The Art of Horror #horrorweek #art #pen #horrorwriters

 

This week is set aside for the darker edge of life. Why not combine the two disciplines of art and writing to see what gets dug up!!!

What is horror for writers and artists? Darkness is in the air, it suspends one against its will,  it hides in the shadows, but it doesn’t stay there. Darkness awakens the sleeper casting him into a delusional dream or awakens the dreamer into a place he tries to claw away from.

Why write it? why paint it? I ask this question often. There are too many answers and none the same (and some darker than others.)

Is horror just about Monsters?

“[Horror fiction] shows us that the control we believe we have is purely illusory, and that every moment we teeter on chaos and oblivion.”
― Clive Barker

 

 Dali The Face of War

“Tired. So tired… Confusion and disorientation numbed his mind like cotton wrapped hands. Thoughts felt like a jumble of dusty moths bumped plaintively against a dim light bulb. He couldn’t grasp where he was – what he was doing. His limbs felt stiff and unused.

The stony grip of anxiety seized his mind and burned in his lungs. A deep breath was impossible. Thin air pulled slowly through his nose, bringing with it the smell of fresh clothing and an acrid smell that reminded him of a dissected frog. His anxiety doubled when he realized his mouth wouldn’t open. A hand finally responded to his slow mind. It moved sluggishly, fumbled around haphazardly until it found his lips. Glue. Somebody had glued his lips shut while he slept. Anger and the inability to get a full breath drove his fingers to tear at his lips with a horrible frenzy.”

Zack Kullis is a published author and writes regularly for Pen of the Damned.

The excerpt  above is from the short story “The Manipulator.” The story can be read here.

Blog: Official Site for Zack Kullis, author of Dark Fiction

Twitter: @ZKullis

 

 

 

Andrew Wyeth

 

” He did not leave, that night on New Year’s Eve, because there was nowhere else for him to go. There is nowhere else when he hears every ragged wheeze, wherever he is; the shuddering breaths of a world on the brink of expiration. As best he can remember he has always heard these sounds. He did not always know what they were, or what it meant to hear the death-rattle of the stones and the trees and the earth, but he felt them all the same, and stood slightly apart from everyone else because of this, while the others ran laughing after one another, or played hopscotch, or made daisy-chains in the grass, oblivious…

… “On paper, darkness shines. Words convey savagery with the finesse of bright bouquets. Language illuminates the broken back of the world, its atrophied limbs, its eyeless face: a rotten leviathan floating in space, quivering with parasites while it sings its last whale-song through an ocean of distant stars, almost inscrutable except by those who dare to pause in their furious lives and, for a moment, listen.”

Thomas Brown is a published author and regular writer for Pen of the Damned. Hope you enjoyed the except  from the short story “All These Voices.” It can be read in its entirety here.

Twitter: @TJBrown89

blog: tbrownonline.wordpress.com

This wonderfully depictive work of art is by contemporary artist( from Bucharest)  Oana Cambrea

 

It became my ghost, that lullaby—its virulent strain infecting not only the cloaked woods that surrounded us, but also the ears upon which it fell. It haunted us all, wormed its way into our brains and cored our frightened eyes to hollowed orbs. Unlike the other girls, who mewled in dread as those tinny chords crackled out from the absolute darkness, I sought to discover its origin…

…The creature sniffed my body. I gagged upon its putrid breath. Its moist snout moved slowly along my neck as a sharp talon grazed the top of my shoulder. Feeling. Touching. Pinpricks of white twinkled in one eye—the starlight reflected back from within its inky, remorseless orb. It peered upward, measuring my response. Urine trickled along my legs and I dropped the knife to the ground.

All those same people who scold you,
what they’d give just for the right to hold you

 

Joseph Pinto is the Co-founder and  writes regularly for Pen of the Damned. The short story “Lullaby”(excerpt above) can be read here.

Blog: Author Joseph A. Pinto’s Horror (and things not so horrible) Blog

Purple Hope (Pancreatic Awareness website)
Twitter: @JosephAPinto

 

Zack Kullis on Amazon

 

Thomas Brown’s Lynnwood on Amazon

 

 

 

Joseph Pinto Dusk Summer on Amazon

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Friday Feature #writing #fiction #author

 Welcome to Friday Feature and Author Joseph Pinto

 

I am privileged to know some remarkable and talented writers. Joseph Pinto is no exception. When I met Joe I was living on the Dark Side of the Moon which reflected in my darker than normal poetry. I had admired his writing as well as the work written by what I consider a Horror Guild called Pen of The Damned. I don’t know what other writers ponder (when their pen is resting) but I remember wishing that some day I could write to the caliber as these engaging horror writers each with a chilling style all their own. When Joe asked me to join PEN, I was dumbfounded but gladly said “yes.”

I know that writing with experienced writers helps to improve one’s own style.  I will never arrive at the level of the horror writing that Blaze McRob, Nina D’Archangela, Thomas Brown, Craig McGray, Magenta Nero, Tyr Kieran, Zack Kullis, Jon Olson, Hunter Shea, and Joseph Pinto have achieved,  but I believe my horror has intensified because of their patience and influence.

I am pleased to feature such a fine and intense writer as Joseph and urge you to dig deeper into the core of the world he paints on the page.

 

Joseph where does your inspiration for writing horror come from? (i.e. bad dreams, everyday life…)

My inspiration for writing horror comes from a variety of places.  Most of the time, I’ll glimpse at an image in my mind; it’s almost like a still frame from a movie.  Using that image, a story will slowly develop and ferment like fine wine.  Music, believe it or not, inspires me tremendously as well.  I’ll take the emotion a particular song will churn up within me and use that when writing.  Every day life is definitely a contributing factor, whether in my own cosmos or things I’ll read in the news.  As far as I know, I don’t have bad dreams; none that I can remember, at least. lol

Tell us about Pen of the Damned. What was your original goal for POTD and what are your visions for this “guild” in the future?

I started Pen of the Damned along with Nina D’Arcangela a little more than two years ago.  It rose from a very simple concept: developing a platform that will promote and market both writer and guild alike.  So we decided upon a strict limit of only ten writers employing varying writing voices.  Each Tuesday, a new writer takes the spotlight, so to speak, and shares their work.  The material is always free for readers and of course consists of horror fiction or dark, angst-ridden prose or poetry.  We keep a strict maximum of 2,500 words per post.  This ensures a brief but impactful read for all to enjoy during the course of their day.

We’re delighted that we’ve gained so many fans and are gaining more as each week passes.  Our original goal has definitely been met.  Nina and I have many dastardly intentions for Pen of the Damned – it’s just a matter of cultivating it to fruition.

***

Which I know from experience takes alot of work and is appreciated by each of the Damned members ~Leslie

 

Please share with us

about your recently published book:

My most recently published book is Dusk and Summer with Sirens Call Publications and is actually a contemporary fantasy story.  I wrote and self-published it a little more than six years ago when my father passed away after a fifteen month battle with pancreatic cancer.  Grief stricken and unable to process my loss, I came to the realization that I had to do something to make sense of it all.  I sat to write what I’d initially believed to be a vessel for my emotions, but it unexpectedly transformed into a fantasy tale.  Inspired by my father’s passion for the sea, Dusk and Summer was born.

It’s a book of love and loss; a bittersweet tribute to my father.  It’s also a book of hope, of dreams made real, and of a fantasy world beneath the waves that is my gift to my father.  My book will not only help anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one, but will sweep readers away with its unexpected story arc.

The Sirens Call Publications team did an amazing job guiding me through the revision of Dusk and Summer nearly seven years later.  They kept it as true to the heart now as it was then.  I couldn’t be more pleased with the caring and compassionate manner in which they handled this very delicate subject matter and the professional acumen they displayed while doing so.

I’m also very proud to say that I’ll be donating a portion of proceeds from all sales of Dusk and Summer to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

******

I won’t say too much about Siren’s Call Publications now other than please check them out they have many publication opportunities for writers. I hope to get an interview with them in a forthcoming article.

What classic horror inspired / inspires you?

The classic horror that inspired me comes from the literary medium, and that would be the early works of Robert McCammon.  Reading from this amazing author definitely opened my eyes to a new and wondrous world and pushed me to become a part of it when I was much younger.

 ***

I was not familiar with McCammon but I am diving into his River of Souls.

 

If you could be a monster what would you be?

If I could be a monster what would I be…can I cheat and give you two answers? lol First, I’d want to be Cookie Monster.  I mean, who doesn’t love Cookie Monster?  And a chocolate chip diet for life?  Sign me up!

The second monster I’d want to be is Godzilla.  I’d rise my cranky self from the bottom of the Pacific, stomp cities and scorch them with my radioactive breath- even fight some other monsters along the way.  Oh yes, hands down, Gojira, or as you know him…Godzilla, King of Monsters! lol

 *****

I have to throw this question in as I love the answers 🙂

 

  Can you divulge what is up next for Joseph?

What’s up next for me is the start of a new book.  I’ve had an idea scratching around inside my head and it’s about time to get it out!

Thank you very much for offering me the opportunity to talk about myself and my most recent book. I’m truly privileged to be featured on your blog, Leslie!

*****

Wishing best of luck to you, Joseph. It is a privilege to try to keep up with you on Pen of the Damned.

I have a new stack of fiction!

 

 

Here’s additional information about Joseph Pinto:

Joseph resides in Northern New Jersey with his young daughter and wife. You can find him in a multitude of places online.

Track him down on Twitter: @JosephAPinto;

Facebook:  Joseph A. Pinto, horror author and more…

His personal blog: JosephPinto.com

The Pen of the Damned blog

He happily shares his deranged likings on Pinterest

He occasionally lurking in the halls of  Google +.

Or, you can simply email him at authorjosephpinto@gmail.com.

You can pick up Joseph’s book, Dusk and Summer, in both eBook and print versions on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, an eBook version on Kobo, as well as other formats on Smashwords.

Please don’t forget, every purchase is more than a great book; it’s also a contribution toward the fight against pancreatic cancer through the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

 

 

 A reminder that each Tuesday a new post comes up on Pen of the Damned. I am always surprised at the variety of horror and never disappointed.

 

 

Poisoned by the Damned #flashfiction #darkfiction

• 

Looking for inspiration for your night of horror? Come by Pen of the Damned and read what we have brewing. Here’s a taste:

• Open your eyes and see the world for the first time.
• “Wizard or Warlock, which shall it be?”
• It was no longer needed
• I mix well and put it in a flask
• How much lovelier we would be if we were dead.
• Pass me the glasses,
• Drink Deep
• Here’s to us darling!

And there are prizes but I think you need to climb in a coffin to claim them.

Entrance to the Damned #flashfiction #pen

Enjoy Pen of the Damned today as we have a treat for you. Each of us has written a flash fiction (100 words) based on the picture prompt (above). The words I have placed below is dark compilation.  Come over to the Pen and feast in our dark banquet hall.

The weeping was for all who, on small feet, come, hands overflowing with offerings; the dead screaming in their endless burn. They prowl the shadows, “You cannot flee, ” says a voice that is not his own.  Husks of comforting strangers fill my head with their thoughts.

“I always laugh last.”

~ and so they are all damned

Small Sacrifices ~ Nina D’Arcangela

Damnation ~Dan Dillard

The Ruin of Man ~ Tyr Kieran

Palace ~ Joseph A Pinto

The Lost Message ~ Leslie Moon

Ghoul’s Last Laugh ~ Blaze McRob

THE OTHER PLACE ~ Thomas Brown

Dementia ~ Daemonwulf

Photograph: “Monument” © Copyright Dark Angel Photography.

A Gateway to the Damned #PEN #flashfiction

The knob creaked as I gave it a twist.

I’d been able to breathe last time I’d been here.

Imprisoned behind an unlocked gate of decorative iron, I watch the world carry on without me.

Shadows beckon; so soon shall I dance.

I am plummeted to the world beyond my fears.

My mind bleeds for what should have been, for the chance never to have seen you.

The rooftop glitters, wet with slime and sunlight on old stone.

Theirs is a multitude of ignored voices; immeasurable lives ending as grist to be chewed by holy teeth.

From down the hall, the words do come, and with them now, a screeching hum.

Enjoy Pen of the Damned today as we have a rare treat for you. Each of us has written a flash fiction (100 words) based on the picture prompt (above). The words I have placed here are just appetizers of each author’s work. Come over to the Pen and feast in our dark banquet hall.

A Picture Paints 100 Words, by Dan Dillard , Veneration, by Daemonwulf

Poisonous Hope, by Tyr Kieran, Sacred Charge, by Nina D’Arcangela

Refuge, by Joseph A. Pinto, Vacuum, by Leslie Moon

Sleeping Dogs, by Thomas Brown, Inner Sanctum, by Blaze McRob

Welcome Home, Baby! by Hunter Shea