I've moved!

Hi, all.

Just a quick note to let you know that I have now moved and have a brand new website over at Free Webs. Sadly, Monsters in my Closet is no more. My new website is called 'The Burning corpse.'

Why am I doing this?

Well, my good friend Mark Smith-Briggs suggested I do up a website because I saw his new one and thought, Wow, that's pretty cool. I'm glad I took his advice, it is starting to look quite good.

I also wanted to move on a bit as part of my continuing growth as a writer. I want a little more exposure so I can become more known around the web.

So, it's goodbye to Blogger and if you want to come on over to my new site, follow the below link:

http://www.freewebs.com/specficwriter

Cheers!

Submission: Accepted

Hi, all.

Just learnt today that one of my flash fiction pieces, Laura has been accepted into this year's Short and Twisted anthology from Celapene Press.

This will now be my second work of fiction to be published this year. The first, of course is my story scheduled to appear in Black Box. I think this is going to be a pretty good year writing-wise. My goal this year was to have no less than 8 pieces published - maybe I should make it 12!

Later.

What I'm reading: The Hunt for Atlantis - Andy McDermott

2007 In Retrospect

I know, I know - I haven't made a blog entry since like forever but I do have some good excuses for it, really!

For me, 2007 was a huge year, one of highs, lows, joys and sadness - a real mixed bag of emotions, let me tell you. My year couldn't have started off better since my son was born on the 5th of February. Nothing comes close to the joy I experienced when he entered the world for the first time. Now, in the blink of an eye, his first birthday is rapidly approaching. Time does fly.

On a sadder note, I lost my step dad in October. He lost his battle with cancer and I can now say that he's not suffering anymore. This was quite a difficult time and my writing did take a back seat for a little while.

But with my writing, this year I had a flash piece, Wired for Sound accepted into FlashSpec Volume 2 but the highlight of the year came when I learned that one of my micro stories, Edgar's Final Act made the cut to be included in Black Box by Brimstone Press. To be a part of a collection along with the top dark fiction writers in this country is a dream come true (it only took five subs for E.F.A. to make it!)

I also managed to write ten new stories this year, even though some of them were micro pieces - but it feels good to be churning out regular work.

Now, I do love to read. Unfortunately the list of books below I read this year doesn't even come close to the 2006 list. Anyway, here they are:

Dark Tower 1 - The Gunslinger - Stephen King
Dark Tower 2 - The Drawing of the Three - Stephen King
Cell - Stephen King
The Familiar Stranger - Brett McBean
The Good Guy - Dean Koontz
The Shining - Stephen King
100 Jolts - Michael Arnzen
The Last Motel - Brett McBean
Six Sacred Stones - Matthew Reilly
Mama's Boy - Fran Friel
Blaze - Richard Bachman
Friday Night in Beast House - Richard Laymon
Bag of Bones - Stephen King

What can I say accept the rigors of Fatherhood made extra reading time that little bit more elusive.

In current news I have a few submissions out there at the moment. One of my early short stories, Beware the Children has been sent to a TV producer to hopefully be optioned off and adapted for the small screen. Harvest, a new Melbourne magazine is looking at my latest story, Treasured Pages and I also wanted to score my first reprint so I sent Ion over at Antipodean my flash piece, Wired for Sound that first appeared in FlashSpec Volume 2 earlier this year. And Shroud magazine is looking at Treasured Pages also.

Hopefully the new year will bring some exciting news.

Anyway, here are my goals for 2008:

1) To write no less than eight new stories

2) To participate in the AHWA mentorship program

3) To outline a novel

4) To win at least one competition

5) To be shortlisted for an Aurealis Award

6) To publish two reprints

Happy New Year everyone and I'll be back soon.

Another Submission: Accepted

It's always nice to receive acceptances, particularly when it means you've achieved a major goal for the year. I learnt last night that my micro fiction piece, Edgar's Final Act has made the cut and will be published in Brimstone Press' Black Box e-anthology, slated for release in January 2008.

This was a major goal for me this year because I wanted to get up there, work hard and sculpt a micro piece of fiction into something publishable, to be showcased with the best dark fiction writers in the country - now it's happened. I'm a very happy boy at the moment.

In other news, another one of my flash fiction stories, Wired For Sound recently received a favourable review on the sffworld.com website. This was the comment:

'Hard to find a flaw and the final line is irresistible...'

Well, what can I say? It's looking to be another good year for my writing career...

What I'm reading: Blaze By Richard Bachman

What the hell have I been up to?

Well, I've got some good answers to that question since it's been a while between posts. So, allow me to dust away some cobwebs and tell you what I've been doing.

Firstly, I've got two submissions out there that are being considered as I type. The first is my main project for this year, my novella - The Devil's Number. I should here something very shortly whether or not the editor wants to see the manuscript in its entirety. The second is my submission to Brimstone Press' Black Box e-anthology, a very trim 120 word piece that would highight my year - it would mean I'd be showcased in a collection among the best dark fiction writers in the country.

In other news, while occupying myself with being the best parent I can to my beautiful baby boy, and working my full-time job, I've managed to complete a first draft of a short story for possible inclusion in Dead Letter Press' premium anthology, 'Bound for Evil.' If accepted I would be showcased in a very high quality volume of short stories along with the legendary H.P. Lovecraft. This is a project I've held pretty close to my chest but now I'm comfortable enough to at least reveal the working title - 'Treasured Pages.' The deadline for this submission is the end of September so there's not much time for the inevitable re-writes and polishing (after my seven days away from the manuscript, of course - talk about discipline!)

It really does feel good to be writing again. There was a period of quite a few weeks where I refused to sit in front of the keyboard and create something. Maybe it was a confdence problem - I don't know. But while I was writing the first draft to Treasured Pages there were a couple of occasions where I zoned out while typing away, a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze me, to produce two thousand words barely remebering them coming from my head and down through my fingers. It's a real buzz.

The next time you hear from me I'll hopefully be finished the second draft of TP! Cross your fingers for me for the two submissions I mentioned earlier.

Till next time.

What I'm reading: Heart-shaped Box By Joe Hill

An Old Friend

I was at the local Bendigo Showgrounds market the other week and was browsing the book stands (I couldn't help myself) and came across an ancient copy of The Shining - a pretty rare movie tie-in edition - so I snatched it up for the princely sum of $3. You're probably asking why I did this when I could by it brand new for $20. Well, here's my answer.

All I wanted was an old copy I could read without worrying about damaging it. I missed the book - I actually sold one of my copies years ago (for shame) but that's another story. The Shining happens to be my most favourite book of all time. During my life I've read it three times before delving into it's pages again right now. I don't think I could ever get sick of it. You fall in love with the characters so much so that when you read the book again it's like visiting old friends.

I've never felt this way about any other book (although I do have soft spots for Christine, Needful Things and Pet Semetary). The story is so compelling that I will probably read it again several more times throughout my life.

This was just something personal that I wanted to share with you.

Until next time...

My Growth as a Writer

Recently, I've been reflecting on ways in which to improve my writing. A story I wrote at the beginning of the year was one I was quite happy with - that is, until I received six straight rejections. Then I started thinking, what am I doing wrong?

I've figured it out. It was so blatantly obvious and yet, I was oblivious to it. The conclusion I've come to is that...wait for it - I rush my stories. Upon analyzing and thinking about how I go about my work, I've discovered that I have become too concerned about having my stories reach print rather than give the story its best chance by taking my time with them. I've been too caught up by quantity - not quality, wanting to become too big too soon.

So right here, right now I'm going to make a declaration. With every story I write from here on in, I'm going to bang out a first draft and let it sit for a little while instead of launching straight into the second draft. I have found that my aproach to my work of late has been very narrow minded. I haven't let the stories rest and haven't asked myself quesions such as, Is the story original enough? Have I used word economy to its best advantage? Does the story flow smoothly and is it polished to a professional enough standard?

No, I haven't been asking myself these questions and my work has suffered greatly from it. So, in order to succeed and have more stories published, I will strive to give considerable thought as to a story's appeal and work and work and work it until I'm satisfied that I have written them as best as I posibly can.

The Devil's Number Update

It's been a while since I Blogged, I know - but I have been working, I swear!

In fact, earlier today I sent off the first five scenes of the novella and it is now sitting on the editor's desk. I'm feeling a bit of relief that I've finally sent it. It does ease the workload just a little.

It's amazing how different the novella has become since the first draft - the re-writing, editing, changing the sex of characters etc. But, it's reading a lot smoother now and hopefully it's got a chance at seeing publication.

I've made a vow to myself that the final product will be completed by the last quarter of the year. The projects and ideas inside my head are banking up and it is almost time to move on.

In other news, it's almost time for FlashSpec Volume 2 to be released and I have to say the line-up is pretty impressive and let's hope the stories within get some good reviews.

Another Submission: Accepted

It's beginning to look like a good year so far in terms of acceptances. I've just been notified that my flash fiction piece, The Tram has just been accepted and published on the Micro Horror website. Although, it's not a paying market, it's still good exposure for me - Pretty bloody cool!

Mama's Boy - A Review

I find it very hard to believe that, upon reading Fran Friel’s novella, Mama's Boy that it was written by an author who had just made her debut. This is a piece that has already earned her critical acclaim, a piece that turns your blood to crimson ice. You find yourself constantly wondering how a nice lady like Fran could produce a story so disturbing and macabre, yet so enjoyable at the same time.

The writing within the novella is so crisp and flowing that you could swear Fran had been churning out best-selling work for years – such is the quality of her writing that only recently earned her a Bram Stoker nomination.

As you read the first page, you’re thrust into the dark, chilling landscape that makes up Frank Doe’s soul. Frank is a mental patient warehoused in Penn Asylum and has resided within its walls for the past twenty years. In all that time he has remained mute about the goings-on in his past – until Rebecca, a young doctor freshly recruited by the asylum manages to crack open Doe’s mental vault, peeling away at the complex layers of his psyche that have remained hidden for so long. Then we begin a journey into the turbulent events from Doe’s doomed life.

Even though numerous scenes disturb you and rock you to your core, you simply can’t help but turn page after page until the very end, until you discover the reasons behind Doe’s activities. Fran keeps the momentum going at a cracking pace and doesn’t disappoint.

With a delightful little twist at the end with a strong underlying Psycho-like theme that fuels the book, I guarantee that this nasty little read will resonate with you for quite some time after putting it down. There’s so much more I could say about this brilliant book, but to do so would give too much away – you’ll just have to be on the look out for the various clues strategically scattered throughout the text.

Sadly, Mama's Boy has sold out due to a limited print run from Insidious Publications. However, don’t worry too much. Fran has mentioned that Mama's Boy will be available again; this time paired with a short story collection that’s hopefully going to be available some time next year. I know it is going to be some hot property to own, let me tell you. I can’t wait!

So keep an eye out for Fran in the future – she’s going to be around for quite some time. She’s just getting started!

For more information about Fran you can either visit her Blog at:

http://www.myspace.com/franfriel

Or you can catch her on The Horror Library’s Blog-o-Rama where she regularly contributes a column:

http://horrorlibrary.blogspot.com

Submission: Accepted

Making my debut in FlashSpec Volume 1 in 2006 was the highlight of the year for me and a massive confidence boost. So, imagine my delight when I opened up my email earlier today and found one of those messages informing me that one of my flash fiction pieces, Wired for Sound was accepted into FlashSpec Volume 2. Talk about a great Easter present!

FlashSpec Volume 1 offered no payment for its contributors last year (I was fine with that), however this time, we get paid. The amount is small, but that doesn't worry me too much - it's still my first professional sale and I get to see my work in print again!

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In other news, I thought I should give you an update of where I'm at with The Devil's Number. It's slow going, but I am getting through the second draft. It's taking a bit longer than the first draft because of the constant revision I'm employing as well as the copious re-writing of certain scenes to make the story flow better. I'm still aiming for my June deadline so I better get cracking!

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What I'm reading: Will Elliott's The Pilo Family Circus

Dead Silence

Alright! If any of you have seen the preview to this flick like I have, you'll probably agree with me that it is going to be one of the best horror films of 2007 - without doubt, especially when you have talent like James Wan at the helm. It's going to scare a lot of people because ventriloquist's (prick of a word to spell!) dummies are pretty freaky and not many people like them (I know I don't). So if I pluck up the courage to go and see it, I'll let you know what I think.