The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Trilogy Corrupted Me as a Youth...and I'm Glad it Did :D

Those of us born in the 1980s I think had it pretty good. We got all the good Nickelodeon shows (You Can't Do That On Television, Are You Afraid of the Dark, All That, Roundhouse, all the cool Euro-anime-esque cartoon shows like Spartakus), Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, Rainbow Brite, books like Wait Til Helen Comes and Dollhouse Murders. All those were awesome and at the risk of sounding uber condescending, I feel for the kids who grew up without all that we 80s and 90s kids got. But what really stands out for me was a summer night before I started second grade.

On that night, my parents went out for the evening and of course (since I was seven and my sisters were five and three) our baby-sitter came over to watch us. It was a beautiful night and we were sitting outside at around dusk. I forget what I was doing that had me so distracted, but I hardly noticed my baby-sitter go to get something out from her bag. Next thing I know, I hear this high-pitched almost witch-like voice from behind me say "Hi, little girl..."

I turn around, and this is what I saw staring back at me:





Totally true story: my baby-sitter thought it would be funny to sneak up behind me with a certain book open to the very page with the above photo. Yes, it was the very first book in the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Trilogy.




After my seven-year-old self jumped about six feet in the air, I did become very intrigued with the book, especially as she began to read some of the stories aloud. From that point on, I wanted her to bring the book all the time, and when the second and third books came out, oh you better believe I was all over those.

That seemingly passe evening from my childhood actually would go on to have more of an impact on me than I think even I knew at the moment (and it was also a reading of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow at school later that Halloween that also sealed my tastes). From that point on, I was a fan of dark fiction and horror, and the Scary Stories series would also be among those works that would go on to shape how I write my own stories.

Yes, I very much thank my baby-sitter, Alvin Schwartz, and Stephen Gammell.

With that said, I guess I also pose the question of what was it really that intrigued not only myself, but other kids who grew up with these books. Even as adults, many of us still love them and still are freaked out by Stephen Gammell's illustrations. Oh, those illustrations...like this one:


 NOTE: The sadist in me really wanted to post the illustration from the story The Thing, but that particular drawing still REALLY freaks me out. If you don't know what I'm talking about and are feeling brave, google Scary Stories to tell in the Dark, The Thing and you will see what I mean.

To be honest, I really can't pinpoint one specific reason as to why those stories stay with me, even to this day. Several things about these books continue to intrigue me and influence my own writing:

-One aspect IS the illustrations. I mean, come on. Even the stories that weren't really that scary were given gruesome visuals that made them so. And Gammell's drawings are so wonderfully macabre and detailed that one can almost feel the terror and unease experienced by those in the story.

- Another is the pure simplicity of the stories. In fact, the stories aren't even that long. Some are actually only a page long. But when the stories get going, they really get going and pack a lot within a mere couple pages.

- Much of the stories are based in urban legend and folklore. I love folklore.

- The stories embrace the unknown and acknowledge that some things don't always end happily. I'm sure some might disagree with me on this, but I do feel this is an important lesson for kids to be taught. Not all my stories end happily, and even those that do have some sort of unresolve (at least for the most part). Then there's the unknown; you really don't know what's out there, or who the person sitting next to you on the bus or subway is. Or the person passing you by on the street (as per The Walk: "...and the man looked at my uncle, and my uncle looked at the man...")...

The more I think about it, the more I really can acknowledge how these stories have shaped my own writing and storytelling. In fact, my short stories series, Stories from Colony Drive is named for the street I grew up on. The street on which my baby-sitter sneaked up on me with one of Stephen Gammell's brilliant illustrations in front of her face.

The stories kept me up at night, I'm not going to lie about that. I would sometimes lay in bed wondering if the creepy lady from The Dream was going to come out of my closet:


Yes, THIS creepy lady!

But what they also did was stir my imagination, and really get me thinking outside the box and start to challenge myself as a writer and a creative from a young age. It was the reason I began writing stories and wondering about the world around me. It was the beginning of me becoming someone who questions things and isn't afraid to.
Now, I look back on that fateful evening on Colony Drive with great fondness and I am thankful to my baby-sitter for getting the idea to scare the ever living crap out of me.

And, thanks to Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell for awakening my and probably many others' imaginations. You guys rocked it. :)










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My stories, "The Cemetery by the Lake" and "Dusk to Dawn" are available at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble NOOK. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
Tiffany Apan at Smashwords 
and Amazon
"The Cemetery by the Lake" at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble NOOK
"Dusk to Dawn" at Smashwords
Tiffany on Goodreads
My music is also available at CDBaby
Tiffany on IMDb
Official Website
The Birthrite Series Website
Tiffany's Official Blog
Support great authors and independent bookstores at Smashwords and Indiebound


Three Book Reviews: Sunken Park, The Dark Priesthood: The Confessions of Malevolence, and The Selkie Secret

A couple Sundays ago, I recommended two books from my bookshelf: Sara Brooke's Sunken Park and Sai Marie Johnson's The Selkie Secret.
Having interviewed the two women in question and did a cover reveal for Sunken Park prior to its release, I decided the next course of action would be to review the books. So here goes. The reviews for Sunken Park by Sarah Brooke, and The Selkie Secret and The Dart Priesthood by Sai Marie Johnson. :)






Sunken Park is the latest effort by Horror Author, Sarah Brooke and let me tell you, as short as it is, it takes you for a ride.
In the beginning, we meet a group of four college students (Brett, Carrie, Anita, and Roy) out on a road trip but at a bit of loss when it comes to their final destination. The come across an old but appealing looking brochure for Sunken Park, a retreat deep in the wilderness. It looks like a cheap and peaceful good time, so the four decide to take a chance.
Upon their arrival, odd things begin to happen almost immediately, and the four quickly find themselves in a fight for their lives.

I will say that for a short novel, Sunken Park really gives you one hell of a ride, and it was one of those stories where at the end of each chapter, I was left wanting to know what happens next ("just one more chapter..."). Without giving too much away, this story is full of spooks and unexpected twists and is easily a five star rating for me. There were a couple grammar issues (hey, I edit books so I can't help noticing stuff like that), however, the story itself was so intriguing and the characters so well-illustrated that it actually doesn't really hurt the reading experience (at least in my opinion). Plus, those issues were very few and far between, and sometimes even with the best editors small things can slip through the cracks.

I did say once that Kransen House was so far my favorite Sara Brooke effort, and so far I think that is still true. However, Sunken Park follows at a very close second.

If you are looking for a relatively quick, fast-paced, and page-turning read (and are a fan of books like Stephen King's IT and The Shining), definitely pick up Sunken Park.




Next on the list is Sai Marie Johnson's The Selkie Secret (A Vanna MacAllister Adventure). Sai Marie Johnson is one of those writers who has a very unique way with weaving words together to tell a story. I was drawn to The Selkie Secret mainly because I am deeply intrigued by pretty much anything nautical and ocean mythology.
The story tells of a young girl named Vanna MacAllister, the daughter of two Scottish immigrants an a rather unusual family tree which pretty much turns her life and plans for the future upside down.

The Selkie Secret is a short read but does pack a good story (I believe it is the first in a series). The characters and story-line kept me interested, and while the ending is a little bit of a cliff-hanger (it is not without tragedy), there is still a sense of completeness to at least this particular part of the story. Overall, it left me wanting there to be another book. :)

 This book is a nice one to read if you are looking to escape from the real world for a little bit. There is sweetness and alot of heart to it, and I do hope she releases a follow up soon. :)







The Dark Priesthood: The Confessions of Malevolence was my introduction to Sai Marie Johnson's works. Now this one falls more into the Paranormal/Erotica genres (I would liken it to maybe Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Trilogy or Poppy Z. Brite). It tells the story of a young girl in 18th Century New Orleans who, one night, has a rather unwelcomed (or maybe welcomed, however you want to see it:) ) visitor. She finds herself placed in position of queen in the Malevolent Order and 200 years later, she finds herself being under threat of being overthrown by her sister and her son (of course, all in the midst of some very intense extracirriculars...it is erotica, after all).

As far as this one goes, I started to enjoy this alot more once I passed the beginning. Not that the beginning wasn't enjoyable, but (and this is just a personal thing, you can take it or leave it) I would have liked to have seen a little more of a build up to Deviaun's 'change' and maybe get to know who she was a bit more before her transformation. Other than that, I found the story to be an enjoyable read, especially if you enjoy Paranormal Gothic Erotica. Ms. Johnson creates some really cool and interesting characters, each with a name that defines their personality, gifts, and place in the Order. She also doesn't hold back during the erotic scenes either.

This one is also the first in the series, and if you are looking for something more off the beaten path that is of the more dark, erotic nature, I'd say pick this one up. :)

Check out my recent interviews with Sara Brooke and Sai Marie Johnson if you haven't yet.

Also, check out Sunken Park on Smashwords and Amazon

The Selkie Secret on Smashwords and Amazon

The Dark Priesthood: The Confessions of Malevolence on Smashwords and Amazon




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My stories, "The Cemetery by the Lake" and "Dusk to Dawn" are available at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble NOOK. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
Tiffany Apan at Smashwords 
and Amazon
"The Cemetery by the Lake" at Smashwords and Barnes & Noble NOOK
"Dusk to Dawn" at Smashwords
Tiffany on Goodreads
My music is also available at CDBaby
Tiffany on IMDb
Official Website
The Birthrite Series Website
Tiffany's Official Blog
Support great authors and independent bookstores at Smashwords and Indiebound







Interview with Author, Sai Marie Johnson

Sai Marie Johnson is quite the unique writer (and I mean that in a good way). I first discovered her on the Paranormal Reads Facebook page when they were advertising one of her books, "The Dark Priesthood." It was a quick read but enough to hold my interest in checking out more of her work (my next Sai Marie Johnson experience was "The Selkie Secret"). Check out more on this really versatile writer in the interview below, and also check out some of her works. :)
 



TA: First, tell our lovely readers a little about yourself.

SMJ: Well, I am a twenty-nine year old college student attending Full Sail University. I am specializing my studies in Creative Writing, and will have a Bachelor's degree as of Fall 2014. When I am not battling my way through a story, or sorting through a character's emotions, I spend most of my time with my family. 

TA: As someone who has been writing since a young age, what is the first story you can recall having written and what was it about?

SMJ: The very first story I recall ever writing was a hand-written, construction paper covered, yarn threaded children's book. I gave it the generic title, "My Family." It was a story about my mom, dad, me, and my siblings. To this day my dad still has the book. 

TA: Do you have a specific writing process or "ritual"?

SMJ: I don't know if I would call it a process, or a ritual but when I sit down to write I like to turn on iHeartRadio, or Pandora to get myself in the mindset of a creator. It seems to really help me keep focus, and I find that lyrics to certain songs do optimize my creative abilities. 

TA: What are some challenges you have faced as a writer and how did you push through them?

SMJ: I have had several different issues come up on my path to become a writer. Some have been extremely complicated, and others just minor mishaps. I've received a few heartbreaking rejection letters, and reviews. If I had to mention the one difficulty I have the most problem with it would be the fact that I am hearing impaired, and that has definitely been an issue in the past. As much as it my seem that writing will help alleviate communications issues not being able to hear is one thing that is very hard to push through. Nevertheless I've worked hard on continuing my education, and creative outlets in the face of this. As a result I will have the top of the line auxiliary aides available very soon. If there is one thing I believe a writer must realize from the start it is the fact that you should never write to please others, or allow any circumstance to stop you from writing. You've got to commit, and dedicate yourself to writing. No matter what obstacles you face.

TA: Is there a story you've written that you would say is your favorite?

SMJ: Yes, but it is not finished yet. I've been working on it for well over a year now, and it is coming together fabulously, but it just hasn't come to an end I am happy with just yet. It's called the Age of Enlightenment the Libertine Revolution: the Sadist's Touch. It's the first book in the AELR (The Age of Enlightenment: the Libertine Revolution) Series. 

TA: And in closing, where can we find you on the internet and what do you have coming up? Plug away!

SMJ: I can be found on most book websites online such as Booksie, Authonomy, Goodreads, Booklikes, Shelfari, B&N, Amazon, and even Avon Romance. I am also a contributing writer for Touch Talent, and graphic artist for Libertarian Global Webzine. If you would like to connect with me, or follow my blog all my links are listed as follows: 

Twitter: @LadySai

As far as what I have coming up next I am working really hard on completing The Sadist's Touch, and Forbidden Fantasies. Both of these are paranormal romances. As for my latest release it is In Empires and Embraces, which was released March 23, 2014.




Check out Sai Marie Johnson on Amazon and Barnes and Noble NOOK

And support the independent outlets: The Dark Priesthood on Smashwords
                                                        The Selkie Secret on Smashwords
                                                         Simply Crimson on Smashwords
                                                         Empires and Embraces on Smashwords
                                                        The Softer Side of Texas on Smashwords
                                                        
                                                        Sai Marie Johnson on Indiebound


******

My short story, "The Cemetery by the Lake" is now available at Smashwords as a FREE download. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
Tiffany Apan at Smashwords
The Cemetery by the Lake at Smashwords
and Barnes and Noble NOOK

My music is also available at CDBaby
Tiffany on IMDb
Official Website
The Birthrite Series Website

Support your local bookstores: Search Indiebound to see what may be in your area. 

Interview with Horror and Fantasy Author, Jason Barthelemy



A couple years ago, I was writing book reviews for the website, Horrornews.net and during that time, I was introduced to a new author by the name of Jason Barthelemy. He had just released his first novel, "Doguhn" and it sounded like something up my ally. Well, when I read it I was blown away by the world he created and the characters (in fact, you can read my review of Doguhn at the Horrornews website). Thanks to social media, he and I have remained in touch (during which I also discovered him to be a fan of H.P. Lovecraft). He has new works in progress to look for soon and in this interview, he discusses his stories, writing rituals, and Lovecraft! Read on and check out his works.




TA: A little while back, I reviewed your book, Doguhn and enjoyed it immensely (it's actually among my favorite reads). Tell a little about it and how it came into fruition.

JB: First of all, I want to thank you for the kind words and the opportunity of this interview. Feedback like yours is a large part of what keeps me writing.
As for Doguhn, it was a passion project for me, my first full length novel, but it didn't start out as such. I'd started writing fiction shortly after reading Imagica by Clive Barker. That epic novel showed me that there could be far more to horror/fantasy than anything I'd ever read up to that point, and inspired me to try to tell my own stories. So I started with short stories and novellas, then when visiting a church for an (ex) family event, I found inspiration to write Doguhn, which is ironic being that I’m not a believer myself.
This started as a simple short story idea, about an evil church in a small PA town. But when I had a dream one night of another world and the creatures known as the Doguhn, that short story evolved into the multi-world, full length novel it is today. It's the only book I can say came to me in a dream, and even though I feel I've evolved as a writer since its completion, I still feel very passionate about this story, the world, and its characters.


TA: Is there a specific character within the Doguhn world that you would call your favorite?

JB: If you put a gun to my head, I'd say Rufus would be my favorite character. He's integral to the story, a very sympathetic character—being an outcast in his own world as well as the new one he becomes enslaved in—and has a personality I fell in love with as I advanced the story.
But my favorite character is not always the one I have the most fun writing. This honor usually falls to the antagonists, as you can get away with any screwed up thing you want, and it's fun for me to occasionally twist their allegiances or to give them redeemable qualities so that the reader can root for the villain as well. Having said that, Rufus is my favorite character, but I had the most fun with Kyerick Bartel and The Man With a Thousand Wounds.





TA: Do you have a specific writing process or "ritual"?

JB: Lots of coffee. I also work far better in the mornings than I do at night. I may not write every single day of the week, especially since I'm working five of those days, but when I'm in full swing I tend to make up for it on the weekends. I know a lot of advice out there will tell you to write a set amount each day and for many I suppose this works, but there are days I know if I touch my manuscript, nothing good will come of it.
I also don't work with outlines. I tried it with Doguhn, but found that once I reach a certain point the story writes itself and the outline quickly becomes useless, as I try to force a free-flowing story to fit within a rigid outline. I don't like forcing anything. After that I turned to a simple "notes" file, which I use for reference, add any ideas that come to mind and track crucial plot points, but it's more of a reference guide than it is a rulebook. Not everything makes it or remains intact. 
I write chronologically, but with some of my more experimental works such as my second novel to release shortly, I sometimes write chapters out of order and piece them together later. This works really well for these types of novels and keeps it fresh and fun for me, but I don't think I'd attempt it with something as complex as Doguhn. 
Finally, while I don't always follow my own advice, I try to stop in the middle of a chapter. It makes it easier to pick up when I start writing again, even if it's just from the first sentence of a new chapter. 


TA: What are some challenges you face as a writer (creatively or professionally)?

JB: To be perfectly honest, the biggest challenge I have is life, which I imagine isn't much different than most writers or creative people in my position. Sometimes it simply gets in the way of writing. The second concern would be the occasional blocks that every writer faces, and I wouldn't have any advice that hasn't been said a million times over.But putting the obvious aside, I'd say finding the energy and time to split between writing new work, and preparing and promoting completed work, then the challenge of getting people to read that work. If it's bad it won't matter either way, and I always hope it turns out enjoyable, but even if it's good, people still have to know it exists and is worth their time and money to read. But even with cheaper options of kindle e-books and the internet to release excerpts and other samples, it's not always easy to find new readers, especially if it needs to be done while balancing a job completely unrelated to the manuscripts I'm striving to get into peoples’ hands, and hopefully, have those same people enjoy the worlds I've created.


TA: Now, I see you are a fellow Lovecraft fan (and I can see a little of that influence in Doguhn). What is your favorite Lovecraft story or character?

JB: Lovecraft is indeed an influence in my writing, along with Barker, Burroughs, and many others, and I'm happy and not surprised that you could pick out a hint of that influence. 
My favorite story from him would have to be Shadow Over Innsmouth. The isolation of the village and the amount of foreshadowing and terrifying information you're given up front, before being hit with the notion of spending the night there, always resonates well with me. It's also one of the few stories he has with faster moving action and tension, with my favorite sequence being in the hotel and the chase that ensues. Other favorites would be The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Pickman's Model, The Thing on the 
Doorstep…I should actually stop, because I could go on forever.


TA: Finally, what's coming up for you and where can you and your works be found? Plug away!

JB: The Lost Pages of Trevor Sunburn is an experimental novel with elements of horror, sci-fi, action, surrealism and dark comedy, and this will be releasing in the spring. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book, as I pretty much did anything I want with no restraint or filters. I also have my third novel, The Skin Collection, releasing by the end of the year, which is a very personal, dark horror novel and is one I’m very excited to release. These works will be available on amazon.com once complete, along with Doguhn, which is available now on trade paperback and kindle.
Information on these books as well as excerpts and links can be found on my website, www.thelivingdread.com.












Check out Jason Barthelemy's work on Amazon and visit his website, The Living Dread    




******

My short story, "The Cemetery by the Lake" is now available at Smashwords as a FREE download. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
Tiffany Apan at Smashwords
The Cemetery by the Lake at Smashwords
and Barnes and Noble NOOK

My music is also available at CDBaby
Tiffany on IMDb
Official Website
The Birthrite Series Website

Support your local bookstores: Search Indiebound to see what may be in your area. 

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A Monsoon Concert...Thunder, Lightening, and Music, OH MY! And some Pyrates too!

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