Writing Horror – The Midnight Society

I'm delighted to announce, in collaboration with The Midnight Society, the 9th annual Halloween showcase: THESE DEADLY CURSES. The #SpookyShowcase is an annual tradition to celebrate autumn, October, and all things spooky. What is the #SpookyShowcase? The Spooky Showcase supports the clever minds of creatives around the world through short stories, artistic creations, and more. This showcase is known to celebrate October magic, the macabre, and horror-inspired work. What is this year's theme? This year’s theme is These Deadly Curses. All submission[...]

books, Horror, Writing, Writing Horror

December 31, 2020

Writing Horror While Horrified – 2020 Insights

I started 2020 focused on writing growth, but I struggled to put my dread and horror into words. I'm sharing five things that made my writing, and my writing life, grow.

books, Horror, Reading, Scary Stories, Writing, Writing Horror

February 21, 2019

Book Review: THERE’S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE by Stephanie Perkins

First Impressions I have always judged books by their covers so it was no surprise to me that Stephanie Perkins's There's Someone Inside Your House was an instant YES. There's a lot I love about this cover, but my hearteyes were first sewn to three things: That hint-of-late-eighties neon pink projection lettering. How some of the words are broken across the stairs and railing (why do those creeps in the movies always go upstairs when they're alone? Constant disappointment. My fellow screenwriters could know better. You don't go upstairs. You wait for the[...]

Writing, Writing Bloody, Writing Horror

April 2, 2018

Happy Camp NaNoWriMo! Keep writing, writing, writing!

It's April 2nd, which means that many of you participating in Camp NaNoWriMo have been working on your book or your project for two days already! Or erm, if you're like me, you really haven't started yet because of the weekend and um, yeah, I should probably get on that. First off, CONGRATULATIONS on taking the next step to make your creative project a reality if you are participating and already signed up. Secondly, if you haven't checked out NaNoWriMo, you should! It's a great way to start the project you've been wanting to work on and creating excellent writ[...]

Writing, Writing Bloody, Writing Horror

March 26, 2018

Where to Query Your MG Horror Novel (Part 2)

The Where to Query series is now off to a running start and if I'm lucky, I'll have about as many addendums to this as there are Land Before Time movies. I wanted to do this because sometimes your eyes start to cross when you're researching agents. I know that sometimes I find myself wishing that someone would just make a list for me. So, here you go friends. A magical list put together just for your middle grade horror novel! I've written one post previously on this, titled: Where to Query Your YA Horror Novel. That post is helpful for anyone to re[...]

Horror in Nature, Horror Writing, Inspiration, Writing Horror

January 18, 2018

The Feel of Little Legs Crawling on the Back of Your Neck

“What’s the matter, Mr. Pratt? Bugs got your tongue?” And with that, the horror of Creepshow overtakes us. We’re already on edge watching the cockroaches skitter through Mr. Pratt’s immaculate home. They pop out and dart into the light. It's unnerving. Moments before Mr. Pratt is overcome with cockroaches, before they pour from his mouth and burst out of his split skin, we are already imagining it. Bugs. On his tongue. In his mouth. Imagine them crawling around in there, their spiky little legs scraping against your teeth. If you are shuddering b[...]

Conventions, Horror Writing, Spooky Empire, Women Horror Writers, Writing Horror

November 9, 2017

Spooky Empire Creators Track

Wednesday Addams, the Headless Horseman, and Velma from Scooby Doo walked into a horror convention. They walked with me from the parking garage to Spooky Empire, along with gender-swapped Beetlejuice and more than one Pennywise. Sam from Trick r Treat greeted me when I walked in. I love Sam, and Halloween was only a few days away, but I had a writing panel to catch. Spooky Empire started in 2003, and it’s grown to be one of the largest horror conventions in the nation. The self-proclaimed ‘dark side of Comic Con’ is held in Orlando, Florida nowadays[...]

Stephen King, Writing Horror

October 12, 2017

SLEEPING BEAUTIES – Writing Inspiration from Stephen and Owen King

Stephen King was a gateway to horror for me. I grew up loving monster movies and doing school reports on Edgar Allen Poe and the Salem witch trials. Then, at ten years old, my uncle took me to see The Shining. I pestered my mom until she let me read her movie tie-in paperback, and I was captivated. I’d never read anything like Stephen King before. I fell completely into the worlds he built. The scenery surrounded me; his characters felt like people I knew. In the whirl of supernatural beings and evil forces, Stephen King’s stories felt more rea[...]

Cemeteries, Horror in Nature, The Midnight Society News, Women Horror Writers, Writing Horror

October 5, 2017

An Interview Without a Vampire

As our newest member of The Midnight Society could not be located for an interview on this, the day of her birth, I took the liberty of conducting it without her. The Davis Girl (TDG): Are you ready to be interviewed, Victoria Nations? Victoria Nations (VN): Yes! This is very exciting! Such an honor to be interviewed by THE The Davis Girl! Rumors of your interviewing prowess are not exaggerated! TDG: Very true. Hello Midnight Society Readers. I am joined today via imagicaffeine by Victoria Nations. Victoria, welcome. VN: Thank you The Davis Girl! TDG:[...]

Writing, Writing Horror

July 26, 2017

Come Sprint with Us!

This morning, Brian and I took to Twitter and sprinted. It was awesome. We were both up early and it was nice to have someone out there who was writing at the same time. Together, we decided that what would make it even better would be YOU! Anytime one of us is writing, we will post to the hashtag #MidnightSocietyWritersClub. And then all you need to do is join us in our writing time. Post to the hashtag and let us know who you are and how long you want to write for. It's all in the name of building community and encouraging stories to flourish. Even though we'[...]