Tales at Twilight

Published Review

2008-02-26T08:41:00.002-05:00

I didn't bother posting when I had this review accepted, since I knew it was coming out so soon. Instead, I waited until now so I could simply post the link.

This is a short review I wrote, appearing in Dark Scribe Magazine:

"Circling" / Tom Piccirilli

Keep on Truckin'

2008-02-16T22:05:00.002-05:00

Even though I haven't been back to a coffee house since my first--and quite possibly last--visit, I have continued the editing. Everything is running smooth, so far. In fact, I'm a little paranoid about taking time to write this post, but I thought the blog could use an update.

In other news, I received I very definite "maybe" regarding a submission. The editor stated in his e-mail that they are still considering it, and even reading it a second time due to great interest. Though he did note that I could still be rejected.

Hell, I'll take it! A maybe feels pretty darned good after months of nos. Hopefully I'll have some indication as to the fate of my beloved story in a week or so. Until then, I know just how I'll pass the time.

Coffee and editing anyone?

The Coffee House Perspective

2008-02-10T18:01:00.000-05:00

I gave my first draft about 1 week of rest time. He'd been worked hard, so I thought some relaxation would do us both some good. Over the coarse of the week, something interesting happened: I couldn't concentrate on anything.

I tried reading some books and magazines, but after a page or two I'd start thinking about my novel. I guess that's normal, but it started interrupting my sleep. I woke a number of times startled, as if I had been having a nightmare. I can't remember what the dreams were about, but I have a couple of theories. The least likely of which stared a man eating manuscript.

I decided if I let any more time pass between finishing the first draft and starting the second draft, I might lose what tiny bit of sanity I had left.

I fished out an old, moldy-smelling manuscript bag from my garage. I took some Febreze to to it to help with the smell, but it did nothing for the appearance. That's okay with me though, because at this time in my life, thirty dollars for a new manuscript bag just ain't gonna happen.

So I had my first draft, my manuscript bag, and my unapologetically scruffy beard. The only thing missing to complete the stereotypical aspiring author image was a coffee house to work on the editing. Would I go balls-out and head to Starbucks? Or maybe a smaller private owned coffee house was more my speed? Where could I really spread my wings and fly pretentiously into the first draft editing process?

And then it came to me. Borders! What better place then a giant bookstore equipped with it's own cafe and big cushy chairs? And so my choice was made.

Coffee in hand and manuscript in tow, I sat in one of Borders' chairs and got to work.

Besides the strange "dirty" feeling at becoming one of the many writers to take to the streets with their work, I managed to edit one-third of my manuscript. Not a bad haul, if I say so myself.

Do I attribute the number of pages edited to this strange writer's ritual? Do I make the coffee house editing part of my own writing schedule?

Something tells me, I just might.

I'm Done!

2008-01-29T00:54:00.000-05:00

Final word count: 57,308

I have FINALLY finished the first draft of my novel, "Soundtrack to the End of the World."

It's been a long time coming. Hell, it's a good four months late if you want to know the truth. But now that the first draft is done, I'm feeling much better. It means I can get to work on the revisions. And let me tell you, it's going to be extensive!

But I'm not too worried. in fact, I've been looking forward to this part. Since I had been blocked and took a few too many breaks in between, I feel like I lost the tone and emotion in places. And worse than that, I feel like I wasn't true to my characters.

This revision is a chance to fix all that. It's a chance to remember what I wanted this darn thing to say, and make it actually say it.

IN my haste to get to it, I actually started printing the whole thing (somewhere over 300 pages) on my home printer. Probably not the best idea. I've already realized that I didn't even number the pages, which could be a problem.

Oh well. You live, you learn.

Maybe I'll sleep tonight.

Questions Answered: Part Uno

2008-01-13T13:24:00.000-05:00

I recently received a question from Akasha Savage, in my comments, that I thought deserved a close look and thoughtful answer.

Akasha asked the following:

How hard do you find it to get your writing accepted anywhere? I write on the dark side, and although I've had a fair share of favorable comments and been told numerous times that my writing should find a market...no one ever wants to publish the damn stuff! I have given up submitting at the moment, I am concentrating on my novel instead, but would really like to know where to send my short stories.
Any ideas?

Oh how I can relate. In fact, I'm sure most writers, if not ALL writer, can relate to this. Because at one point or another, nearly every writer has received rejection letters. The only reason I am qualifying the statement with "nearly" is because there just might be one or two freaks of nature out there that were immediately accepted for publication and never had to endure the sadistic initiation into the Writer's Guild.

But for the rest of us, your distress, Akasha, over finding the right market for your stories, is a shared experience.

So, to answer your first question, yes, I do find it extremely hard to place my work. I too have slammed my fist down at the phrase, "It just doesn't fit the focus of our magazine," or "It's just not what we're looking for right now."

Be warned. Many times, these generic phrases are just that: dreaded form letters.

*gasp

But there are times when an editor will actually comment on a story, and these times are glorious in their horridness. They usually are saying the same things as the form letters, only I am more inclined to believe them when they take the time to actually write me a personal letter about it.

Try to learn all you can from these, few and far between, personal letters.

Along these lines, I'll throw out a piece of disposable advice that you can find in any writer's magazine or blog: "Get to know your markets." The idea is that if you read a magazine before you submit to them, you'll know if they accept the type of work you write. This is all well and good in theory, but to be honest, it has never done me much good.

Usually magazines are summed up pretty well in their guidelines. And besides, editors are usually fairly opened to new things as long as it's good.

Getting to your last question, my answer is, yes, I have some ideas, but in the end it really depends on the type of stories you've written.

Check out my sidebar (to the right). I have a few magazine links there that I have submitted to. Also, check out the link to "Duotrope," also on the sidebar. It's a good place to start. You can search magazines based on pay scale, genre, and other things. Also check out Ralan.com.

Cheers, and good luck.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to put out a quick post to say Happy New Year to everyone. I'm still stumbling around in a post-holiday stupor. I haven't gotten much work done, though the past two days has provided opportunity to add some wordage to the novel (53,500 words total). I'm pretty sure I'm now looking at the last chapter, plus epilogue. I hope to stay motivated and finish it up this week.

I haven't been submitting much lately, and up until last week, I only had two stories out for consideration. Now only one (I received a rejection for the new year).

Hopefully I'll become more active here again, now that the holidays are behind us, but i do have plenty of other work to keep me busy, so we'll see.

Cheers!

Extra Innings

2007-12-17T23:39:00.000-05:00

If you take a quick gander at the bottom of my page, you might notice that the old word meter has finally, and mercifully, hit the 50,000 word mark. In fact, if you look closely, you'll notice that the count is actually 50,788 words.

Despite the frosty beverage that the potato man is enjoying, I've come to realize that it's going to take a little more than 50,000 words to finish this novel.

I'm in the home stretch, that's for sure. But my characters have yet to enter into their final encounter, and after that, there's still some summing up to do.

Maybe 55,000 words is a more realistic count. Maybe 60,000. To be honest, I won't know until my characters say "uncle."

The good news of course is that I've started writing again, and although I've had a couple false starts in the past months, I think this is for real. I think I'm back on the horse.

It wasn't easy. When I sat down to write yesterday, all the words came out wrong. It all felt stilted and boring. I'd forgotten my characters and their motivations. I probably still don't really remember, but I think I can finish this with some grace. And besides, the second draft is where all the smoothing out occurs. I just need to get these last words down.

There's a story here; I have to finish it. And for the first time in months, I really believe I'm going to.

If you're a writer, reader, or value your free time...

2007-12-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

...don't buy an HDTV!

Listen to Uncle Tony, kids. This will be the best advice you're bound to get this Christmas season. Stay the hell away from HDTV's. They will suck your time away like a vampire sucks blood. And if you have to get an HDTV, please, do NOT purchase a TIVO. And if you just can't do without TIVO, please, for the love of God, do NOT buy a gaming console!

You'll listen to me, right? With all the technological possibilities flooding the consumer market, you can resist the temptation to buy into a high resolution home theater system that looks crisper than reality...right!?

Because your imagination is crisper yet...isn't it?

You have to listen to me, because I'm speaking to you from my own personally dug electronic grave. A new HDTV and PS3 plugged directly into my skull. I tried to disconnect; I yanked at the wires, but they were too deep.

Learn from my mistake.

Falling off the face of the Earth

2007-12-10T18:17:00.001-05:00

Wow. Time sure does seem elusive these days. If it wasn't for Akasha's nudge (see comments for my last post) I'm sure this post would still be days away.

I wish I could say I've been lost in my writing for the past weeks. Of course, seeing as how it's Christmastime again, rather than writing, I've been spending most my time spending all my money.

For those who've read some of my stories, you might have noticed a bit of an anti-materialism streak throughout the works. It's a theme I like to play with, but this time of year always turns me into a big ol' hypocrite.

Yeah, I like stuff just like everyone else. A common misconception among readers is that if a writer explores certain themes, said writer also subscribes to the beliefs he or she puts on paper. Maybe...sometimes. I surely do have a strong distaste for spending money (and money itself). I'm probably one of few people in my age group to not own a cell phone, for instance. But does that mean I'm ready to drop out of mainstream society and live in the mountains?

Not yet.

Maybe soon...but not yet.

First I have to get at least one novel published.

I've been tagged!

2007-11-28T22:17:00.001-05:00

Rules of the tagging game:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

Share seven random or weird things about yourself.

Tag seven random people at the end of your blog.

Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Akasha Savage has tagged me from Aspirations from the Darkside, here are seven things about me:

1. When frightened, I spray a fine mist of ink and then scuttle in the opposite direction.

2. I once stepped in front of a large truck. Only, it was parked at the time.

3. I'm not saying I'm a cannibal, but I wouldn't rule it out.

4. Nothing scares me more than a miniature poodle wearing a sweater.

5. I was born with twelve fingers and eight toes. Every thing's normal now.

6. If I had a million dollars, I'd buy one million scratch off tickets.

7. I lie. A lot.

Now then, I tag these unsuspecting folks:

Clyde
Steve (of blog from the darkside)
nietzschean-ghost
Hope Sheppard (of Cheeky Sassenach)

Yip yip.

"Retired," available to read

2007-11-22T00:28:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody. some good news on the home front. My story, "Retired," has finally been uploaded to the MagusZine site. It is listed as the October issue, though as far as I can tell it just came out.

This is one of my longer pieces, not like those 100 word shorties I had published last month. So go on down to MagusZine and have yourself a look:

"Retired"

MagusZine is a part of Magus Press, which also sells anthologies such as The Sound Of Horror.

Happy Thanksgiving!

EDIT: I was just reading through my story, "Retired" on the MagusZine, and noticed some typos. I spotted things like missing letters all the way to missing sentences. I checked this against my source copy, and as I suspected, the problem did not originate on my end. I'm going to contact the editor and see if I can't get a fix on these few typos.

1,500 more words.

2007-11-19T00:30:00.001-05:00

But I'm tired now.

Thanksgiving Music

2007-11-17T12:41:00.000-05:00

It's nothing like Christmas music. The radios aren't barraged by a limitless frenzy of Thanksgiving tunes weeks before the big day. In fact, if anything, we start hearing Christmas music leading up to Thanksgiving.

This year, I thought I'd try to find a few Thanksgiving songs to create a nice CD to play on Thanksgiving day. While searching, I figured something out: Thanksgiving music is LAME!

Oh my. It's just so bad. This is the first list of Thanksgiving songs I came across. Barring two or three songs, the rest are just awful:

Thanksgiving Playlist

Otis Redding: Effin' great, of course.
Sly and the Family Stone: Diddo
Vince Guaraldi Trio: They will always have a place in my heart.

But the rest? Ugh.

Now, there is at least one song that I listen to every year, and it has become a Thanksgiving tradition, not only for my family, but for many. This song is Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant."

They used to play it every year on the radio, and maybe some stations still do. But more often than not, I just pop in the CD at a convenient time during the hours of cooking.

If you're interested, here's a video of Arlo, in his older days, performing the famous song:

Alice's Restaurant

There's also the movie. I actually just added it to my netflix queue. That'll be a nice Thanksgiving day viewing.

Do you have any traditional music you like to listen to on Thanksgiving? Let me know.

If I get enough songs, maybe I can still make that CD.

Thanksgiving can be scary too...

2007-11-13T20:23:00.001-05:00

Last Easter I posted some creepy bunny pictures, so I thought I'd do the same for Thanksgiving this year. Unfortunately, this was the best I could do. Actually, I think it sums up the current administration quite nicely.

SO, I've had a couple rejections come in, but no worries, it's bound to happen.

I finally got back to work on my novel, and added around 3,000 words to it, leaving only 4,000 more till my 1st draft is complete. I know this probably sounds familiar, since I was saying I only had 7,000 words left two months ago. What can I say, the writer's laze struck again.

But I'm back in the saddle, and nothings gonna keep me from putting those final words onto the first draft. Unless someone wants to give me a couple million dollars. That might postpone the writing--but not for long. Just until, you know, I bought a better computer. And maybe a new sound system. Oh, and those glowy green lights, you know, that look like Christmas lights but are spooky.

Huh. I feel like I got off topic.

Oh, I have added my Word count meter back to the page, only now it's at the bottom instead of the top. Honestly, i just don't know how to get stuff on the top anymore.

I've reached 47,000 words. I'm so close I can taste it!

I'll try to do some kind of Thanksgiving countdown, like I did for Halloween, but no promises.

Stephen King and Joe Hill: What's in a Name?

2007-11-08T21:57:00.000-05:00

It's clear that everyone in the horror field, and many outside it, know that Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. I'm not here to break that particular scoop, though I might just have another, albeit less interesting, one.

At work the other day, I began daydreaming, which is not uncommon. I can't remember my exact line of thoughts, but it brought me back to Joe Hill's popular debut novel, Heart Shaped Box. I was reliving the book in my head when I changed gears and considered Hill's interest in names.

In the book, he names the dogs after different rock stars, which makes sense because the main character is a rock star.

That's when I thought, "Gee, if he put so much thought into character names, there must be some significance to the name he chose for himself: Hill."

Now, I'm pretty darn lazy. I wasn't about to go research the poor guy's life to try and figure out where "Hill" comes into play. But, I did make an obvious connection, that most people probably realize on some level. Hill and King both have four letters.

Okay, big whoop.

Ah, but I haven't finished yet. I took it one step further.

Now, there's a little game I sometimes play when I write stories. I like to put little numerical clues and allusions into the text. I figure, as I do this, that no one will ever notice it. But then, who knows.

So, with this in mind, I present the following:

K = 11 I = 9 N = 14 G = 7

(11 + 9 + 14 + 7) = 41

H = 8 I = 9 L = 12 L = 12

(8 + 9 + 12 + 12) = 41

That's right! If you take the numerical designation for each letter in both names, they each add up to 41.

Did Joe Hill do this on purpose, as a way to honor his father and family name? Maybe...but only one person knows for sure.

I can't imagine it's a coincidence, but I guess there's a chance it is. Either way, it's a nice bit a trivia, and as far as I can tell, I was the first to figure it out. But again (as if I really need to say it) I'm pretty lazy and did absolutely no research...so I could be wrong.

Rising to the Occasion

2007-11-06T19:01:00.000-05:00

Within the first few pages of Michael Louis Calvillo's new book, I Will Rise, I knew I had something unique in my hands.

I won't waste your time trying to summarize the novel (besides, you can head over to Mr. Calvillo's website and even get the first chapter free), but I will say it is a nice twist on the familiar apocalyptic plot. Along these lines, the style and POV of the writing is not what you'd normally see in this type of book.

We're introduced to the main character in first person present tense, and he tells us first hand, we're not going to like him. And right there, I was hooked.

The hell with these Hollywood wannabe writers who give us feel good stories with characters we love from the first line.

And with those thoughts reverberating in my head, I started to read, and immediately I recognized the unique style as a playful adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk and Mike's personal flavor. I'm comfortable saying the style is reminiscent of Chucky P for a few reasons. First, I've read all his novels. Second, I adapt some of his style into my own. And third, well, the "about the author" page of I Will Rise basically tells us.

I'm glad to see some new style first person minimalism breaking onto the scene. It's tiring and a little sad to see the same style and voice in every novel, especially when they are written by different authors.

And this isn't to say that Mr. Cavillo doesn't have a certain literary sensibility as well. I was especially impressed with the underlying religious themes that played throughout, even getting into such structural playfulness as repeating words three times (as in the trinity?)

As much as I'd like to let my brain go into lit analysis mode, I think I'll spare you all the pain and instead recommend you pick up a copy of I Will Rise.

Buy Tie Dye Shirts Online

2007-11-04T10:16:00.000-05:00

The Tie Dye Connection has just uploaded another large batch of brand new tie dye shirts. These were only just finished in the past few days. They also posted their list of incense scents (17 different kinds so far) which sell for $1.50 per dozen.

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Some of you have probably noticed the new design here at Tales at Twilight. I started fiddling with the old look and settled on this new, brighter, template. But don't worry. Though the look is different, my charming wit and humor hasn't changed.

Look for a special review of Michael Calvillo's new novel I Will Rise to appear here within the next day or two. It was a great read that you'll want to know more about.

Cheers.

Tie Dye Connection: The Online Tie Dye Store

2007-11-01T17:53:00.000-04:00

My father and brother just launched a brand new tie dye internet store. I'd say it's THE online tie dye store. It's called Tie Dye Connection, and if I don't mind saying (which I don't), it has some great looking tie-dye shirts at really low prices ($15 a pop).

They are also planning on adding incense and tapestries to the site as soon as their stock comes in.

The shirts are handmade by my dad, so no two shirts are exactly the same. He uses heavy weight (6.1 oz) 100% cotton tees and the professional Procian MX fiber reactive dyes.

With Christmas coming, these shirts are a great way to stock up on unique and affordable presents. You can't buy quality tie dye shirts like these in a store for less. Keep checking back at the site for updates, and I'll post here when they add new products.

Tie Dye Connection

The Witching Hour...

2007-10-31T23:59:00.000-04:00

Is Upon Us...

This will likely be my last Halloween 2007 post.

I had a good night. Our area, for one reason or another, has had fewer and fewer trick or treaters over the years. Unfortunately, tonight was probably the worst turnout we've had yet. Of course, that does mean I have pounds of candy near at hand, so all is not lost.

I'm thinking about staying up all night. I do have work in the morning, but I'd hate to waste the sugar high. Really, I didn't eat much candy, but I did finish all the meat that was attached to this bone:

To be honest, i went out exploring in the dark tonight, and stumbled upon this bone in my backyard. Now, i know you're going to immediately assume I'm making this up, but stay with me here. My flashlight hits the bone, sitting right next to my garden in the back, and my blood goes cold.

It's really a huge bone, so my first thought is, "If the bone is that big, how large is the animal that was eating it?"

I became very still and listened to make sure I was alone. There was movement, off to my right. Leaves pushed...rolled in? It seemed far off, and I couldn't train my flashlight beam on it, but I did notice the drag marks in the dirt around the bone.

Subtle, but in evidence.

I'll investigate further in the morning, when chances of being surprised by a large animal are lessened.

Here's a pumpkin pie I made:

And my Jack O' Lantern in all his glory, burning away his one night of fame:

I hope everyone had a successful, frightful, haunting, and happy Halloween.

I'm off to bed for a midnight marathon of bloodcurdling horror movies.

Goodnight!

It's Almost Here!

2007-10-30T23:17:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Halloween.

I spent my day preparing for tomorrow. I carved my jack o' lantern, made some candies, roasted pumpkin seeds, and prepared the pumpkin puree. But most importantly, I took some time out to chill with a big bowl of chocolate covered popcorn and peanuts, and my pumpkin seeds, while watching my favorite Halloween cartoons. It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and Garfield's Halloween Adventure.

Here's the best song from Garfield's special (It's really the second half of the clip, but the entire clip is good):

Garfield's Halloween

Here's one of my favorite parts of the Great Pumpkin:

Charlie Brown gets ripped off!

Hope you enjoy those clips.

I'll post some pics of my jack o lantern and other goodies tomorrow. As for right now, i want to get as many horror movies in as I can. There just ain't enough time in the day. Know what I mean?

Happy Halloween!

"Lost Little Girl" and "Red Death" AND Free Book Contests!

2007-10-28T09:56:00.000-04:00

You can read my flash story, "Lost Little Girl," for free at Every Day Fiction.

EDIT: I just found out that one of my stories appears in today's (Sunday October 28th) edition of the Pocono Record: the local paper. I had entered a Halloween Writing contest a couple weeks ago and never heard back. I assumed my story wasn't the winner. Well, turns out, I was right. I didn't win. But my story did appear in the paper.

I was going to scan a copy to post, but I found it on the paper's online site. Unfortunately, it is sharing space with the other stories. You'll find mine on the right hand side, second story down. It's called "Red Death." Actually, the original title was "The New Horror," but I guess I forgot to include the title on the online entry form, so they named it for me. Oops.

Red Death

Let me know what you think.

Happy October

***EDIT: Last one, I swear. A couple of bloggers are giving away free books through contests, and I wated to give a shout out for them.

The first is Clyde Andrews, who is giving away a copy of his latest book, Escape From Epsilon, a collection of short stories.

The second contest is being held by Jim over at Shamus Writes. He's giving away a copy of Dune!

Go and enter both contests. It's free!

Good luck.

Halloween Weekend

2007-10-27T19:35:00.001-04:00

We're almost there. And that means more Halloween goodies.

Today I decided, for some reason, to make donuts. I wondered if doughnuts and Halloween had any connection, and it turns out, yes, they do!

Halloween Doughnuts

It's an interesting article and recipe, though I used a different one for mine:

Alton Brown's Doughnuts

That's right. Good ol' Alton Brown.

So, I thought I'd catalogue the process for the hungry among you.

They came out better than expected, though it did take quite a while to accomplish. The rise alone was about an hour, and then another 30 minutes after the roll and cut. But that's part of the fun.

I forgot to take pictures of my caramel apples the other day, but I suspect you know what they look like.

I've had a couple rejections over the past week or two. Nothing worth reporting in detail really. Just standard form rejects in most cases. My flash piece in Everyday Fiction comes out tomorrow. I'll be sure to post and link as necessary.

I hope every one else is making the most of the season.

Be sure to click the photos for larger views.

Happy October.

11 Days to Halloween

2007-10-20T10:56:00.000-04:00

For today's Halloween offering, I have two web pages that are sure to help coordinate the 11 remaining days.

The first page, The Pumpkin Nook, has more information about pumpkins than my closet has skeletons. Go to this page for instructions on how to puree your own pumpkin and use that puree to make pies, cookies, muffins, and breads.

The second page, Halloween TV, has a schedule of Halloween TV shows airing this year. It doesn't seem to be comprehensive, but it does make matters easier when trying to choose sppoky tv to get you in the mood.

As for me? Well, I have three sugar pumpkins that I want to turn into puree. I'll freeze most of it for thanksgiving pies, but I might use a bit today for some cookies. I made come caramel apples the other day, but I might make some more. And maybe peanut brittle. Not really Halloween inspired...unless I make pumpkin seed brittle...by George!

And would you look at this!

http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/stories/story_pumpkin.htm

Happy October.

Halloween Radio

2007-10-19T20:21:00.000-04:00

In my never ending search for everything Halloween, I came across this page of Halloween radio stations. They are free to listen to online, using "Live365." The radio stations all worked fine for me, but (if I remember correctly) you might have to sign up to use the live365 browser. I know it's free, because, well, I would never pay for something like that.

I'm cheap and poor. Not mutually exclusive.

Here's the link to the page O' Stations:

Halloween Radio

I haven't had a chance to listen to them all, so use your own judgment when choosing a station. That is, in fact, the only downside to this: there are too many choices!

I hope all you writers get to use this while writing. That's my plan anyway.

Oh, and if you're wondering about the picture up top, check out this link:

Halloween Girl

Happy October.

Halloween Countdown

2007-10-18T20:45:00.001-04:00

*Click to enlarge.

As promised, the Halloween goodies keep coming!