Friday, February 10, 2012
Fans of horror, allow me to introduce myself...
George R. Lasher, at your service. Frequently seasoned with a dash of supernatural flavor, my short stories have appeared online in Suspense, Slurve, and The Ink Bean. Also, in paperback anthologies, The Writer's Bump, Under the Stairs, and Damn Faeries. What began as a hobby in 2000, is now a passionate obsession. World Castle Publishing has recently released my international thriller, THE FALCON AND HIS DESERT ROSE, in eBook and paperback. Read the 3 chapter preview before you buy, on Amazon.com http://www.writing.com/main/redirect.php?redirect_url=http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-His-Desert-Rose-ebook/dp/B005UD7R1C/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Author Q & A with writer Joann H. Buchanan
1. When did you start writing and why?
I started when I was a kid. My parents would ground me and I was only able to read or write. I literally can thank my parents for starting me on the path. I have always loved to read. When I discovered I could put whoever I wanted into stories and go where I wanted, I was hooked. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. It has changed my life and saved me a time or two.
2. Can you tell us a little about your book?
It’s a coming of age story about Jonah, who is about to find out he has the ability to become a wolf. He meets up with some old friends and soon learns they know more than they were telling him. When he meets Alaynee, he falls in love and is ready for life to be normal again. That is until Ralph, a poacher in the woods, decides he is going to kidnap Alaynee’s younger brother. While rescuing Squeaks, Alaynee’s baby brother, Jonah breaks the cardinal rule the clan has…never bite a human.
This is where all hell breaks lose. Ralph is then turned unto an Unnatural and is connected to Jonah. Now Jonah must track down the Unnatural and destroy it.
3. Care to share a brief excerpt or line from your book?
We all have those, the points where the line between reality and dreams blur. They still our hearts and make us all feel the warmth from within. They spark the angel within all of us and make us not only want, but need, to be better than we ever thought possible.
The girl Jonah had seen in the distance at the station was real. She had stolen his heart, and he didn’t even know her name.
With his shower finished, Jonah dried, dressed and raced down the stairs. There was a strong possibility she would be in town. Maybe I can find out who she is.
Bobby Joe and Jonah climbed into the newer looking red dodge truck.
“I forgot to ask your mom, but do you have a license?” Bobby Joe asked.
“I do, why?”
“You will need to get it changed over to Sisters before you can drive one of my trucks,” Bobby Joe replied. “I think I want to see how much practice you need.”
Bobby Joe handed Jonah the keys to the truck and got out. Jonah sat stunned for a second, then with eager delight jumped out and raced around to the other side. He climbed into the driver’s side, put the key in the ignition, and adjusted the mirror and seat. Bobby Joe cleared his throat and Jonah sheepishly put his seatbelt on. His heart raced at the thought of driving a car. From the time he’d gotten his license, Jonah had wanted a car–any car–to drive without the hassle of adult supervision. The prospect of attaining that sense of freedom was too much to pass up.
Jonah put the truck in reverse and turned it around, then headed out onto the two-lane highway into town. The grandeur of the mountains didn’t compare to the pride Jonah felt from being behind the wheel of his grandfather’s truck. He drove with ease through the winding roads. Normal, was the word that came to his mind when he maneuvered the truck like he had done it for years. The lack of traffic helped ease any anxiety he had about the fact that he was driving Bobby Joe’s truck. The undisclosed desires of all are often those we seek without realizing it. Jonah hadn’t realized until this very moment how much he wanted the freedom of having his own car.
They passed around the bend leading towards Broken Top Mountain and everything in Jonah’s mind faded. With what little control he had left, Jonah pulled the truck over. Rhythmic drums followed by a soft pitched single male voice echoed all around him. When Jonah peered off into the distance, he witnessed the heavens opening up just above Broken Top Mountain. The spirit of a shaman danced the warriors dance around the mountain top. Spiritual winds carrying the shapes of wolves rushed passed the old shaman in the sky. A dark ominous smoke rose up from the mountains then slammed down into them, causing a sound loud enough to wake the seven sleeping spirits from heaven. Jonah reached up and cupped his ears from the sound. A light touch crossed his hand.
“Jonah, can you hear me?” the voice asked.
The images disappeared with a clap of thunder and a single word, ‘TIBOLT’. Jonah looked over at his grandfather, who had a proud look on his face. “You are going to be fine,” Bobby Joe said.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind,” Jonah said, fighting back tears.
4. How many books have you written/published? Are currently working on any new ones now?
Written, 4. Published 2 . There are some stories that will never see the light of day. I’m currently working on book 2 of The Children of Nox series. I’m also working on two stand alone novels, one is called Dragon’s Eye and the other is Chaos and the Beltane.
5. Why did you pick the genre that you currently write in, and have you/are you ever going to try another genre?
I don’t think we pick the genre we write in. I think in some ways it chooses us. We are nothing more than conduits, receiving the story and translating worlds that already exist.
6. Who is your favorite writer, and why?
WOW that is a loaded question…I have to start with Stephen King and David B. Coe then Frank Herbert.
Each one great story tellers in their own right and hopefully one day they will read something I have written. Although Frank Herbert would be a little harder to hear from…lol.
7. Do you have a favorite book? If so, what is it?
There are too many.
8. Tell us a little about your creative process…
I write the bones first. Then I start with a blank page again and do the rewrite. At this point I know that it is clear what is going to happen in the story. Also I can play with the style more and have more fun with the words. I don’t use an outline. I can’t stand losing the surprise when I read or write.
9. Where can readers find you or your books online?
My twitter @JoannHBuchanan
My FB is http://www.facebook.com/JoannHBuchanan
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5157083.Joann_Buchanan
I Am Wolf Book 1 Children of Nox you can order it at any book store. Also it’s located on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Am-Wolf-Children-Nox-ebook/dp/B0070PBFLQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328835048&sr=1-1
Soulless Light
http://www.amazon.com/Soulless-Light-ebook/dp/B005MEKQR6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328835095&sr=1-1
10. What’s the best and worst experiences you’ve had as a writer?
The best experience was getting my first contract for Soulless Light. That was the first publication I received and it was a novella so I wasn’t expecting it at all.
The worst part is the waiting. You are constantly in a waiting game in this field. You are waiting to receive notice from agents, publishers and editors. You never know what to think and if people are going to take you on. All of it is a risk in this business. You never know what people are going to like. It takes a lot of time and in that time, just keep writing. That is the best way to take care of the waiting game.
11. What’s your ultimate goal as a writer?
I would love to see inspiration come from what I write. I would like people to really enjoy my work. That’s really what it’s all about. Ultimately I would love to see I Am Wolf turned into a movie. I mean what writer doesn’t want that…lol. Seriously though, I just want my readers to love what they read.
I started when I was a kid. My parents would ground me and I was only able to read or write. I literally can thank my parents for starting me on the path. I have always loved to read. When I discovered I could put whoever I wanted into stories and go where I wanted, I was hooked. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t write. It has changed my life and saved me a time or two.
2. Can you tell us a little about your book?
It’s a coming of age story about Jonah, who is about to find out he has the ability to become a wolf. He meets up with some old friends and soon learns they know more than they were telling him. When he meets Alaynee, he falls in love and is ready for life to be normal again. That is until Ralph, a poacher in the woods, decides he is going to kidnap Alaynee’s younger brother. While rescuing Squeaks, Alaynee’s baby brother, Jonah breaks the cardinal rule the clan has…never bite a human.
This is where all hell breaks lose. Ralph is then turned unto an Unnatural and is connected to Jonah. Now Jonah must track down the Unnatural and destroy it.
3. Care to share a brief excerpt or line from your book?
We all have those, the points where the line between reality and dreams blur. They still our hearts and make us all feel the warmth from within. They spark the angel within all of us and make us not only want, but need, to be better than we ever thought possible.
The girl Jonah had seen in the distance at the station was real. She had stolen his heart, and he didn’t even know her name.
With his shower finished, Jonah dried, dressed and raced down the stairs. There was a strong possibility she would be in town. Maybe I can find out who she is.
Bobby Joe and Jonah climbed into the newer looking red dodge truck.
“I forgot to ask your mom, but do you have a license?” Bobby Joe asked.
“I do, why?”
“You will need to get it changed over to Sisters before you can drive one of my trucks,” Bobby Joe replied. “I think I want to see how much practice you need.”
Bobby Joe handed Jonah the keys to the truck and got out. Jonah sat stunned for a second, then with eager delight jumped out and raced around to the other side. He climbed into the driver’s side, put the key in the ignition, and adjusted the mirror and seat. Bobby Joe cleared his throat and Jonah sheepishly put his seatbelt on. His heart raced at the thought of driving a car. From the time he’d gotten his license, Jonah had wanted a car–any car–to drive without the hassle of adult supervision. The prospect of attaining that sense of freedom was too much to pass up.
Jonah put the truck in reverse and turned it around, then headed out onto the two-lane highway into town. The grandeur of the mountains didn’t compare to the pride Jonah felt from being behind the wheel of his grandfather’s truck. He drove with ease through the winding roads. Normal, was the word that came to his mind when he maneuvered the truck like he had done it for years. The lack of traffic helped ease any anxiety he had about the fact that he was driving Bobby Joe’s truck. The undisclosed desires of all are often those we seek without realizing it. Jonah hadn’t realized until this very moment how much he wanted the freedom of having his own car.
They passed around the bend leading towards Broken Top Mountain and everything in Jonah’s mind faded. With what little control he had left, Jonah pulled the truck over. Rhythmic drums followed by a soft pitched single male voice echoed all around him. When Jonah peered off into the distance, he witnessed the heavens opening up just above Broken Top Mountain. The spirit of a shaman danced the warriors dance around the mountain top. Spiritual winds carrying the shapes of wolves rushed passed the old shaman in the sky. A dark ominous smoke rose up from the mountains then slammed down into them, causing a sound loud enough to wake the seven sleeping spirits from heaven. Jonah reached up and cupped his ears from the sound. A light touch crossed his hand.
“Jonah, can you hear me?” the voice asked.
The images disappeared with a clap of thunder and a single word, ‘TIBOLT’. Jonah looked over at his grandfather, who had a proud look on his face. “You are going to be fine,” Bobby Joe said.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind,” Jonah said, fighting back tears.
4. How many books have you written/published? Are currently working on any new ones now?
Written, 4. Published 2 . There are some stories that will never see the light of day. I’m currently working on book 2 of The Children of Nox series. I’m also working on two stand alone novels, one is called Dragon’s Eye and the other is Chaos and the Beltane.
5. Why did you pick the genre that you currently write in, and have you/are you ever going to try another genre?
I don’t think we pick the genre we write in. I think in some ways it chooses us. We are nothing more than conduits, receiving the story and translating worlds that already exist.
6. Who is your favorite writer, and why?
WOW that is a loaded question…I have to start with Stephen King and David B. Coe then Frank Herbert.
Each one great story tellers in their own right and hopefully one day they will read something I have written. Although Frank Herbert would be a little harder to hear from…lol.
7. Do you have a favorite book? If so, what is it?
There are too many.
8. Tell us a little about your creative process…
I write the bones first. Then I start with a blank page again and do the rewrite. At this point I know that it is clear what is going to happen in the story. Also I can play with the style more and have more fun with the words. I don’t use an outline. I can’t stand losing the surprise when I read or write.
9. Where can readers find you or your books online?
My twitter @JoannHBuchanan
My FB is http://www.facebook.com/JoannHBuchanan
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5157083.Joann_Buchanan
I Am Wolf Book 1 Children of Nox you can order it at any book store. Also it’s located on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Am-Wolf-Children-Nox-ebook/dp/B0070PBFLQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328835048&sr=1-1
Soulless Light
http://www.amazon.com/Soulless-Light-ebook/dp/B005MEKQR6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328835095&sr=1-1
10. What’s the best and worst experiences you’ve had as a writer?
The best experience was getting my first contract for Soulless Light. That was the first publication I received and it was a novella so I wasn’t expecting it at all.
The worst part is the waiting. You are constantly in a waiting game in this field. You are waiting to receive notice from agents, publishers and editors. You never know what to think and if people are going to take you on. All of it is a risk in this business. You never know what people are going to like. It takes a lot of time and in that time, just keep writing. That is the best way to take care of the waiting game.
11. What’s your ultimate goal as a writer?
I would love to see inspiration come from what I write. I would like people to really enjoy my work. That’s really what it’s all about. Ultimately I would love to see I Am Wolf turned into a movie. I mean what writer doesn’t want that…lol. Seriously though, I just want my readers to love what they read.
Deep Screams Giveaway by G. R. Holton
My name is G. R. Holton and I am a Science Fiction/Horror Author. I am going to giveaway four pdf copies of my novel Deep Screams.
Deep Screams has won the 2011 Best Science Fiction form BooksandAuthors.net and at points is more horror than Sci/Fi.
Enter a comment about this between now and the 19th and you too could win an award winning copy of a novel one reader called "the most horrific science fiction he ever read."
www.grholton.com for more about me and my writing.
Deep Screams has won the 2011 Best Science Fiction form BooksandAuthors.net and at points is more horror than Sci/Fi.
Enter a comment about this between now and the 19th and you too could win an award winning copy of a novel one reader called "the most horrific science fiction he ever read."
www.grholton.com for more about me and my writing.
Monday, February 6, 2012
FREE KINDLE EBOOK GIVEAWAY
Troy McCombs is giving away FOUR Free ebooks (in Kindle format) of his new horror novel, 'The House on Mayberry Road'
Enter to win yours! Giveaway begins Monday, February 13 and ends Sunday, February 19th.
To find more information about this fresh take on the old haunted house story, please click HERE
To enter, COMMENT BELOW
Enter to win yours! Giveaway begins Monday, February 13 and ends Sunday, February 19th.
To find more information about this fresh take on the old haunted house story, please click HERE
To enter, COMMENT BELOW
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Attention! Horror/sci-fi/fantasy writers! Definitely check this out!
Love horror? The supernatural? Those things that go BUMP in the night? Horror is about to get a revolutionary new makeover. A new door is about to open. Care to learn more? Keep reading.
Hello. My name is Troy McCombs, and I am a horror author. I’ve created a blog for and about authors of the horror/supernatural/science fiction/dark fantasy genres. I’m sending this letter to as many of those authors as I possibly can so they too can promote their, as well as other people’s, books.
Every Monday we will feature a new book to giveaway from one author who joins the blog. At the end of the week, they will either send a free paperback copy to the winner, or an ebook copy.
Every week I will send a questionnaire to one writer, asking a variety of questions about their published/upcoming book. After I receive the answers back, I will post them on the site.
Every day one chosen writer will post up info about his/her book, a small photo of it, a description, where it can be bought, and anything else they might want to add. If possible, also include a brief excerpt of the book.
NOTE: Every day, it is the responsibility of EVERYONE who belongs to the site to promote the book of the writer chosen for that day. You can promote it anywhere: FB, Twitter, Myspace, Amazon (by clicking YES on the 4/5 star reviews/recommendations), Goodreads, your own friends/followers--anywhere you like. You don’t have to spend the whole day promoting it; just do what you can, and it will be appreciated by the writer. J
Every day, I will also hold a poll on the site, asking all those who’ve joined to vote on whatever the day’s topic might be, whether that be favorite science fiction movie, best John Carpenter movie, etc.
Additionally, every day, one person will be in charge of writing a post about whatever he/she feels relevant to the subject of our genre, whether it be about the facts about/dangers of cloning: science fiction; whether we’ve ever experienced any supernatural activity in our lives: horror; and whether elves or unicorns exist: fantasy. It could be anything under the genres of this site, but it has to be fact-based, or at least possible in the scope of reality. Anything you are interested in posting.
I will also set up one or two Facebook groups to handle our business: posting dates doc., giveaway week doc.; author info doc/ promo.
Feel free to invite as many friends and followers to the site so they can join in on this fantastic event. It begins Monday, February 13th.
--Troy McCombs
tmhorror.blogspot.com -------(this will be our site)
ehorror.webs.com
Hello. My name is Troy McCombs, and I am a horror author. I’ve created a blog for and about authors of the horror/supernatural/science fiction/dark fantasy genres. I’m sending this letter to as many of those authors as I possibly can so they too can promote their, as well as other people’s, books.
Every Monday we will feature a new book to giveaway from one author who joins the blog. At the end of the week, they will either send a free paperback copy to the winner, or an ebook copy.
Every week I will send a questionnaire to one writer, asking a variety of questions about their published/upcoming book. After I receive the answers back, I will post them on the site.
Every day one chosen writer will post up info about his/her book, a small photo of it, a description, where it can be bought, and anything else they might want to add. If possible, also include a brief excerpt of the book.
NOTE: Every day, it is the responsibility of EVERYONE who belongs to the site to promote the book of the writer chosen for that day. You can promote it anywhere: FB, Twitter, Myspace, Amazon (by clicking YES on the 4/5 star reviews/recommendations), Goodreads, your own friends/followers--anywhere you like. You don’t have to spend the whole day promoting it; just do what you can, and it will be appreciated by the writer. J
Every day, I will also hold a poll on the site, asking all those who’ve joined to vote on whatever the day’s topic might be, whether that be favorite science fiction movie, best John Carpenter movie, etc.
Additionally, every day, one person will be in charge of writing a post about whatever he/she feels relevant to the subject of our genre, whether it be about the facts about/dangers of cloning: science fiction; whether we’ve ever experienced any supernatural activity in our lives: horror; and whether elves or unicorns exist: fantasy. It could be anything under the genres of this site, but it has to be fact-based, or at least possible in the scope of reality. Anything you are interested in posting.
I will also set up one or two Facebook groups to handle our business: posting dates doc., giveaway week doc.; author info doc/ promo.
Feel free to invite as many friends and followers to the site so they can join in on this fantastic event. It begins Monday, February 13th.
--Troy McCombs
tmhorror.blogspot.com -------(this will be our site)
ehorror.webs.com
Friday, March 18, 2011
H.P. Lovecraft - horror lit genious
If not for Lovecraft, there would be no Cthulhu mythos. If not for Lovecraft, there would not be rats in the walls or a whisperer in the darkness. If not for Lovecraft, I probably wouldn't have a favorite horror author. Howard Phillips paved the way for literary horror fiction in the twentieth century. His stories make your skin crawl, send your pulse racing when he describes vaguely yet frighteningly the horrors which mankind cannot see or imagine without losing his/her mind. And there were times when my mind was set on edge by reading his prose. His ideas grip your imagination and make you wonder whether we're alone on this earth or if there are older, wiser things buried beneath sandy deserts, deep oceans, or outer-space. No other writer (that I've read so far) has made me feel the way he does while reading his material.
I guess it's safe to say his writing is definitely an acquired taste. I even watched a documentary about him once where someone said his writing is 'anal retentive'. That may be so, but there is no denying that most of his work can chill you to the bone if you understand what he means and the way you interpret it. Many of his stories have 'twist' endings, where the reader is led to somewhere unusual and then BOOM--something happens you don't expect. Stories of such include 'Cool Air', 'The Music of Erich Zann', 'The Outsider', alongside many others. I like being shocked at the end of a story, especially when you finally realize what he meant when he said about something earlier you didn't quite understand.
"The Call of Cthulhu" is about a massive octipod creature from outside our known realm of space who sleeps in the Pacific Ocean, waiting for the stars in the sky to be right again so that he can wake once more. "From Beyond" is about a mad scientist who creates a machine that stimulates the human 'Pineal Gland', letting the scientist and his assistant the ability to see into intersecting dimensions filled with other physical (and non) beings swimming around us at all times. These are just some of the amazing ideas and worlds Lovecraft has created. It's just ashame he didn't live very long, so he could have done more. His work didn't become as popular till later on, after his death.
But more and more new writers (and readers) have found, read and appreciated the gift he bestowed upon the world. I hope he grows more popular as time goes on. And if you haven't read anything of his yet, I suggest you try a few of his stories on for size. Within the last 20-25 years, many of his stories have been made into films, including 'Re-animator', 'From Beyond', 'The Unnamable', and several others. Still, movies based on his short stories are coming out all the time, one of them which I'm dying to see: "The Whisperer in Darkness", one of my favorite stories of his.
Despite what happens in the future, I'm sure Lovecraft's legacy will go on. I have even adapted his short story format into the way I write, using twist endings and unusual ideas. May his work forever have an audience, and may one day Cthulhu rise from the ocean in his honor!
I guess it's safe to say his writing is definitely an acquired taste. I even watched a documentary about him once where someone said his writing is 'anal retentive'. That may be so, but there is no denying that most of his work can chill you to the bone if you understand what he means and the way you interpret it. Many of his stories have 'twist' endings, where the reader is led to somewhere unusual and then BOOM--something happens you don't expect. Stories of such include 'Cool Air', 'The Music of Erich Zann', 'The Outsider', alongside many others. I like being shocked at the end of a story, especially when you finally realize what he meant when he said about something earlier you didn't quite understand.
"The Call of Cthulhu" is about a massive octipod creature from outside our known realm of space who sleeps in the Pacific Ocean, waiting for the stars in the sky to be right again so that he can wake once more. "From Beyond" is about a mad scientist who creates a machine that stimulates the human 'Pineal Gland', letting the scientist and his assistant the ability to see into intersecting dimensions filled with other physical (and non) beings swimming around us at all times. These are just some of the amazing ideas and worlds Lovecraft has created. It's just ashame he didn't live very long, so he could have done more. His work didn't become as popular till later on, after his death.
But more and more new writers (and readers) have found, read and appreciated the gift he bestowed upon the world. I hope he grows more popular as time goes on. And if you haven't read anything of his yet, I suggest you try a few of his stories on for size. Within the last 20-25 years, many of his stories have been made into films, including 'Re-animator', 'From Beyond', 'The Unnamable', and several others. Still, movies based on his short stories are coming out all the time, one of them which I'm dying to see: "The Whisperer in Darkness", one of my favorite stories of his.
Despite what happens in the future, I'm sure Lovecraft's legacy will go on. I have even adapted his short story format into the way I write, using twist endings and unusual ideas. May his work forever have an audience, and may one day Cthulhu rise from the ocean in his honor!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Me and my first love--writing
My name is Troy. My first, truest, and ultimate love is self-expression. I've been writing since the third grade, when our teacher made us write a story for class. That did it for me. I was hooked. I'm 30 now; I was 9 then. I've taken long breaks over the years, but I've never completely stopped, not even during my more depressed and doubtful times. Horror, science fiction, and fantasy are my fortes, though I have branched out: screenplays, poetry, philosophies, short stories, coming-of-age dramas, action, suspense ... you name it, I wrote it. One of the biggest contributors, I believe, to why I enjoy it so much, is because since childhood, I've had a crippling social anxiety disorder. When I'm around crowds or people I don't know, I freeze up, become very quiet. My heart pounds against my chest. I used to even black out and have panic attacks (very unpleasant experience, in case you never had one before). Don't know why I was always shy and awkward. Kids in school made it even worse. So, since I couldn't express myself verbally, I guess I used writing as a second form of communication. Strangely enough, I feel closer to God (or some divine force) whenever I have that spark of creativity. I feel like I'm closer to something larger than myself. It's actually like taking medicine.
So I guess this is where I say I start writing blogs to expose myself further out into the world. I don't care if I'm rich, or famous, or popular, or whatever. I just want my stories to reach people. To show people a side of myself I never could before, especially as a kid when I needed to most. I want people to read something of mine and understand where I'm coming from, to take people on a journey into a brave new world they've never seen before. I want to share a part of my soul with humanity.
If you're interested in checking out any of my work, it's all available on Amazon.com. Just type my name in the spacebar there and my ebooks will come up. :)
So I guess this is where I say I start writing blogs to expose myself further out into the world. I don't care if I'm rich, or famous, or popular, or whatever. I just want my stories to reach people. To show people a side of myself I never could before, especially as a kid when I needed to most. I want people to read something of mine and understand where I'm coming from, to take people on a journey into a brave new world they've never seen before. I want to share a part of my soul with humanity.
If you're interested in checking out any of my work, it's all available on Amazon.com. Just type my name in the spacebar there and my ebooks will come up. :)
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