Love's Prisoner

Love's Prisoner

By Nomar Knight

Sometimes love doesn't knock on the door, 

But breaks it down.

And when it sweeps you away

Watch out!

Like in a vampire's embrace you become its willing captor.

Love hypnotizes you

Makes you do things you'd never thought possible

In a blink!

Love whips you into a frenzy 

And makes you beg for more

Before you know it

Nothing else matters

The soft caress, the all consuming gaze, the pitter patter heartbeat

Overtakes common sense 

And squeezes every drop out of you

Ah, to love with passion 

And be loved with fury is the ultimate sensation

There shouldn't be a question of why

Screw analysis!

Let love take you prisoner and see how you'll finally be alive!

The Amazing Shawn Conn

Meet Shawn Conn, the extraordinary artist who created the cover for my first supernatural suspense thriller novel, Darkness Roams.  I first discovered the fellow New Yorker on FaceBook.  His amazing drawings and tattoos caught my attention and I was pleased to see how the book cover for my novel went from the imaginary stage to reality. 

Here’s what has to be one of the best interviews I’ve ever had the pleasure of doing.  Please enjoy your time with the gifted, Shawn Conn.

1. Shawn, what inspired you to cultivate your extraordinary talent for art?  

I've been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember and I've been drawn to the more fantastic side of art for about as long. I used to spend hours creating entire worlds and civilizations on pages and pages of paper. As I got older, I used to love watching old horror movies with my dad, late Saturday nights and my mother fostered a love of reading fantasy and horror. Magazines such as Heavy Metal, Famous Monsters of Filmland and eventually Fangoria became huge sources of inspiration. All of these influences, coupled with my own innate sense of the macabre lead me to the path of dark art.  

 

2. Please give us a brief glimpse into the making of the cover of Darkness Roams.

As soon as I had read the excerpt from Darkness Roams, that I was provided for reference I almost immediately had the image as it appears on the cover, come to mind. The description of the scene was so vivid in detail, that the concept was pretty much an easy jump. The most fun, was in creating the dark angel character as he was in mid ecstasy, drawing out the soul of his hapless victim. I was given general guidelines as to what the character looked like, but allowed to pretty much create him as I saw fit. That allowed me to really explore the depths of my own Catholic background and push the boundaries of what an angel is presumed to look like and how they interact with their environment. The overall composition of the cover was another big consideration for me. In all of my work, I really try to use the layout and perspective of a piece to help convey the overall feeling of the scene. In this case I took a slightly skewed angle from above, giving the viewer the feeling of floating above the scene. I also made sure that the wings of the dark angel went off the canvas, helping to reinforce the idea that he's much bigger than the mere mortal in front of him.

 

3. What advice would you give youngsters out there who would love to do what you do?

Practice. You should always be drawing, no matter what your discipline is. Get a sketchbook and always have it with you. Fill the pages with sketches and ideas, as they come to you and draw from life, as well. Figure drawing and being able to draw environments are crucial to becoming a successful illustrator. Especially if someone plans on entering the realm of fantasy art. Whether you plan on attending art school, or not, get a good foundation of basic art skills. The time I spent at art school laid the groundwork for the type of artist I would become and the style I would eventually adopt. There are also, literally thousands of tutorials and video tutorials on the internet covering every aspect of art and technique one could imagine. Never stop learning and always practice your art. 

And learn something of art history, both of the genre you wish to create for and of general art, as well. The knowledge of the masters that have come before us is as an invaluable necessity as your paintbrush, or pencil. Without a clear understanding of where we, as artists have come from, it's impossible to have an understanding of where you're going. 

Make sure you surround yourself with inspiration for your art. I have dozens of macabre toys lining the walls and shelves of my studio, as well as inspiring art and scores of art books. I read every second I get and I watch movies whenever I have the opportunity to sit down for one. Visit art galleries, check out artist's websites and immerse yourself in the genre of art you wish to pursue. 

My last piece of advice would be to never give up. Grow a thick skin, because you're going to get rejected. It happens to all artists, writers, musicians, actors, etc. Especially in the beginning of your career. When you get a rejection, look at it as a challenge to become better. Even now when I don't get a particular job, or sometimes don't even hear back from a prospective client, I let it become an impetus for creating better art. A kind of "I'll show you what I can do" attitude. 

 

4. What are you currently working on?

At this moment, I have several book covers in various stages of completion, I'm working on a really cool t-shirt design for a killer haunted house in Kansas. I have an ongoing relationship with Harcos Labs, a company who produces novelty foods and energy drinks and am helping to design labeling for their new zombie products. I'm, also a senior graphic designer for a fledgling horror film company, Horror Machine. And somewhere in there I'm trying to squeeze in some work on a couple of personal projects of my own. A pin-up book and my graphic novel.

Thank you Shawn for the amazing interview! Here's where you can find more of Shawn Conn's amazing work. 

Website: http://atomicdeadguy.com

Merchandise: http://www.redbubble.com/people/shantyshawn

Deviant Art Page: http://shantyshawn.deviantart.com/

© Copyright Shawn Conn 2012. All rights reserved.

Shawn Conn has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.

© Copyright Nomar Knight 2012. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Interview.

Take Me

Take Me

By Nomar Knight

Take me on a ride

To sweet candy land

A place where you and I

Can walk hand in hand

Take me on a ride

Away from sinking ships

Hug me hold me tight

Let me kiss your lips

Take me on a ride

Far from prying eyes

Where we can't slip and slide

And listen to more lies

Take me on a ride

To where you want to be

Just search deep inside

Come on now take me

Take me on a ride

Like no one else can

We won't have to hide

In our loving wonderland

Take me on a ride

Before we lose it all

Let out what's inside

So our love won't fall

Take me baby

 ©2012 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Poem.

Deception and the Fallen by Oscuro, Suicide King

Deception and the Fallen by Oscuro, Suicide King

“Man’s mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth.” ~Erasmus, Desiderius.

Throughout the beginning of the formation of man, humans were like sponges that easily soaked in concepts that involved manual imitation.  However, certain cognitive concepts took time to sink in and yet there are certain truths which have been distorted throughout time.  One such concept that has been confused by man has to do with defining what is a FALLEN. 

To understand what is a fallen, you must first eliminate the falsehood that fallen angels are demons.  Demons were a subspecies created by the grandest of fallen angels in his bid to build a powerful army to defeat the creator.  History is accurate with the claim that there was some dissention among angels.  The one I call the prince, has been blessed with a superior intelligence, incredible oratory skill, and over time, has become quite adept at finding loopholes in the creator’s rigid structure.  Some angels made a choice that I had thought was impossible.  Some angels chose to sever ties with the creator.  Those angels had no idea that upon separating from the creator of light, their wings would become as dark as night.

 

I too am a fallen, but not by choice.  My brother, known to all as the angel of death, and known to a precious few as Draven, convinced the creator that since I had failed to make a choice, then by omission, I had chosen the side of darkness.  Not one hundred percent convinced, Father decided to banish me to a part of hell called Oblivion so that I could serve an exhausting, yet necessary function.  I am the dark angel of suicide, forever destined to punish those humans who willfully sever their ties to the creator. 

Now, I hope I made the distinction between demon and fallen angel clearer, but I’m compelled to address the confusion directly.  All angels have a choice to fall, meaning they may freely decide to fall from the heights of heaven and land on the material world, relinquishing their angelic identity.  A free-fall from a grand species to another requires great sacrifice or stupidity, depending on the angel’s point of view.  Since angels are from another dimension, we are not always privy to human sensations while we’re in their domain.  However, when we roam in the third dimension, we are not governed by the laws of physics, and in essence, are immortal.  So when one of us decides to fall from heaven, we decide to become completely human for the duration of our stay on Earth.  Note, that our time as humans is finite meaning that we become mortal, and in most cases, rather ordinary. 

As I alluded earlier, demons are a direct result of all that is wrong with humans.  Both demons and angels are capable of possession.  Difference being, angels possess for the creator’s purpose and only for a brief moment.  An extended possession would require the use of a human surrogate who must grant permission.  Demons possess confused, weak souls for purely selfish reasons.  Demons do not ask for permission since they enjoy inflicting pain, and displaying power over others.  They’re thieves who attempt to wreak havoc on the human population.  Demons are no match for the strongest of angels, the archangels. 

“From all my time observing humans, I noticed how they enjoyed bending the truth more so than spinning lies. Deceit is in their nature since they spend most of their waking hours convincing themselves of falsehoods.” ~ Oscuro, Darkness Roams.

You will find the above quote in Nomar Knight’s account of my story, Darkness Roams.  Darkness is what my name means.  Anyway, I have observed humans since their creation.  Over time, I noticed how fear played a vital role.  Those fragile creatures have managed to construct defensive mechanisms when coping with fear and have thus become experts at self deception.  The added element of deception has made human society more entertaining than any of us could have ever imagined. 

As a result, the prince thoroughly enjoys observing mankind.  He boasts that he is a fan of man.  Of course he is, since he believes their souls possess the key to defeating the creator.  Thus, the battle between light versus dark has lasted far too long.  Countless casualties on all sides, light, dark, human, and angelic have reached atrocious numbers.  The time of reckoning will soon be upon us.  But before it changes everything, read my account of what happens to souls who shun the light.  Read Darkness Roams this summer.  Discover how this dark angel must live with darkness, yet be used by the righteous.  In essence, I am a punisher of evil, an enforcer of truth. 

Until next time, I am Oscuro, Suicide King, and ruler of Oblivion.  If you see me roaming in your area, hope that I’m not there for you.

Real Horror Strikes Again: 8 Notorious Criminals

Guest post by Hazel Taylor of Criminal Justice Degrees Guide.

The 8 Most Notorious Criminals in Hollywood History

Hollywood may be the land of big dreams and promises, but this place definitely sees its fair share of tragedies as well. From crimes of passion to money-motivated crimes, Hollywood criminals have been known to attack for any and all reasons. And we all know that one of the quickest ways to be a show stealer in Hollywood is to do something bad. Here are the eight most notorious criminals in Hollywood history.

1. Paul Snider

   Paul Snider is the man responsible for killing his actress and Playboy model wife, Dorothy Stratten, before turning the gun on himself. The high-profile murder-suicide was a complete shock to Hollywood. The young Stratten had just been named Playboy’s Miss August 1979 and 1980 Playmate of the Year and landed a spot in Bob Fosse’s film Star 80. This increased level of fame caused her husband-manager, Paul Snider, to become increasingly jealous and bitter. On Aug. 14, 1980, Snider brutally shot and killed 20-year-old Stratten in their Los Angeles apartment and then committed suicide.

2. Amy Fisher

   Amy Fisher, also known as the "Long Island Lolita," was the infamous teenager responsible for nearly killing her then-boyfriend Joey Buttafuoco’s wife, Mary Jo, in 1992. Fisher was 16 years old when she began a relationship with the New York auto body shop owner and it didn’t take long before she wanted to get his wife out of the picture. On the afternoon of the shooting, Fisher had an accomplice drive her to the Buttafuoco’s home so that she could kill Mary Jo. When his wife answered the door, Amy lied and told her that Joey was having an affair with her younger sister. Mary Jo turned away in disbelief and Fisher shot her in the head and fled the scene. Mary Jo miraculously lived through the shooting, but suffered partial paralysis on one side of her face and a loss of hearing in one ear. Fisher was eventually arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for attempted murder, and Joey served six months for statutory rape.

3. Paul and Tom Ferguson

   Paul and Tom Ferguson were the murderous brothers responsible for killing the famous silent movie star, Ramon Novarro, in 1968. On the night of his murder, Novarro invited the Ferguson brothers over to his house in hopes of having sex with one of the two men. The Fergusons believed that the actor had a large sum of money hidden inside the house, and planned to find it. After the rendezvous between Paul and Ramon was over, the brothers demanded that he give them the money. When Novarro said he didn’t have any money on him, Paul brutally beat him and left him to die. Police were able to trace a call that Tom made on the house phone to his girlfriend in Chicago on the day of the murder. She ratted them out and the brothers were arrested and sentenced to life in prison, but were paroled within seven years of the trial.

4. OJ Simpson

   OJ Simpson is one of the most notorious criminals in Hollywood. Although he was famously acquitted in the high-profile murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, in 1995, the former professional football player and actor did get arrested and imprisoned for another set of crimes. In 2007, Simpson was arrested after he and a group of armed men robbed a room in a Las Vegas hotel-casino and stole sports memorabilia from a dealer. Simpson was convicted on 12 charges, including armed robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, assault, and kidnapping and was sentenced to a maximum of 33 years in prison with a possibility of parole in nine years.

5. Robert Bardo

   The tragic murder of 21-year-old My Sister Sam star Rebecca Schaeffer became one of the biggest crime stories in Hollywood history. Robert Bardo, 19, was the crazed fan who took the actress’ life. Bardo was obsessed with Schaeffer and began writing her love letters to get her attention. She wrote him back and the two corresponded through mail for months. On July 18, 1989, Bardo went to Schaeffer’s home after tracking it down from an Arizona detective agency and shot her in the chest and fled the scene. Bardo was ratted out by a family member who informed police that he told her he was going to visit the actress that day. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence.
   
   
   For the final 3 most notorious criminals, please visit Criminal Justice Degrees Guide. 
   Remember, there's nothing scarier than real life horror. 
   
   
   © Copyright 2012 www.criminaljusticedegreesguide.com All rights reserved.
   
   
   www.criminaljusticedegreesguide.com has granted Knight Chills, non-exclusive rights to display this work.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Bury Me In A Prado by Biola Olatunde

Welcome today's guest blogger~ Biola Olatunde. She has a knack for educating others through her amazing poetry. Please enjoy. 

BURY ME IN A PRADO

by Biola Olatunde

He was only seventeen
He wanted a Prado jeep
to contest with his peers
from the other side of the street.

To the darkness bound; he went
and he whimpered his greed
that they may offer a path
to strengthen his greed

He stole a twin
and brought entwined
to his soul
a journey of fate
that will snare his faith
In the loom of life

The strangled cry of the twin;
the agonized torture of a mother
the fearful haunting
the beheaded grimace of innocence
as silent witness
tore his sleep to pieces

The Baba’s bloody hands
could not silence his sleep
the twin’s cries of despair
from murdered innocence
and maternal agony
by seconds brought him
back to the field of blood
where he had sold his soul
to purchase a Prado jeep

Now at his guilty leisure
to the stern looks of justice
he revises his need
to obtain without sweat
the judge’s cold verdict
came like cold relief
from the terror of his dreams
from the tiny watching eyes
he had buried four feet upright by the stream

That which can only be earned
by honest day’s sweat
as the hammer fell on his life
and the black robed justice wrote
a whispered longing escaped
his parched cracked lips
one more last request
bury me in a Prado jeep!

They buried him in a Prado grave
six feet standing upright
next to the tiny staring eyes
by the stream
of his warped dreams!

© Copyright Biola Olatunde 2012. All rights reserved.
Biola Olatunde has granted Knight Chills non-exclusive rights to display this work.


© Copyright Nomar Knight 2012. All rights reserved.
A Knight Chills Guest Blogger Poetry Presentation.

It's Raining Blood

It's Raining Blood

By Nomar Knight

It's raining blood

Tonight

Don't need a sharper sword

Cause vengeance will prevail

Tonight

Can't steal my dignity

Conniving little weasel

Treachery still stings my back

Tonight

Payback will rule until I see

Your head on a stick

Your heart on a plate

Your soul in my hands

Tonight

Everyone will know

What you did to me

Low-life foolish scoundrel

Tonight

Your pleas bounce off deaf ears

No one will save you

Tonight

It's raining blood 

©2012 Nomar Knight. All rights reserved.

A Knight Chills Poem.