Short Story Review: Charlie by Shana Hammaker

Charlie is the first short story in Shana Hammaker's short thriller series, Twelve Terrifying Tales for 2011 and let me tell you, you're going to be hearing a lot from Ms. Hammaker if I have anything to do with it because this is one fantastic read! You know, writing a short story is a specific art form all its own and not many writers can accomplish this feat successfully, but so far (and I've read three of Ms. Hammaker's stories thus far) I can tell you that she has it down pat.

First off, I want to thank Ms. Hammaker for writing such a well crafted and thrilling story, but perhaps even more importantly, this thing sparkled off the page with such clarity I was almost caught off guard. Allow me to explain. A few months ago, I bought my first Kindle, and to be honest, I'm addicted to the thing. However, there's one thing that drives me absolutely crazy about the e-book craze -- so many authors are rushing to get their stories out to the public that a little thing called editing is getting thrown to the wayside. Misspelled words, absent periods and terrible grammar have plagued many of the e-books I've read. That is, until I read Shana Hammaker. Shana's stories are professionally written and error-free which is truly refreshing to me. I just wanted to mention this because it tells me she really puts a lot into her work and I, for one, appreciate that.

Anyway, back to Charlie. Charlie focuses on a woman named Alex who finds a corpse in the basement of her newly purchased home. He wasn't there when she closed on the house, but the poor dead guy got there somehow. Now, as if finding the dead guy in your home isn't bad enough, it gets worse when "Charlie," as she eventually names him, starts popping up again and again. Who is Charlie and why does he keep coming back? The answer is going to surprise you.

Shana Hammaker fills her debut story with expertly-crafted characters, gorgeously realistic dialogue and a flurry of fine details other writers wish they were able to create. The fact that she does this in a short story is all the more impressive.

Take my advice and start reading Shana Hammaker's short stories. They're beautifully written, fun and fast, and yeah, a little disturbing, but that's the way I like it! I give Charlie ***** out of *****. Order it from Amazon today, it's under a buck for crying out loud!

Book Review: Luminous and Ominous by Noah K. Mulle...

When I originally read the synopsis of Luminous and Ominous by Noah K. Mullette-Gillman, I must admit I had my doubts. I mean, beautifully colored plants overtaking the planet and bringing on an extinction-level event? It doesn't exactly sound like it would work. But, for a number of reasons, it does!

Luminous and Ominous is a story about a group of friends and the decisions they have to make when it becomes evident that the world is ending. Who do they save when there's only a limited amount of time and space? What items do they take with them? What do they do when the people and the world around them change? Noah K. Mullette-Gillman brings us a very realistic look at these grim realities and that's what sets this story apart and what makes it so special. While the circumstances might be fantastic, the reactions are realistic and that's why this book works so well. You see, Noah never lies to us.

Noah fills his story with believable characters, strong and realistic dialogue (a little heavy on the exclamation points early on in the story, but that's me just picking) and a most interesting alien infestation. From his vivid descriptions of the plant-like invader to its strange and wonderful insects and animal-like hybrids, Luminous and Ominous is a fun read that plays in your mind just like a movie, sort of like a technicolor version of The Road, except this story made a better movie in my mind than film version of The Road actually was.

If you're a fan of horror survival fiction and you're looking for something new and different, you're going to want to read this book. It's unique, refreshing and pretty damn good. I give Luminous and Ominous **** out of *****.

And thanks Noah, here I thought I was the only one who has this sorta weird belief that the end of the world wouldn't be that bad of a thing. Maybe it comes from living in New Jersey. Pick up Luminous and Ominous for your Kindle and read it for yourself.

Dammit Jim, We're Writers, Not a Charity!

Over the last few years, the online copy business has suffered a dramatic shift in priorities. Where once it was important to have quality informative content, today's content providers are looking more for quantity. They want to flush the web with keywords, keywords, keywords. To make things worse, these companies are paying less now than ever for web content.

Why is that?

The truth is, in the online world, not many companies are that worried about the quality of their writing. Their primary goal is to be first in line when those Google search results pop up. All too often I hear, "We're not worried about the content, just mention the word 'fill in the blank' as many times as possible to get our Google ranking up."

What these people don't realize is that it's one thing to be a top ranker in the search results, but it's another thing entirely to get people to actually buy from them or to use their service. In order for that to occur, the site has to have creative, relevant copy that clearly delivers their message and speaks directly to the consumers they are trying to attract. Of course, this can be accomplished while keeping a steady grip on the basic SEO fundamentals. But sadly, not many companies are willing to pay for that brand of good writing.

And to be honest, why should they?

Yep, that's what I said - why should they pay for good writing? If you look through any of the online freelance content services, you will see thousands of writers who are willing to work for pennies.

A 500-word article for $.50 (yes, that's 50 CENTS)? You'll have hundreds of bidders for the job.

35 blog posts per month for $15? You'll find someone to take the job, guaranteed.

Or, how about the ever popular - 100 articles, 300 words each by Saturday for $100? Oh, did I mention today's Thursday? SOLD!

It really is depressing to see so many writers prostituting themselves this way. This is our livelihood - have some pride, why don't you?!

In November of 2007, Hollywood's screenwriter's guilds went on strike to rectify a great injustice to the industry's writers. That strike put Hollywood on its heels and made a tremendous impact like no other strike before it. During that three month strike, the true value of quality writers suddenly became realized and appreciated.

Web copywriters aren't fortunate enough to have a union backing them, but that doesn't mean we can't stand up for our rights. We are the only ones who can make a change within our industry. Companies will continue to pay less as long as there are writers out there accepting these low-ball jobs.

As good old Dr. McCoy would say, "Dammit Jim, I'm a writer, not a charity!"

What do you say? Who's up for a revolution?

Are You Comfortable?

Comfort. It's a word that we can sometimes take for granted, yet at the same time, it's something we're always striving for. Financial comfort, emotional comfort, physical comfort -- these are the three goals that each and every one of us strive for each and every day. But, is comfort really such a good thing?

As I'm writing this, I am enjoying a splendid cup of coffee. Now, usually, I take my coffee with just creamer or if I have it in the cupboard, I'll add some Truvia, a non-calorie sweetener. I prefer my coffee this way not because I like the way it tastes, even though it's not all that bad, but because I want to cut down on the amount of sugar I take in. Diabetes runs in my family and truth be told, I could lose a few pounds. Therefore, coffee sans sugar.

But, when I'm really in need of comfort, out comes the sugar. And believe me when I say that first sip is like mana from Heaven! The kicker is -- even though the coffee is outrageously delicious and comforting to me, behind the scenes it's not doing me any good.

This same rule can be applied to not only your daily life, but to your work as well. If there's one thing I've learned as a freelancer, one can never get "comfortable." The second you think you're free and clear and all's right with the world, that's the moment you need to pick up the pace and work harder. If you don't, more times than not, you'll pay the consequences.

In business, one can never be truly comfortable. You have to be waiting (and preparing) for the next shoe to drop. Your ears have to be up and primed in order to hear your competitor's approaching footsteps. You need to be ready to make your next move. When you're comfortable, these things fall by the wayside. After all, life is good, right? Yep, and that's what the comfortable antelope thought, right before his uncomfortable brothers and sisters bounced off and he became the lion's lunch.

So now is a good time to ask yourself -- am I comfortable?

If you are and you're happy about it, that's fine, but...wait a minute...did you hear that sound coming from the bushes?

Writing Routines of the Masters -- Jonathan Mayberry

Here is a snippet from my interview with Bram Stoker Award-Wining author, Jonathan Maberry. Jonathan is the author of one of my favorite trilogies -- Ghost Road Blues, Dead Man's Song and Bad Moon Rising. His newest novel, Patient Zero was just released. If you haven't read anything by him, visit your local bookstore today and pick him up, you won't regret it!


What is your writing routine like?

Jonathan: I write for a living so I log a lot of hours. Mostly I work from home, so I’m usually up early and at my computer by around 7:30 and I write until 5. I usually take a 5 to 10 minute break each hour to exercise (stretch, move, etc.), and that keeps my mind fresh and reduces stress on my neck and shoulders.

I set myself a daily minimum of 4000 words for whichever project is currently on deadline. That’s usually half of my workday. The other half I’m working on research, marketing, or working on projects for my clients -book editing, manuscript analysis, etc.

I also try to spend a little time each day on message boards and MySpace. Those are great for meeting readers, fellow writers, experts for my research, and so on.

The day goes fast.

If I’m really pressed for a deadline then the whole day will be built around that project.

My agent has sold eight books for me over the last two years, only one of which was actually written at the time of sale...so I have a pretty hefty schedule. I love it though. It’s a great life.

To read the complete interview, click here.

Writing Routines of the Masters - Alan Rowe Kelly

Alan Rowe Kelly is an award winning independent filmmaker and quite frankly, one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. The funny thing is, despite all that charm, Alan writes some of the most hilarious, off the wall and twisted screenplays in independent film. If you want a sample of his sheer genious, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of his latest masterpiece, The Blood Shed. It's chock full of memorable characters and witty dialogue.

It's this interview with Alan that has inspired me to finish my own screenplay this year. So, without further ado, here is Alan Rowe Kelly's answer to one of my favorite questions:

What is your writing routine like?

Alan: It’s a daily thing. At least 2 to 3 hours a day/night – whenever it comes to me. There is no rhyme or reason to the way I write but I love to tell a good story. I still type like a newspaper reporter in an old movie! I don’t use the script programs, or format my pages, or utilize any of the easier methods available for a writer on a computer. I am very old fashioned that way.

But at least when I’m done, every actor, cameraman, editor and producer who reads my script always comes back knowing exactly where the story, the characters, the setting, and look of the film is going. My scripts are part novella, part production notes all in one. It just works for me and my crew that way, so why fix it if it ain’t broke?

It excites me even to know that my point of view on paper can look exactly as written on film – if not better. So when its time for cast readings, rehearsals, and the actual filming, everyone knows and understands exactly where they have to be – yet still have plenty of room for improvisation.

I am totally glued to my scripts until that very moment when I call “Action”. Then everything tends to change, and usually for the better. I use my scripts only as a template the work day – so if changes have to be made, we make them right there at that very moment. I’m not overly attached to my words, just the point they get across on camera. And if an actor has an easier and more beneficial way of conveying that point – I’m all for it! As long as it looks good and the story moves smoothly.

The Blood Shed was a very different script than what I normally write. It was mostly a series of vignettes like many foreign films follow. A sort of “a day in the life of…” storyline. The Blood Shed was originally written as a short for the horror anthology Hung By A Thread. But it became so much bigger when filming it that we had to make it a feature. I found it very interesting that a lot of American critics really liked the film – but felt it totally lacked a plot of any kind. I always thought it had a strong beginning, middle and end. But then, a lot of folks expect a film to be only one way in structure without deviation of any kind. In the end, I’m the one who is happy with the results. If I can’t look at that film and like it – no one else is going to either.

To read my full interview with this wonderful artist, click HERE.

Inspirations...

Let's face it, as writers, we need to feel inspired. If we aren't, we can sit and stare at the page or screen for endless hours. It's the one common thread that connects each of us.

The wonderful thing about inspiration is that it can come from anywhere. You may hear a certain line in an old song, or you may catch the sun at just the right moment as it dips below the horizon. Or, you may have the opportunity to interview one of your favorite artists.

That last situation happens to be the case for me. On my other blog, Dave's Horror Reviews, I have the wonderful opportunity to interview many of today's most important figures in the horror industry. From award winning novelists to award winning filmmakers, they each have remarkable stories to tell and for me, that's inspiring.

So, I've decided to share their stories here in hopes that they may inspire you as well. If you have something that is particularly inspiring to you, I'd love to hear it. Leave me a comment and let me know what inspires you.