Category: writing

Writing Resolutions 2025

So Long to the Year of Deaths

I was thrilled to see two of my novels, Carni and Final Dress, included in two of my favorite BookTubers’ Best Books of the Year videos! What a lovely gift after a year of more than usual personal tragedies. A year ago, after I’d heard the awful news that one of my best friends had died, I wrote in my diary, “I think this will be the year of deaths.” I had no idea how prophetic those words would turn out to be. By the end of 2024, I had lost two aunts, my mother-in-law, my mother, and my beloved dog Lilly. On top of that, my older brother nearly died from a sudden illness. While I’m relieved to say he’s recovering, it was yet another heartbreaking challenge in a year marked by tragedy. To add to the misery, a few days after Lilly passed, I crashed my bike in a freak accident involving a swat from the Witch’s Wind of November, and broke my collarbone. Weeks of pain rolled into the holiday season which felt more forced than usual, although of course highlights with friends and family ensued.

I’ve always said my favorite holiday ritual is dragging the Christmas tree to the curb. It might sound cynical, but to me, it symbolizes a fresh start. Once the tinsel is gone, I feel like I can begin again with a clean slate. Now, with my broken bone healing and much of the physical and emotional pain behind me, I find myself reflecting on what truly matters. I also took a hard look at my writing, adding up the credits and debits, and came to the painful but honest realization that, for now, it’s amounted to little more than an expensive hobby. But that’s okay. Painful truths are good for the soul. As I move into this year, I’ll continue to write, but I’m releasing the pressure to make a living from it. If one of my books takes off, great. If not, that’s fine too.

I think having a goal of writing and releasing at least one novel a year is a doable goal. In the meantime, I have several files filled with completed or started writing projects. After vacillating about what to do with my first foray into fantasy (a so far two-book series called Starlight Over Oran), I decided to publish it on RoyalRoad and see what kind of feedback it gets over there. I’ll never stop writing, but my expectations may need an adjustment. So, moving forward into a new year, I’m keeping an open mind and an open heart. If I survived 2024, I think I can survive just about anything.

Do check out Lydia’s and Jason’s videos below. They’re both excellent sources for horror lit. Happy New Year!

New Horror Novel Release!

It’s curtain time for FINAL DRESS, my latest adult horror novel set in my favorite world- the theater! Having worked in the theater my entire life and continuing to work part-time at my local regional theater, it was a thrill to explore this environment in a slasher story. I’ve been thinking about writing a horror story set in the theater since the 80’s when I was a young Thespian experiencing the thrill of my first starring role. The play was Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and I played the role of Miss Casewell to the hilt, complete with a man’s suit and tie and fedora, a cigarette dangling from my lip. I’m sure my English accent was dreadful, but I know I gave it my all and had a blast doing it.

The author as a young Thespian, making the most of her role.

The theater was in an old barn on a country road; as far as I know, it’s still standing. As a young Thespian, I recall navigating the backstage environs, including the costume stock stored in the old hayloft, and thinking it would be a perfect location for a horror movie. My older sister, a fellow Thespian, and I discussed, over many clove cigarettes, writing a screenplay called Horror at Summer Stock. The story had some hilarious scenes, including a runaway killer forklift as the ultimate Deus ex machina.

Our fantasy screenplay vanished with the summer winds, and the forklift didn’t make it into Final Dress, but a backstage Genie lift did, along with some other theater “inside jokes” that my theater friends will giggle at, but which any reader can hopefully appreciate. Final Dress, along with my hillbilly vampire romp, CODE RED, definitely lands under the category of “fun” horror, in the same way those old 80s slasher classics are good for a laugh but never fail to give a thrill.

So, buy a ticket to FINAL DRESS, and try to survive till the curtain falls!

Halloween Haunts and More!

New Release!

Halloween has turned into a holiday as bustling as Christmas, which is probably why I’m finally getting around to sharing my thoughts on the new collection I launched at the beginning of October. At least I managed to release it just in time for Halloween! I’m thrilled to share that the collection, which includes five short stories and a novella, hit the number one new release spot on Amazon in its category. That’s definitely encouraging! This collection is designed for teens and young adults, focusing on all the fun chills without diving into anything too gory. If you’re on the lookout for some cozy companion stories for those chilly October nights, I’d love for you to check out Halloween Haunts, only 99 cents for the ebook during the month of October!

Too Much Exposure?

If you’re an artist or a creative individual, you won’t want to miss the latest episode of The Right Brain Café podcast, produced by my Book Worms partner, James DeFeo, and me. This week, we dive into a crucial topic: the ongoing pressure artists face when deciding between working for exposure versus earning money. Is exposure truly beneficial, or does it undermine the value of your craft? Join us for an insightful discussion that could change your perspective on the choices you make in your creative journey.

While you’re busy with your Halloween shopping, don’t forget to pick up our Halloween issue of Book Worms Horror Zine! It features stories by Grady Hendrix, author of “Paperbacks From Hell,” and popular horror writer Clay McLeod Chapman. Issues are selling out quickly, so be sure to get your copy today!

Finally, please leave a message about how you plan to spend Halloween. Do you dress up, attend parties, or turn off the lights and hope to avoid any mischievous tricks? Whether you celebrate (or not), please have a haunted good time!

The Million Word Rule

A little under four years ago, I made the decision to start tracking my word count using an Excel document. As of today, I have surpassed the half a million mark. In the world of writing, there’s a popular belief, often attributed to Ray Bradbury, that one must write a million words to achieve mastery. In all honesty, I may already be close to or have exceeded that milestone. My first novel was published seven years ago, following numerous years of writing short stories and screenplays. I won’t include blog posts or school assignments, nor those handwritten attempts at first novels stashed away in the attic. But for the sake of organization and accuracy, let’s consider that I’m halfway to that million-word goal.

If I write another eight to ten novels (mine are typically on the shorter side), I should have a better grasp of what I’m doing by then. The key, I believe, is to persist in the same activity with increasing dedication; eventually, clarity will emerge. As long as I’m not just endlessly typing like Jack Torrance, but also actively editing, shaping, and daring to publish these words in some form, improvement is inevitable.

Make sure to listen to James DeFeo and my weekly podcast, The Right Brain Café, for invaluable insights into writing and creativity. This week, we delve deep into the concept of failure in creativity. It’s time to realize that perhaps those million words are just a warm-up to one’s greatest achievement.

Call for Submissions – Book Worms Issue #6

All of Them Witches

As Book Worms Horror Zine enters its second year, we’re thrilled to announce that this year’s Halloween issue will be all about Witches. This time around, we’re looking for fiction, poetry, and essays of the witchy kind.

Frequently Asked Question: What kind of stories are you looking for?

We generally enjoy “fun”, “80s style” horror reminiscent of the zine’s old-school vibe, but we’ve also been blown away by fresh voices that take the genre in a new direction. That being said, the best chance for your story being accepted by Book Worms is to follow the submission guidelines. Make sure your story is of the horror genre, mail in your submission versus email, meet the deadline, and don’t exceed the word count limit. And if your story doesn’t make it, please keep trying. We’ve had to turn down many excellent stories due to space constraints alone. A good way to get an idea about what we’re looking for is to read our current issue or one of our back issues that are still available.

A Few Tips:

  • Mail early. Unfortunately, we’ve had a few submissions lost in the mail and that didn’t arrive until weeks after the deadline.
  • Consider writing shorter stories. Sometimes we have just enough room to a 500-800 word flash fiction piece.

It might also be helpful to explain what we don’t want.

  • Paranormal romance (Love the genre. It’s not right for Book Worms.)
  • Anything with a political theme.
  • Beyond the pale violence or pornographic material. Keep it fun, kids.

Submission Guidelines

Deadline: September 1, 2024

Payment is 8 cents a word for fiction and essays (1500 words or less). $25 for short poems (ten lines or less), $50 for longer poems. Includes one contributor copy.

No reprints or multiple submissions please. Exclusive rights for six months after publication.

ACCEPTING MAIL-IN SUBMISSIONS ONLY!

Mail your submissions to: La Regina Studio/Grundy Commons/925 Canal Street/Bristol, PA 19007

*In the past, we’ve made some special allowances for writers living outside the USA. But due to the overwhelming amount of submissions we receive, we are now only accepting mail-in submissions.

Decision notices are sent through email so there is no need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Please include your email address with your submission. All submissions must be typed (cover letters preferred but not mandatory) and be properly formatted.

Be sure to check out our Podcast and follow us on Instagram.

Back on Wattpad

As a proud Watty award winner, I’m happy to be back on Wattpad after a brief (roughly one year) sojourn, where I switched to Kindle Vella (see my video for more about that experience). I may move a new story back to Vella at some point. Still, for now, Wattpad continues to be my story workbook: a safe space where I can try different genres (like the fantasy duology I’m close to finishing) and receive feedback from fellow authors.

One story I recently completed, spurred on by a Wattpad novella contest, is a YA paranormal romance called Trust in the Shadows. It’s about a high school student who meets her “soul mate,” who may be her savior or just a weird guy she should avoid like the plague. The contest winner has yet to be announced, but I am proud to say the story received an Ambassadors Pick award for Round Two. Even if I don’t win, I’m glad I participated.

The contests and the camaraderie keep me coming back to Wattpad. Next on the writing docket is my new slasher horror in a setting I know well: a theater! It’s called Final Dress, and I hope to have it out this fall. Please comment below and tell me what you’ve been reading and writing. 

Got an Hour? Write a Story.

After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back on Wattpad. I jumped ship for about a year while I tried out Kindle Vella (I decided it wasn’t for me), and now I’m back. I may try Vella again if I have a story that will do well on that platform. I sum up my thoughts on the subject below.

One of my writing goals for the year is to honor Heinlein’s Rules and to finish what I’ve started. Hear James DeFeo, and I discuss this topic on the Writing Fiction Podcast. Like many writers, I have a desktop folder filled with incomplete outlines, false starts, and more pre-made book covers than I care to admit. But at one time, all of these ideas held enough interest for me to at least start. Instead of moving on to the next shiny object, do I have the discipline and fortitude to discover what attracted me to this idea and find fresh inspiration in a forgotten project?

If I treat each of these projects like an epic novel (I do have one of those that I plan to finish this year), I might feel overwhelmed and discouraged, but if I treat some, not all, of these half-baked ideas as orphans worthy of love, I might get somewhere. First, some of these ideas and book covers may flourish as short stories or novellas. Yesterday, while scrolling through Wattpad, I discovered a creepypasta story contest with an approaching deadline. Did any of my unfinished projects fit the bill? It turns out one did. Galvanized by the approaching deadline, I gave myself an hour to write the flash fiction story. By hour’s end, I had a 1900-word draft I was happy with. I gave it another hour for editing, and voilá, I not only completed the two-hour writing challenge I set for myself daily, but I wrote and completed a new story. Not only that, I found a home for one of my orphans.

It feels good to finish something, mainly because it helps clear the deck for a treasure trove of more shiny objects. If you give yourself an hour (or two), you have a story. You may read mine here on Wattpad.

In Defense of “Unlikable” Characters

Every day (or nearly every day) on the internet, we are treated to yet another unmasking of an insufferable a-hole. It’s usually a guy, and when he’s effectively canceled, the inevitable internet auto-da-fé ensues. Until he’s forgotten about–Russell Brand, anyone? –and the next insufferable a-hole enters stage left. The main character of my latest horror novel, CARNI, is that guy. Dag Altan, a successful journalist, gets canceled after his ex-girlfriend exposes his “abusive” behavior. I’m using scare quotes because it takes two to tango, and everyone has their side to the story. And because I’m writing from my character’s point of view, I’m on his side, at least for the story’s duration. And also, because I’m a woman who’s been accused of being “too nice” in the past and have certainly been stung by a few a-holes in my day, I quite enjoyed crawling inside the skin of an arrogant man and experiencing his side of things.

While I was tapping into my shadow self, exploring Dag’s character, or lack thereof, and having a damn fun time doing it, I was aware that I was composing the dreaded “unlikable character.” Does it help that Dag gets his in the end–big time? Apparently not. The readers have spoken and, except for a few outliers: they hate my main character, and therefore, some of them don’t like my book.
Fair enough, but despite this (small) chorus of disapproval, will I censor my creative impulses moving forward and consciously create more “likable” characters? Hell, no. For one thing, I love Dag. Yes, he’s an a-hole, but he has his weaknesses: mainly women. Behind the confident veneer, he’s a scared little boy. Does that make him somewhat lovable? Apparently not. Suddenly, I’m reminded of all those romance books with the “cocky” love interest.

Anyone remember #cockygate? Why are those books featuring insufferable a-holes so immensely popular? To quote Nigel from Spinal Tap, they “did a twist on it.”

In that time-tested formula, the female character tames the wild beast, reining in his wild ways until he’s fully strapped into double harness and driven down the aisle toward wedded bliss. My story doesn’t quite turn out that way. It’s horror, which means it ends in death–like life. Mwahahaha!

Is Drac cocky?


I write flawed protagonists. I always have. It could be because I am all too aware of my own flaws, fears, and, at times, incapacitating insecurities. But these are the treasures I mine when I write. So, no. I won’t stop adding to my stable of gargoyles. I can’t wait to release the next one from their lair.
Do you require a “likable” main character to enjoy a book, or do you, like me, realize we’re all pretty unlikable at our cores? I’d love to know what you think.

Curious about CARNI? You can pick it up for FREE today on Amazon Kindle.

Book Worms Call For Submissions!

Poetry, Fiction, and Essays for My Bloody Valentine Winter Issue

Book Worms Zine is selling out on Etsy and the reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. We have another issue planned for Winter 2024. This time around the theme is My Bloody Valentine: dark love stories, Tinder dates gone horribly wrong, bitter romance, a lover’s revenge, tragic love, etc. Dark humor is okay, but it should fit the themes of horror and romance. Specifically looking for original poetry (any length).

Submission Guidelines

Deadline: January 1, 2024

Payment is 8 cents a word for fiction and essays (1500 words or less). $25 – $50 per poem (depending on length). Includes one contributor copy.

No reprints or multiple submissions please, including poems. Exclusive rights for six months after publication.

ACCEPTING MAIL-IN SUBMISSIONS ONLY!

Mail your submissions to: La Regina Studio/Grundy Commons/925 Canal Street/Bristol, PA 19007

*In the past, we’ve made some special allowances for writers living outside the USA. But due to the overwhelming amount of submissions we receive, we are now only accepting mail-in submissions.

Acceptance notices are sent through email so there is no need to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Please include your email address with your submission. All submissions must be typed (cover letters preferred but not mandatory) and be properly formatted.

Be sure to check out the Book Worms Horror Podcast and follow us on Instagram.