Editing Process, Part One

     "I remember last century in a far more favorable light than this one," the Ghoul remarked, a party hat perched stickily atop his rotten skull. Rolling, bloodshot eyes turned to peer at the Editor, who was already going over a few new stories the Ghoul had pulled from his collection. "Well?"

Coffin Hop 2014 Epilogue

     The Ghoul dropped into his newly-gifted throne-like chair, heaving a sigh. From her place hanging over the desk, and him, the Editor watched as the Ghoul picked up a piece of parchment.

Coffin Hop 2014 Sandra's Story Part Two

Previous

“What if I don’t want to? What could possibly be in there that will make any of this less weird?”

The Maestro knocked softly on the metallic hatch, earning a chattering moan from within. “There. You know that there is something in there that is dead. Or dying, at the very least.”

Katie John You've Won!

     In the comments below, answer the following questions and I'll write a story all about you.

1) Height, hair color, eye color, etc...
2) Greatest fear
3) Favorite horror movie
4) Favorite animal
5) Favorite monster (movie or stereotype)
6) High school sport if played (cheerleader, band member, choir also count)
7) Favorite piece of my work (don't inflate my ego, just find something you like stylistically)
8) Least favorite (don't hurt my feelings)
9) List a link to a story by any blogger you love!
10) Current hobbies besides writing.

Coffin Hop 2014 Stephanie's Story Part Three

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Stephanie sat on a stool in her grandfather’s basement; a potions book opened and propped up for her to read by the flickering candlelight as she ground her third dram of moonstone, reducing it to a fine powder to be mixed with the bubbling broth of concentrated nightshade and valerian root. Together, once these three reagents formed a juice that smelled of roses, she would add a single dram of Moon Children nectar. She would then extract several syringes worth of it and inject herself with two, then inject Cloud with two.

Coffin Hop 2014 Cloud's Story Part Two

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With the mystery being gone, having vanished into thin air, Cloud brought the drink up to his nose and sniffed. Slightly sweet smelling with the distinct hint of alcohol. Taking a sip, he smacked his lips at the dry taste of the bittersweet wine, before dumping it into the brambles.

Coffin Hop 2014 Cloud's Story Part One

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Cloud walked through the copse of trees, smiling softly as the brambles retracted out of his way. In his own small way, he was respected in this hellish graveyard, if only as a direct servant for the devils running it. He walked and walked, fading in and out beneath the darkened overhang of the trees. A slight rustle to his left made him pause, and look.

Coffin Hop 2014 is Here!

     An event that has gathered together 60+ authors, all of whom are dedicated to the genre of horror, it brings joy to my leathery heart.
     To see their blogs and do some hopping yourself, see the link in the side bar. But for those of you that stay and comment, I'll be entering your name into a contest: the winner will get featured in their very own story. I'll have a questionnaire you'll have to fill out so I can get to know you as a character, but it'll all be fun and games afterwards.
     So get to Coffin Hopping! Go read what others have to say about the greatness that is horror!

Coffin Hop 2014: Stephanie's Story, Part One

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Flickering her eyes open, Stephanie moved beneath the sheets of her bed, seeking the warmth of her beloved. But all she found was cold fabric. Opening her eyes fully, she looked around the bedroom fully, looking for her darling paramour.

Coffin Hop Prequel, Part Four

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Sitting on the grave of the long dead boy, the Ghoul watched the graveyard bloom under the moonlit night, like a field of rosebushes given their first sliver of sunshine for the day. The wooded area twisted and groaned as the brambles coiled about the underbrush, forming a dense undergrowth that would deter anyone from running from the path through the small copse of trees.

Coffin Hop Prequel

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One eye rolling, he slumped up from his tattered coffin, the wooden edges of the box cracked and rotten. Looking down, he sneered (as best he could) at the plank barely held together on a hinge that had once been the cover of his resting place. Sliding out of the box, he hopped down from the slab onto the stone floor, snorting back a stray maggot and hacking out a mixture of frothy pus and worms.

Coffin Hop 2014

     The annual blog-hopping event will be once again taking place this year from the 24th to the 31st, allowing horror bloggers from far and wide to connect and produce work for the masses. Not that I don't already do this, but I feel its at least somewhat more interesting to have people come by and judge my work who are also authors.

     Nothing wrong with you non-authors out there, its just like having your art critiqued by fellow artists. No matter what you think of this, it is far from easy to come up with fresh material for you folks on a weekly basis. Is it all Pulitzer prize material? 

        Hardly

     But I put out work at a relative pace that makes me comfortable and keeps you all happy.

     What would make me happier is if you all left comments and advised me on which stories to continue, or what you would like to see. I'm always open to suggestions! 

A Final Gift to the Hoppers

     The bane of all our horror tales, and the hinge on which they work... thought you all would enjoy this.

Coffin Hop Coming to a Close

     And so ends another great Coffin Hop. I hope you all enjoyed my stories and will continue to stop on by every once in a while to catch up on them. Sitting here with my coffee, listening to the rain, it makes me wish this time of year would never end, and that I could become a permanent resident of Halloween Town.
     I doubt Tim Burton would let me in though...
     Sweet Dreams until next year...

Jacques Masterpiece Part One

Whistling as he walked down the dimly lit street of Paris, Jacques folded his hands behind his back, his bony fingers grasping the opposing elbow as he whistled a happy tune. The night was fresh with a warm breeze filtering through the air, a hint of lilacs and roses drifting along the wind that brought the gaunt man a sliver of joy.

Open Thread

     Since our contest winner hasn't decided on what my Halloween story should be about, let's just post some thoughts on what you would like to see from a Halloween story. Any kind of theme is acceptable, just post your thoughts below and I'll make it work.

Jeanette J has won the contest!

     As previously announced I have been running a contest for any who comment on my stories. Well, through random selection on Jeanette J has won the story for this years Coffin Hop! What this means is an open challenge to me, where she will be the star (protagonist or antagonist) of a story I create especially for her.
     Jeanette J, in the comments below; tell me what you want. Do you want a post apocalyptic zombie horror story, or a futuristic werewolf hunt? Do you want steampunk of fantasy? The floor is yours my dear, and the skies the limit. Let me know by days end what you want the theme to be, and give me a general description of what you look like in the comments below. 
     Don't worry though, the last name will be a random J one.
     Audience! Feel free to add in for her what you think she should go through or what you want to see. Should she not answer my clarion call, then one of your nightmares will be given life, with Jeanette caught in the middle.
     Sweet Dreams!