Kevin A. Ranson's Blog, page 13
August 7, 2013
My Gateway Inspiration: Mother Ghost Nursery Rhymes
You hear it all the time in interviews; “What inspired you to become a writer?”
For most horror writers and those telling tales of terror, you’ll hear Stephen King or Edgar Allan Poe, perhaps “The Twilight Zone” or “The Outer Limits,” or maybe even classic films like Hammer horror or The Evil Dead.
Well, for me it was in kindergarten. Each student was allowed fifteen minutes a day or so to listen to whatever they chose on the record player, and I always knew what I wanted to hear from the first time it was played for me: “Mother Ghost Nursery Rhymes (and other tricks and treats).” This was a Scholastic collection of 33 1/2 RPM records each with a story or song or whatever, each stranger than the next. “Rock-a-bye Monster” and “Georgie (the Ghost)” were two of my favorites.
These days with all of the insulation and over-protecting of kids, I don’t know that I would have had the same access to such things as I did in 1972, but I was also reading my mom’s Stephen King books at the age of ten, so there you go.
Filed under: Conspiracies, Creativity, Existentialism, Literarian Tagged: 33 RPM, Georgie the Ghost, Mother Ghost, Nursery Rhymes, Rock-a-bye Monster, Scholastic
July 27, 2013
Did You Know? Jury Rig + Jerry Built = Jerry Rig
Ever notice that the term “jerry rig” seems to be used interchangeably to mean either a clever fix using materials on hand or something built shoddily that will never last? There’s a reason: it poorly combines two separate terms that came into being very differently.
“Jury rigging” is actually a nautical term once used by sailors for using whatever’s on hand to keep the ship in repair, most often a reference to a replacement or makeshift mast – it has nothing to do with jury tampering.
“Jerry built” is most likely a reference to an actual person at one time, implying a handyman or contractor who builds things on the cheap that either won’t last or will be prone to failure.
The similarity in the terms and likely misunderstanding of their context eventually led to “jerry rigging” (and its more colorful slang bastardizations). Whatever the origin, jerry rigging is now the accepted term that can be used either way, but I wouldn’t trust that unless I jerry riggged it myself.
You’re welcome.
Sources:
http://www.word-detective.com/2012/01/jerry-rig-jury-rig
http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2008/08/a-jerry-rigged-expression.html
Filed under: Existentialism Tagged: jerry built, jerry rig, jury rig
July 16, 2013
New Book Review of The Matriarch by The Vampire Source!
… (Kevin) Ranson has effortlessly merged a mystery thriller with the allure of a vampire horror story. At every twist and turn, new revelations came to light and added even greater depth to the storyline. I highly recommend this book to anyone who fancies a cleverly written thriller/horror that banks on the idea that well-developed characters with a sense of humor are the key to a great piece of fiction.
Filed under: Existentialism Tagged: book, ghost, music, novel, published, the matriarch, vampire
July 5, 2013
“Tendrils Never Lie” Accepted into Horror Society Anthology!
Just got the word: my short story “Tendrils Never Lie” was accepted into the first annual anthology for The Horror Society, “a community of authors, artists, screen writers, filmmakers, actors, editors, publishers, and musicians who work and contribute to the universe of Horror.”
The anthology should be published in ebook and in print in the coming months, so I’ll provide more details as I get them. Looks like it’s going to be a very cool book!
Filed under: Creativity, Existentialism, Horrificus, Literarian Tagged: anthology, ebook, Horror Society, tendrils never lie
June 30, 2013
The Matriarch – The Complete Playlist
I’ve been featuring a number of favorite tunes that puts me into the world I’ve created and that have helped to mentally shape that world; if it was a movie, what would the soundtrack be? Most of these I’ve featured – I’ve included the song, a corresponding scene, location or character in parenthesis, and the artist. The last song, “My Songs Know What You Did” by Fall Out Boy, immediately sounded like the combination of everything, the perfect roll-the-credits song – if The Matriarch were ever made into a movie.
Fly On the Wall (Ed’s Church) – Thousand Foot Krutch
Come Along (Weekend Plans) – Vicci Martinez & Cee Lo Green
Head Over Heels (Gramma’s House) – Digital Daggers
Sleep Alone 909S In Darktimes Mix (Late Again) – Bat for Lashes
Nightmare (Booty Call) – Avenged Sevenfold
Boom Boom Ba (The Sanctum) – Métisse
Save Yourself (Daniel’s Drive) – Stabbing Westward
Running Up That Hill (The Turning) – Placebo
Beyond the Stars (Running Away) – Evans Blue
Cry Little Sister (Louisa Revealed) – Seasons After
Through Glass (Empty House) – Stone Sour
Beauty of the Dark (Back to the Cemetery) – Mads Langer
We Radiate (Little Black Dress) – Goldfrapp
Temptation Waits (The Lounge) – Garbage
Love the Way You Hate Me (Ian’s Theme) – Against All Will
Open Letter (Louisa’s Theme) – The Amity Affliction
Wait For Sleep (Tower Window) – Dream Theater
Life Is Beautiful – Acoustic (The Funeral) – Sixx:A.M.
My Songs Know What You Did (End Credits) – Fall Out Boy
Filed under: Existentialism Tagged: book, ghost, music, novel, Playlist, published, songs, the matriarch, vampire
June 23, 2013
One to Watch – 5-star Review for The Matriarch
5.0 out of 5 stars: “One to watch” June 22, 2013
By L. Reuther (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Matriarch (Paperback)
Kevin A Ranson beautifully blends the boundaries of vampires and ghosts. This story of revenge takes place in the real world with a straightforward insight on stakes, sunlight and soil. Kevin creates characters with believable motives who show that vampires, just like mortals, must ultimately chose their own path in life, and decide whether it will be a blessing or a cure. Either way, these are creatures with an impact on their ecosystem. They have been present in every human civilization, and deserve to be studied both historically and scientifically. Kevin’s cars, Kias and Escalades, add an element of fun. He has written a well-balanced story with elements of action, humor, and humanity.
Filed under: Cemetery, Creativity, Existentialism, Literarian Tagged: Amazon 5 star, book, ghosts, Kevin A. Ranson, novel, review, the matriarch, vampires
June 15, 2013
MovieCrypt Now Updated Weekends!
With so many other writing and creative projects going on, I’m setting aside time specifically on weekends for one or more updates for MovieCrypt to avoid it falling into neglect. My goal is at least one review, one Reaper Rants video, and one additional post of some type.
Sadly, neither myself nor Grim will be making it to many more of my favorite conventions this year, but next year will permit more time for that kind of thing.
Filed under: Cemetery, Critiquery, Hollywood Tagged: Crypt, movie, Movie Crypt, moviecrypt, Reaper Rants, Recent Movie Reviews, Videos
June 9, 2013
See what Spooky’s been up to lately!
Meet Spooky, a dead little boy continuing to grow up. He goes to school, likes taking pictures in cemeteries, and doesn’t breathe. Accidentally starting the zombie apocalypse is his biggest fear, but it’s not his biggest problem.
The Spooky Chronicles is a paranormal mystery horror book series about a child who comes back to life as a zombie but is still getting older. Having already overcome personal tragedy in his life, his unique condition makes him aware of (and draws him into) a secret, paranormal underworld he never asked to be a part of (but still thinks is pretty cool).
Filed under: Cemetery, Creativity, Literarian, Paranormal Tagged: amazon, book, boy, chronicles, horror, kindle, mystery, Paranormal, Series, spooky, Spooky Chronicles, undead, zombie
May 21, 2013
I Want More – New 5-Star Review for The Matriarch!
5.0 out of 5 stars: “I want more.” May 21, 2013
By windigo98
This review is from: The Matriarch (Paperback)
Like usual when I find a book I want to read and enjoyed, I want more. The story was engaging. I couldnt put it down! Great character building. Good reasearch, background, and forshadowing. Loved what was done with the villian and humor. It leaves me wanting more. Pick it up now you can be like me waiting for the author to put out his next book!
Filed under: Creativity, Literarian, Paranormal Tagged: amazon, review, the matriarch
May 17, 2013
“Come Along” – The Matriarch Soundtrack (Music to Write By)
I use music – often an entire playlist – to create a mindset and mood when I construct a scene.
At the beginning of the story, the main character is angling to fix or finish an on-again, off-again romance. When I first heard “Come Along” by Vicci Martinez and Cee Lo Green, it immediately struck me as a seduction, someone taking the lead and yearning to move past whatever the roadblock is in their relationship, all without assigning blame.
Come along now, come along and you’ll see
What it’s like to be free
Come along now, come along with me
And I’ll ease your pain
Come along, come along with me
And lets seize this day
Oh, come along with me
It has a hopeful, eclectic, sexy yet laid back sound with a bit of a country twang. I didn’t own this song when I originally wrote the chapter I’ve paired it up with, but I did have it while editing.
Read more about the vampire novel The Matriarch…
Filed under: Creativity, Existentialism, Literarian Tagged: Cee Lo Green, Come Along, Music to Write By, Soundtrack, the matriarch, Vicci Martinez
