Continuing my love of the scary story, I turn my attention now to books... literature in fact! Henry James' The Turn of the Screw.
This is a ghost story...or a story about a crazy lady... or a ghost story... or.. umm... you decide? A bit of indecisiveness on my part doesn't change the fact that this book is legitimately creepy. It's also really short if you have a free evening and just want to be thoroughly creeped out.
So, here's how it goes. Governess #1 mysteriously dies (actually, it may not be mysterious, I don't actually remember, but regardlss), so Governess #2, our narrator, is persuaded to take a job governing two small childrens in a remote country house. Almost instantly, she starts to see the supposed spectre of a tall man following her about. More ghosts pop up as the Governess' hysteria grows.
If you haven't yet had the chance, it is well worth a few hours of your life. I just strongly suggest that you not acquaint yourself with story by way of a truly awful adaptation staring Valerie Bertinelli that is floating around out there.
If you're interested, check it out on Amazon.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Horrors for Halloween- Part One
So All Hallows Eve is upon us, and this truly is my favorite times of year. Truly, it isn't the costumes and candy that I hold in such esteem, and though I enjoy a good ole fashioned debate on the constitutionality of celebrating it in public schools as much as the next guy, but that doesn't do it for me either. Halloween is made awesome to me because it means a month of scary movies readily accessible on cable and on demand.
I LOVE horror stories, be it in film or in book form. I am not big on gory slasher movies, but otherwise, anything goes. And I take explicit joy in the "diamond in the rough" movie you often find amidst a plethora of inane B movies (usually have to watch 10 to find 1).
So the theme for this month's blogs is my favorite scary stories.
Part 1- Skinwalkers
This is one of my favorite diamond in the rough stories. I really like Elias Koteas (he played Casey Jones, which equals undying love in my book), and he was the only actor of name in it when I stumbled across it on the shelves of Blockbuster (yep, it was that long ago). I'm not normally much on the werewolf movie, but this one promised some good ole Native American legends thrown in, so I chanced my $2.99...
...and bought the film a week later.
You know how Twilight does the whole "evil" vampires who drink human blood vs "good" vampires that don't? Skinwalkers does that, but much, much better.
Underworld lovers will delight in Rhona Mitra as Rachel, who's world is turned upside down when she finds out that her late husband/father of her sick child was actually a werewolf. And her kid is at the center of a prophecy about someone who can end the curse of the were. So the good werewolves want him safe so they can become human again, and the bad werewolves want him dead so they can continue to enjoy their bloodlust.
Some good twists and turns, an actual emphasis on plot development, and a dearth of unnecessary gore make this one of my top picks for Halloween! To Netflix you go... or, if you prefer, it is in my A-store for download from Amazon here.
I LOVE horror stories, be it in film or in book form. I am not big on gory slasher movies, but otherwise, anything goes. And I take explicit joy in the "diamond in the rough" movie you often find amidst a plethora of inane B movies (usually have to watch 10 to find 1).
So the theme for this month's blogs is my favorite scary stories.
This is one of my favorite diamond in the rough stories. I really like Elias Koteas (he played Casey Jones, which equals undying love in my book), and he was the only actor of name in it when I stumbled across it on the shelves of Blockbuster (yep, it was that long ago). I'm not normally much on the werewolf movie, but this one promised some good ole Native American legends thrown in, so I chanced my $2.99...
...and bought the film a week later.
You know how Twilight does the whole "evil" vampires who drink human blood vs "good" vampires that don't? Skinwalkers does that, but much, much better.
Underworld lovers will delight in Rhona Mitra as Rachel, who's world is turned upside down when she finds out that her late husband/father of her sick child was actually a werewolf. And her kid is at the center of a prophecy about someone who can end the curse of the were. So the good werewolves want him safe so they can become human again, and the bad werewolves want him dead so they can continue to enjoy their bloodlust.
Some good twists and turns, an actual emphasis on plot development, and a dearth of unnecessary gore make this one of my top picks for Halloween! To Netflix you go... or, if you prefer, it is in my A-store for download from Amazon here.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A Writer with Stage Fright
Do you have that thing that you think you're terrible at, but other people INSIST you aren't? Like singing... lots of people with amazing voices think they can't sing.
Mine is public speaking (well, and writing, but that is another story). I'm told I come across very naturally in front of a group, but truth be told, it terrifies me. My hands shake, I stutter more than usual, I get hot flashes and always always always have at least one moment where I wonder if my clothes actually match. Its an unfortunate fear to have in my line of work, as I am required often to be in front of a group.
This Saturday is one such occasion-- I've given a handful of talks and interviews around Max and Menna since it published last fall. Most have been fairly informal, which has been a blessing, but Saturday is not only my first formal event as an author, but also my first reading.
Gulp.
I practiced in the kitchen last night before my roommate got home. It went something like this...
... Hi, I'm Shauna Kelley, author of Max and Menna
I think to myself that I need to move my hands more... no one wants to watch someone stand frozen...
...I am very honored to be with you today to talk about my writing...
...Does that sound arrogant? I mean I am honored, but these are high school kids. Are they going to care? Do I have anything to wear that won't make me look dorky??
I've spoken a few times since my book published almost a year ago, and I always like to start with one of my favorite quotes...
...Now you're moving your hands too much....
"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."
...Great, Shauna, a Beatles quote. These are high school kids-- way to look like an old lady right off the bat.
This inward monologue continued for about forty five minutes until my stomach was in knots and my roommate came home so save me from my misery. The sad thing is that I AM really excited and incredibly honored to be doing this event. I am reading at Barnes & Noble as part of Bel Air High School's Diversity Festival. Both in terms of the subject matter, and because I think that encouraging kids to read voraciously and write is critical.
But I am also terrified of looking like a dork!
Perhaps that is the message I shall relay-- you may well grow into confident, able adults, but know that there will always be times in your life when you are terrified of looking dorky.
Stay tuned for tales of whether or not I fall on my face.
Mine is public speaking (well, and writing, but that is another story). I'm told I come across very naturally in front of a group, but truth be told, it terrifies me. My hands shake, I stutter more than usual, I get hot flashes and always always always have at least one moment where I wonder if my clothes actually match. Its an unfortunate fear to have in my line of work, as I am required often to be in front of a group.
This Saturday is one such occasion-- I've given a handful of talks and interviews around Max and Menna since it published last fall. Most have been fairly informal, which has been a blessing, but Saturday is not only my first formal event as an author, but also my first reading.
Gulp.
I practiced in the kitchen last night before my roommate got home. It went something like this...
... Hi, I'm Shauna Kelley, author of Max and Menna
I think to myself that I need to move my hands more... no one wants to watch someone stand frozen...
...I am very honored to be with you today to talk about my writing...
...Does that sound arrogant? I mean I am honored, but these are high school kids. Are they going to care? Do I have anything to wear that won't make me look dorky??
I've spoken a few times since my book published almost a year ago, and I always like to start with one of my favorite quotes...
...Now you're moving your hands too much....
"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."
...Great, Shauna, a Beatles quote. These are high school kids-- way to look like an old lady right off the bat.
This inward monologue continued for about forty five minutes until my stomach was in knots and my roommate came home so save me from my misery. The sad thing is that I AM really excited and incredibly honored to be doing this event. I am reading at Barnes & Noble as part of Bel Air High School's Diversity Festival. Both in terms of the subject matter, and because I think that encouraging kids to read voraciously and write is critical.
But I am also terrified of looking like a dork!
Perhaps that is the message I shall relay-- you may well grow into confident, able adults, but know that there will always be times in your life when you are terrified of looking dorky.
Stay tuned for tales of whether or not I fall on my face.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Reflections on the Baltimore Book Festival
A few weeks ago, I had the privelage of participating in the Author's Tent at the Baltimore Book Festival. I was extremely excited to be part of an event that included two of my favorite authors- Libba Bray and Sherman Alexie-- and to have the chance to sell some books on my home turf.
Reality, however, rarely lives up to what you envision. And my vision of selling some books and feeling all literary was swept away by rain. Lots and lots and lots of rain. I sat amidst some very interesting self-published authors, and we all worked together to move tables and save our books from frequently sprouting leaks.
I didn't sell a single book. In fact, I didn't even come close to selling a single book.
But the day was not a total bust! Late in the afternoon, when I was contemplating packing up and calling it a day, a confused woman wandered up to my table and asked if I knew where the authors were supposed to go. I looked up, resigning myself to the fact that I was to be nothing but a direction giver at this festival, and found myself talking to Libba Bray.
What a totally awesome lady! I threw on my (already drenched) sweatshirt and walked her to where she needed to go. As we got pelted with rain, I chattered very nervously, a little intimidated by conversing with an author I so adore, but got nothing but kindness back from Ms. Bray. As we arrived at her destination, she thanked me for walking her, and asked me the title of my book and the publisher.
I won't soon forget the way she said "Max and Menna. Lucky Press. I am going to get it!"
I only hope she did, but regardless, getting to associate such a sweet, approachable, and interested person with the name on so many of the books on my YA shelf made sitting in the rain oh so tolerable!
Reality, however, rarely lives up to what you envision. And my vision of selling some books and feeling all literary was swept away by rain. Lots and lots and lots of rain. I sat amidst some very interesting self-published authors, and we all worked together to move tables and save our books from frequently sprouting leaks.
I didn't sell a single book. In fact, I didn't even come close to selling a single book.
But the day was not a total bust! Late in the afternoon, when I was contemplating packing up and calling it a day, a confused woman wandered up to my table and asked if I knew where the authors were supposed to go. I looked up, resigning myself to the fact that I was to be nothing but a direction giver at this festival, and found myself talking to Libba Bray.
What a totally awesome lady! I threw on my (already drenched) sweatshirt and walked her to where she needed to go. As we got pelted with rain, I chattered very nervously, a little intimidated by conversing with an author I so adore, but got nothing but kindness back from Ms. Bray. As we arrived at her destination, she thanked me for walking her, and asked me the title of my book and the publisher.
I won't soon forget the way she said "Max and Menna. Lucky Press. I am going to get it!"
I only hope she did, but regardless, getting to associate such a sweet, approachable, and interested person with the name on so many of the books on my YA shelf made sitting in the rain oh so tolerable!
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