle and bustle, the never-ending stream of character and real life observations that can be made, or simply the constant supply of coffee. That magical elixir that sees us through our writing session and so much more. There are not many coffee shops in my town, but there is one place in particular that I think would make a very nice writing zone.
On the beach, in one of the cafe’s that line the sand.
Along with the Rhine, and the dunes, I live a stones through away from the beach, and alone this sandy shore, there are, at certain times of the year, beach cafe’s erected and opened. Terraces with both indoor and outdoor seating. Some are themed, and some are rather tame, but each one offers a great place to sit and once again some lovely views of the beach, the ocean. Sun sets on my section of the sea, and the evening can bring around some truly magical views.
I guess, if ever I am lucky enough to quite the day-job, I have more than enough places to keep me writing, and hidden away from the world. Who knows, maybe I can even save up enough money to turn my shed into the writing Den I so desperately want and have pictured in my mind already.
What about all of you? Where are your favorite places to write?
Do You Want Me To Read You A Bedtime Story?
Image from alexandersachive.wordpress.com
5 Best Selling Novels We've Forgotten
Reblogged from Writing Is Hard Work:
Harry Potter Midnight Premiere – costumed fans. Where will Harry Potter be in 20 years?(Photo credit: Pop Culture Geek)
I have been accused, on occasion, of lamenting the success of Twilight. Why shouldn’t I? It reads like a poorly scripted soap opera, it’s characters are shallow at best and it has no lasting value in regards to the human condition…and aren’t we already tired of seeing vampire books?
A wonderful article on the best books that we have sadly left to gather dust on shelves around the world.
October 21, 2012
Diversity Is Our Greatest Strength
They say that variety is the spice of life, and I agree with it, You need to keep things interesting. Make changes to things and just see where life takes you. This can be something major, like changing careers, homes or even countries, but it could also be small things, like taking a different route in to work, or buying a different coffee on morning. These small areas of diversity are what adds the colour and extra flavor to life.
Why is it then, that as authors we are almost expected to choose a genre and stick to it? I know that with the eBook revolution, and self publishing, it is possible for an author to write multiple genres, but how many of those make it, or just return to the chosen sector?
I know I do. Ok we may wander off the path a little, but what about a big genre jump, I know a lot of us have ideas for stories completely outside our current genre but we don’t do it.
it would seem that more often than not, writers are defined first and foremost by their genre.
” Have you read anything by Alex Laybourne?”
“No he writes Horror… I don’t like Horror.”
Why does it have to be like this?
I have read numerous articles about this same subject, and the thinking behind it is simple. Fan base. Fans expect a certain sort of work from an author, and to change it completely, to say move from Horror to Romance, would put noses out of joint and be too big of a risk.
Sure, I see a risk, but I also see a reward. Besides, isn’t that what life is all about… taking risks. Doing something different and taking that chance at something you want.
If we played it safe in every avenue of life, things would be downright dull.
Actors and actresses, these fine folks do a very similar job as authors. They tell stories, one through words, and the other through actions (as a result of the words). Actors are not forced to choose a genre and stick to it. Ok, some choose to do so, but look back at the great actors, they appeared in a great range of films, from comedies to drama, war movies and romantic films.
Clark Gable, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Helen Mirren name them all, they have appeared in a range of movies, and have received acclaim for their performances in many of these genres.
Why therefore, are writers so often afraid to test the waters around them? Sure, some of the fans we build up may question our decision, but if the writing is good, surely they will still give it a read, and the potential for new fans is colossal. I like a writer because of the style of their writing and the ability to tell a story, not because of the genre they write in.
What about you? Are you firmly stuck in one genre, do you dabble in others, but stay as close to home as possible, or are you a writing nomad, wandering the genre fields with great abandon? I know where I currently stand, but I also know where I want to end up. I say cast off the label of genre and write what ever your head and your heart tells you to write.
Movie Review: The Woman In Black
It is not often that I write a review about the movies I watch. Partly because I don’t watch as many as I used to, and partly because… well, I don’t know what I am doing.
However, last night I sat down with my wife to watch The Woman in Black with Harry Potter… Daniel Radcliffe and I just had to say something.
As I said, I am no reviewer, if you want a good, well written review check out my buddy John Mountain, he knows his stuff, especially horror.
I will start this ‘review’ by saying I loved this movie. I was concerned initially that I would not be able to see Daniel as anything but the cunning little wizard that he is. Throw in the opening scene (one of the opening scenes) being of a long train journey and you can understand my trepidation. That was however, where fears ended. Daniel carried over the character perfectly, and put in what I consider a performance far stronger than his HP attempts.
I love horror, horror movies, horror stories, horror art, you name it, i love it. As such a fan, my heart aches at the sudden need for blood and gore. Sure, sometimes it is needed, and some films or plots work well like that, but saturation over substance is weak. It was refreshing therefore to see this movie, where… and correct me if I am wrong, only one mouthful of blood was spilled. In place of gore was well staged scenes, chilling music, and eerie locations. Combined with a strong storyline and sterling performances from not only Daniel, but from the entire cast.
I love ghost stories for several reasons, the largest of them being, I like to believe in that supernatural side of life, and a well made film will creep me out for days. Call me strange but I like that. This film, along with Insidious (from the great and under appreciated John Wan) are t that nicely fit into the creepy category. This more so than Insidious, the ending of which I felt a little disappointed by.
The scares in this movie were well times and spaced throughout the run time, and, much like the hand at the end of Carrie, even when you saw them coming, they did not disappoint.
The only weaknesses in the film were the strange ‘possession’ sub plot. Why, how, none of the other kids did that. The other was the attic. The film starts there, and when Radcliffe is placed in there as his lodgings, you expected something to happen with it, but no.
I will certainly be adding this film to my ‘wishful thinking’ Blu-ray list. I would rate it a solid 3.5 -4 out of 5 stars, skulls, eyeballs, piles of entrails… quantify it how you will.
Ciarán Hinds
Liz White
and The KIDS!!
