7000 People Vote on the Scariest Stories by Karla Stover

Historical Gothic/Romance               Tacoma, Washington Murder            Hood Canal Murder

                                   bookswelove.net/authors/stover-karla-mystery-romance

  On NPR, 7000 People Vote on  the Scariest books, novellas, and short Stories (and My Opinions)

Who would have ever thought that Stephen King's novella, The Body, (made into the movie, Stand By Me) would be on a reader's list of the 100 scariest books, novellas, and short stories? It did, and that fact makes me want to read the story though I'm not a huge Stephen King fan.

However, I am sucker for lists, so when I heard someone on NPR talking about the scariest books, etc. I had to give the list a look-see.

To begin with, it's broken down into categories--my favorite being, "Scar Your Children: Horror For Beginners." Nothing there to interest me though three of the books, Goosebumps, Coraline, and The House With the Clock on its Wall resulted in movies. However, I have read three of the books under "Blood Roots: Fundamental Horror" Dracula, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Turn of the Screw. And since the list includes synopses, I learned that Carmilla, a vampire book, predated Dracula. Also, couple of things caught my attention: Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad has creepy goings-on at a boy's boarding school, and The Willows has willow trees with unusual attributes. Hogwarts and whomping willows, anyone? I might read The Willows, though, it looks interesting.

"Zombies and Vampires and Werewolves: Oh, My" books are not my cup of tea, unless I give The Hunger a try. As if the Donner Party didn't have enough trouble, something might be following them in the snow. Anne Rice shows up under this category, but I don't like her books and Brad Pitt looked awful in Interview With a Vampire.

Nothing under "The Fear in Our Stars: Cosmic Horror and Weird Fiction" was familiar or appealing but "Horrible Homes: Ghosts and Hauntings" has The Haunting of Hill House, The Shining, and The Woman in Black, all good books and movies though The Woman in Black book has a better ending than the movie. The big omission here is The Uninvited. It was published in 1942 under the title, Uneasy Freehold. The author was Irish feminist and the Irish Times wrote, "the author makes it all enjoyably eerie – and throws in a few pithy social observations as well." It's a favorite movie with the hosts on TCM, too. I might look into Wylding Hall. What's not to like about a British acid-rock group sequestered in a "remote country house?'

"Final Girls: Horror By and About Women" has 8 suggested books, only one of which I've read, Rebecca. A good book, a good movie, what more can you say? Except Caitlin Kiernan's The Red Tree has possibilities.

Nothing under "Horribly Ever After: Fantasy and Fairy Tale Horror" looked appealing and that includes White is For Witching where a teen age girl has cravings for non-food items, such as chalk. Cab you say, pica? However, "Hell is Other People: Real World Horrors" has Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, a Dean Koontz book, and Lord of the Flies. But can someone tell me why Toni Morrison's Beloved is included? Feels either insulting or gratuitous.

I write short stories but I don't read them, so I scooted right on past "Short and Sharp: Story Anthologies" and met up with Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist, and the above-mentioned The Body under "The Kids Aren't All Right: Creepy Kids." But what this? The Other by former actor Thomas Tryon? Which meant, of course, that I had to google him to see if he's still alive. He isn't.

So what can we (or did I) learn from this list: First, stories from 200 or so years ago still resonate. Nathaniel Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown is still being read. Second, when a book such as The Lute and the Glove is in stacks at the library, no one can have the pleasure of finding it to read. Third, boarding schools are becoming an old standby and maybe a trifle overused. And, fourth, no one seems to write good psychological thrillers such as The Turn of the Screw anymore. That being said, if you know of one, please let me know. I'll squeeze it in between my preferred genre, non-fiction.

BWL September new releases and new contest

We've some exciting new releases in September.

These are live already, click the covers for buy links from your favorite retailers.

BWL SEPTEMBER RELEASES

These will be live during the month starting with September 15

Click the contest button and scroll to the bottom of the BWL website home page to enter our newest contest.  Prize features ONE EBOOK READER (EITHER A KINDLE OR A KOBO) and six ebooks from your choice of any of our BWL Publishing Authors.  Drawing will be on December 10, 2018 

http://bookswelove.net

 

STAY FOCUSED TO REACH YOUR DREAMS ~ by Rita Karnopp

When I was young I was told Native Americans believe that one day life will go full-circle and they will return to the ways of the old ones.  That got me askng how could that possibly happen ... and if it did ... could the First People find peace and harmony returning to the ways of their ancestors? 

Then, while researching for my book Leota, Dream Woman, I read, "The white berry from the Red Willow was used by the Native Americans in their food to support nutritional needs.  The white man did not find it appealing, due to it's bitter taste.

That got me to thinking ... the white berry could represent my white heroine and the Red Willow could embody the Indian Nation.  It didn't take long for the story to develop in my mind ... and this book exploded onto the pages.

White Berry on the Red Willow - As predicted in the Ghost Dance Vision, life has come full circle in 2054. The Blackfeet now control Yellowstone National Park, where the buffalo have multiplied, as have the people themselves.

Outside the Indian lands thousands are dying of Quake Fever every day. Doctor Alcina Hancock struggles to find a cure before her mother dies. Thrust into the world of the Indians, she not only discovers what it will take to save her people, but also herself.

 

STAY FOCUSED TO REACH YOUR DREAMS ~

The main reason people succeed is they usually do a half-dozen things consistently correct.  It’s not that people fail; they never give themselves the opportunity to succeed.  Winston Churchill said, “Never quit.”

So here is your opportunity to choose success.  In the Gateway to Greatness, Doran Andry taught me five reasons why people succeed and I have applied them to my writing career.

 1.   Make a real decision, take action and choose success.  What this means is you must make a real decision and cut off all other options – forcing you to forge forward and succeed.   Start with the end in mind.  Stay focused to reach your dreams.  Joseph McClinton III said, “Your imagination is the most powerful tool you possess.”  Remember, ‘more of the same produces more of the same.’  By that I mean; if you want things to change—don’t keep doing the same old things.

 

2.  Become a teachable willing student.  Again, you don’t know it all.  The only way to get better is to have an open, willing mind to grow.  Each book you write must be better than the last.  If it isn’t, ask yourself if you’re a teachable willing student.  It’s paramount to your success to write better than your wildest dream.  I read an interview with Dean Koontz and was impressed when he said, “I’m still learning the craft.”

3.   Consistently execute a daily writing goal.  What that means is have a plan and work that plan every day with a willing spirit.  The key is focusing on the activity long enough so you get your desired results.  Learn to master the ‘do’ part. 

4.  Take advantage of your writing mentors/groups/partners.  Find someone you know who is willing to partner in goal setting.  It’s harder to slide on goals when you know someone else is checking on whether you are meeting or exceeding your goals.  When you are struggling with insecurities, missed deadlines, or even a certain plot or chapter, that’s the time to turn to your mentor, group or writing partner.  Buy CDs or books on plot, characterization, timing, query letters, and many others out there to improve your writing and help further your career.  When the student is ready…the teacher will appear.

5.    Grow as a person.  We all might call this ‘personal development.’  Whether you’re

just starting or a seasoned writer, always be a student of personal development.  The key to sustaining being a successful writer is to grow as a person.  Buy technology, CDs, eBooks, or printed books; you have the opportunity to impact your life and grow as a person.  I urge you to be a student of personal development – it’ll pay huge dividends.  Nightingale Conant and The Pacific Institute are great sources of personal development.
 

If you implement these key five points consistently to your writing career (or career of your choice) and set a goal, I believe it will give you the opportunity to soar and succeed.  The exciting thing is when you look at someone who is highly successful, now you’ll understand the difference between the two of you is only five things.