Villains. They can truly make or break a story. Every hero needs an opposite to keep us turning pages. But what makes a villain so memorable that they scare the crap out of people and make history? In my opinion, there are two broad categories of villains that are truly …
Transformation is the theme of the January themed collection, the final themed collection at that. I consider transformation and growth to be overall positive concepts, and yet there is no rule that says you have to transform or grow into a better version of yourself, just a new version. The …
This is by no means a comprehensive guide to stealing like an artist, as it is its own art form, and not one many master. Stealing like an artist does not mean plagiarism, copyright infringement, or intellectual theft. The phrase is misleading in that sense. It does mean taking elements …
There is a scene in Friends, where Monica, a chef, receives a review that says “The Chef’s Mahi Mahi was Awful Awful” and she has a minor meltdown over the bad press, even going so far as to attend a cooking class despite being a head chef at a very …
Today, New Year’s Day, marks the beginning of the final themed collection, tentatively titled Transformation Season. Transformation is a powerful concept. It can mean many things. It can be good or bad. It can transform your life in the best or the worst ways. It can be physical or mental …
Tell yourself the story Don’t stress about whether or not it will make sense to anyone else Do include as many details as possible, aware that you will be adding more If you get stuck on a scene, skip it, you’re slowing yourself down Don’t obsess over your weaknesses (details, …
If you love this time of year, chances are good that you are not even sure how ‘holiday blues’ could be a term that applies to so many people. If your favorite holiday is Halloween and your favorite genre is horror, chances are good that you are neutral on, if …
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The spirit of The Giving Season is not necessarily anti-Christmas. It is a horror collection, so it does have various themes throughout. Some are more disturbing than others, but some aspects of the way we celebrate the holidays are horrifying enough that all I need to do is illuminate them …
Who says horror can’t be whimsical? Incorporating innocence and games into horror makes more of an emotional impact. As a horror author, I enjoy tying things in that seem whimsical. Terror really should be fun. Keep your eye out for updates because I will be releasing work within the next …