Hi there everyone - don’t know if anyone is still following this. I had a bit of a hiccup. Attended grad school, had an unexpected death in the family, and I’m finally starting to find my way out of the haze surrounding all of that. I’m getting back to it.
I’m currently working on a new story for the collection - something a little more down to earth than I normally write. It’s the story of a man who, in his past, was in an abusive relationship. He’s moved on, started a new relationship, and even though the abusive relationship was terrifying and exhilarating at the same time, he’s mostly put it out of his mind. Until, 7 years later, she begins sending him text messages and all those old feelings come back.
I’m also working on a new draft of my story about the ancient, filthy rich dowager from Beverly Hills who wants to throw one last dinner party and kill all of her guests.
Just finished my first draft of Pearblossom Highway (working title), and I’ve sent it off to my writer’s group for feedback and notes... being in the middle of grad school currently blows, but I’m carving out the time to work a little each week, making baby steps of progress, getting the collection closer and closer to being born.
Submitted The Chamber to Sci-Fi/Fantasy magazine, was rejected, but with a very nice note. Still hashing out The Itch and Pearblossom Highway, while some new ideas are blossoming for my December story. That story used to be about a zombie invasion, but that’s a bit overdone, so now I’m sketching out an idea more in line with the Elder Gods.
Just finished my first draft of my February story, The Chamber (working title), and I’m very happy with it. The ending turned out quite a bit different than I had planned, seems that my main character had a different idea than I did about how to deal with her conundrum. I’m going to step away for a few weeks, maybe get back to that old lady with the cursed cat hair rug, and come back to Sarah and her sensory deprivation tank when I’m ready.
Got rough drafts for my January story (things that go BUMP upstairs in a tiny apartment complex), and my March story (little boy can’t sleep, little boy slips into alternate dimension occupied by a demonic presence that wishes to take his place in the real world). Almost done with rough drafts for my February story (sensory deprivation tank provides more relief than expected for a traumatized young woman) and my November story (body horror abounds as a depressed DOT worker cuts himself in a back alley and his body rebels against him with a mysterious infection). I’m also outlining my July story (bros heading out to Vegas via Pearblossom Hwy and stop to pick up some ladies), and I’ve begun sketching ideas for my April story (wealthy old lady in Beverly Hills plans the best going away party her neighborhood has ever seen).
I have the 13 ideas, some of the stories first drafts are done, many are still cooking. The collection will encompass all sorts of weirdness from kids slipping into alternate dimensions because of insomnia, to weird body rashes that grow out of control, to cursed knickknacks left by a terrible neighbor, to enthusiastic redneck cults along the Pearlblossom Highway. My first collection was a moderate success and I'd like to build upon that and create a collection that focuses on the inherent weirdness of Los Angeles and her denizens.
It’s a slow process, but it’s coming together!