Category: Writing

‘Last Christmas’ on Hawk & Cleaver’s The Other Stories Podcast and other news

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Friends, it has been a while but today it’s time to deliver a bumper edition of news and updates.

Last Christmas on The Other Stories Podcast

Last Christmas by Michael David Wilson The Other Stories

Firstly, my festive-themed story ‘Last Christmas’ just went live over on Hawk & Cleaver’s The Other Stories. This is an exciting moment for me on numerous levels. I’m a longtime listener, admirer, and fan of The Other Stories podcast and think they’re up there with the best horror stories podcasts. I especially like the production and way they bring these tales to life rather than just opting for a straight narration. This is doubly exciting because this is the first time I’ve heard an audio version of one of my own stories. I’d love to capture and hold onto the exhilaration that I’m feeling in this moment having just finished listening to it. Anyway, if you like your horror dialogue-heavy, humorous, profanity-laden, and absolutely not suitable for children, this may well be the story for you.

Listen to ‘Last Christmas’ by Michael David Wilson (via Acast) 

Listen to ‘Last Christmas’ by Michael David Wilson (via iTunes) 

Listen to ‘Last Christmas’ by Michael David Wilson (via Player FM) 

The Girl in the Video

Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing

The astute amongst you may well have noticed this line in my bio over at The Other Stories, “His forthcoming novella, The Girl in the Video, will be published in 2019 by Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing.” Watch this space for more on that very soon.

The Black Room Manuscripts Volume Four

The Black Room Manuscripts Volume Four edited by J.R. Park and Tracy Fahey

Back in October I wrote the foreword to The Black Room Manuscripts Volume Four edited by J.R. Park and Tracy Fahey. It’s the final book in the anthology series and I’m honoured to have played a small part. Support the wonderful people at Sinister Horror Company and follow the link to buy The Black Room Manuscripts Volume Four and if you want to learn more about the anthology and editors then please do check out the two-part conversation that Bob Pastorella and I recorded for This Is Horror Podcast.

TIH 236: J.R. Park and Tracy Fahey on The Black Room Manuscripts, Irish Folklore, and Real Life Horror

TIH 237: J.R. Park and Tracy Fahey on Anthologies, Story Obstacles, and Collaborations

This Is Horror Podcast and Patreon

This Is Horror Podcast

Over on This Is Horror Podcast we are aiming to reach 200 patrons by the end of the year. At the time of writing, we’re at 152 patrons but given we gained thirteen patrons in the first thirteen days of December and are continuing to grow I reckon we can come close. There are so many reasons to join us: submit questions for guests, listen to episodes ahead of the crowd, our patron-exclusive podcast Story Unboxed: The Horror Podcast on the Craft of Writing, and our videocast On Camera/Off Record.

Join This Is Horror Podcast on Patreon

But if you haven’t listened to the podcast yet, may I suggest you either peruse the This Is Horror Podcast archives and see which of your favourite authors we’ve spoken with (you can use the search bar up in the top right-hand corner, too) or jump in with some of our favourite and most popular episodes below.

TIH 245: Ramsey Campbell on Life Lessons Growing Up, August Derleth, and Liverpool

TIH 166: Joe R. Lansdale on Hap and Leonard, Growing Up in East Texas, and Bubba and the Cosmic Blood-Suckers

TIH 182: Kathe Koja on The Cipher, Christopher Marlowe, and Strangest Story Ever Written

TIH 188: Laird Barron on Growing Up in Alaska, Applying Life Lessons to Writing, and Dealing with Despair

TIH 173: Nadia Bulkin on Unpacking Tropes, Japanese Horror, and Writing About Topical Themes

TIH 214: Paul Tremblay on Shirley Jackson, Supernatural Turn-Offs, and Ambiguity in Horror Fiction

All right, friends, that does it for today. Let me know what news you have, tell me how you got on with my story ‘Last Christmas’, ask me anything, or just connect with me in the comments or over on twitter @wilsonthewriter.

Have a great day!

The Creative Cycle

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The Creative Cycle

I’m intimately familiar with the creative cycle and I’m sure you are, too. Though rarely do I experience all stages of the cycle in a single hour. But such was the case today as a new story idea surfaced.

Here’s how it went.

  1. Now this, this right here, is an idea. Oh yes, this is perfect. I love this idea.
  2. Oh ****, there’s no obvious conclusion, there are plot holes galore, this is barely even a half-baked concept let alone a story with legs. Another ‘idea’ for the bin. An idea that was never really an idea at all.
  3. Hang on a minute, I guess I could do this, that’ll make it sing all right …
  4. Maybe this is an idea. Maybe this isn’t total rubbish. But then maybe it is … I just don’t know.

And arriving at stage four is a comfortable place to be.

As my Creative Writing tutor George Ttoouli once said—and I oft quote—if you’re not sure whether a story is good or not that’s a great place to be. If you think it’s perfect you’re likely deluded (for what is perfection but an unattainable illusory concept). If you think it’s terrible you’re likely right. But if you’re not sure, if you’re uncomfortable … well, that’s the creative sweet spot.

Of course, George likely said it much better and more eloquently than I have.

So that’s the creative cycle, from self-loving to self-loathing and all shades in between.

When things get tough, persist.

Sooner or later the cycle will come around.

Sooner or later you’ll find the creative sweet spot.