Book Review by The New Podler blog

I got a new review in!

This one is particularly in-depth. What do you think?

The New Podler Review of Books: Too Wyrd by Sarah Buhrman

Nicola's Interview on The Protagonist Speaks

Nicola got her own interview - talk about meta!

My thanks to author and blogger, Assaph Mehr, for hosting these interviews on his blog, The Protagonist Speaks.

Nicola Crandall (of Too Wyrd by Sarah Buhrman)

Dear readers, tonight with me is a simple woman, living a quiet life – a single mother, a herbalist, and a heathen witch. When she discovered her step-sister disappeared after joining a cult, she went after her – and was not quite prepared for what she found out.

She is here to tell us of her adventures, and all the things she found out becoming an accidental hero. 

Writing Dark

Image by David Ho

I've been struggling with my writing this month. I have a great outline. I have plenty of time. When I sit down to write, the words come easily.

So why do I struggle?

The piece that I'm working on - Fluffy Bunny, book 2 of the Runespells series - is really dark. There's physical abuse, mental abuse, psychological torture... And the character arc is all about overcoming what's in her own head, first and foremost.

I love my main character, Nicola. She's a great character.

So, I sent her to be brainwashed by a cult and killed her.

Yeah, she was brought back, but she experienced death. And her self-identity has been under fire. Her pro-active nature has been suppressed. Her love and loyalty has been co-opted.

I've been struggling to write because my characters are going through such a hard time, I can barely hold myself together in the face of their hopelessness and anxiety.

It isn't often that people really talk about the psychological effects of writing from a personal, in-the-moment perspective. I'm sure that my natural empathy for characters (mine or others') isn't helping my plight. In a way, I'm losing myself right alongside Nicola.

The thing is, I write what I experience, even if the experience in only in my own head. So, to write this psychological suspense, I have to make myself experience it. I have to create the situation in my head and figure out the emotions and the details of how that works.

It's draining me, little by little. But I think it will be worth it.

NaNoWriMo begins!

I will be engaging in the frustration and joy of NaNoWriMo, once more. I invite all to join me in this and write, write, write!

Also, check in and find out how I'm doing with this awesome word meter:  

Author Interviews for Twisted: A Horror Anthology – T.S. Dickerson

Once upon a time, a few weeks ago, I saw a thing of wonder on my Facebook feed. All authors know of this treasure - the submission request.

Yea, though I saw the submission request, and it was for... HORROR!

A horror anthology by and about women... Hey, I can do that! So I looked through my WIPs (works-in-progress) and my ideas spreadsheet (oh, yes, I do), and I found the perfect thing.

Coming out on Halloween, "Mirror, Mirror" in Twisted: A Horror Anthology!

I am participating in a blog hop type of thing with the other authors involved in this anthology to spread the interviews far and wide. So check out the interview below, as well as the other interview posts!

Name: T.S. Dickerson

Short Bio: T.S. is living a dream one day at a time. She loves blogging and reviewing books. She enjoys participating in the Collaborative Writing Challenge's projects and is the Story Coordinator for their sixth novel. She is currently finishing up her first full length novel which is to be released in February.

Name of Story Included in Twisted: "Initiations"

Describe the mood of your story/stories: Unsettling. I think my character is sort of darkly, deliciously ambitious and that colors the story as well.

Where did you get the inspiration for this piece? It was actually born from a prompt for a writing competition in an online writer's group.

What is your favorite thing about writing horror? Giving a nod to the darkness that exists within us all and coming face to face with the grim corners of my own brain in the process.

What are you working on now? Finishing up my post-apoc romance (The Scarring Underneath), CWC projects, and two projects that deal with hauntings.

Other published works? I had three chapters accepted into CWC's The Map. And The Scarring Underneath will be released in February, but nothing is available quite yet. Check out my blog at www.tsdickerson.com or catch me on Facebook or Twitter for updates!

Author Interviews for Twisted: A Horror Anthology – Stacy Overby

Once upon a time, a few weeks ago, I saw a thing of wonder on my Facebook feed. All authors know of this treasure - the submission request.

Yea, though I saw the submission request, and it was for... HORROR!

A horror anthology by and about women... Hey, I can do that! So I looked through my WIPs (works-in-progress) and my ideas spreadsheet (oh, yes, I do), and I found the perfect thing.

Coming out on Halloween, "Mirror, Mirror" in Twisted: A Horror Anthology!

I am participating in a blog hop type of thing with the other authors involved in this anthology to spread the interviews far and wide. So check out the interview below, as well as the other interview posts!

Name: Stacy Overby

Short Bio: Stacy Overby works as a substance abuse counselor for teenage boys by day and as a writer by night.  Her day job provides inspiration for a number of her stories, including her short stories “The Trial of Summer” and “Karma Incarnate” releasing in October 2016.  When not at work or writing, she is playing with her son, hiking, camping, or involved in other outdoor activities – as long as it is not too cold.

Name of Story Included in Twisted: Karma Incarnate

Describe the mood of your story/stories: Dark and vengeful

Where did you get the inspiration for this piece? Honestly, there were a number of things that came together to create this story.  I work with teenagers who have experienced significant trauma.  While I have to remain professional at work, inside there have been numerous times I wanted to go out and do evil things to the people who victimized my clients.  Another little piece is that I love fantasy and mythology stories, so the idea of abstract concepts, such as karma, being something tangible is pretty appealing to me.  Plus, there's magic.  Magic is always cool.  So, when I set out to write a strong female protagonist's story, it all came together to create Karma Incarnate.  Along with a little dose of research to flesh out a few of the concepts.

What is your favorite thing about writing horror? I love messing with people on a psychological level.  That opportunity to get people to look under their beds and over their shoulders is fun.  And I enjoy doing it in a way that lets people who struggle with blood and gore have some fun, too.

What are you working on now? Wow.  That's an excellent question.  I have a number of projects in the works.  Being rather ADHD, I struggle to focus on just one.  The two big projects I'm trying to focus on are a futuristic sci-fi novel and an epic fantasy novel.  I'm hoping to start querying my futuristic sci-fi novel early next year for publication later next year.

Other published works? I have a short story called "The Trial of Summer" coming out in an anthology called Tales from Our Write Side.  Unfortunately no links yet, but keep an eye on Amazon as it is being released October 2016.

Author Interviews for Twisted: A Horror Anthology – Katherine Bryant

Once upon a time, a few weeks ago, I saw a thing of wonder on my Facebook feed. All authors know of this treasure - the submission request.

Yea, though I saw the submission request, and it was for... HORROR!

A horror anthology by and about women... Hey, I can do that! So I looked through my WIPs (works-in-progress) and my ideas spreadsheet (oh, yes, I do), and I found the perfect thing.

Coming out on Halloween, "Mirror, Mirror" in Twisted: A Horror Anthology!

I am participating in a blog hop type of thing with the other authors involved in this anthology to spread the interviews far and wide. So check out the interview below, as well as the other interview posts!

Name: Katherine Bryant

Short Bio: Katherine Bryant is an author and artist hailing from Minnesota. When she is not busy writing tales of mayhem and adventure or creating miniature monstrosities from wool, she spends her time tending her menagerie and playing too many video games for her own good.

As with most humans, you can find Katherine on Facebook and Twitter, as well as her website.

Names of Stories Included in Twisted: "Taste So Good" and "Progress"

Describe the mood of your story/stories: "Taste" is both seductive and gory. "Progress" has a vibe that could be summed up as decay.

Where did you get the inspiration for this piece? "Taste" started out as practice for writing kissing scenes... but I was in a really bad mood when I wrote it, so it turned into its own monster. "Progress" came from a writing prompt.

What is your favorite thing about writing horror? I like being able to tap into that messed up part of myself and express it in a way that won't get me burned at the stake. Also, freaking people out is fun. My sweetie wouldn't let me kiss him for a week after he read "Taste So Good."

What are you working on now? Book two of my fantasy novella series "Branna's Song" and a currently untitled urban fantasy novel.

Other published works? "Branna's Song: The ColdwoodSaga" is available for pre-order on Amazon.