Hello everyone in Internet land! I will be running a workshop at the Virginia Writer's Symposium on "How to Write Horror."

I will be delving into fear, writing, and publishing horror.

I want to invite everyone to join, as there will be a lot of great workshops there! Come see me and others who can help you in your writing careers!

The theme this year is From Pondering to Publishing to Promoting. Invite anyone and everyone that needs help with any of these in their writing career.

See you on Saturday.

You can sign up at:
www.virginiawritersclub.org/Workshop-Information

You can look up the workshops at:
www.facebook.com/VirginiaWritersClub/

The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker follows two characters that many who have read his books might know, Pinhead (the Hell Priest) and Harry D'Amour. Harry is a man on a mission, to stop hell and save lives. He is a private detective who gets dragged into the world of Pinhead, who is referred to throughout the book as the Hell Priest. Harry ends up having to follow Pinhead to hell to save one of his longtime friends, the blind Norma. Pinhead has great aspirations, and goes through the book expounding on his power so he can be the one true ruler, of hell.

When I looked at this book and the reviews I was surprised that several people did not like it. For what it is, I didn't think it was bad at all. In all honesty, I will say it may not be as good as The Hellbound Heart or The Books of Blood, which were all fabulous, but it did have one character that has fascinated me since I read The Hellbound Heart, Pinhead. Throughout this novel Pinhead shows the reality of how evil he really is, or maybe I should say how evil he was created to be. If we take both the novels revolving around Pinhead and the movies into consideration, he wasn't always evil.

In this novel, Pinhead has aspirations to take control over Hell, and for some reason he has chosen Harry to be his reporter. He wants Harry to see everything, and tell the world of what he has done. In the end, Harry and his friends, Caz, Norma, Lana, and Dale, are all drawn into hell to witness the fight between Pinhead and Lucifer, and see who comes out as the victor.

While this may have been unconventional, it doesn't involve several cenobites, just Pinhead and one other, it was an interesting insight into Pinhead, and had a good arc to his story. I feel as if the Pinhead story was finished with this novel, and it satisfied me.

I can't say I know much about Harry's character, but I did enjoy parts of his story and what he did in this novel. I think the more interesting characters were all of the sidekicks. Norma, who could see ghosts, and was blind. Lana, a strong and weak woman at the same time, who did what she needed to, even if it was something she was not looking forward to doing. Dale, a young man who saw the future in his dreams. And Caz, a tattoo artist who gave special tattoos that would warn the wearer of imminent danger.

Several people did not enjoy this book, and I get it. It isn't as suave or as well written as The Hellbound Heart, however, what it gave to Pinhead, the end to his story, was pretty decent, and I enjoyed it. It may not be the best book by Clive Barker, but I did enjoy it, and it kept me interested. I was interested, not only in Pinhead, but also Lucifer (I've been reading a lot of boos about Hell lately, and Lucifer), and the cohorts of Harry. Plus, people can't expect to read the same things over and over, I mean, how many people does Pinhead have to torture to prove how evil he is.

I think you, yeah you out there in internet land, should spend some time and read this. It isn't bad, and it closes some of the stories that Barker has written in a satisfactory manner.

The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey was an interesting zombie book about a bunch of children who don’t know they are anything but. The characters are there to protect themselves, teach the children, and to use the children to find a way to save humanity. Dr. Caldwell has one mission, and she keeps doing it, even if it goes against everything else everyone else wants. She doesn’t care about the cost, or repercussions of what she has and continues to do. Melanie is the main character, and the smartest child in the classroom. She waits every day for her favorite teacher, Miss Justineau. Justineau shows that she cares for the children, but she isn’t supposed to care, nor is she supposed to forget what they are – monsters.
 
The characters were all very interesting, although I did get frustrated with Dr. Caldwell and Sargent Parks. Caldwell is over and over only concerned with the children, and when she loses some of them she treats Melanie like property. I know this was part of the book, and that Dr. Caldwell had a purpose and wasn’t supposed to be liked. I realize that she was there to find the answers for the greater good. But, there could have been one moment of humanity from her, one moment, that made me not dislike her, one moment where she learned something from what she had been doing.
 
Sargent Parks could have been a little more interesting as well. He was the typical military man, only doing what his orders required him to do. Keeping the humans safe, not worrying about the “Hungaries” or zombies, and watching out for the “Junkers” – the men and women who survived the infection and live their lives as scavengers. I do get a little tired of seeing stringent military men, who follow the code, no matter what happens. They always end up the same way in books like this, dead, learning slowly along the way that they don’t have to treat the monsters as they do, because in reality, the monsters are the humans.
 
The relationship between Melanie and Miss Justineau was interesting, as it did make me wonder where the children who these people are using came from. Justineau was a mother figure to some, and a savior to at least one. The mother/daughter relationship develops in a way, that in the end one wonders who is the mother and who is the daughter.
 
The idea of the “Hungaries” in this book was interesting, although I would have like a little more backstory, as I didn’t see enough of what made the zombies different, besides a desire to eat human flesh. However, the idea of how these children will develop, and what they will do for the future. It all brings up the question, how will humanity save humanity? In the end will the human race find their humanity, or will they find ways to continue to destroy it.
 
In today’s society, and the political and moral climate that we currently live in, this book begs the question: how should we treat those who are different? And what steps should we take to protect and save those who can’t always save or protect themselves. It’s a frightening time, and this book, again about an apocalypse, makes one thing about their own humanity.

There are some places that tug at us, they call us as a writer and beg to be written about. I have yet to write about Maine, but part of that is because I wasn't living in Maine, and still don't. I do enjoy visiting, and have for the last 15 years or so. I enjoy the coast, I enjoy the flavor of the stillness, and I enjoy the food. The people are interesting, and the scenery is both breathtaking and eerie. Two nights ago I watched the fog roll in over the ocean. It was fascinating and frightening. It made me think of the movie THE FOG and I wondered what could come in with the fog.

Now I write horror, mostly, but lately I've been working on both science fiction and non-fiction. I've got one book in the realm of science fiction already finished, and it is in the editing and rewriting stage. I've got to get it through the a critique group first to see if it makes any sense. I am also working on two non-fiction pieces, one about the stupid things people say when someone dies, and the other is a fun little humor book of conversations I made up that I've has with my cat.

And back to Maine. Today was another day like any other. The reason I am in Maine, my Father-in-Law's memorial service. There will be a few popular, or once popular people there, and I know mostly none of their names. I look around and I can see why Stephen King liked it around Maine. There are a lot of spooky people and places here. There is the fog the rolls in, and sweeps its light fingers over the land, crawling in like the tendrils of an octopus's arm.

There are islands with single homes on them, and you can't help but wonder who lives there? Is it a person who likes to bring people to their island to hunt them down and kill them for sport? Is it a person who likes to torture women in his dining room by tying them to dinner chairs and forcing them to converse with them while the sit shaking in a fancy cocktail dress? Is it a person who likes to keep different men trapped in different rooms of their house so they can mate with them, or possibly use them as a brothel for special women to vacation at? There are several possibilities and they are all enchanting and fascinating.

Maine can be the home of horror and terror. Maine can be a nice place for a summer vacation where one can gorge themselves on lobster, or a winter solace where they can sit with a hot toddy and read a frightening book under a super warm blanket. There are a lot of things to love about Maine, and as an author, I really enjoy the look and feel of it. Of course I may also gorge myself on fresh seafood, but that is life. If I can't get good Mexican food, I will eat all the fresh seafood I can get!

First I want to apologize for not blogging for a while. Life has been very busy and of course I will talk a little about that in a minute.

I want to post about a book signing event I will be doing in December. I will be at the Downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia library from 1-3pm. The address is 1201 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 and I hope to see some people there. I am very excited to introduce myself to the people of Virginia. I am currently working on the final book for my zombie series, and another project for NaNoWriMo. I decided not to work on my zombie novel for NaNoWriMo because I didn't want to rush myself. Yes, I know some of you are asking why not, since I do need to get it out and you are waiting anxiously to see how things end.

Besides the books I have been teaching several English classes, which means lots and lots of grading papers. So I haven't been as vigilant with my blog, or updates, or even watching movies. In fact the last thing I watched was the entire SAW series since it is currently on Netflix.

I also received some bad news about one of my kittens. Well, she isn't really a kitten since she is seventeen years old. She is sick and was given less than a year to live, which has been very upsetting. I am trying to make sure that she has a good quality of life, and am giving her anything she wants to eat. In the last three months she has lost 2 1/2 pounds, which is not good at all for an already thin cat.

I do promise to try harder, and I will hopefully have some things to blog about in the next coming weeks.

So please, if you have a chance try to come to the book signing!!! It will be a blast and hey, you can get to know a little more about how a horror writer thinks.

Today I have a treat for you, an interview with author and playwright Wayne Miller. Mr. Miller has written and produced several plays in and around the Huntsville, Alabama area, and is known for not shying away from tough subjects. He has also recently released his first novel, to which there are links at the bottom of the interview.

You have written plays and at least one novel, do you have a preference of which you write?
Not really. I love both. Each has its own unique charms. I do like that plays don't take as long to write, though.
 
What is your favorite genre to work on, since you have written in several genres? Why?
I'm a Horror junkie, through and through. As to why, exactly, I don't really know. It could be as simple as my parents letting me watch old monster movies when I was little. Or I could get all deep and psychological with it and comment on the ways in which make-believe horrors make the horrors of the real world easier to process; how Horror as a genre allows human beings to experience fear in a safe way, and how it is vital to our mental health to develop the proper coping mechanisms for dealing with fear. Or, if you ask some people, I'm just a sicko. You can take your pick. :)
 
What is the first book that made you cry? Why?
I honestly can't remember. I know Where the Red Fern Grows damn near killed me in elementary school.
 
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into? What changed your mind about them.
I used to hate the Harry Potter books. Not so much because I thought they were bad. There were just so, so many Fantasy books I thought were more worthy of all the attention, and all these kids had never heard of them. But watching the movies (because my wife made me) led me to a respect for the overall story. Plus Twilight came along and made me realize just how good the Harry Potter books were, after all, and deserving of the accolades.
 
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Both. But it's a good exhaustion.
 
You just published your first novel, did you find the experience exhausting or inspiring? Why?
Inspiring. I detest the traditional publishing route, had tried to go that route, and even used to work in that industry. Technology has advanced to the point that an author doesn't have to choose between traditional publishing with all its drawbacks and throwing money away on a vanity press. It is now possible to go around the minefield.
 
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It didn't, really. If anything, maybe I won't second guess myself so much in the future, worrying about whether something I want to do or say will satisfy some industry crony.
 
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends. If the book is set in the present day, that requires little in the way of research. Historical stories are more involved.
 
What did you edit out of this book? Why?
This one? Me – yes this recent one. Just a word here, a sentence there. I didn't make any big cuts.
 
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
On books I want to read. The best thing a writer can do is read as much as he can get his hands on. Read for pleasure. Read to educate yourself. Read to study style.
 
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
There are so many. One of the biggest, I'd say, is grammar. You have to learn the rules before you break the rules. Back when I used to work as a submissions editor, if a manuscript came across my desk and there were grammatical mistakes or misspelled words, I'd dismiss it out of hand. One must learn to write properly before he can make the words "sing."
 
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I've been to Cross Plains, Texas, home to Robert E. Howard, several times. I've visited the Rosenbach Museum in Philadelphia, where they have the original notes Bram Stoker wrote for Dracula and a whole wing dedicated to Maurice Sendek, author of Where the Wild Things Are. I've sat in the sharecropper's shack in Louisiana where the "Brer Rabbit" stories were first compiled.
 
In your opinion, what is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
Those literary agents who've figured a way around the rule against charging reader's fees, in fact some of the biggest names in the business are guilty of it, and they get away with it because of who they are.
 
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I have to be alone to write. If anyone else is around I can't do it.
 
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
I'm not the fastest typist. I really should have taken typing in high school, but who knew I'd need it one day?
 
Websites Mr. Miller writes for: vampires.com, werewolves.com, zombies.org, topcomics.com, and darkness.com.
 
Mr. Miller’s newest novel is The Confessions of Saint Christopher: Werewolf and it is available at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/734763
 
His personal website is evilcheezproductions.blogspot.com and he is on Facebook as "Evil Cheez Productions."

This Saturday, September 10, several authors will be participating in an author's expo in Huntsville, Alabama. I will be one of them.

If you want to come meet me, talk zombies and/or horror, buy a book or two and explore works by other authors come on by. The event is free to attend, and you get the chance to meet and talk with authors, and you can get some signed books to show off to your friends or give as a Christmas gift (winter is coming).

The website is https://www.evensi.us/southern-authors-expo-downtown-huntsville-library/180670978

Hope to see you this weekend! I love meeting fans and readers alike!

So next weekend, one day only, I will be selling books and bookmarks at the Birmingham library in Alabama. Come see me! I'm very excited to be doing this since I haven't seen much of Alabama outside of Decatur, Athens, Huntsville, and Madison. I'm assuming that Birmingham is a bigger type of city!

http://www.bplonline.org/programs/LocalAuthors/

Yes I know, October is almost over and I haven't posted anything. Damn, people of the net, I have been so freaking busy and I'm so sorry. I promise I will write some posts, probably Friday, when I have a little free time. I went to Rocket City Lit Fest and I think they need to work out some kinks before I go again. Tomorrow I will be the featured author at a open mic night. This weekend I will be at Rocket City Nerdcon, selling books and other stuff. But, I do have at least two movie reviews to post, possibly four depending on if I can get this one movie watched.

So, if you have free time, come see me at Nerdcon this weekend. I'll be up on the third floor.

Oh, and lastly, BOOK 3 if FINALLY available. For the moment it is only available on Amazon as a paper book, but hopefully next month it will be in other online retailers as a paperback and as an ebook. I just don't have time right now to make it available on all channels.

So look for it, ZOMBIE WASTELAND, is available!

I am reworking the formatting of my first two zombie books so now they are more accurate, like with page numbers and everything, thanks to the help of Jennifer Pinkley who actually got the page numbers to go on and fit properly. This means that my books now look like professional books. I opted not to put my name or the book title on any of the pages because I like to keep things simple. The third book ZOMBIE WASTELAND is still on schedule to be out in October, hopefully by the first week but I am not exactly sure yet. The fourth book is finally in process. I've got 4 chapters written but I am rewriting them now after getting some good advice from the authors at Phoenix Comic Con. Now for those of you worried I might not finish don't, I'm not rewriting everything I am just reworking things.

I'm also working on a free story to follow the release of the third book. I will be honoring a contest winner, Amanda Bretz, and will be using her name and likeness in the story. She won the chance to be mentioned in the book, the opportunity to be turned into a zombie and killed off gruesomely. The other winners of contests will be put in the last book as zombies and I will give them a shot out later.

I have several things scheduled coming up and am hoping for a few more. I am also going to try getting my book into a few stores on consignment. I will be updating appearances and signings as they come up, so far nothing is until October but there might be one opportunity in August and another in September that I can get into.

So exciting stuff. And fans, bloggers, strangers who read this, feel free to comment and feel free to ask questions. I love answering questions. They don't even have to be about zombies, they could be about how I keep my curly hair so bouncy (mousse, and only a little).