A true ghost story

As you know, I write ghost stories. 

As you may have guessed, I'm a believer. 

But you may not know that I've encountered a few ghosts myself, and seeing really is believing. 

The event I'm about to recount is true and, apart from minor vagueness caused by the passing of time, factual. It may not be the most terrifying tale you've ever read, but I'm betting it will be on your mind the next time you're driving at night on a badly-lit road.

The BEST Haunted House video you'll ever see

Happy Halloween! Have you had any trick or treaters yet? I'm busy with Parents Evening tonight, so will have a few tricks and treats of my own to dish out... mwa-hahaha!

A bit of a fun one today, to make a change from all the spooky goings-on you're bound to experience tonight.

I don't know if any of you watch Ellen, but this is worth five minutes of your time even if you don't. One of the show's writers is a real scaredy-cat, and every year they send her through a Haunted House where she screams and freaks out in a way that would be comical if it weren't so genuine. This poor girl is really scared, but manages to have a giggle about it too. A true heroine! Or just a glutton for punishment?

This year, she was joined by Andy, who also works on the show, and Amy looks tough compared to him! I especially like, "Stop it! Stop it now!" and "Are you #*$@ing kidding me?" as he hides behind Amy and occasionally uses her for cover! This is the funniest video I have seen in a long time, but then, I do have a Strange sense of humour.

Enjoy, and Happy Halloween!

http://youtu.be/zjQTpJYcPBI

Remember: Late: a ghostly tale is free to download this week if you fancy a scare with a touch more subtlety...

WIP Wednesday... how about every day?

Sign up for your own challenge at www.nanowrimo.org


So, here's the thing.

I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) starting on November 1st, and I've got a shiny blue counter on my homepage. I've got a cupboard full of teabags. I've got post it notes all over my dining room table. I've even got a lush pink folder to keep everything together.

I've also got an idea to keep me motivated.

How about if, instead of cheering me on as the numbers on my counter go up, you could read the words I wrote that day? Sort of a serial... but where you get to comment and make suggestions. I've pretty much got the outline nailed down, but who knows where the story might take me?

Would anyone read it? Would anyone feel compelled to comment in cheer-leader-style or demand a plot twist that takes everyone by surprise?

Let me know.

Until then, I'll keep scribbling ideas on post its, receipts and stationary children...
xxx

Top 10 Halloween Pranks to do at Home

There are a lot of videos on the web about pranks to play at Halloween, some better than others. This video made me laugh so hard and gave me lots of inspiration! I can't wait to try these...



Adrenalin pumping? Remember: Late: a ghostly tale is free to download this week. Scare yourself silly- it's on me!

The Halloween Surprise

I didn't write this, but I wish I had! Click here for my source and to read some other funny urban legends.

A COUPLE were invited to a swanky masked Halloween Party. She got a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the party alone. He, being a devoted husband, protested, but she argued and said she was going to take some aspirin and go to bed and there was no need of his good time being spoiled by not going. So he took his costume and away he went.

Five things scarier than ghosts!

As you know, I adore a good scare, and ghost stories are my particular favourite. However, real-life is often way more frightening than fiction, and so here are five real-life terrors that make me shiver, sweat and scream.

1. Spiders

I've always been terrified of these nasty little beasties, and it took a tremendous amount of courage to even google a picture of one.

 'shudders'

I've trained myself to delay a panic attack long enough to catch the smaller ones and get rid of them, but I just can't handle anything with a leg-span larger than 5cm. A short while ago, I

Five horror films to enjoy at Halloween

With Halloween being on a school night this year, I'll be celebrating tonight instead. I'm not sure yet whether to create a costume and crawl the local pubs, or invite some friends round to watch a few horror films. A good scary movie will definitely be featuring in my Halloween ritual in some form though, so here are five that I consider the very best.

1. Halloween

Well, it had to be done! How could I blog about Halloween horror films and not mention this? Although it's obviously dated, and has been weakened by terrible sequels, do not forget that what seems cliche now was ground-breaking and innovative at the time. The unstoppable madman hadn't been done to death (excuse the pun) and the idea that someone is out there- watching you from the shadows- is a very scary thought indeed. Did you remember to lock the door?

Five freaky photos and the truly terrifying fears they represent

1. Face in the mirror

Have you ever had to muster the courage to look at your reflection? Ever seen something move behind your shoulder? Even worse, have you caught a glimpse of a face other than yours? Even if you haven't, do you ever worry you will?

I do, frequently.

2. Being followed up the stairs

Time for bed. You check the front door, switch off the lights downstairs and switch on the lights upstairs. In front of you as you climb, bright lights and bed. Behind you... shadows and- something else?

I've been known to climb stairs sideways, keeping my back to the wall, in order to keep watch for- something.

 

 

NaNoWriMo- or, probably the daftest thing I've ever signed up for...

After much umming and erring of the (typically) indecisive nature, I've decided to give myself a kick up the backside and get The Hungry Man finished. I've signed up for the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) which bullies writers (in a friendly, supportive kind of way) to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days- a mere 1,667 words a day. I may regret this.

Technically, I suppose I have a head-start. The first draft is sort-of done, although there are huge gaps and scribbled in sections where I want to include an element but don't know how, and I'm not happy with it as it stands, SO I have made the radical decision to start it again. From scratch. Almost.

I hope it's not cheating, as I'm really looking forward to participating. I think the word counter on NaNoWriMo alone will really help me. My intention is to rewrite every chapter, now I know where I'm going with it, and only re-insert the sections that are really worth keeping. It could be painful, but my intention is to finish November with 50,000 words that are tight and compelling.

You can keep tabs on me via the word counter widget on the right. It's the blue one that will hopefully show increasing numbers... If it doesn't, feel free to tell me off in Tesco.

Right, I'm off to pore over my outline again before it all kicks off on November 1st 2013... wish me luck x

Comments

Hi all!

Just a quick one to say I've been messing about with the comments setting- Google+ only wasn't working out for me- so if a comment you've made has gone missing, that's why.

Normal service resumed! Comment away! xxx

An Apology to Fantastic Phil

Fantastic Phil- feast your eyes, ladies!

Dear readers, I have some serious grovelling to do!

I have made a grave and almost unforgiveable oversight, and for that I am truly sorry. Let me state publicly that my colleague and good friend Phil (pictured left) was the genius behind the name Maverick Hart (the truly terrifying demi-god from one of my most popular stories Rock God) and I forgot to thank him in my book.