Posts Tagged ‘paranormal’

Clues

Posted: January 11, 2018 in Blog
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I love to leave references in my work, Easter eggs, as it were.  Some of them are much less obvious than others.  The name of one of my protagonists, Lilja Perhonen, is one, a big one.  I also leave clues that are sort of homages to writers that have had a large impact on me.

Take this excerpt from my second book, Sword of the Butterfly:

“Wilbraham?” came the inevitable summons, the professor moving his head around as though in search of whom this may be, though nearly all of the small body of the class had by now been announced.

“Here, sir,” he finally spoke, his voice an odd mixture of deep, gruff, but with a scratch of break, as though of pubescence or merely suffering from some chronic allergy.

“That is a good, old name from England,” Professor Edwards remarked with utmost sincerity, then consulting his list, looking back up, “Pothos? That’s your first name?”

Pothos nodded, slowly, almost laboriously.

“Your parents must also be students of mythology to give you a great name like that,” the instructor carried on, letting his dark, bushy eyebrows rise as though throwing a question mark onto the supposition.

That alludes to what becomes a huge Easter egg.  It also references an experience I had back in college, but I wouldn’t expect anyone to figure that out.  The layers do begin to get a little complicated, and sometimes I forget why I crafted things the way I did.  Still, I think it adds to the journey, and I hope there are those who discover these things and feel the same.

If you’ve read my work and think you have some guessed, please leave a comment.  If you have not, then grab a book and begin the hunt!

My Amazon Author Page

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#IGWritersOct – Week Three

Posted: October 23, 2017 in Blog
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October is just zooming by. A lot is going on, and it can be difficult to stay focused, but let’s roll with the third week of IG Writers month and see what we get.

15: Fav. Scary Read – Okay, this is timely. It by Stephen King. I enjoy horror stories, but they rarely actually scare more. I usually find them to be darkly entertaining, but to experience real fear whilst reading one is uncommon. I have read a few stories recently by some independent authors that gave me some trepidation and fright. Thank you Carmilla Voiez and Jeffrey Kosh. The Exorcist also scared me, but It is my favorite. I love the novel, and I have read it several times.

16: Writer Foods/Fuel – Coffee. There is no specific food I associate with writing. In fact, I rarely eat while writing. There is always a drink on hand, though, and it is usually coffee.

17: Author Crush – I don’t really have one.  There are several authors I’d like to me, but no crushing is happening.

18: Page 13 of your WIP – I made a post about this on my Twitter. Feel free to check it out.

19: Book Dedication – Dance of the Butterfly is a tale that very nearly did not happen.  It took time to take  hold and even more time to truly blossom.  Were it not for the ceaseless help of a very dear, close friend, it would not have been done.  In a very real way, it parallels that relationship, taking from that story to add to its own.  For this, I deeply thank you, Jane.

20: Killed Darlings – I am not sure I like this one being here. A killed darling generally comes with a shock. If I say who has died in my books, then the shock is gone. If you have not yet read them, you would not be emotionally invested, anyway. Suffice it to say, there are some. Read to find out.

21: Plot-Twist – I love these. Both of my books have a few and the third will as well. I enjoy setting things up and having a few different twists and turns happen throughout. I also like to use red herrings, and one in my first book is layered with some subtle referencing. I have even followed patterns in my series, so that, in itself, becomes a clue.

There we are. I hope you have enjoyed this third week of IGWriters month. Please do visit my Amazon Author Page for my published works. I’d love to have you as a reader.

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#IGWritersOct – Week Two

Posted: October 16, 2017 in Blog
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And it continues …

So, I feel stupid. The IG in IGWritersOct is for Instagram. I don’t use Instagram, just set up a meager little account. I’ll have to get more into it, but I digress.

8: BRAINstorming – another one I am not sure what they mean, but basically, my brainstorms generally come from dreams. I pull from my dreams for a great deal of my inspiration. My urban fantasy series began from three different such experiences. My other form of brainstorming is more deliberate, and it happens when I really focus on the story and maybe talk it out or plot it and see what I may be missing or what can be added. Completely unexpected ideas have come from this, and I value the technique.

9: Writing Adventures – Yes, I can do that. Ah, but maybe they mean adventures that happened to me because of writing. I had my first convention as a published author at this year’s Scares that Cares. That was very exciting. I got to meet my publisher face to face along with other authors and friends. It was a great weekend.

10: Mental Health & Writing – I would say that writing can be very therapeutic. The way I write, though, it can also be difficult. I really get into my writing, and sometimes it spawns unpleasant feelings. There are some scenes that once I wrote them, I had difficulty editing them. Once edited, I don’t read them again.

11: Handwriting Sample – I am going to pass on this one. I rarely use handwriting for anything at all in my life.

12: Pantser or Plotter – I do both. I generally plot out the major points, then I fill in the blanks and details with stream-of-consciousness writing. That seems pretty much by the seat of the pants.

13: Writing Rituals – I don’t really have one of these, though my writing usually does not get done without some coffee on hand. I sometimes choose very specific music to help, and then it is on low volume.

14: Dead Manuscripts – Oh, boy, do I have these. I have thousands of pages of unpublished poetry, short stories, even novels. Most of those are incomplete, but there are two that are complete and one that was about 95%. Looking back on them, very few seem worthy of resurrection.

And that’s another week! I hope you enjoyed, found something thoughtful, or in some way found value here. Thank you for reading. Comments and questions are always welcome, and if you are interested in my published works, please visit my Amazon Author Page.

Thanks!

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Dance of the Butterfly – drop, drop, drop

Posted: May 5, 2017 in Blog
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“He lies upon the thin mattress, the meager offering upon the rickety metal frame, staring up at the ceiling. He sees patterns there, images resolving within the texturing of the sheet rock, mingling with the tiny cracks of age and disrepair, the flaking of paint.”

Who is this strange ex-college student from South Africa who has come to the City as if drawn by a lodestone? He holds no conventional employment, and he is seen frequenting the areas plagued by the serial killer. How long until the light of suspicion falls upon him? Will that scrutiny be warranted?

I know it may not be considered the best practice in crafting a story, but I love introducing new characters late in the tale.  This one, Ernst van Zyl, does so in Dance of the Butterfly, and he plays a pivotal, multi-layered role in the story.  He is also an homage to one of my favorite writers.  I wonder who many will figure that out.

Please buy and read Dance of the Butterfly (for 18+ readers), the first book in my urban fantasy series to find out exactly what part Ernst plays in the unfolding saga.

Dance of the Butterfly – print version
Dance of the Butterfly – electronic editions

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Dance of the Butterfly – the Second Drop

Posted: April 21, 2017 in Blog
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The City in which the majority of my first book takes place ends up becoming quite important.  It is an urban center with a swarm of energies, a nexus, and thus it attracts much unto itself, good or bad.  Of the myriad things happening, one of them is the presence of serial killer, a savage murderer displaying a deep degree of barbarity.  The identity and purpose of this criminal is central to the goings-on within the story.

“The thorax has been rent quite savagely, initially torn open by three large wounds, ranging from ten to thirteen inches, the condition of the flesh indicating this was not a bladed weapon, nor were they done by the same hand.”

“What?” Mahler asks, looking up from viewing the printed report which lies bound in a heavy stock covering.

“It wasn’t a knife or dagger or similar bladed weapon. I consulted an old friend of mine who ended up getting into veterinarian medicine, and she agrees that this looks like it was caused by claws.”

“Are you saying an animal did this?” Pasztor chimes in.

Does this have anything to do with the valuable book in the university’s secured collection? Does the young librarian Lilja have any clue as to what is really going on?

Find out in Dance of the Butterfly, the first book in my urban fantasy series –

Dance of the Butterfly – print version
Dance of the Butterfly – electronic editions

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Dance of the Butterfly – the First Drop

Posted: April 14, 2017 in Blog
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The main goal of this site is to convey my writings and myself.  I have written a series of urban fantasy books (two published, the third in progress), and I hope to garner readers who have a positive experience.  As any author may tell you, this is a very personal exposure.  Though it may be hidden in layers of metaphor and subtext, we are revealing ourselves to do this.  In my case, my works are very autobiographical.  I hope my followers enjoy the various blog posts I make, and I hope it allows you to learn more about me.  However, what I’d like to do is entice those who may not have read my books to want to do so.  I shall be giving up little teasers, if you will, of that tale.  If you have read them, please feel free to comment.

An explosion rocks the manor of a prestigious family just as they make a critical discovery that could affect the entire world. Not long after, a similar secret is uncovered in a major metropolis in central Europe. This same city is beset with heinous crimes – sex-trafficking, serial murder. All of this threads the weave of a great threat to humanity.

Lilja Perhonen is a young librarian from Finland. She left her home to escape her own demons, only to find much worse waiting for her in the City.  As curator of a prestigious university’s rare books, she learns that one in particular holds greater treasures than she had ever imagined. Her curiosity and bravery lead her to find out more, despite the real danger it poses to her.

Learn more about Lilja.

Find out what happens in Dance of the Butterfly, the first book in my urban fantasy series. For 18+ readers.

Dance of the Butterfly – print version
Dance of the Butterfly – electronic editions

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Friday Feyday – Strange

Posted: April 7, 2017 in Blog
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In my debut novel, Dance of the Butterfly, I introduce a new character about halfway through the book.  This was equal parts inspiration and deliberation.  I found it satisfied me as a writer (and reader) in many ways, even bucking some tropes.  It allowed me to shape and even realize a few patterns in my first book that I intentionally followed in the sequel and plan to use in the third installment.  Before I digress further, this new character is an odd fellow.  I don’t want to give away too much, but he shows up from seemingly nowhere to find a place center stage in the unfolding events, perhaps even being a key to understanding what all is happening and why.  He is the subject of today’s #fridayfeyday post.

He lies upon the thin mattress, the meager offering upon the rickety metal frame, staring up at the ceiling. He sees patterns there, images resolving within the texturing of the sheet rock, mingling with the tiny cracks of age and disrepair, the flaking of paint.

He wants to sleep. He doesn’t want to sleep. His pale blue eyes remain open, rarely blinking, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts are taken by pathways and strange images, shadows and flashing glimpses of an invisible world. He see things he does not understand, does not want to see.

I hope this helps to stimulate the appetite.  Please buy, read, and review my debut novel, Dance of the Butterfly, and then continue on with the sequel.  Thank you!

Dance of the Butterfly – print version
Dance of the Butterfly – digital editions

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Friday Feyday – Oddity

Posted: March 31, 2017 in Blog
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I am going to begin making posts here on my blog for #fridayfeyday.  This was begun by fellow author  Cynthia Morgan, and I thank her for letting me use the concept.  The concept is to make a post that somehow invokes this sense of ‘fey’.  Let’s begin, shall we?

She sees Ryan, held in bondage. He is restrained by something that looks organic, as though one of the very beasts has wrapped itself about him, lengths of its form attached by toothed suckers, the tendrils flexing obscenely, one of them partially covers his face, going over his left eye, fluid leaks, staining him, a dark red, some even black. He is obviously in anguish.

The Bride, the Bride …

She turns about, looking, wondering how she hears this rustling of odd speech, this sense of confusion and excitement coming from the denizens.

“… Iris …?”

And this is Ryan, and her eyes find him, noting his struggles, his tension and pain, the seething burn and fear so obvious upon his restrained form. She merely stands there, saying nothing, as several of the monsters move to her, getting in close, more observant than ready to touch her.

“How are you … alive?”

This is from Sword of the Butterfly, the second book in my urban fantasy series.  Please be sure to get your own copy, give it a read, and drop me a review.  Comments and feedback are greatly desired.  Thank you!

Sword of the Butterfly – print edition
Sword of the Butterfly – kindle edition

Author Life Month – First Week

Posted: February 7, 2017 in Blog
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So, there is this Author Life Month (#authorlifemonth) thing happening on Instagram.  I don’t have an Instagram account, but I won’t let that stop me.  Instead of making a post a day, though, I think I will do them weekly and just lump everything together.

My Books
I have one book published, the second in the series is coming very soon, and a short story in a just released anthology.  My series is in the urban fantasy genre, but it is grounded in quasi-realism.  It is very much a mystery and slow burn to the reveal, though things will be much more open in the second installment.  You can see (and buy) all three from my Amazon Author Page.

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Here is a photo of me.

Fan Art
I have had the pleasure of some art being done of characters and events in my book.  You can view these in the Artwork category here.

WIP
My current work in progress (well, officially, as I am working on several things) is the third book in my urban fantasy series.  Allow me to share a little teaser –

One is of a woman, wearing a dark gray, nondescript dress that covers from wrists to ankle, but her face hides behind a mid-twentieth century gas mask.  Close examination shows the mask to actually be part of her face, giving forth a meld that is quite out of the ordinary.  Her hair is stringy in some places but others seem of ridged rubber.  The combination is so well done as to somewhat trick the eye.

“Look at her fingernails,” Zoe mentions, giving further personification to the statue.

Lilja notes the cracks and chips, the detail again as she had seen it in the smaller works.

“It’s like she tried to get free.”

Where I Write
I have a little media room, I call it, in my house.  It is not fully enclosed, which makes it wonderful for me.  It is where my desk and computer reside along with another desk on which I have set up my keyboard and amplifier.  I do most all of my creating in this space.  I have used an old typewriter and even done handwritten manuscripts, but I prefer using a word processor.

Writing Music
I do not often have music playing when I write.  I can find it distracting.  If I do listen to music, it is instrumental.  Music with lyrics is far too distracting for me to work to.  Some music I have listened to when writing my series has been the soundtracks to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Hannibal, the television series.

Cover Inspiration
I always had an idea for the cover of Dance of the Butterfly.  I am not sure what inspired me, but the basic aesthetic always seemed to be there, lingering in my mind.  I want to thank Tomi Rautanen for the sketch of my idea which eventually became the visual basis for the cover.

That is the first week.  I do hope you have enjoyed these insights.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions.  Thank you.

 

What We Don’t Understand

Posted: February 2, 2017 in Blog
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There are things out there we don’t understand.  There are things in the darkness that hiss and whisper and gnaw at us.  We have our doubts and our fears.  There are behaviors we don’t understand.  Why are some people so horrible to others?  Why are some people convinced of living by hate and greed?  Mysteries abound within this existence.  We’d be arrogant to think we know everything.

There are those who have experienced things, and through the frailty of their own imperfect interpretation, they have attempted to relate these things.  There are books of strange knowledge, and there are those who would search through these for what kernel of truth may lie within.  There are those who protect such treasures, for even if they are not fully aware of the contents, they shall not let them be abused by others.

Three such rare and valuable books of power are out there.  Two have been found, but one still eludes.  There are two powerful families, one ruled by arrogance, the other tempered by responsibility.  Both could be very wrong in everything they do, and we might be headed to disaster no matter the efforts.  We might be headed to disaster if one or both succeed.

How does one stop the demons of men, even when those demons threaten to take on a life of their own?

Find out in my book, Dance of the Butterfly, the first in a series.

“This story has, action, romance and sex, …, intrigue, crime, and the occult, literally something for everyone. Give it a read. You’ll find it well worth the time.”

“The characters are rich and fully developed and the story reads like a great mystery film. Each piece of information is a puzzle piece – all leading down a dark road that the reader must travel to get to the revealing end.”

Click to buy the print version.
Click to buy the digital version.

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