Monday, December 2, 2019

2019 in Retrospect

I must say, 2019 was a VERY busy year for me. I completed my sixth novel at the beginning of the year and spent a great deal of energy in both school and menial work. One thing we all notice when such years happen upon us is that time is extraordinarily fleeting. This year was almost one gigantic blur. But, I still made time to enjoy the finer things in life. Namely: Food, Wine, and, of course, writing. At my age I can honestly say that I now understand how years can literally 'fly by'.
My screenplay, also a first, was another aspect of this year that was, for the most part, extremely unexpected. Yet, it was quite another reminder that in the grand throes of life, we must carve a way that separates us from the mundane. So, while 2019 could be tedious and repetitive at times, it seemed very productive and those are the years that benefit us most!

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Finally Finished First Screenplay

Exaltation's supreme! I have finally finished my first screenplay and I must say, it was marvelous! Like all the rest of my works, the theme of the story was a process in the making. Truly, I really couldn't predict creating one scene from another. While creation is usually a slow and tedious process, and this story was no exception, the process as a whole was every bit as rewarding as it has ever been. Now, I have a screenplay to go with the rest of my creations which include: 33 short stories, 3 novellas, 6 novels, 3 published books, and a plethora of twisted , dark poetry.
And again, after each and every creative process has been completed, a vital question remains. The same inquiry that has been asked by myself so many times now, it's almost second nature. 'What Happens Now?' How do I press my passions further? And, like so many times before, as of now I really cannot say.
 

Monday, October 28, 2019

Happy Halloween 2019

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Even if it's roots are inherently Celtic (and I'm Hellenistic Pagan), there really is no other holiday quite like Halloween. Being somewhat of a recluse, I tend to enjoy the day watching true crime documentaries and horror films(of course!). If I do get out, I actually enjoy strolling through graveyards or going to themed settings, like for Dia dos los Muertos(The Mexican Day of the Dead). As for the usual commercialism that's apparent everywhere, I tend to simply ignore it. My screenplay is almost finished and if I had to estimate, I'd say it will be complete within a months' time. And after that, as usual, who knows where the journey of life will take me?
Happy Halloween to all, and may flights of devils see you to your way!!

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Must have Serenity

Anyone who has ever been a part of the creative process would probably agree that serenity and peace of mind are extremely important. While its true that no one can control the dictations of life itself, I believe it to be impossible to complete, or even attempt, anything in a chaotic environment. With that in mind, I have a tendency to keep the rest of the world at an arms length while I'm engaged in any sort of project. I also find myself to be a bit of a control freak in regards to my own life. Because time is the most precious resource any of us have in life, I never take the concept of it for granted and I never want to waste it on endeavors that I consider needless.
So, anything that benefits my own serenity during any of my various processes are always appreciated.

Monday, September 30, 2019

Autumn, Beautiful Autumn

Ah, the chilled yet beautiful touch of Autumn has come yet again! As I have always stated in the past, this is definitely my favorite season. It carries with it a somberness worthy of a writers attention and that is why I have depicted so many of my stories in this season. Though it is quite sobering that I have been very busy as of late and haven't had quite to notice and titillate all the subtle changes taking place, I'm definitely making time for my favorite holiday Halloween like I always do each year.
As I'm writing this, I'm almost one third of the way finished with my screenplay 'Infernal Covenant.' And, I must say, the direction it's taking is rather interesting. One aspect of writing I must comment on is this; it is absolutely essential that one enjoys their work. Once that concept is lost, it will have a detrimental effect on everything. For it is very surprising how many writers out there that are driven more by delusions of grandeur than they are a passion for their craft.
Another concept is the point of writing to please one's self first. I truly believe if you compromise your own interests in the pursuit of gaining a large audience, all you will truly achieve is disappointment. All the greats of the past wrote their own will first, whether or not they gained public approval was always a secondary priority. And with that in mind, I tend to ignore fads and follow my own proclivities. They always seem to procure my morbid imagination!

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Again Comes the Demon!!

As always, I've been very busy. Life to the living! I always say. Aside from yet another semester of school and monotonous work, I took the liberty of creating yet another tale of the demon E'ferries. This time in the form of a screenplay. The location of this tale is the same town that I used in the story 'The Call of E'ferries'; a place called 'Cold Creek'. Influenced by many other fictional towns, Cold Creek is a sleepy, not-too-densely populated seaside town with a lot of old-world buildings. And, as aforementioned, it has a dark secret.
While coming up for the storyline of this particular tale, I focused on the imagery of haunted East Coast towns, the kind that would be elaborated by authors such as Ray Bradbury or H.P. Lovecraft. This is the eighth story that I included E'ferries. And, just like all the ones I've created before, I given him a different essence. For instance, while in the previous tales he has the capability to speak and has a very cynical and maniacal personality, in this tale he takes the persona of a stereotypical monster.
Also included in the story in the second appearance of the Bruja and Demon disciple, Marta Salazar. First seen in the Novella 'Further Passage', Marta is a beautiful yet malevolent conjurer who essentially has full sway over the town as a result of a penance they must pay.
So far, I must say I am satisfied with the direction the story is taking. And like every strange and sinister tale I've ever created, it is basically writing itself!

Monday, June 17, 2019

A New Direction?

Well, I'm about to start my first screenplay. Its a project I've had on my mind for some time now. This  is probably the first non-horror related project I've done, so in a sort of way its a showcase for my own versatility. Its actually quite a wonder what you can achieve when you venture outside of what you're used to and this project is a tad inspired by my interests in the 'Mondo Macabro' film genre that was popular in the 1970's. Like my first novel, it kind of came out of left field as far as the timing for it and the direction, but as life has repeatedly shown me, there's a first time for everything.

Monday, May 20, 2019

The Inescapable Mundane

Oh, the throes of life! I have spent the last few months back in school (Yes, even horror fanatics have to do that sometimes) and now I'm going to start a new job as well. Its been a little over four months since I finished my last novel, but in all honesty I haven't received any messages from the other side in relevance to any new material. Again, I am looking outside the confines of simply being 'just' a writer. Something within the context, of course. Something just as magical and rewarding. But, something that can help me grow my passions just the same. Who knows what that can ensue. Right now, I especially do not.

Saturday, March 23, 2019

Capture the Magic!

The concept of magic has captured the whole of my attention for as long as I've been alive. There's so many ways to view it as well. From the Arthurian legends that involved Merlin and Morgana Le Fey, to the biblical Witch of Endor, to the soothsayers of Ancient Rome, to pre-modern interpretations like Eliphas Levi or Aleister Crowley, it never ceases to amaze me and probably always will.
The notion of having capabilities beyond the mundane masses, certain abilities that make miraculous feats seem not only possible but, to a degree, rather simple. And, beyond everything else, to give one the purest pathway for an extraordinary life. Its for the principle of the latter that I've always striven for magic, regardless of my perceived failures. And, at this particular junction of my life where nothing seems set in stone, its for that principle where I may, or may not, dedicate the rest of my life in attainment.
Like writing, I believe its the imagery of magic that is most important. One is simply working with energies. The energies, if pressed hard enough, can guide one to a path of power, or enlightenment.
And, like writing, the first step, I believe, is to let go all preconceived interpretations of failure. When all is said and done, how you personally feel about your life and actions is all that matters. If one goes about caring at all what others think about them, they will get absolutely nowhere.And that being said, perhaps this, like writing as well, is the new start of a journey!
 

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Sixth Novel Finally Completed!!

Elation's supreme! After seven months, two weeks and three days I have finally completed my sixth novel "Deimos Phobos". It wasn't that long ago that the notion of completing one novel was gargantuan in scope, but six? Absolutely insane! Ironically, the date which I completed it rests on the same date six years ago when I started my first novel, 'The Road to Nowhere'. Such patterns often cause me to scratch my head. So, as of right now, as has been the case so many times before, I really have no idea what next step to take. Its been approximately eighteen years, eight months, three weeks and two days since I started writing as of right now. And, truth be told, I feel myself being pulled into an unknown direction for the sake of self expansion beyond the concept of solely being a writer. This concept too would have been unthinkable for me only a little while ago, but, like someone much wiser than myself explained to me so long ago "Life is growth and change"

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

A few weeks away from finishing Sixth Novel!

Alas, after almost eight straight months of working on it, I am very happy to say that I'm only a couple of weeks away from completing my sixth novel 'Deimos Phobos'. Like all of my other works, this one took a life of its own almost as soon as I started on it. But, unlike my other ones, this particular story was inspired by happenings in my own life, not to mention a series of murders that for the most part have been overlooked. As always, the elation of completing a novel is definitely its own reward, however a usual inquiry consistently follows me. What happens after this particular work is finished? And, honestly, right now I really don't have an adequate answer. As it always has, perhaps time will tell.