Nightmare Reflections

            

While writing Nightmare of the Dead, there were several moments where I actually had to step away from the keyboard and consider whether or not I'd gone too far.

            In fact, I did go too far while writing Dr. Saul's back story, which is the section of the novel I feel is the most horrific. Dr. Saul is a rather tragic figure, and I truly believe the environment can dramatically affect the psychosis of a young mind. Saul might be considered a "villainous" man, but the other characters involved in the melodrama are just as profoundly disturbed as he is. Hence the nightmare that readers delve into.

            There is a lot of potential in the zombie genre; I thought I could explore the depths of human depravity and the dark subconscious savagery the zombies themselves represent. When we consider zombies as the antagonists in any medium, we're hardly interested in why they might crave human flesh, or how they could possibly digest their meals, considering that they're "undead." If these monsters operate on some primal level—as a lot of zombie fiction suggests—then what does that say about the living?

            The Civil War has been called one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history. With the advent of mechanized warfare, battlefield medicine was still too far behind to deal with the horrific wounds that were inflicted upon the young men who fought for either the Union or the Confederacy. War itself often provides ample opportunity for the disintegration of ethics and the demoralization of the human spirit, thus it serves as the perfect backdrop for the most depraved characters I could imagine. Of course, the war provides another thematic parallel for character conflict, but I won't spoil it for you…

            The protagonist, Neasa Bannan, is hardly an angelic figure, yet her own experience is rather horrific without zombies or war; imagine finding yourself on a train and your identity has been completely wiped away. You don't know who you are, but everybody else seems to have some idea who you might be. This certainly provides an opportunity for thematic development in the story, as we venture to discover what she is just as much as who she is. This is just as important when we realize that she was already questioning her identity before it was taken from her. Love will do that to a person.

            After finishing Nightmare of the Dead, I almost wondered if the book would fall into the splatterpunk category. I've always believed there is a lot of room for horror to be both thematic and entertaining. As an avid reader of classic literature, I've read books that are far scarier than most of the books that are considered "horror" classics. I truly think that an exploration of horror can unlock the secrets of the human soul, as it seems to do for the characters in my novel.

            Readers looking for historical fiction will be disappointed, because I don't venture into the Civil War as often as someone might like, and I really don't discuss the philosophies or rationale behind the conflict. The second book will include a historic battle, as will the third, and of course we’ll have plenty of zombies. I only write what I see, and I don't have a whole lot of control over the characters. I'm telling the story that follows me into the realm of nightmare and shadow…

Author Spotlight: Raebeth McGee-Buda

RaeBeth McGee-Buda is the author of one soon to be published book within the young adult/suspense genre. She loves blogging, reading, and above all spending time with her daughter and husband. She’s normally quiet until she gets to know you and then the talking gates open.

Synopsis of Silenced:

Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It's hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.

A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her "darkness" and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber's new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the mist of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who           her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love. 

Click HERE to buy it for the KINDLE

Click HERE to buy it in paperback

Questions:

Without giving too much away, can you tell us how does the title of your book, Silenced, connects to your book's themes?

The title Silenced  connects to the theme because my protagonist uses cutting to silence her feelings of depression, along with the need to cut.

If you were to compare your protagonist, Amber, to any popular film or book characters, who would you choose? Why?

I would say Amber would partly compare to Emily Osment in Cyberbully. She plays the main character, Taylor that fell victim to online bullying. Although my character deals with bullies in school and not on the internet, it still makes the characters feel the same way. Taylor is well aware of her social status in school like Amber does. Although their looks vary, I believe they play a close part.

Why do you think Amber's internal conflict might be interesting to readers?

I feel that readers who are depressed and dealing with self harm can relate. When a person reads Silenced, they can feel her pain and see her world through her eyes, which I feel is important. I think Silenced can not only have those who are depressed relate but help those who aren’t understand what’s going on in the mind of a person who may be dealing with the same issues.

Your book depicts a high school experience that is hardly idyllic. In your opinion, what are some factors in school that could contribute to a teenager's negative self-image?

There are many factors that could play a part. I’m not a psychologist and therefore can not tell of the exact reasons. But I can tell you from experience and from my own research. Several people I’ve interviewed for Silenced felt that school was a popular contest. Not all teens fit in. This could lead to a bad self image and low self esteem.

Who might be interested in reading Silenced? (This question is asking you to mention the names of popular books readers might have read before picking up your book, and it's also asking if readers might be interested in a specific concept in the book they can relate to ).

If one has read Cut by Patricia McCormick, I believe they will love Silenced. Although the plots are a bit different I think they have about the same feel to them. I think those who would be most interested are people who enjoy suspense, understand self harm and depression, and anyone wanting a great read.

Do you often follow a process when you create one of your stories? Did you do anything differently with Silenced?

I normally sit down at my computer and let my finger go away at the keys. I don’t follow a plotline or anything of the sort. I think if I tried doing that I’d end up going off track any way. When I first come up with an idea I start writing but by the time I’m at the end... the entire story is completely different then the original thought.

What inspired you to write Silenced?

There’s a lot of inspiration. First, I suffered from depression and it sort of bothered me when others made comments about it when they didn’t fully understand what I was going through. I know several people who self harm and feel there’s no end to it. Silenced is here to give hope to those who suffer from depression and understanding to those who want to understand. If I can help one person understand or give hope to one person... then the mission for Silenced was accomplished.

Finally, do you have any advice for new writers?

Never give up and don’t let anyone say you can’t. You can!!! The process is trying and you may find discouragement along the way but don’t let it stop you. Even if you have the little voice in your head saying you can’t. Grab some tape, place it over that little voice, and continue on. In the end, you’ll be excited and happy that you didn’t give up.

Relevant Links:

Find out more about me at my website here: http://raebethmcgee.weebly.com/index.html

Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/raebethbuda

Twitter: https://twitter.com/raebethmcgee

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5095502.RaeBeth_McGee_Buda

Bio:

RaeBeth McGee-Buda was born in southwestern Pennsylvania in 1987, the second daughter of Rachel Yost and Arthur Curtis McGee. RaeBeth grew up loving to read and write poetry, as well as short stories. Her childhood dream was to become a teacher. Rae Beth's dream of writing was created in her eleventh grade literature class where writing became her passion.

RaeBeth married in August 2012 to her husband, Gregory Stephen Buda Jr. and resides in a small Pennsylvania town of Fairchance. RaeBeth is a full time mother of one and is expecting her second.

She graduated from American Intercontinental University with her associates in business administration. She enjoys spending her time writing and feels that connecting with readers is her main goal.

RaeBeth published Silenced under her maiden name but plans to continue writing under her married name with any other works.

Zombie and Horror Fiction in 2013

 The year 2013 will see ambitious plans come to fruition.

            January will see the release of Necropolis Now, which is the first book in an action-oriented zombie series. It's my intention to release the second book during the summer or fall. You can read all about Necropolis Now here on my blog, and you can also check out the amazing cover by Russell Dickerson. 

            I will be launching up to three new serials that will have nearly a dozen episodes each. The first is called Japanese Werewolf Apocalypse. I have always found Japanese culture to be extremely fascinating, and in this series, I have the opportunity to work with elements of Japanese aesthetics and mythological concepts; needless to say, this requires a ton of research, which has proved to be daunting and rewarding. I like to think this series has a bit of everything. It’s designed to appeal to fans of Japanese media with werewolf sorcery and mythological elements, and it will include plenty of gore for the werewolf / horror fans. The drive behind this story is my own love for Japanese culture, in particular, Japanese spirituality and art. This type of literature provides an opportunity to be deep and meaningful in a more subtle fashion; I was very taken by the story of the country's crown jewels, and you can bet one of them will play a significant role in this series.

            The next serial will feature zombies, and I'm very confident we'll see some outer-space action. I know it's been done before, but everything has been done before. I'm not looking to use the universe as any kind of metaphor for the human race. I want to develop a visceral, horrifying experience that takes place in the darkest corners of the known (and unknown) universe. I think this is the perfect time to blend science-fiction and horror; as our society gears up for the idea of space tourism while Mars is being mapped out, I strongly believe science-fiction is making a return. One of my favorite films, the first Alien movie, has heavily influenced my imagination.      

            My dream project is a story set in the Alien universe. I actually have the story outlined, and it would be a complete return to the horror elements from the first film. However, it's nothing more than fan fiction, as there really isn't a place to publish it. With that said, I'm going to write about zombies in space because I can, and because it will provide yet another unique challenge.

            I admire science-fiction and fantasy authors because they have to create complex government systems, races, languages, and technology that doesn't exist, although it might have a realistic counterpart. How many of today's technological gadgets were envisioned by pioneers in the field of science fiction? Quite a lot, and many themes from some of the great works still resonate today. I don't think science-fiction authors are appreciated enough because they often take on the role of an inventor who has to describe how the technology works! Again, a daunting task…

            Last but not least, I intend to release the sequel to Nightmare of the Dead. The next book, Season of Evil, is going to introduce zombies to an important, historic battle in the Civil War. I think the first book explored the characters and their motivations, and the second one was always designed to focus on the Civil War itself. While the first book served as a psycho-analytical exploration of murder, the motivation for the creation of the zombies was established; so the second book will be all about this terrifying "weapon" that will be unleashed upon the Union. I should also mention that Neasa Bannan will be back, along with her nemesis, Dr. Saul Lynch. Neasa will be getting some help from a certain tribe…

            That's a lot for 2013, and that doesn't include two other projects I've started. It will be quite an exciting, and challenging, year. 

Author Interview: Mark Scioneaux

Mark Scioneaux is a pioneer in today's horror literature market. As a popular horror author, Mark, along with Robert Shane Wilson and Jennifer Wilson, has been able to attract top talent to his publishing company, Nightscape Press. He has recently started a zombie serial that opens with its first episode, Hollow Shell. Mark was willing to share the story behind this thrilling zombie epic.

Synopsis of Hollow Shell:

Hollow Shell follows the journey of Chris and Dawn as they navigate through a world devastated by a zombie outbreak. Chris needs to get to West Virginia to make sure his wife is okay. The problem is they are in Louisiana. They will set out on a journey where they'll encounter zombies, humans—both friendly and maniacal—and other obstacles that get in their path. They will also learn about themselves and grow closer, something which may or may not be a good thing. 

INTERVIEW:

V: You’re obviously a man who wears many hats; tell us about the most rewarding experience you've had while engineering the rise of your company, Nightscape Press.

MS: Nightscape Press has been a rewarding experience for so many reasons. For starters, my business partners Robert Shane Wilson and Jennifer Wilson are two of the most brilliant, hard-working people I know. Together, we have created a product that we are proud of and so are our authors.

What's rewarding to me is knowing I've done right by those who've trusted us with their book. When they get excited by good reviews, I get excited. I'm helping make their dream a reality, but I couldn't do it without their trust. Nightscape is taking off, but the authors we work with deserve a fair share of the credit to its success.

Hollow Shell is a very unique title for a zombie story. Can you describe how the title connects to the characters and events that happen within its pages?

I wanted to stay away from cliché titles such as "Blank of the Dead," or anything too zombie related. The words hollow shell stuck out to me because they represent two things. One is being the zombies themselves as just shells of their former life. But also, the humans who survive are stuck in the same mold. They are different, and as life goes on, they become dead and hollow on the inside. It's how I think people would become when faced with the destruction of their routine lives.

If you were to compare your protagonist, Chris, to any popular film or book characters, who would you choose? Why?

I wanted to make Chris somewhat relatable to the reader. He's just an average guy who is skilled in certain things, but in others not so much. He's your prototypical survivor. He's not a police officer, or a soldier, or some master of combat. For some reason, the image of Joseph Gordon-Levitt pops into my mind. When I created him, I used myself as the base for him. I obviously don't look like JGL, but I wanted to see what decisions would I make if faced with this journey Chris is about to undertake. I think in the end I created a relatable, but unique, character.

Popular media has convinced some people that a zombie apocalypse really could happen; how do you take an unreal scenario and make the terror your characters face seem authentic so that readers can experience it?

The unreal scenario is flesh-eating ghouls hunting you relentlessly. A very real scenario is a total collapse of society. Though my story features zombies, they are by no means the main threat. I want my readers to think about what would happen and how different life would be if all the laws and rules of society no longer applied. How would people act? Would they become total anarchist, or stick to their morals? Chris and Dawn will encounter plenty of these people, and along the way, they will both be tested morally. Sometimes the decisions will be easy, but there will be some very hard choices to make as well.

I feel what's lost on the public who fantasize about a zombie apocalypse is the dangers humans would present. I feel they would be far more ruthless and deadlier than the zombies.

A lot of zombie stories depict societal collapse and its implications, but your story seems to focus on a conflict between man and nature. Can we expect a different sort of conflict to be highlighted through the series, or will other conflicts add to the challenges that Chris will face?

I wanted to do things a bit different in showing real emotions within the main character, Chris. He will have conflict with his feelings for his parents, the outbreak, Dawn, his wife, and a deeper struggle understanding God through tragedy.

Along the way, various conflicts will arise from the many scenarios they will find themselves in. In Part 1 I focus on the zombies being dangerous. In Part 2, I focus more on the human aspect of an outbreak. Each part will introduce something new while sticking to the same plot line.

With so many zombie novels on the market, what makes your new serial stand out?

A few things, I think. The first is the attention I pay to character detail and development. I love a good "crunch and munch" zombie tale, and Hollow Shell has its fair share of gore and blood, but the main focus is the characters living in this new world. I believe this is why products such as The Walking Dead have been so successful and while I'm not saying this is the next The Walking Dead, I do think if you're a fan of one, you'll be a fan of the other.

With self-publishing came a wave of poorly written and edited zombie books. I've had my story edited twice and proofread numerous times. If there are typos or errors, I tried my best to catch them.

Lastly, I just haven't seen that many serial-type books on the market. I think this could be something people follow and get into. I hope so, anyway.

Do you often follow a process when you create one of your stories? Did you do anything differently with Hollow Shell?

I tend to outline my stories in great detail, and Hollow Shell was no exception. An outline helps me follow a path and reduces the chance of writer's block. Though the outline is thorough, I still change things up and add or delete if I feel inclined to. That's what is so exciting for me regarding this serial. I don't even know where it will end up, but I have some ideas.

Finally, do you have any advice for new writers?

Other than the normal "write every day" advice, I'd say believe in what you write and have confidence in your abilities. Also, write for yourself and no one else. Never give your work for free (unless helping a friend or donating to a charitable cause), and always proofread your work prior to submitting for publication.

Hollow Shell: Part Two is set for a January 2013 release.

BIO:

Mark C. Scioneaux is employed as an industrial hygienist by day and a horror writer by night.

He is the author of numerous short stories appearing in various anthologies by Blood Bound Books, Severed Press, Evil Jester Press, and others. He is also the author of the thrilling zombie novel, HOLLOW POINT, and the editor of the anthology, BIGFOOT TALES, under the name Mark Christopher. His smash-hit novelette, The Glass Coffin is available for download on Kindle. His newest novel, THE CITY OF WOE: THE EPIC TALE OF DANTE’S JOURNEY THROUGH HELL, is currently being shopped to numerous publishers. His zombie serial, HOLLOW SHELL, was published to Kindle in October.

He is the founder of Horror for Good: A Charitable Anthology.  Teaming up with Cutting Block Press, they will send all proceeds from book sales to amfAR, an international AIDS charity. It features some of the biggest names in horror and several stars on the rise. He is a co-owner of Nightscape Press, and a member of the Horror Writers Association.

He is a graduate of Louisiana State University and currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with his wife, Jessica.

Links:

To Buy Hollow Shell: Part 1 -

http://www.amazon.com/Hollow-Shell-Zombie-Epic-ebook/dp/B009QRX20I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350429640&sr=8-1&keywords=hollow+shell+zombies

Talk about it on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HollowShellAZombieEpic

Friend the Author :https://www.facebook.com/mscioneaux

Vampire Manga: Author Spotlight on Amelia Mah

VAMPIRE MANGA!!!!

FANGS RULE

A self help guide by Amy Mah (Vampire) for teenage vampire girls, the guide is fully illustrated by manga Artist Heby and is written in an easy to follow A - Z format explaining everything a teenage vampire girl would need to know about living life as a modern Vampire. What is fashionable to wear when eating out? Fang maintenance & how to keep your claws sharp. Should you let a boy bite you on the first date? Easy to understand clear advice is given to every day problems Example: When you get an urge to bite: We all get those normal urges to bite things, and I must point out it is very normal, Claws are all well and good in a fight but a bite gives the extra advantage of getting a refreshing drink at the same time. Lots of girls worry about showing their Fangs in public believing that to show your fangs is rude, but don't be shy they can be a girls greatest asset (ok second greatest asset) if a boy is being rude to you, don't just snarl at him, just bite him! You are a vampire why do you think you have sharp teeth if not for sinking them into a boy that is being rude to you.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!!!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AT AMAZON!!!

VAMPIRE

Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!!!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AT AMAZON!!!


About the Author


The Author Amelia Mah is a 20 something snarky, sarcastic and cynical author who has a very popular blog of how she sees the world from the point of view of a modern teenage vampire Following the success of her first book "FANGS RULE A girls guide to being a vampire" she had now expanded the idea of life as a teenage vampire into a full novel Amelia has given her avatar her own name so you can see the world first hand from a very bored teenage vampire that has been forced to remain a teenager for far too long She may have very good teeth and the ability to hang from ceilings but life is far from easy. Today's world is difficult for everyone, especially teenagers. They face the stresses of school, deciding whom to date, and the biggie of sex, just to name a few. 

Imagine all of those things ten times worse, and you might get an idea of what it's like being a living, breathing teenage vampire. At last, the world can read about the life of a girl with good teeth, her problems with strong sunlight that gave her spots, and the sunblock that made her hair go yucky and produced more spots. Yes, sunlight was dangerous, as she could be the first teenager in history to die from terminal acne! In her everyday life, older vampires expected her to walk about at night in the traditional female uniform, a see-through, 18th-century nightdress, without undies! Well, this female vampire knew why the cold winds blowing along the corridors were called, "male winds," so she wore her see-through nightdress over jeans and a very thick jumper. To be sure that people would still know she was a vampire, the jumper had a very large, pink bat on it. And as to guys, well, it was normal for a girl to dream about guys; she just wished the dreams could have involved chocolates and holding hands, not leaping out at someone, ripping off his shirt, and demanding to know what blood type he was (at least not on the first date).

LINKS: 

Email: amymahvampire@aol.com

Website: www.fangsrule.com

Goodreads links

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9676513-fangs-rule

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15751638-amy-mah-vampire

blog: http://amymahvampire.blogspot.co.uk/

Twitter https://twitter.com/AmyMahVampire

FB https://www.facebook.com/ladyameliamah

Web http://www.fangsrule.com