Little Bits and Pieces

Dusk and Summer by Joseph Pinto - A Review

2011-07-03T12:17:00.003-04:00

Hello fiends.Today we are not talking horror. I know. Perfectly awful of me, is it not?No, today we are talking pain and sorrow, yes, but not horror. Today we speak of grief, of cancer, and how one man's brush with those things inspired him to write for a cause."DUSK AND SUMMER", a novella by horror author Joseph Pinto, is an emotional journey of one man who seeks to complete a single, seemingly

Deadline Extended

2011-04-26T17:05:00.001-04:00

Extending the contest deadline on AW to June 1st. Use the time well, hellions.

Prizes for AW Contest Announced

2011-03-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

Just in case you missed it elsewhere.Guidelines now with Prize ListA surprise in those prizes. Want to peek? Go ahead.Make your day.Peace & Love~Effie

SNM March Issue is LIVE!

2011-03-02T00:51:00.004-05:00

My first month of selections at SNM was not without its issues... I am just learning the game and how everything works, and February was a short month.Despite that, we have an incredible issue for you. March Marionettes (clickables) is the theme this month, and I would say I couldn't have picked better stories myself, but I did pick them myself. I hope I did the magazine justice.In this month's

Guidelines posted for the Hounds Contest and.... of course, the ST contest too!

2011-02-28T12:45:00.005-05:00

I have posted the guidelines for the Horror Hounds Contest and Celebration. Enjoy. We have all the judges now, so writers... get your pens and notepads out!Now... If you read my blog, you probably have heard about Shock Totem a time or two. Or ten. Or a hundred.The March Shock Totem Bimonthly Flash Fiction Contest is here again! Sign up for that is here.There's no reason you can't do both... the

And so... It Begins

2011-02-27T09:54:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone.Some of you might know a little bit about a website called Absolute Write Water Cooler. I may have mentioned it from time to time.Over there, I hang out, of course, in the horror section. We call ourselves the horror hounds. Last year, I hosted a writing contest for short stories to celebrate my moldy group of friends. The Horror Hounds Celebration and Contest! See, we love horror,

Now reading... SNM

2011-02-01T15:12:00.004-05:00

Submissions! Oh yes, my little fiends, I am reviewing for SNM Horror Magazine now. Fear my red pen.Steve Marshall called me up one day and asked me how I'd feel about working for the magazine as the selections and reviewing editor. I was agreeable.Now I'm doing the deed, reading stories and making selections. Today is my first "official" day. I'm just hoping I don't screw up fantabulously.SNM is

Adopt a Cat: It Is Not Only The Young...

2011-01-29T19:37:00.006-05:00

...that want to find a home and family to love.Adopted a kitty today - and not a kitten, a full grown cat. We named her Honey Pot. My son is working at our local animal shelter as a volunteer (though it is not voluntary, yet. He is doing community service for carrying tobacco products to school, but plans to continue to work there as a volunteer after his service hours are complete) and he works

Meet Draven Ames: Author of horror and other dark fiction

2011-01-15T17:58:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone. I'd like to take a few minutes of your time to introduce you to a fellow horror writer that I've recently come across.I met Draven over at SNM Horror Magazine in the reader's guestbook. We were both in the January Jambalaya issue this month and he commented on my story. After reading his, which was Story of the Month, I was delighted to see that I'd found another horror writer who

Spotlight Weird: 6 Sentences

2011-01-10T23:17:00.004-05:00

Well, it's been a while since I did a Spotlight Weird piece. I have no excuses to give.However, during my busyness I came across this wonderful little publication right here on Blogspot called 6 Sentences. 6S has stories only one paragraph long. At first I was merely intrigued, but after reading some of the pieces, I just kept reading... and reading... and reading. There's really no way to stop

Multiple Musings and Other Random BS

2011-01-04T18:05:00.004-05:00

It's a new year, the holidays are done, and the children have returned to school after winter break. We had a fabulous Christmas, there were tons of packages under our tree. It was slightly ridiculous.Okay, it was highly ridiculous.But it was so fun.Now, I find myself writing a lot of thriller/suspense and contemporary fantasy tales of recent. This is not a bad thing, and yes I do still write

American Dog - A Reflection on Dogs and the Media

2010-11-15T11:35:00.004-05:00

Dogs are the best friends of men? A boy and his dog? We take them as pets, we love them, feed them, give them shelter. Their lives are in our hands.As a dog owner, I get weepy when I see those darned ASPCA commercials. You know the ones I mean. Labs stuffed into overrunning cages, poodles half starved and covered with mange. Those commercials are emotional. It's horrible what we do to our

And soon it shall pass...

2010-10-29T09:07:00.003-04:00

So, it is time for my return to the woefully neglected world of Little Bits and Pieces. Soon enough, regular postings shall happen. Sporadic silliness, constant craziness and the unfailing barrage of foul language that is... well, me.I know y'all have missed me. Admit it.So, what has Miss Effie been up to? Stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Some hard, some painful, some enraging. Some I'd just rather

The Strange Men in Pinstriped Suits Blog Award

2010-08-31T14:16:00.002-04:00

So, my blog has been deemed strange enough for a pinstriped suit award by the wonderfully odd K.M. McElhinny (clickable).The Rules!1. Add the logo of the award to your blog post.2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you (the strange ones will come after you if you don't...well, not really, but it sounds good).3. Nominate seven other blogs telling us why you think the recipient is strange

New poem up at Every Day Poets

2010-08-31T13:03:00.002-04:00

Hello there! I have a poem up at Every Day Poets called "What Round the Corner Waits" (clickable). If you have a moment, give it a look-see. And please, leave a comment there on EDP or here. I'd love to hear from you.Peace & Love,~Effie

Summer

2010-07-19T23:52:00.004-04:00

So, I hate summer time. I know it sounds awful, but I do. It's so damned hot. Give me spring or fall, but keep your fucking summer. I don't want it.I find myself very irritable lately, and with that comes this feel of dripping, nasty sarcasm in my writings. I don't like the tone, so I'm not getting very much done, production wise. Not many words get kept. I can't even manage to keep that tone out

Black Rainbow Finale

2010-07-05T15:48:00.002-04:00

The final part of Black Rainbow is up at The Piker Press. Have a read.Black Rainbow Finale (clickable)Enjoy.Peace & Love,~Effie

10 Things Every Writer Should Know....

2010-06-29T15:26:00.001-04:00

10 things every writer should know before they start writing.1) Basic plot. You need a beginning, a middle and an end. And basically, that is all you need to have. You can fill in the gaps later. Right now, there are more important things than plot to worry about.2) Characters. I don't mean knowing the names, ages and what they look like. You gotta know how old your female MC was when she got her

Black Rainbow Part 3

2010-06-28T19:24:00.002-04:00

Yes, it is here. Part Three of my novelette.Black Rainbow Part 3. (click!)Dig it, baby.P&L~Effie

Writing Without Thinking: My Way

2010-06-23T17:01:00.004-04:00

Okay. So, a little silence on the blog front from me for a while, other than my novelette pimpage, so I suppose I owe you guys a real post.So, a few years ago, I was in between writing projects and had no new ideas forthcoming. But I felt the need to write. Those of you who write as well, you know that need. Those of you that read... well, it's inexplicable. I'd say it's almost like a need to

And It's Black Rainbow Pt. 2

2010-06-21T22:05:00.003-04:00

So, I just noticed that Part Two of my novelette Black Rainbow (clickables!) is up over at The Piker Press. If you read part one, go on and read part two. See what is up with Fox Thomas, Emma and Percy. You don't want to miss it.Blurb: Fox and Emma try to forget what they both want, and can never be ... but even as they push away their thoughts, something else is listening ...P&L~Effie

What Could Possibly Be Over a Black Rainbow?

2010-06-14T12:54:00.002-04:00

My novelette, Black Rainbow (clickable), is being published by The Piker Press, and Part One is available today. Go and have a read.Blurb: Years pass, and what seemed would be unending tedium, a habit of living suddenly changes. It feels good, but only as long as Emma and Fox don't think about it too much ...Black Rainbow: Part One of Four, by Effie Collins.Peace & Love~Effie

A Hisotry of Effie: The Girl You Think You Want to Know

2010-06-08T16:21:00.002-04:00

It is the end of the school year here and the flurry has descended. Today was the very last day of school and the kids are home. Arguments have ensued and I am wishing heartily for the biggest Xanax they ever made.Sometimes those cravings just refuse to stay gone.There have been questions as to what kind of person I am... some people don't believe that my picture and I are the same person, or

Hold me to it Pt. 6

2010-06-06T15:12:00.002-04:00

This week's word count is good stuff, people.The grand total is 4011 words on various short stories. I've done no work on the novel rewrite, but there are reasons for that. Real life sometimes only leaves so much room for writing time.I did have a poem accepted for publication though, so that's something.I have not been setting goals for this and I think that's best. I do well with a deadline,

Spotlight Weird: Necrotic Tissue

2010-06-01T13:42:00.005-04:00

Necrotic Tissue: Issue 10: 04/2010.Cover work is something that can grab you as you pass it by on the shelf. Strategically placed, the cover of a novel, or a magazine, can make you stop, pick it up, browse. Maybe buy.Necrotic Tissue (clickable) has stellar cover art, they have stellar stories, they are, to be frank, an awesome magazine. Sadly, you might not find them on your local store's shelves

Memor...

2010-05-31T13:44:00.002-04:00

No Spotlight Weird Today, people, that will be tomorrow, featuring Necrotic Tissue. Check back then.As most of us know, we in the U.S. are having a holiday today; Memorial Day. For those that have died fighting for the U.S. in wars spanning centuries. We honor our dead; for they truly are ours and we are proud.Though many members of my family are and have been military, there have been none lost

Hold Me To It Pt. 5

2010-05-29T14:55:00.001-04:00

A day late, yes oh yes, I know. I am babysitting this weekend and am typing this post as my little nephew naps. So, it shall be super quick.Word count for this week: 2873.That is all.Peace & Love~Effie

About a Boy...

2010-05-26T07:50:00.007-04:00

His name is Captain Jackson Pharaoh, Jax for short (I do not claim responsibility for that name. I blame the kids. They wanted to name him Jack Sparrow of Caribbean fame, but I objected strenuously. I prevailed, but, as you can see, just barely) . He sails the world of under-birdcage for now, in a huge home made terrarium, complete with a pond for his wading pleasure.He is my turtle.Now I know

Spotlight Weird: Clarkesworld Magazine

2010-05-24T19:56:00.002-04:00

Ah man. Absolutely the best online magazine I have ever read. This is not to downplay the other magazines featured in Spotlight Weird, but Clarkesworld Magazine (clickable) has, simply put, incredible fiction in several formats for your reading pleasure. They feature stories in text format and as audio podcasts.I remember the very first story I read on Clarkesworld. I'd only just found my place

My Story as a Podcast and Hold Me To It Pt. 4

2010-05-21T21:22:00.002-04:00

You simply must go and hear Jason Warden reading my story, Deadly Heirloom (clickable), on the Shadowcast Audio Anthology. Mr. Warden does a fine job reading it, and I'm so proud to have been a part of his podcast.Now, for this week's progress. Not as much as I'd like, but 2385 words on the novel rewrites and another 322 on a short story.Okay. So, I'm excited about my very first podcast and I'm

Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite!

2010-05-19T08:16:00.002-04:00

Hello there.As I talked about last Friday, I have decided to rewrite my novella and turn it into a novel. Well, I am proud to announce that the rewrite has begun. All other projects, save one collaboration with another writer and of course my short stories, will be on hold until this rewrite is done.From here on, this project will be called "Sister" for the sake of the blog, although that is not

Spotlight Weird: Everyday Weirdness

2010-05-17T18:38:00.002-04:00

Everybody loves flash fiction, right? A quick little tid bit that often sticks in the brain and comes back later to taunt your happy head. Flash fiction is great.Flash fiction is becoming more and more popular among writers, and among magazines. With that in mind, in this week's weirdest spotlight, I present Everyday Weirdness (clickable), an online magazine dedicated to bringing you the weirdest

Hold Me To It!! Pt. 3

2010-05-14T13:37:00.003-04:00

So, this week was pretty productive. I finished my short stories from last week, totaling 3600 words. Wrote an entirely new short story for another 1500 words. And started another with about 800 words in on it. Not a bad week. Could be better. No new poetry this week.So, now I'm pondering starting the rewrite on my novella. I'm turning it into a novel, as it's almost a novel anyhow, and I think

Funny Things About a Note from the Teacher

2010-05-13T10:22:00.006-04:00

So, no blog post yesterday, so you get the extra one on Tuesday and this one too. I think scheduling blog time helps keep me posting regularly. I always work better with a deadline. I was just very worn yesterday and I was a bit busy too. Hence, today's post.So anyway, my daughter, who is eight-going-on-nine as she makes sure I know every time age is a topic of discussion (as if I had forgotten

Free Fiction!

2010-05-11T21:22:00.002-04:00

My friend, Neil Colquhoun, has some fun stuff just for you. If you want some fiction for nothing, with no effort except to check your email, go here (clickable).And there's even an extra blog post from me today. Woo hoo!Peace & Love,~Effie

Spotlight Weird: Horror Bound Magazine

2010-05-10T14:55:00.003-04:00

This week in the weirdest spotlight, we're going to talk about Horror Bound Magazine (clickable). Horror Bound publishes fiction online of, well... you know what kind. Horror, dark fantasy, and the like.Some very interesting tales to be found on this little site. Lots of horrifying eye candy for those of us who love the strange and scary. I enjoy this online mag very much.Issue 12 features such

Hold Me To It Pt. 2

2010-05-07T18:04:00.003-04:00

This weeks word counts are much better than last week. I came in right at 5,800 words on various short stories, completing 2 and starting 3 more. Those 3 should be finished over the weekend. I also wrote 18 poems. A very, very productive week.I am very satisfied with my progress. I think this word count tracking may work this time. Keep your fingers crossed for me.Well, this post would be longer,

Cordless Dummies

2010-05-05T14:08:00.002-04:00

Ever notice how things without cord stop working more often than their corded counterparts? I have.Power drill? The cordless stopped working about 8 months after I got it.The corded power drill my father bought when I was a kid still works. That thing is over 20 years old!Hmm.Know how many cordless phones I have replaced? About 8.I still have the same corded phone I got when I had the phone put

Spotlight Weird: Shadowcast Audio Anthology

2010-05-03T14:48:00.006-04:00

This week in the Spotlight for all things weird, I'm going to tell you about the Shadowcast Audio Anthology (clickable). Run by editor Jason Warden, Shadowcast has some of the most interesting dark fiction I've ever heard. The readers for the anthology are great and more than easy to listen to.Each weekly episode brings you a new short story read by one of Shadowcast's great readers, which

Hold me to it!!! P. 1

2010-04-30T13:42:00.003-04:00

Okay, you guys. Here's the thing.I only wrote a little bit this week. A very little bit.A grand total of 2200 words.I know, that sucks huh?I have no defense except that I've been busy as hell. That's all I got, though. I'll make it up next week, I promise. Possibly over the weekend... who knows?As I sit here, looking at that paltry number and scoff a bit at myself, I want something from you guys.

Strange Beauty: Finding those things that strike hard

2010-04-28T12:58:00.004-04:00

Our world is full of things we tend to think of as less significant than we are. But in truth, that tree you climbed as a kid has been important to this place for longer than you have. A humbling thought, isn't it?Even with all our surroundings that we don't appreciate, there are beautiful things that we have to bring into being. In most cases, fire is one of them.A few weeks ago, my family and I

Spotlight Weird: Shock Totem Magazine

2010-04-26T14:10:00.005-04:00

Well, to kick off my new weekly feature, Spotlight Weird, I decided to start with my friends at Shock Totem: Curious Tales of the Macabre and Twisted (clickable). As you can see by the picture of issue one, shown above, it's a beautiful magazine. However, there's a lot more to Shock Totem than wicked cover art and quality binding. The magazine is chock full of excellent stories, interviews,

Okay, time to kick butt and chew bubblegum

2010-04-22T07:35:00.005-04:00

I'm so bad at this blogging thing. I have nothing to blog about. My life is fairly mundane... write, research, write, edit, revise, edit, revise, look for appropriate mag markets, write... feed my spawn at some point, write... almost write a blog post and then delete the draft because it's stupid.I'm a fiction writer. Writing about myself is tough. Or even writing about my writing. I am selfish

A Contest! ...Umm... not mine, though.

2010-04-11T13:34:00.002-04:00

My darling friend and fellow writer, Damien Grintalis, is holding a contest on her blog.A Contest, you say?Go, read the rules, do your thing. Win prizes! Yes, prizes! Bards & Sages Quarterly, features Miss Grintalis herself or a book. Go forth! Make that first sentence shine!Peace & Love, y'all~E.

Hometown Tragedy--The Montcoal Mine Explosion

2010-04-07T15:41:00.005-04:00

It's 3:00 a.m. and the alarm is going off. You haven't seen daylight in years, but you do what you have to do. This is your livelihood. You get up and dress, pack a cold lunch and drive, maybe a few minutes, maybe hours. When you get to work, you put on a hardhat and lay down on a trolley--the man-car--that will take you deep into a mountain. Thousands of feet deep.The hole you enter in only 20

Flash Fiction Contests: Podcasting, anyone?

2010-04-05T15:05:00.003-04:00

The people of Escape Artists are holding Flash Fiction contests, five hundred words or less, for each of the company's podcasts. Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror. Everything Masters of Horror is about, so I thought I'd share the info with you lovelies.Join the forums here and find the rules here.Each podcast zine has a different submission period so be sure to read when to send the different genre

Bunnies and Eggs

2010-04-04T18:25:00.001-04:00

Just to say Happy Easter to my friends, fiends and fans who celebrate, religiously or otherwise.Peace & Love, y'all~E

The Keepsake--short story up at SNM Horror Magazine

2010-04-01T18:40:00.002-04:00

Hello, lovelies.Want to have your breath taken away? Over at SNM Horror Magazine, 8 wonderful stories (including my own, The Keepsake) wait to suck the breath right out of you. And the lovely Diane Dooley has one up as well (After Happily Ever After). Check them out (check them ALL out please) and I promise, you won't go away disappointed. Both issues are excellent.April Asphyxiations at SNM!Give

Spitting Out the Unnecessaries

2010-03-25T18:05:00.006-04:00

Sometimes, writing is much like seeded grapes. You keep the good part and throw out the bitter seeds that you don't want or need.Nasty buggers, those seeds.When choosing what to throw out of your writing life, whether it be within a story or even in your "network" of writer-ish types, bear one thing in mind. You can't do everything for everyone, nor can you include every little thing. Sure

Time for Change!

2010-03-22T16:44:00.002-04:00

So, now that things are moving along, I do believe it's time to make some changes to the blog. Over the next week or so, I'll be changing theme, my blog title, adding additional pages. Keep an eye out for other news from me, coming soon--hopefully all the changes will be made before then.Peace & Love, y'all~E

So. What would you do, buddy?

2010-03-12T21:36:00.004-05:00

I love what if situations. You can ask what if till the proverbial cows make their way back to the green pastures of their birth and/or origin. What if is great.So, there's an idea. A little nugget of something squirming around in the back of thy sacred brain matter and it's half-formed. Half-baked. Still doughy in the middle.As I said, what if is great. So is "What would you do, buddy?" Want to

It's a Flash of Shocking Proportions!!!!

2010-02-21T19:14:00.003-05:00

Okay y'all. Listen up.The incredibly awesome people at Shock Totem Magazine are hosting a Flash Fiction Contest every month, with the exception of two months during which the previous winning stories will compete for possible publication in the magazine. So, how hard does that rock?Very hard, baby. Very, very hard.You can get the rules on the ST forum. Every entrant must become a member of the

Honest Scrap Crap

2010-02-20T12:14:00.006-05:00

So, some lovely writer type people, K. Wood and the lovely Mercedes Yardley, have done an "Honest Scrap" [Mercedes] except to K. Wood it was "Honest Crap" [K. Wood] (click for linkage) so I'm jumping in.So, here are ten true facts about me you didn't know (well, some of you did, but this is for everyone else, not you!)I'm filled with strange phobias and fears that seem irrational to "normal"

In a Moment

2010-02-15T19:28:00.002-05:00

Yeah, yeah I know, silence from me for so long and here I am, popping back to ask you to read more of my crap. But hey, if you're not busy and all and you want something to read (like who doesn't?) check out my article, In a Moment, a trio of poems that tell a very big story. At least I think they do...Peace & Love, y'all~E

Good will and good wishes

2009-12-24T20:23:00.002-05:00

To every one of every faith, Happy Holidays, whatever you may celebrate. May next year be fruitful and good. Enjoy your families, revel in love and be merry for this is a season of joy. Let all matters go and love one another because love is a universal language. One that will never die.Peace & Love, to every one...~E

Snow falls and Good People...

2009-12-19T18:59:00.006-05:00

It snowed here yesterday. I had an adventure. Busy stuff.I went Christmas shopping, for though I am an Atheist, I still celebrate holidays for my own reasons. Christmas is, for me, a time of charity and being with family, for appreciation of the year passed by. My children and husband are not Atheists, I do not impose my belief systems on them, and this celebration of togetherness gives us good

Children Are Marvels (A pondering of boys and their antics)

2009-12-05T00:33:00.007-05:00

Trouble is unavoidable most times; it always seems to find one at some point or another.What about my children? All we can do with our kids is hope they listen, but let me say I make it hard for them to avoid knowing what they do. I make a point to show my kids what they are doing to someone else when they act selfishly. I'll tell my sons to look at their sister, who is crying over some silly

On the mill...

2009-11-10T11:57:00.004-05:00

I have another story up at the Piker Press!This one is short--not very long at all at 700 words or so. But, it delves into grief and guilt, and maybe even responsibility. I guess that depends on your point of view.That's all I got. I don't blog nearly often enough, but I try when I have the time. But for now...Peace & Love, y'all~E.

Emerald Tales Special Edition Now Available!

2009-11-01T13:30:00.003-05:00

Emerald Tales newest issue, the special edition of "Masks (Appearances Can Be Deceiving)" is now available for purchase from Scribblers and Ink Spillers LLC in both electronic and print formats. My poem, "Terrible Beauty" is included in this edition, the sci-fi, horror, fantasy special, and costs 5 US dollars. Subscriptions can also be purchased for 24 US dollars. International subscriptions are

Halloween... and fall is almost over!

2009-10-31T12:26:00.025-04:00

It's that time, y'all. I promised pictures of my little slice of America and here they are.So, what kind of spooky things have I for you? Well, they aren't all spooky and scary, in fact none really are to me, but you know how that is. I'm jaded. So... first up is the fallen log.I love downed trees. Especially ones that have fallen naturally. I like the moss that grows on them, I like how they

New story up at the Piker Press

2009-10-19T18:15:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone.Go read my story, TEDDY, available now at the Piker Press. Also, a big thank you to the managing editor, Sand Pilarski, for being her. She's a great person to work with, easy going and just does an all around bang up job over at Piker.So, that's my update. More to come soon--I'm working hard on the photos for Halloween. Coming at you soon!Peace & Love, y'all.~E.

Coming soon to... well, my blog.

2009-10-06T13:51:00.003-04:00

Okay, so this is a blog post about an upcoming blog post.Yeah.I'm just giving everyone notice ahead of time that on Halloween, my blog will explode with all sorts of beautiful, creepy, wicked and spooky things. I've been traveling around my home and surrounding areas for about a month and a half now, taking pictures of all the fall foliage, as well as some of the stranger things I've run across,

To revisit an old work?

2009-10-02T14:02:00.004-04:00

Okay, so work on the current novel has all but stopped. When you only manage thirty words in two days, after a long silence on that front, it's time to give it up--at least for a while. It's that thirty thousand word wall. Sometimes, it takes a bit to scale it and climb down the other side. I will get there. I just need time away from the current work in progress. I'm causing a brain freeze with

Should I or Shouldn't I?

2009-09-29T15:36:00.002-04:00

I've had a couple of people tell me "you really shouldn't say this or that on your blog in that way" for different reasons. To that, I say...I am who I am and I will not pander to anyone for anything. I like me, for the most part. I'm not hard to get along with, I'm not snide or rude. I'm sarcastic and firm in my opinions, but that doesn't mean I feel others should see only my side. I'm

Music and why we love it (Part 1)

2009-09-22T12:53:00.003-04:00

I haven't been posting regularly. Once every few weeks isn't as often as I'd like, but most times I haven't the time. Eventually, I'll get around to it.Today, we're talking about music. I love music of all kinds... well, except gospel and new country. I can't get into any of the new country artists. It all sounds so cheap! No disrespect intended, but it does. And gospel is... well, gospel. My

Incredibly incredible credibles and other nonsense

2009-09-05T11:20:00.003-04:00

So, this is a fly by the seat of my pants post. I have no idea where it's going or what I'm going to say. You have been warned.First, my poem "Addicted" is up at Short Story Library. Stop by, take a read.... subscribe to the journal. There's some good fiction and poetry on that site. You're missing out if you don't go take a look-see.Second, my son will be celebrating his tenth birthday this

Interesting Story Formats

2009-08-11T12:31:00.002-04:00

Recently, I've noticed some interesting story formats. By recently, I mean in the last year or two. 100 word stories, Hint Fiction (click here for a call to submissions) which is a story of twenty-five words or less. These are intriguing little snippets that can be downright disturbing.I find these little tales fun to write. I've been writing them for a long time--not with publication in mind,

Talking seriously about horror

2009-08-09T12:17:00.005-04:00

Many people consider horror the bastard genre. That's just how it is."Oh, I can't read that! It's scary!"Yes, yes it is. Fear is powerful, almost too powerful. The most powerful of those fears is the fear of being afraid. Most people do not want to feel fear because it is sheer, raw emotion that they can control no more than they can control their breathing or heartbeat. Human fears are

Release Dates and LINKAGE!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-28T22:30:00.004-04:00

So, it's that time again. But this time, I have links and dates for you, so you should be happy.Short Story Library will be publishing my poem, titled "ADDICTED", on August 30, 2009. You can subscribe for their free newsletter for updates.The Piker Press has my story, "TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE", set up for release on November 9, 2009.Now, on to other things.I'm writing a lot of short stories lately.

No longer unpublished? Oh the HORROR!

2009-07-16T13:01:00.000-04:00

Well... unpublished doesn't quite fit anymore. Semi-published? Can I get away with that one? Would y'all forgive me for being semi-published? Can I still blog on The Life of an Unpublished Writer if I'm no longer "unpublished"?Why, fuck yeah I can!So, by now you've figured out that I'm having something published. Two somethings, actually. One is a poem, the other flash fiction (which is very

When Just Rescue isn't Enough

2009-06-27T17:51:00.004-04:00

Here's another insight to my life that my readership may not know. I'm a big dog lover. I love dogs of all kinds. St. Bernard's are my favorite breed, but the ones that really hold my heart like no other are pit bulls.I have a four-year-old male pit named Sarrow. He's red and white, red-nosed and too gentle to bite at flies. He's been in my family since he was three weeks old, and been a complete

Oh, you sexy BEAST you!

2009-06-24T11:31:00.004-04:00

I'm so sick of this new fad that has vampires as protagonists. They shouldn't be protagonists. I think ALL of these vampiric romances are gimmickry. Bland blah romance story, so what do we do? We make one half of the couple a vampire who hates themselves. COME ON!Let me ask this. Would you date someone who drank blood? Would you find Hannibal Lecter (fictional) or Jeffrey Dahmer (very real until

White dresses and burning candles

2009-06-13T23:16:00.006-04:00

Today, I watched my husband's youngest brother get married. Ben and Amanda have had a short romance, but I think they are well suited. I'm not one to say whirlwind will end in disaster. My husband and I'd been together for two months when he moved in with me, so I am living proof that whirlwind can turn out good. Wonderful in fact.I'd never been to the church the ceremony was held in. There

You know that certain appendage on a brass monkey...

2009-06-10T16:10:00.003-04:00

Balls. Do you have them? Anatomically, I don't.But in my work, I definitely do.No matter what I'm writing, I'm willing to take chances. I'm willing to pay to play. I'm definitely able to write good stuff.So why the hell don't I?Well, a couple reasons. I am not pounding out publishable prose on the first draft. Unless I somehow become a genius in the next twenty-four, I don't think I ever will.

Description

2009-05-30T01:00:00.000-04:00

Today, we are talking about descriptions. This was a recent discussion on Absolute Write and it got me thinking. When you are in school, they teach you to over-describe and put adverbs and adjectives everywhere. It's not good practice for fiction anymore. You can't get away with it. So, put it out of your head, for now. No adverbs. They are cheap and easy. I don't write cheap and easy, well, at

sex & sexuality

2009-05-28T20:06:00.004-04:00

Hehe. Bet that got your attention, huh? Now, as you may have figured out, we are going to talk about sex today, but not like you probably think. I'm making my comments not for shits and giggles, my friends. This is a serious post. Sorry.I'm so sick of people treating sex to different extremes. There's the: Sex is like the plague! extreme. And then there's: Sex is just a thing. Have a lot of it

Horror Hound

2009-05-14T13:37:00.004-04:00

Finding others like you is no easy task, especially if you are a writer with a very... different turn of mind. We all know what I write. (Horror! Yeah!!) We know why. What you don't know, is how I got there. Well, now is as good a time as any to tell you.My mother taught me to read when I was 3. She would read old Louis L'Amour westerns and teach me a bit from each chapter. By the time I was 5, I

The bells, the bells...

2009-05-11T21:50:00.003-04:00

You know what I love? Having an unconventional, but extremely good, idea. I have one. Just one, mind you. For now.But my bells have started ringing and I think this is my breakout book. No, not in publication, I'm just breaking out a bit more myself. Sorry, no pubs from me for a while, but when I do, people, you'll almost be the first to know. Surely at least the third... or fourth... I'll let

Gone

2009-04-29T03:18:00.001-04:00

Shivers runup and down, up and downCold grows closer, closerand even closer stillRampant imaginations run free,back and forth and back againDreaming things that never lie,never die, will never go awayLeaving all behind in a hatefulwake of insanityLost never to return to the placethey once called homeThey are now and always will beGone.Here's the first thing you'll ever read written by me.

Upcoming... no, don't get excited

2009-04-26T00:48:00.002-04:00

Hello. For all my blog fans out there, if there are any, I've decided to put up some of my dark poetry and flash fiction that I'm not hoping to publish for your reading pleasure. No, not in this post. But... stay tuned. They're coming... soon.I've been gone a while, so let's catch up, huh? I've completed a few more stories, which I now no longer have. That'll teach me not to back up my files, huh

Reconsidering publication... maybe

2009-04-07T19:21:00.005-04:00

Times are hard. I need to get my ass in gear and start subbing some work out. I really need to.I'm not sure if I will... yet.I feel like I'm grasping at straws. The horror magazines I know of probably wouldn't take my hack work. I need a paying market. I think my work is worth less than any paying market will offer.What to do?Fuck if I know.I've never published before. I say it a lot, but I'm not

The ups and downs of writing gasp Horror

2009-04-05T01:02:00.006-04:00

I enjoy what I write. I always have. Hearing people say "Oh my god, you write horror?" in just that way makes me giggle.I can write some sick, twisted stuff. I can. For that matter, anyone can. Everyone has a little psycho within. I just have a lot.Does that mean I'm weird? Yes. Yes it sure does. And know what? I like my weird.Does that mean I'm sick? Perhaps. Perhaps not. I'm not telling you.I

On my writing front

2009-03-29T02:17:00.002-04:00

Ever tried writing out of your comfort zone? Tricky business, that stuff. When what you are dealing with is the fantastic, bending reality is part of the fun. Creating something that isn't quite like anything else is amazing. But a few moments of genius in an otherwise forgettable scene doesn't make a good piece, no matter the size. It all has to work just so... and if you aren't comfortable

Sending Out Queries

2009-03-25T14:34:00.006-04:00

I queried a few agents today and a publisher. I'm thinking it's going to be a no-go on all accounts, but here's hoping I'm wrong. I'm probably not wrong, though. Rejection comes with the territory. I'm used to the idea of it and have no problem being told no. If I couldn't hear the word no, I'd be in the wrong business. Fortunately for me, I take rejection with a grain of salt, sure in the

The Joys of Parenthood

2009-03-22T12:27:00.000-04:00

Children. Kids. Rugrats.I have three. My oldest son, Dakota, is a sweet, good boy with a lot of anger problems. He is an introvert, much like myself, but he got his father's explosive temper. Not a good combination. Not a bad one either, though. He's highly intelligent. His teachers have shown me (on a silly chart graph, as if I were too stupid to understand the difference between above mark and

Beware the Bad Boys

2009-03-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

As a writer, especially a "new" or "unpublished" writer, it can be hard to determine which agents or publishers are legitimate and which are scams. There are quite a few that, while they may look great, sound great, act great are usually just cons in publishers clothing (or agents clothing, depending on the scam). How to know who's the real deal? Well, there are hundreds of thousands of websites

So, You Have a Big Idea

2009-03-17T15:08:00.000-04:00

That's how it usually starts, anyway. You have an idea, want to make it... something. What? Would it be a better book or movie? Short-story, perhaps? Poem? Right now, what is it? Just an idea, right? What do you want it to be?These are all questions we ask ourselves at some point in the initial creative process, but let's start with the idea. First, you have to decide what to do with it. Once

The Perfect Face

2009-03-16T15:36:00.000-04:00

One thing all readers want to know is what the character looks like. They want to see a face with each name. It can be hard for a writer to be able to describe a face. Many use pictures of actors and actresses, famous singers and what-not to help them visualize. Some go through magazines, tearing off one model's eyes, another one's nose, a torso here, a set of legs there; Frankenstein from scraps

On Writing And Rejection

2009-03-16T00:50:00.000-04:00

The life of a writer has to be the most interesting of any a person could have. Not a single moment is ever boring. A person can sit for hours working on a book and write not a single word down. So much of the real work goes on inside the head. A story can be written in minutes, just by thinking. Any particular thing is cause for our imaginations to be sparked: a bee buzzing annoyingly in your