A Batty Family

A Batty Family

A Batty Family

By Nomar Knight

Ever since I could remember, I loved hanging out in damp, dark places.  In fact, I swear I was born to roam the night to feed and then rest in a nice quiet corner somewhere.  However, last night was different. 

            After I had fed, I glided around in a quiet neighborhood in Ohio, searching for a place to crash, when I made the mistake of entering an occupied home.  When I heard high-pitched squeals I soon discovered that people lived there.  Their screams brought a newfound terror I never knew existed. 

            As I swooped past them, I glanced at the two-legged strangers, wishing they’d shut up.  Though I had spotted a male sprawled on a sofa, a woman with glass for eyes and a short male almost made me dizzy with their ridiculous screams.  I quickly headed up the stairs.  Upon hearing the woman bark in my direction, more high-pitched cries bounced out of a room, so I searched for immediate refuge from the batty family.  Just when I thought the annoying people would go away, the man who had been sleeping glared at me bug-eyed. 

            He chased me into a room and locked the door.  I heard him mutter words of reassurance to the hysterical bunch.  I smelled the same kind of fear when I hunt my prey.  On instinct, I had hid on the ceiling in the hall while the man thought he had trapped me inside.  It was then I decided that this family was most amusing. 

            As soon as I heard a car’s engine start, I decided that hanging above a bedroom door provided the atmosphere I craved.  Just when I thought all was well, the woman came at me with a piece of wood that had a wide extension at the end.  I think she called it a broom.  Anyway, she tried to nail me with it, but I proved too quick for her.  Losing my sense of direction, I searched all over for another dark hiding place where I could rest.  After tiring myself out for five minutes, I clung to a wall to catch my breath.  Deciding this was no place for me, I moved to the doorframe.  I knew I shouldn’t have shut my eyes for one second because the broom wielding tyrant knocked me off.  I flew too fast and hit the steps, scooted up again, then down.  By this time my heart raced and I was totally out of breath.  Nevertheless, I gathered enough strength and found the fireplace.  Expecting the relief of a cold draft, I was disappointed not to feel air coming from the top.  Before I could catch my breath and fly in another direction, darkness surrounded me. 

            At first, I thought I was dead meat, but when some time passed and the woman hadn’t eaten me, I decided to test my restraints and thrashed against walls.  I was trapped and had become prey.  I heard the females bickering and the little male crying.  My jail cell moved akin to an earthquake shaking my home.  As I spotted some light, I tried to escape.  More loud shrieks followed by muffled sounds.    Once again darkness won, eventually calming me down.  The stench of fear still lingered.  I figured, as long as my captors were terrified of me, I’d be safe. 

            Hours passed and when I finally got to taste freedom again, I smelled the annoyed male as he released me from what I had thought was a sure death. 

            The next time I decide to check out the neighborhood, I’ll make sure to stay away from that crazy family.

            “Come to Ohio,” my cousin said.  “Nothing ever happens! It’s a great place to rest.”

            I’d rather take my chances living in a lion’s den. 

            “Good-bye crazy family!”    

This story was inspired by a real life occurrence at my friend Lisa's house. You can read about it here. 

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved.

Step Into the Shadows: Verland Lives! Interview with Author B.E. SCULLY

It's not every day Knight Chills gets an opportunity to greet an excellent horror writer when their vampire novel debuts.  Not only do you have the privileged of meeting B.E. SCULLY, but you'll also get the lowdown on one sizzling Gothic vampire novel.  Like the vampire character, VERLAND, the author manages to maintain an aura of mystery throughout our interview.  What follows is the blurb for the above book.  Afterwards, feel free to click on the photo and the links I'll provide to order this hot novel.  For now, enjoy the fact that Verland Lives! 

True crime writer Elle Bramasol is drawn into a macabre mystery when incarcerated Hollywood producer Eliot Kingman asks her to write a book about his case. As she delves deeper into Kingman’s murder conviction, she discovers that he possesses a centuries old diary written by an elusive vampire named Verland. Uncovering the transformative secrets held within the diary’s pages, Elle is drawn deeper into both Kingman’s deadly schemes and Verland’s dark world of shadows. When the two finally collide, the stage is set for a climactic battle over mankind’s ultimate prize: eternal triumph over death. But will the Holy Grail of immortality turn out to be the cruelest curse of all?

Exploring the allure of the shadowy places between life and death, between fantasy and reality, and the ultimate power of belief, Verland: The Transformation is a gothic-inspired tour de force, a brooding return to the roots of the vampire genre that goes for the throat from page one until the final, bone-chilling climax.

And now, without further ado, meet the gifted B.E. SCULLY

N. Knight: Please tell us a little about yourself.

B.E. SCULLY: When I’m not rambling around the world in my vardo, you can find me in the woods of Oregon hanging out with my weird posse of human and animal companions.

N. Knight: Tell us about your latest book.

B.E. SCULLY: Verland is an exploration of the transformative power of belief—our fear and fascination with the darker aspects of our existence, the mysteries of death and whatever comes next, and how all of these powerful forces can come together in ways that fundamentally change and shape our lives. Plus, it’s got a lot of cool vampire action.

N. Knight: How did you get started as a writer? 

 B.E. SCULLY: I think I’m still getting started as a writer, actually!

N. Knight: What’s a typical day like for you?

B.E. SCULLY: If it includes caffeine, furry companions demanding things, good food and good art, and--if the liver is in an agreeable mood--something with an alcohol content, then that’s about as typical as a day gets for me.

N. Knight: What do you like most about reading and writing?

B.E. SCULLY: I love everything about reading! It’s probably the most consistent love of my life, not to mention the one that rarely suffers performance anxiety and always calls back the next day. Writing is more of a love/hate thing, really; I love bringing the story and the characters to life, but writing is a lot like wrestling a giant hydra-monster onto the page one word at a time, only to have the next word-head pop up and attack you again.

N. Knight: Which author influenced you the most?

B.E. SCULLY: So many artists have influenced me: writers, musicians, even people whose ‘art’ is simply in the way they live each day…really, all of the dreamers and rebels and harum-scarums out there influence me every day.

N. Knight: Tell us 3 interesting things about you.

B.E. SCULLY:

One: I dream of an androgynous future.

Two: I practice mind control, sometimes even on myself.

Three: To quote Scarface: “I always tell the truth, even when I lie.”

N. Knight: Would you say you write specifically for one genre and if not, what’s your favorite genre to write?

B.E. SCULLY: Apart from the necessities of how the book will be marketed and tagged, I don’t think of genres one way or the other. You name it, I’ll write it and read it.

N. Knight: Best and worst part of being a writer?

B.E. SCULLY: If ya gotta write, ya gotta write, but I would much rather be a rock star, no way around it. Writing requires all of the blood and guts of artistic endeavor with much less of the glory. I mean, do writers get to stand up on stage and have thousands of people scream and throw underwear at us?

N. Knight: Advice to writers?

B.E. SCULLY: Stock up on the Pinot…lots and lots of Pinot.

N. Knight: Interesting story about writing.

B.E. SCULLY: That’s a tough one—sat and wrote! The story at the end of a lot of long and solitary hours is the only one that counts.

Thank you B.E. SCULLY for visiting Knight Chills. I can't wait to read your book. 

And for my wonderful readers, don't forget to visit the 

website: http://verlandlives.com

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Verland-Transformation-BE-Scully/dp/1460907000/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1306363860&sr=8-3

CafePress: http://www.cafepress.com/VerlandTheTransformation

Follow the author on Twitter @ScullyBE

Special thanks to A.S. Promotions for making this interview possible. You may follow them on Twitter 

@AS_Promotions

© Copyright Verland: The Transformation 2011. All rights reserved. 

Verland: The Transformation and author B.E. SCULLY has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills author interview in association with A.S. Promotions.

N. Knight receives The Versatile Blogger Award

Okay, I received something called the Versatile Blogger Award from my good friend, T.F. Walsh.  Since Knight Chills is about versatility, I humbly accept the award.  The award comes with a few rules so I'll do my best to honor them.  Thank you T.F. for the wonderful surprise. You can visit her great website here.  

Now for the rules:

1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you.

2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.

3. Pass the award on to 5 new-found blogging buddies.

4.Contact the winners to congratulate them.

7 random facts about me:

1. I was born in New York City.

2. When I was a teenager, a guy on a bike was sent by the neighborhood loser to hit me.  I took his bike, but felt sorry for him so I gave it back. Can't stand to see a wannabe bully crying.  

3. I coached basketball. 

4. I have a weakness for coffee and chocolate.

5. I didn't speak English until I was six years old. 

6. I flunked English class in the 1st grade. Now I'm an English teacher.

7. My first grade teacher told my mother I was mildly retarded, totally disregarding my father's death as a possible cause for my zombie demeanor. 

And now for my 5 nominations for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Dr. Blood. He's about horror, but his topics are always interesting and a pleasure to read.

2. C.D. Bennett. Talk about talent. There's never a dull moment with this gifted writer. 

3. Orlando Ramos. This is one versatile writer who consistently shares his knowledge of writing. 

4. Valerie Storey. She's another great writer who teaches others. Check out her excellent blog.

5. Lisa McCourt Hollar. Superb writer. You'll find her picture in the dictionary under versatile. 

Congratulations to everyone! 

Isolation's Womb

Isolation's Womb

For One Stop Poetry Week 47

Isolation's Womb

by Nomar Knight

Stuck in a cloud of loneliness

Can't get used to this only nest

Wondering how this could be

What the hell's wrong with me

The weight of eyes press on my back

But when I check there's only black

Could it be the room's alive

My kindness fades while evil thrives

When I write about blood and death

A sudden noise steals my breath

Is it the wind playing games

Or ghosts trying to blow out my flame

For my muse is quite distracted

From the world I've been subtracted

The loneliness cloud grips me whole

My head aches and something jabs my soul

Tell me world what must I do

Should I hold my breath till I turn blue

Or battle the urge and keep up the fight

Type about pain and my latest plight

Time to slice open another vein

And relive the terror all over again

For a horror tale is never complete

Must have a victim for the monster to eat

As my fingers stab a frantic dance

Epiphany reveals this is my chance

To embrace darkness for better or worse

Horror is born from this new-found curse

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved. 

A Knight Chills poem.

Touched

Touched

Before you think today's blog is about something inappropriate, erase those awful thoughts off your mind.  In the past few days I've been touched...by kindness.  First, I found out that Knight Chills won another award, of which I will provide details tomorrow.  My good friend and writing partner, T.F. Walsh gave me something called the versatile blogger award.  That was very kind. 


Today, an interview I did with a wonderful woman from South Africa, the gifted poet, Biola Olatunde, hosted me on her great blog, Ephesus: Center Stage.  If you'd like to learn more about me, visit her blog here.


Biola asked some probing questions and as a result, some of my readers have been enlightened in finding out what motivates me to write horror, poetry, dark romance, suspense and supernatural thrillers. 


This wonderful poet, Biola, connected with me through Facebook and we have become good friends.  There were times when either one of us was feeling down, thanks to life's roller coaster ride, and after reading each others words, we felt our spirits lift to new heights.  She has been a wonderful influence on me as have a number of amazing writers/people.  


Thank you Biola for being the wonderful person you are.  And thank you Knight Chills readers for sticking with me even when there were many negative elements swirling around you. I leave you with this quote and then please feel free to read my interview at Ephesus. 

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  ~Albert Schweitzer

Thank you all for your support.


Catch you on the dark side. 


Nomar Knight


© Copyright Nomar Knight 2011. All rights reserved.

Unleashing the Lust for Vengeance

Unleashing the Lust for Vengeance

Unleashing the Lust for Vengeance

By Nomar Knight

A surging, seething, murmuring crowd of beings that are human only in name, for to the eye and ear they seem naught but savage creatures, animated by vile passions and by the lust of vengeance and of hate. ~ Baroness Orczy

In order to draw inspiration from the bowels of hate, a writer has to forget about his petty grievances, or become totally senile if his life is great, and plunge headfirst into the madness that is vengeance.  Sometimes events occur throughout history which may open our eyes to injustices that we can’t let pass.  People are massacred.  The weak are preyed upon, exploited, raped, or their souls deliberately broken.  As long as there is an enemy to identify, the righteous will find a cause to release the fire burning within. 

Ask yourself: what would you do if laws did not defend the rights of the wicked?  Let’s imagine that you happened to witness a man violating a ten-year-old child in an alley.  Would you try and take the heathen by yourself or would you yell about the man’s transgressions in the hope that others will join you in the pummeling of the wretched predator? 

While the mob mentality is akin to a wildfire dead-set on destruction, to tap into the emotions that hit each individual when he’s part of a mob is quite complicated for some.  For you see, a feeling of unity strikes the heart of most involved.  The leader gains power when others approve of how he’s handling the situation.  He can bash a bottle over the predator’s head and the more blood he draws from the tyrant, the more support he gains.  Perhaps a normally shy person will feel empowered enough to throw a brick at the man.  Then a few others, with eyes easily recognized in a wolf pack will want more blood, so two will kick the man’s head, three will vie for the a shot at his torso, and others will do their best to maim his legs so he can’t get away.  The sad thing is not that the mob took it upon itself to provide justice.  No, the sad thing is that they couldn’t control the fire burning within. 

Amazingly, rage is blinding and as a result may lead the aggressors to equal one hideous action with another.  Of course, not all of us lose control of our animalistic instincts at exacting vengeance.  I have no doubt at least one person in the crowd feared for the bad man’s life and went for help.  In fact, I’m sure another tried to stop the mob with shouts of, “Leave him alone!  You taught him a lesson, now let him go!”  

Unfortunately, we are but savage creatures when we choose to abandon reason in the hopes of righting a devastating wrong.  I admit that I become aggressive when witnessing a boxing match, particularly if I’m personally rooting for the underdog fighter.  If I’m watching the event live, the roar of the crowd sends my adrenaline soaring and for at least awhile, I want to jump in that ring and help my fighter.  I want to bash the other guy’s brains in. 

(Coughs). 

Yes, as a writer, I must tap into those emotions and show just how cruel we can be, yet in the name of vengeance, many people feel that violence is acceptable as long as it’s justifiable. 

Vengeance is a passion and passion is entertaining, even if it is vile.

Catch you on the dark side.

Nomar Knight