I've always been drawn to revenge stories, to a character who does a stupid thing, and they don't mean for it to go wrong, but it does. (Of course it does.) My fascination likely originated with a traumatic event that occurred when I was ten years old. I share about it in the Exhuming the …
Tag: writing
Where I Have Been, Darling
I have a good excuse as to why I abandoned my social media presence. Doesn't everyone? Those of you who've been guilty of not posting as scheduled-- would you agree that the longer one stays away, the harder it is to return? You have this I'm Back post you feel compelled to write, and you …
Finding my Way into a Story: Plot
Check out Episode 4 of Exhuming the Bones podcast with my co-hosts, Mary Leoson and David Williams. To prepare for recording, I sketched my thoughts and wrote a brief summary of my co-hosts' points. Each of us approaches plot differently. Mary finds her way into a story through the setting. She places herself in time …
My Why
About a month ago, this was me: It wasn't District 12 Reaping but a zoom call. WANTED: volunteers to help with an HWA Ohio Chapter podcast that would focus on the craft and process of horror writing. Although I have thoroughly embraced the introvert I am and the comfort zone of no-human-contact, the teacher and …
MTO Stacey Weschke
Elvis jumped onto Stacey's lap and nuzzled into her clasped hands, trying to pry them apart with his peachlike nose, to interrupt her prayers with his purring. With eyes closed, Stacey gave him a few pets and resumed her silent prayer. Elvis wasn't having it. He gave another, more urgent poke into her hands and …
MTO Kelly Griffiths
You may remember Shaun McKinley, last week's "character," whose trip to the dentist went very south for his hygienist. Shaun is a gifted writer, and when he asked me if I'd like an MTO of my own...well, I was overjoyed. You can read his AMAZING story HERE, then come back and scroll down for what's …
Announcing Made-to-Order Horror Stories
I'd like to bring YOU into my writing journey. And I enjoy a challenge. Here's the deal: you send me a fact about your life. Any fact-- good, bad, or indifferent. I'll take that piece of information and turn it into a horror vignette. Each Wednesday, I'll publish one MTO Horror. If you send a …
My Latest Horror: A Repurposed Church Sermon
I had heard the sermon on at least two occassions. My pastor came from a large (and I mean large, < Brady Bunch) family. So many I can't recall the number. Enough that, were they chickens, you'd not know who was who when you ate one. This is my daughter's formula, by the way, for …
Continue reading My Latest Horror: A Repurposed Church Sermon
Divine Dissatisfaction, Blessed Unrest
Artists, that's what we sign up for. And I thought it was just cynical-me. Nope. Add divinely distracted and blessedly unrested to the list of writer traits that includes extreme introversion, militant self-discipline, infinite grit, and owning a cat. Here's how unrest plays out. I think: I should see Friend X. Then I think: I …
Hi, Stranger.
I haven't posted in a while. And I'll warn you, this is all over the place, but I'm working on giving up my perfectionistic tendencies. Join me in a little wandering. Mr. Holland's Opus came to mind today. The movie about a man who thinks his greatest gift to humanity will be a symphony he's …
KL Griffiths 