I'm working on a series right now about zombies. Kind of. It's about an all girl pop band fighting zombies. (Check out my pinterest board, I think it's ridiculous fun!) This has me doing lots of reading about weapons (and listening to an absurd amount of pop music), so I thought I'd open up everyone's favorite debate... What would be your weapon of choice for zombie slaying? Are you someone who wants something up close and sharp? Blunt? Something you can use from far away? What do you think will increase your odds? You can take more than one, but my ultimate tra[...]
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writing
0 When it comes to writing horror, there are certain advantages to setting your story in winter. If you live in the North, it is a season marked by peril. You make decisions simply on whether or not they may cause you to freeze to death, your water pipes to burst, or your cupboard to run out of back-up food. In addition to a mental state of bravery, it is a time marked by warmth, magic, and fresh starts. I made this infographic on Picktochart to organize my thinking. I focused on clothing, holidays, and causes of death that are a part of winter (or could be). May[...]
As acquiring editor for SHINE, the new YA/NA line from Leap Books, I’m always in the market for great reads and what better way to seek them out than to share news about our upcoming releases and provide our submission guidelines? Leap Books, LLC has been around since 2009, but we’re just venturing into the world of ebook novellas for both young adult and new adult markets. Early in 2015 we’ll see the launch of two young adult SHINE titles and I can’t wait for these babies to go live. Tina Ferraro, a two-time RITA Young Adult finalist and the author of T[...]
We all know of Scrooge from Dickens' ghost story, A Christmas Carol, but how many of you have actually read it? If nothing, you've heard it retold, but I want you to write like Scrooge, not a scrooge. A scrooge is stingy. He sits on piles of wealth, but exercises thrift in handing it out, even when he knows the dire circumstances of those around him. In the story, even Scrooge lives a modest life in spite of his wealth. He doesn't live like Scrooge McDuck. At all. Unlike the retellings, Scrooge has depth. There are clear reasons why he's afraid to invest in pe[...]
There's no way to beat the Monday Blues than to write through them. Whether you're suffering through writer's block, working on a new book, or you're looking to understand your main character better... we've got a fantastic writing prompt for you. I personally love urban legends. A particular urban legend inspired this one. Monday Writing Prompt Your main character is parked in a car at Lover's Lane and he/she is making out with their love interest. Until they hear a sound... a strange sound. What happens next? ***** We'd love to read your answer in the comments[...]
The Midnight Society wanted to help our readers get to know them a little better, so periodically we'll be running "Ask the Midnight Society" where a question is asked and our members answer! Feel free to leave questions in the comments below for us to answer next time. Let's jump right off. This week we asked two different questions. 1. What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you? and 2. What are your writing / editing habits? Here is what we had to say... What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you? [color-box] Amy: One day when[...]
When I started writing seriously a couple of years ago, a few things had to change to support my habit. When you work a demanding day job, and you often stumble out of the office craving a little more than what the nine to five offers, you need to establish certain routines that support the extra shamble home. The people who tell you to exercise and eat right? They've got the right idea. The better shape your body is in, the better likelihood you've got to plant yourself in front of a keyboard for a few extra hours every night and churn some words that don't suck.[...]
Today I have an exciting event to tell you about! One of my favorite horror book blogs, Contagious Reads, is going to be hosting a conference celebrating women horror writers. Big shout out to our very own Faith, for giving me the heads up on this one. I'm thrilled to tell you I'll be participating in two panels (Romance in Horror and Zombies: The Struggle To Not Be Pidgeonholed Into One Subgenre) AND (EEEEEK!)... my zombies from FATAL have been nominated for Best Zombies! But the best new is, ALL OF YOU CAN GO. Because it's free and it's on Facebook. Isn't that[...]
I am a huge Stephen King fan. I enjoy reading his stories and watching his words come to life on the big screen. But the real reason I have so much regard for Mr. King is because of his ability to take himself and writing so seriously. A few years ago I read his book on the craft of writing aptly named, On Writing. If you haven't read this yet, I implore you to get a copy now. Seriously. I've recently come back to read some advice he gives--because honestly, sometimes writers need to give themselves a good ol' pep talk. Reminding yourself once and a while abo[...]
There's a lot of things out there that will kill you, but sitting seems to be creeping up the ladder. Weird, right? I work for a tech company where a lot of people have jumped on the standing desk bandwagon to reduce the number of hours they remain planted on their butts and increasing their chances of chronic disease, reduced life expectancy, kidney disease, crappy mental health, obesity, and just plain death. Death. Death. Death. (Check out this article from Popular Science if you're curious.) I don't know about you, but I sit at work when I'm not running betwe[...]