Normally crazy isn't a good thing, but sometimes it has its uses. I know, you're probably thinking in legal terms. Commit a murder and try and claim temporary insanity, but that's not what I mean. Check out how insanity touched one family.
*Pick Up*
"Hello?"
"Hi honey, this is Daddy, Is Mommy near the phone?"
"No Daddy, She's upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Paul."
After a brief pause, Daddy says, "But honey, you haven't got an Uncle Paul."
"Oh yes I do, and he's upstairs in the room with Mommy, right now."
*Brief Pause*
"Uh, okay then, ...this is what I want you to do. Put the phone down on the table, run upstairs and knock on the bedroom door, and shout to Mommy that Daddy's car just pulled into the driveway."
"Okay Daddy, just a minute."
A few minutes later the little girl comes back to the phone.
"I did it Daddy."
"And what happened honey?" he asked.
"Well, Mommy got all scared, jumped out of bed with no clothes on and ran around screaming. Then she tripped over the rug, hit her head on the dresser and now she isn't moving at all!"
"Oh my God!!! What about your Uncle Paul?"
"He jumped out of the bed with no clothes on too. He was all scared and he jumped out of the back window and into the swimming pool. But I guess he didn't know that you took out the water last week to clean it. He hit the bottom of the pool and I think he's dead!"
*Long Pause*
*Longer Pause*
Then Daddy says, "Swimming pool?... Is this 486-5731?"
Okay, anyone who's been around me knows I appreciate how real life provides us with so much material. That's why I get a kick out of some real life headlines. Here are a few:
Police begin campaign to run down jaywalker
Stiff opposition expected to casketless funeral plan
Two convicts evade noose, jury hung
Milk drinkers are turning to powder
Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted
Quarter of a million Chinese live on water
Farmer bill dies in house
Queen Mary having bottom scraped
Is there a ring of debris around Uranus?
Prostitutes appeal to Pope
Panda mating fails - veterinarian takes over
NJ judge to rule on nude beach
Child's stool great for use in garden
Dr. Ruth to talk about sex with newspaper editors
Soviet virgin lands short of goal again
Organ festival ends in smashing climax
Autos killing 110 a day, let's resolve to do better
It's not often a writer comes along and gets this Knight excited about vampire novels. Let's face it, I'm a huge fan of Anne Rice and Laurell K. Hamilton and since many authors have chosen to soften the sexy predators by making them light walking pretty people with fangs, I tend to lose interest. However, I'm please to announce that anything I pick up that's written by Carole Gill seduces me back to the vampire tales I grew to love. So when Carole agreed to give Knight Chills an interview, I jumped for joy.
This gifted writer as two contributions which have proved to be extremely popular with the Knight Chills readers. When you're done reading this interview you can read her amazing tales, Memoir and The Song, which by the way, was tied for story of the year on Knight Chills in 2010.
Without further ado. I give you the great Carole Gill.
A former Manhattanite, Carole Gill resides in England with her husband and two lunatic Parson Russell Terriers.
In 2000 she was selected by North West Playwrights of England for further development but found she preferred fiction writing.
Carole writes dark horror and sci-fi and is widely published in horror and sci-fi anthologies.
The House on Blackstone Moor is her first book and has just been published by Vamplit Publishing.
It is available from Smashwords now and will be in paperback early in 2011.
Carole is at work on her second novel for Vamplit. The story is a very different vampire love story and is tentatively entitled Passionata.
Tell us about your latest book.
The House on Blackstone Moorpublished by Vamplit Publishing is a tale of vampirism, madness, obsession and devil worship set in 19th century England. Integral to the plot is the taboo subject of the central character Rose’s abusive childhood and how a father's unnatural love for his child changed her life and her fate forever.
Rose Baines, only survivor of the bloody carnage of her family’s murder, perpetrated by her incestuous, suicidal father, survives her imprisonment in an infamous madhouse only to be given a position as governess at Blackstone House, a house built on accursed moorland. Nothing is as it seems and those who make the house on Blackstone Moor their home have hideous secrets, but the most hideous secret of all is kept hidden away in the cellar.
There are demons and fallen angels and a glimpse into hell itself for Rose, but there is also love from one who is damned, however it comes at a terrible cost.
This is not paranormal romance with racy bits. As my publisher, Gaynor Stenson of Vamplit Publishing says, ‘this is gothic romance in its truest form. A novel that even Mrs. Radcliffe might have gasped at whilst reading and that Matthew Lewis could have been shocked by.’
How did you get started as a writer?
There were two phases. The writing surfaced quite unexpectedly when I was 8 years old and wrote about a Martian invasion of earth. I continued to write but then life got in the way as it often does.
My second cycle of writing began in 2000 after a marriage break up and after the death of my mother.
I joined a writer’s workshop under the amazing leadership of Clive Hopwood here in England. Clive is an author and playwright who is devoted to teaching the craft. He encouraged me to try anything which I did.
I was selected by North West Playwrights of England for further development but found I preferred fiction writing.
I remarried and it is because of my husband’s kind support and belief in me that I started sending out stories seriously in 2009.
All but one was accepted and that one was re-submitted and became story of the month for a different publication!
I wrote constantly—whether I submitted or not. It is only in writing that our style and technique matures I believe. Having said that there are highs and lows and great challenges, but why not take up any challenge?
Who knows what can be achieved?
What’s a typical day like for you?
Typical day:husband leaves for work and I take our two dogs out and then write until he comes home.
I have to promote my novel now and it’s tougher than the writing was!
There’s promotion, networking plus writing. I am working on my second novel for Vamplit which is to be released later this year.
To summarize I spend 90 percent of my time writing a day (weekends too) and 10 percent on household chores. I have a very understanding husband!
What do you like most about reading and writing?
Reading takes me out of myself. It is an adventure to be treasured. Open a book and you step into another world. Reading is the greatest of escapes. It is also of great benefit to writers as they can see how others’ work.
With regard to my writing:
I can write of worlds and people that move me. I enjoy depicting the monsters that dwell among us for there are such beings. And they tend to be quite human. I think sadly my first marriage shaped my writing.
Also, I love history and enjoy stepping back into other worlds and times.
As for contemporary settings, those tend to be depicted in my short stories. Horror and sci-fi are my favorites to write. Sci-fi and horror blend well together because sci-fi has the element of the unknown within it, thus it is natural for horror to be present.
I enjoy depicting good vs. evil. Supernatural and human evil are very interesting to write about as I have done in my novel because in my opinion human evil can give supernatural evil a run for its money anytime!
Which author influenced you the most?
Daphne du Maurier did. I read Rebecca when I was 12 and my best friend and I used to read passages aloud.
It had the greatest influence on me bar none. From the opening line: "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again..."
Those few words sweep the reader right into the novel because we want to know where this place is and why it was dreamt about. And who is this narrator? What happened and so on.
In short, we are hooked!
And then you have the story of a young woman who becomes wife to the enigmatic Max and goes to live in Manderley but is detested by the evil housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. We ask why, what is behind that hatred?
We must find out! That, in my opinion, is a book to be devoured!
I love so many of du Maurier’s books, yes they most definitely shaped my writing.
Tell us 3 interesting things about you.
I went to acting school
I’d live in the past if I could.
Worry is my middle name sometimes.
Would you say you write specifically for one genre and if not, what’s your favorite genre to write?
Yes horror and gothic romance is my thing. I want to take gothic romance where it has never gone before. I think for today’s reader it must have darker themes and far bolder storylines while retaining the majesty of the gothic narrative.
Best and worst part of being a writer?
Best is the sense of accomplishment when your work is published or even when it is completed!
The worst aspects are the tremendous ups and down that I know many writers go through, myself among them.
It is a hugely difficult thing to write, you work in utter isolation. Yes there is networking but basically you work alone. You start out with one blank page and even when you fill it, there is the next and the next. The trick is not to ever be intimidated but to extrapolate from your mind your ideas for stories and characters.
And despite the isolation and the various setbacks, you go on because you must, because it’s in you to write.
Advice to writers?
One thing I would advise is not to spend too much time away from your writing. Social networks are fun and they can be great for networking too, but they will be there later when you finish your writing for the day.
Interesting story about writing
An interesting story about writing? Hmmm. Well, truthfully I felt a let-down after I completed my novel! I guess it was because I had worked on it for so long and then it was gone and I had to focus on other things.
I read many authors refer to that as ‘post novel depression’ which I think is not only apt but hysterical. It helps to think of it that way. It made me smile and that helped!
I am full steam ahead now for I have plunged myself into the world of writing to be published and there is no turning back.
The seas are calm and the weather good, but I am ready for any storm and so should any writer be!
Thank you Carole Gill for an inspiring, revealing, and wonderful interview. Best of luck to you and I look forward to reading more of your work. To purchase Carole's book at Smashwords click on the book cover or here. You may visit her blog here.
I apologize for not having the next episode of Burning Love ready, but I'm having way too much fun writing a new book, DARKNESS ROAMS. In the near future I will provide a synopses, but for now I suggest you join me on a brief journey that just may satisfy a burning desire. If you're like me, you look for a sign that things will finally be different. You search for a magic remedy that will solve all of your problems. Well, that won't happen here. However, I do have a small collection of signs and perhaps some of them may amuse you.
Sometimes it pays to be selfish or a chicken.
Conspiracy Theory Alert!
Just another way to battle overpopulation.
I wonder how many of us said this prayer on January 1st, 2011.
Contrary to popular belief, I do not attend at this church.
Darn! I had a list of people I wanted to throw in there.
Yet another reason to fight against illiteracy.
Thanks for visiting Knight Chills. I leave you with this last bit of wisdom.
Pauline wrapped her arms around her tighter in an effort to keep warm. “How long do we have to stay out here for your stupid fraternity initiation ritual?” she asked Bob. The night chilled the graveyard and the monolith they leaned against was even colder and hard. His arm over her shoulders provided little comfort.
Pauline gasped and grabbed Bob’s arm. “Over there! I saw something move.” She pointed to a large tombstone that appeared grey in the dark cemetery.
“It’s just your imagination, so relax” he replied with irritation in his voice.
She glanced back up at the granite figure of an angel carved into the stone. It reached with arms outstretched and a benevolent smile as if to welcome the dearly departed back home. However angelic it was meant to be, Pauline’s blood ran cold at the sight of it. In the light of day, it was probably very serene and comforting, but in the dark, it looked nothing of the sort.
“Just until dawn,” Bob replied as if that even was a few minutes away. Pauline checked her wristwatch in an instinctive move. It was too dark to see but she figured it was only midnight.
Great. Only six hours to go, she thought with growing unease inside her. How did I let myself get talked into this? I could be back in my room studying for Monday’s chemistry test, which I’ll probably flunk now.
“Legend has it that whoever spends the night next to this gravesite will be found the next morning, dead and lying in the arms of that angel.” Bob said, snapping her out of her thoughts. He jerked a thumb in its direction but didn’t look up as if afraid to lock eyes with it. “What a load of crap.”
Pauline responded but without much conviction. “I thought the legend only applied to children out here. The angel is said to protect them by taking them to heaven. My question is protecting them from what?”
He shrugged. “That’s why we don’t have anything to worry about.” Bob said. “We’re not children any more.” He squeezed her tighter.
“Have any of your fraternity brothers actually known anyone who died out here?” She made no effort to hide the disdain in her voice.
“I doubt it. That’s why they make this part of the initiation. To see who isn’t scared by some stupid legend. Come on, let’s make out while we’re waiting.” He leaned over to plant a kiss on her lips, but a faint noise above them stopped him. They looked up at the direction of the sound.
“What was that?” Pauline gasped.
“I don’t know,” Bob responded. “I don’t see anything.” His voice had dropped to a whisper. After a few seconds, the sound didn’t repeat. Pauline realized she was holding her breath and let out a loud sigh of relief.
“Are you scared?” Bob’s smile taunted her.
She glanced at him just long enough to give him a scowl and then looked back at the angel. “Wait a minute,” she said. “The angel’s hands have changed.”
Bob craned his neck to see. “You’re imagining things.” He tried to pull her close to him but she pushed away.
“I am not!” She pointed up. “The hands were facing up. Now they’re palms down. And it’s eyes are looking at us. Before, they were staring out into the cemetery.”
“Will you stop it?” Bob snapped. “It’s all in your mind. Just calm down.”
Pauline did not believe she was hallucinating but allowed him to pull her close to him. Angry that Bob had dismissed her concerns so leisurely, Pauline decided against saying anything more. Fury replaced her fear and gave rise to thoughts reconsidering her relationship with him. If he was so cavalier about something as mundane as this, what would he do if it were something really important?
Another sound, louder than the first, interrupted her thoughts. She looked up in surprise. The angel’s benevolent smile was replaced by a maniacal sneer. The fingers, once delicate and welcoming, were now hooked into claws as it reached down. A scream died in Pauline’s throat as it grabbed her in a cold iron grip.
Word Count: 700
Alex Morgan is a published author of Gay Erotica who is multifaceted as he's adept at writing horror and comedy, not to mention numerous articles to his credit.
I know Knight Chills is not just about horror. Our readers may enjoy a good scary tale, a chilling poem, but they also look forward to romance and passion. Thrilling suspense, mystery and a little Science Fiction also make an appearance on this fun blog.
Let's face it, I do my best to entertain and when possible inform my readers. I like to think I keep things simple. That's why my friend and Knight Chills contributor, Carole Gill, surprised me by bestowing this award. Perhaps in the past I used to dress in three piece suits, but now I prefer jeans and a t-shirt. With that said, I'd like to thank Carole for thinking about Knight Chills. As luck would have it, the award comes with strings attached.
Here they are: I must write seven things about myself and I must thank the person who gave it to me.
Also I must nominate ten bloggers to receive the award.
Thank you, Carole. You can find her blog here and here goes:
Seven things about myself:
1. I prefer writing to doing almost anything else.
2. If you were to cut me, I'd probably bleed coffee.
3. My dark Muse has been hit with a romantic bug.
4. I live in the Caribbean yet I hardly spend any time on a beach. Shame on me!
5. Each Knight Chills contributor has inspired me to keep writing.
6. I love interacting with my readers.
7. Hope sustains me, although the coffee would argue that caffeine does it.
