Long story short (since I write short stories), I am putting all my creations temporarily on hold. Libra husband (actually a Cancer, but I digress…) and I have been affected by Covid-19 as well as pneumonia. Yes, both of us. He is currently in ICU. I am at home but still on the mend as well. Until we get through this, your Twisted Libra will not be online. Feel free to enjoy my previous works, although the books have been pulled from Amazon at this time. (I am planning to re-release a new work in the coming months on a better platform.) Until we meet again…
Have you ever looked back at something and thought, “Damn. I could have done so much better”? I think we all have. Be it relationships or professional endeavors, we all can agree that hindsight is 20/20, right? If y’all have spent even a few minutes in the Twisted Libra Cemetery, you know that my books are my passion. Hell, my writing in general is my passion. So, you can imagine how amazing the next book is going to be when I tell you that I am taking the first two out of print…
Wait….WHAT?!!!! Yes, you read that correctly. I Scare My Own Family and Craving the Darkness are being permanently sealed away in a darkened tomb. Don’t misunderstand; I am immensely proud of both these books, and the second one has the most incredible illustrations (thanks Shellie!). It is just that I have a completely different vision for the stories I want to tell and the book I want to write. My next book will take both the other books and combine them in a unique way. Most of the stories will undergo a rewrite of sorts, so when you read the new book, you won’t be just rereading old material. I promise.
The forthcoming book will have new stories, new characters, and will actually be interactive with the reader. If the fates allow, my talented illustrator will be returning to help me bring this monster to life. I can’t really give away more than that for now. I am aiming for a 2021 release, but if it takes longer then so be it. This is going to be such an incredible story, and I do not want to rush things. It definitely won’t be ready by spooky season, but that’s okay. Trust me, it is going to be worth the wait!
So, what does that mean for the books that are out now? Well, like I said, I am pulling them out of publication. For personal reasons, I will be breaking away from Amazon publishing. Any copies of these first two books can be considered collector items, I suppose. If you haven’t gotten a copy of either of them, you should probably run and do so now. I am taking them away at the end of this weekend. In case you want your own, now “collectible”, copies of my first two books, they can be found here for the next 2 days: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B085PSVWB5. After that, you will have to wait for the new book before you can enjoy the wicked little delights I have already released. And now for some gratitude…
I want to thank every single person who supported me through the creation and publication of the first two books. That encouragement and love meant so much more than you will ever know. For all those who bought copies, shared links, posted pictures, gave reviews, and helped spread the word, I love you always. Your appreciation for my work has given me the courage to undertake this new direction in my writing. I hope I can make you all proud with this next project! I want to say more about what is to come, but for now I think it is best to simply say thank you, I love you all, and I am ready to close the current chapter on my life as an author.
Greater things are coming soon. Twisted Libra is about to kick the door down and flood the universe with some bad ass spooky goodness! Stay tuned, my lovelies!
As always, if you enjoyed this post please check out my creeptastic little cemetery where all my wicked little delights currently reside! You can find it here:
I have been sitting in front of this computer for quite a while, trying to come up with something interesting to say. I got nothing, y’all. Hence the Seinfeld-esque title of this post. I think my brain may actually be broken this time. The well has run dry. I am out of ideas. Perhaps the spooky has left the building? Has my creepy side up and quit on me?
No, no. That can’t be it. I believe I may truly be suffering from a horrible bout of writer’s block. The dreaded affliction that stalls creativity and drives a writer to the brink. I haven’t written anything substantial in a few months. MONTHS. I hate this. I miss my mind spilling over with ideas, some coming at me so fast I have to make multitudes of little notes in my phone and on post-its just to keep them all from slipping away.
My logic tells me this is common and will pass; my emotions tell me all hope is lost and I will never write again. Then that lovely self-esteem whispers: “No one reads your shit anyway.” Ah, the intriguing sounds of the constant war within my own mind. It never gets old.
(It definitely got old years ago.)
I want this to pass. I want to sit here and pour my words into the keyboard with reckless abandon. I want the stories to flow free. I want to feel that spooky little spark of joy when I read them back to myself after completion. I want the excitement of presenting new material to the world. I suppose until then, I will just write about nothing at all. Curse you, writer’s block.
Look for all the awesome things I used to write, before this stupid dry spell, inside my little cemetery: http://www.twistedlibracemetery.com
On May 26, 1897, the literary world was gifted with the publication of the one and only Dracula by Bram Stoker. This incredible novel, though initially not well received, has gone on to earn recognition as one of the greatest literary classics of our time. Iterations of this story have appeared not only in literature, but also on the stage, in television, and in film. While the version most widely known today is far from the original creation, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who was not familiar with the legendary vampire in some way, shape, or form.
I won’t babble on about Dracula today, because we all know that would be far too lengthy a post! I could discuss the topic for days! In honor of our most beloved Count, I will simply present a selection of the many incarnations we have seen. How many are you familiar with?
Also, here is some of the amazing cover art the novel has received over the years (I collect different covers myself, if you need any gift ideas):
THE ORIGINAL COVER!
Obviously, I can’t post them all. Far too many! But I will post the only Stoker estate-sanctioned sequel to Dracula, called Dracula the Undead. It was written by Dacre Stoker (great grand-nephew of Bram) and Ian Holt. I just finished it myself, and it was an incredible follow up to the classic tale! 100% Twisted Libra recommended!
No, this isn’t some zombie-Jesus, Easter holiday type thing. Ladies, gentlemen, vagrants, and vagabonds…your Twisted Libra has returned!
Forgive the prolonged absence. That pesky thing we call real life sometimes gets in the way. Since my last post, I have had quite the busy personal and professional schedule. This prevented me from haunting the cemetery and having spooky ideas occupy my mind. However, the fire of the muse burns eternal; this morning I felt the pull of the graveyard and was gladly consumed! While I did truly miss this place while I was away, the short sabbatical was not without some merit. It caused me to once again take stock of the things I desire most in my life. My happy place is among the remains. These past few weeks, I really just sat up and took notice.
My heart loves the spooky because I am the spooky. Going through the day-to-day stuff without some type of creeptivity (still trying to make this happen) makes me uncomfortable. I need scary stories, dark poems, black everything, and general macabre influence in my little world. I’m one of the weird kids. Always will be. Just a shmexy little weirdo.
I am so glad you are all still here. I promise to be more attentive here within these cemetery walls. Thank you for reading this, and for subscribing to my blog. (wait, you don’t subscribe? tf is wrong with you? go sign up. jeeze…) My wicked mind is once again brimming with darkness and decay. Sit back and enjoy, the Twisted Libra Cemetery gates are swinging wide open. Here I come!
As always, if you enjoyed what you just read, or if you want to see some of my other creations, check out the interactive map of the Twisted Libra Cemetery! There is something there for every twisted soul!Enter the Twisted Libra Cemetery!
This day is special. It is significant. It should be celebrated. No, not because of some ridiculous excuse for companies to sell cards and flowers; on this day 90 years ago…Dracula made its silver screen debut!
The date was February 14, 1931. What began as a Bram Stoker novel and grew into a Hamilton Deane/John Balderston stage play had now become a major motion picture. There was Dracula, handsome, dapper, and larger than life! While he was nothing like the Count as we knew him in the book, this version of Dracula became the icon embedded in the modern popular culture. Anything you see today that is related to Dracula carries a piece of this film along with it. Among the parts from the book that did make it into the film lies one of my favorite quotes:
Seriously, this one of my favorite quotes of all time. I even had a custom phone case made that says it. I plan to have it tattooed on me someday. I could write a thesis about this film; I have studied the film, as well as the book and the legend, extensively. I won’t bore you with my vast knowledge and adoration for the most famous vampire ever. I just wanted to bring awareness to this special day, and let you all know that the little cherub with the bow and arrow doesn’t get all the glory. Happy Dracula Film Debut Day!
Want more? Come visit the Twisted Libra Cemetery! All my creations are buried there. I’m sure I can dig up something wickedly delightful for you!
This week, I began reading Dracula by Bram Stoker. For the third time. In truth, it is the only book I have ever read more than once, aside from the Scary Stories or Tales for the Midnight Hour series. Each time I read it, I find a new sense of enjoyment for it. This time is the best so far. It is such a descriptive and intriguing story, and it frightens the reader with dark imagery that most modern novels (in my opinion) seem to be lacking. Of course, reading the novel makes it even more abundantly clear how much of a disservice has been done to this tale by Hollywood.
I know what you’re thinking: “But, Twisted Libra! Your favorite film is the 1931 Dracula!” True, I do adore a Hollywood version of my beloved count. However, I recognize that this film, and many that followed, are based on the stage play by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston. Their version, while somewhat of an homage to Bram Stoker’s original creation, was a vast departure from Dracula in his literary form. I love that film for it’s original take on the legend, and for the perseverance of the cast and crew through what was undeniably a tumultuous shoot. And hey, Bela Lugosi. Enough said.
However, being a true fan of Dracula, I cannot deny that Hollywood seems to keep shitting on the best parts of the novel. I held hope back in 1992 when the Francis Ford Coppola film arrived, promising to adhere to the original story. Well…it failed. I mean, yes, in many ways it did hold true…but it embellished or altered many parts that I feel would have been best left alone. A prime example is when Mina awakens to find Lucy missing in the night. She tracks her down, only to find her with some dark entity of sorts. In the novel, she sees Lucy in her white nightdress, sitting on a cemetery bench with her head back. A dark figure seems to be leaning over her shoulder from behind. It looks up, its eyes glowing red, and then it seems to vanish while clouds briefly obscure the moonlight. This is written so well, and is so creepy to read. Did the film do this?
Um…no. No, they did not. In the 1992 film, Mina finds Lucy mid-coitus with some huge, ridiculous-looking werewolf type beast on a bench in the middle of some garden. And given that Lucy is presumably sleep-walking and up to this point has been unaware of any influence from Dracula, this gives the sex a somewhat rapey subtext. Hollywood was trying to spice up the story with unnecessary sex appeal and, in the process, ruined what could have been an utterly terrifying scene. Hooray for Hollywood?
I don’t mean to sound as though I am against Dracula films. I rather enjoy them. I would just like to see a film stay absolutely true to the book for once. To my knowledge, that has yet to occur. If I am wrong, feel free to correct me in the comments. I don’t particularly care for that 1992 version. It tried and came so close, but the things it did change were just too senseless and pretty much ruined the story. For me, anyway. I will say, the original novel is better than any film. Of all the films, the 1931 version is still my favorite. I have my reasons; perhaps I will discuss them in a future post. Until then, enjoy the novel, enjoy the films, enjoy the genre. Take a big bite.
As always, if you enjoy this post, you can find all of my wicked creations over at my cemetery! Open to all, there is something devious lurking for each of you within the crypts and tombs! Find it here: Enter the Twisted Libra Cemetery
I don’t have much to say today. Nothing profound, at least. However, I did write something a while back that I felt like sharing here today. Enjoy!
I open my eyes in the darkness, yet somehow I am able to see. Although I lie on a satin cushion, wood rests around and in front of me. A momentary panic consumes me as I realize the air is no more. It quickly subsides when it dawns on me that I no longer breathe as before. With my cold hands against the wood, I push with all my might. Hinges creak as the casket lid lifts, and I arise into the night. I step into the shadows, and take a look around the silent room. It seems I have been resting alone, within a dank and darkened tomb. Cautiously, I begin to ascend a set of crumbling marble stairs. Exiting my mysterious sepulcher, I feel the embrace of the cool night air. With awareness of the sounds of creatures that previously caused me fright, My ears hear for the very first time the lovely symphony of the night. Curiosity and craving draw me forth among the moonlit crypts. I am now driven by the desire for a sanguine wine upon my lips.
Remember, if you enjoyed this blog post, there is so much more waiting for you behind the gates of my cemetery! Find it here: http://www.twistedlibracemetery.com
I woke this morning to learn that some fortunate soul (not me) won an insanely large sum of money last night in the lottery. Can you imagine? I wouldn’t even know where to begin. It got me thinking, as such situations often do, about where I would like to travel if money was not an issue. Obviously, my mind created this dream list with pre-pandemic parameters in place. When I dream of travel, I tend to dream about how things were, because I don’t enjoy the idea of travel as things currently are.
There are many places I wish I had visited before the world went to shit, for now I fear I may never get the chance to experience these places fully. I want to visit New Orleans and walk through the beautiful cemeteries. I want to browse through the boutiques filled with magic and folklore. I want to tour old, historic locations with ghostly backstories. I want to hear the live jazz music and get swept away in the wonder of the night. Forget Mardi Gras, though. You couldn’t pay me to be a part of that crowd.
I want to visit the witch museum in Salem, Massachusetts. To walk through the very homes and buildings these women lived in, to see and feel that space…that would be incredible. I am a sucker for historical locations. I honestly feel an energy from old places, like a vibe. I love to feel connected to places like that. I want to visit the Lizzie Borden house, the Winchester mansion, several cemeteries, and Disney World. No, I have never been to Disney. Honestly, the only reason I truly want to go is to ride the Haunted Mansion ride as many times in a row as they will allow. I have zero interest in any other attraction. Just the Haunted Mansion. I have dreamt of seeing it since I was three, and I watched a television special called “Disney’s Halloween Treat” that featured the dancing ghosts in the ballroom.
This post is making me a little sad. I have all these places I want to go, but I seriously doubt I will ever get there. The world is never going to be the same as it was before this nasty virus, and I am afraid my list of dream destinations will become unattainable. Damn, now my mood is just completely shot. Sorry, I did not mean for this post to take such a downward turn. I have a lot to be grateful for, so if I end up having to forgo travel then so be it. Things could be much worse, and I can always make my home a spooky little paradise within which I may always travel freely. That is enough for me. For now, anyway.
Speaking of travel, be sure to drop by my cemetery for a visit! It’s a great place, folks are just dying to get in! http://www.twistedlibracemetery.com
Dancing Among the Remains 