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Paused
Group Reads: Guest Author Invite
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February 2022 Group Read #1 with Guest Author, Stephanie Ellis
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Welcome Stephanie. This is my first time greeting you. I’m sure I will enjoy your book.Zain
Hi all, thanks for the welcome! Hope you enjoy Paused, - it's based on an idea that I consider to be one of the most frightening situations anyone could find themselves in. It's certainly one I've pondered over the years!
this sounds AMAZING.
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Thank you Stephanie for being here with us! :)
That description hooked me. Now I have to know. Just ordered the book and planning to join in.
oh, i cannot WAIT for this.
What a cool premise - just bought my Kindle copy.
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First off, I have to say, wow, those scenes where a character is becoming aware of how helpless they've suddenly become as the paralysis takes over, that's some serious anxiety there.
This is only my second story of yours that I've read, the other being in the Midnight from Beyond the Stars anthology. Both tales, to a varying degree, center around doctor/scientists and experimental labs.
Is that your forte, or a theme you really like, or did I just happen to read the two stories you wrote that share that element?
And would you consider James Herbert to be an influence? The early parts of the story, especially the asides to go through the paralysis with a character, felt to me a lot like the way he wrote many of his earlier books.
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Alan wrote: "So, I finished that big, bang, boom in one sitting. First off, I have to say, wow, those scenes where a character is becoming aware of how helpless they've suddenly become as the paralysis takes o..."
Hi Alan, thanks for reading and hopefully enjoying! The science aspect is actually one of the strands of horror I like to write in. I've written a couple of novels (not yet published) which feature aspects of this and some other shorts - Transcending Nature (in Threads of the Infinite anthology) is another one. I think it's quite a rich field to explore because in reality we are moving further and further into areas we could never have imagined. For instance the 'thinking cap' was included because of an article I'd read somewhere online that it was becoming a reality. I think using science allows us to show how things could go so wrong as well - including society's response to aspects of it. So often we talk about what we should be doing as a civilised and developed society but human nature being what it is will always produce types who will take advantage. That latter aspect is shown in Paused and is sadly something I don't think will ever stop - no matter how much we would like it to.
And I've never really read James Herbert - just The Spear and The Rats and both some years back. Though - my husband who is not a horror reader, met James Herbert in The Mitre pub in Oxford. :)
Michael wrote: "That description hooked me. Now I have to know. Just ordered the book and planning to join in."Thanks, Michael. Hope you enjoy it!
Kenneth wrote: "Stephanie, was there a particular event or set of events that triggered the idea of this story? What can you tell us on how this came about?"It's an idea that's been lurking for a few years now. There've been articles in the paper for some time about those who suffer 'Locked In' syndrome and how hard it is to tell if someone's there. Then a few have come out of it and been able to tell those around them exactly what they saw/heard etc, quite often shocking those who've tended to them because they thought they weren't aware. Some have been able to communicate by blinking as well. But that idea, of being so aware but so unable to respond - just complete and utter vulnerability has always horrified me. I wrote a short story about it, effectively it was a scene when they were in the labs and Alex has to go and get the 'thinking cap' but in the short story he froze on the stairs. It didn't really work because it needed more space to evolve and that's where Paused came in. I took those people and gave them a bigger platform.
The short story was written pre-pandemic and I had wondered about how believable it would be with the rapidity of the spread - well, I think covid has shown has scarily quickly such things can happen.
Kasia wrote: "Same Alan, there's something so satisfying about reading a book in one sitting, rare for me these days but yeah, what a fun but scary ride."Glad you enjoyed it!
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Kenneth wrote: "Has anyone seen the movie Awakenings with Robin Williams? I was reminded of that movie while reading PAUSED. I loved the concept from movie and always thought there was much more story that could b..."Have vaguely heard of the film, but never watched it. Should do one day as I am a big Robin Williams fan (Dead Poets Society is my favourite film of his)
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Just started this and so far it's right up my alley. I love medical / science in my horror.
Intriguing premise. Picked up the book. Thanks for organizing.
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Kasia wrote: "I love the premise, it's like something out of my beloved Fringe. I'm starting this today because I have 7 other group reads in Feb lol but I couldn't resist this. Thank you Stephanie for being h..."
Seven group reads in a single month! That's an impressive achievement. I'm attempting 3 group reads for the first time and wondering if I did the right thing. You are giving me inspiration.
Started yesterday and read the first four chapters just before bedtime. I love the slow build/dread for what is surely coming. Nice timing on this one, and I appreciated the covid references. I also binge watched 3 episodes of BILLIONS Season Two last night.
As a result, I vaguely remember a dream involving Paul Giamatti being frozen in a sitting position on a park bench. I woke up because I needed to use the bathroom.
What a fast, thrilling read! Thank you, Stephanie for a cool story.My review is here . . . . .
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Michael wrote: "What a fast, thrilling read! Thank you, Stephanie for a cool story.My review is here . . . . .
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Thank you so much for the review, Michael, massively appreciated. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I initially struggled in trying to work out how to show 'action' in a story which effectively deals with 'inaction' until I decided to literally get into the heads of those who are struck down and get the reader to look out from behind their eyes. I hope this never happens to us.
I really enjoyed this one! An easy read (I have small children, I prefer my reads uncomplicated ^^) with plenty to keep your interest and a good atmosphere.
I agree with the enthusiastic reviews above. Nice to read a well written, well paced scientific thriller.
Katy wrote: "I agree with the enthusiastic reviews above. Nice to read a well written, well paced scientific thriller."So pleased you enjoyed it! The pace was something I hadn't to be quite careful with!
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Latasha wrote: "Ok, this got scary really fast. Pausing at chapter 7 for the night."The idea of such a thing totally scares me! I often wonder what hides in our genetic makeup, gene pairs that are apparently redundant or dormant!
I am late to the party but I am starting this one today! Hopefully I'll catch up and finish before the group read ends :)
Juan wrote: "I am late to the party but I am starting this one today! Hopefully I'll catch up and finish before the group read ends :)"You're never too late! Hope you enjoy it!
Very nice book! I read thought it like going through butter with a hot knife. Posted a review and some updates while reading :) quite nice read, congrats for your work Stephanie I will definitely check your other books and your future productions!
Juan wrote: "Very nice book! I read thought it like going through butter with a hot knife. Posted a review and some updates while reading :) quite nice read, congrats for your work Stephanie I will definitely c..."Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Juan. It's been hard to tell how folk would take to it during a pandemic - some like to read more about that world, others prefer to keep such disasters at arm's length, so I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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Latasha wrote: "That was an intense read! I liked it. Being trapped in my own body is one of my worst fears. Thank you so much for joining us this month."The pleasure's all mine - and thank you so much for reading! It's been nice to see the range of reactions to it. Just knowing people are reading is a huge thing for me!
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I submitted my review to Amazon today. Going to share this one with my book-loving cousin when I visit in March.
Kimberly wrote: "I'm still hoping to read it before the end of the month--likely Monday, when the kids go back to school. This week off has been SO busy!"Thank you! I'm just so pleased you're going to read it!
Michael wrote: "I submitted my review to Amazon today. Going to share this one with my book-loving cousin when I visit in March."Thank you, Michael. I appreciate the gesture on amazon and hope your cousin enjoys it! I can't believe it's March tomorrow. Time has flown.
https://geni.us/n0kNY