Brain Matter

Well, it's the end of the year and for genre writers this means frantic scurrying to read and nominate all those books and stories you never had the chance read all year long. And for someone like myself who writes in multiple genres, and is a member of multiple writer organizations, it means a lot of eye strain! With that in mind (and because a few people have nudged me to get my ass in gear), I am also posting that I have a couple of works eligible for awards, in the horror and science fiction/fantasy categories. So, if you're reading this, and you're part of the HWA or the SFWA (or even the Thriller Writers!), please feel free to take a gander. "The Lazarus Effect" is a weird urban fantasy that involves people facing the possible end of the world when zombies and religion collide. It's out now in the latest edition of Cemetery Dance (#74/75, the big double issue). If you're a member of either organization, you read it for free here: http://www.jgfah...

It's getting close to Halloween (really, only 6 weeks!) so I thought I'd post my all-time Top 15 horror movies, in no particular order: 1. Phantasm. The first time you see the silver balls, or the Tall Man? Has there ever been a person more perfect for a role than Angus Scrimm? I was 17 when this came out and there were scenes in it that actually made me jump. 2. The Shining. A lot of people, including Stephen King himself, don’t like this movie. Personally, I think it’s great, despite some of the over-acting. The outdoor scenes and bar scenes were the best. 3. The Exorcist. This was a movie that stayed with you long after you left the theater. The scenes of the actual exorcism can't be beat. 4. The Omen. I often consider this a cousin of sorts to The Exorcist. Kids, demons...that feeling that it could happen in your neighborhood. And how could you visit a graveyard after that without thinking of Rottweilers? 5. Burnt Offerings. Many a nig...

Most people wouldn't think to discuss writing by comparing it to a Monty Python sketch. But today's guest blogger, Brian W. Matthews, not only does just that, he does it in a way that mirrors what he achieves in his latest book, The Conveyance: by using the idea of taking something ordinary and turning it upside down in order to surprise the reader. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have you ever seen the Monty Python skit, the Ministry of Silly Walks? It’s one of their most famous, near the top of a long list of hilarious British comedy routines. If you haven’t, take a moment to do the Google and watch it. Don’t worry, I’ll wait for you. Done? Great. We can move on. I learned one thing from this brilliant skit—writing well is much like walking badly. Sounds confusing, I know, but bear with me. When you walk, hundreds of muscles and a handful of sensory systems work cooperatively an...