As if my dreams weren't messed up enough; I had taken the drug Chantix to quit smoking. The dr. warned about the side-effects; one of them being i may have very lucid vivid dreams, and some may be disturbing. Yes, well, he wasn't just blowing smoke up my ass. The dreams i had from taking that medicine were pretty awful, but they make such great stories.
Kelso's Service Station. Nick Victor drives his Saturn SLS into Kelso's Service station just on the outskirts of Omaha, NE. It's a nice family owned business where everyone makes it their goal to keep the customer satisfied. Nick's car needs a part that they don't have in stock, they'll have to order it and it may be until tomorrow when the car gets fixed. So to make up for it, they invite him over for dinner that night. Nick finds this family may be a little too friendly, and he may need "parts" himself when they're done with him.
As if my dreams weren't messed up enough; I had taken the drug Chantix to quit smoking. The dr. warned about the side-effects; one of them being i may have very lucid vivid dreams, and some may be disturbing. Yes, well, he wasn't just blowing smoke up my ass. The dreams i had from taking that medicine were pretty awful, but they make such great stories.
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Running Alone. Ted Thiesse is a bartender at the Holiday Tavern in St. Peter, MN. As a bartender you get to know your regulars, and the stories that travel through a small college town. Tonight, there is something that is taking over the town. Mutilating animals, taking the citizens, and changing them. An unspeakable evil that even his dad, a local lutheran pastor, cannot contain before it takes over the entire planet. This was the very first horror story i ever wrote in the late 80's. It stemmed from a dream that i had about an evil spirit that was in my basement and it tried to drag me down into the basement and consume me. It was such a vivid dream that turned into this story. Open House. The Glassmans are looking for a house. Tired of renting in the bad part of town, tired of landlords, and honestly...tired of each other. After a near accident, they accidentally stumble upon a house that looks to be their "dream house". Abbadon Realty is showing the house and it just happens to be open that very moment. But as they search the rooms and levels they find that it just may be the home of their nightmares. This one, like many, stemmed from a dream i had. At the time i was looking for a house to buy in Minneapolis; and the way house hunting goes, everything looks the same after awhile. I was getting frustrated. It must have carried over into my subconscious because this is what it turned out. I made the couple as annoying as possible, because the relationship i was in...well, admittedly we were pretty annoying. If you watch any of those house hunting reality shows, those couples are about as annoying as it gets. Back roads. Gerry Daugherty is a best-selling horror novelist making his way cross country promoting his book. He prefers to drive it, helps him soak in the real world. While driving through rural southern Minnesota on a hot summer day, he picks up a peculiar woman and her mentally disabled daughter who were walking alongside the old rural route he is taking. It turns out to be a nightmare that even he couldn't write about. This story came about when i was living in very rural southern Minnesota. I was on my way into town, it was hot, and there was a rough looking woman walking along the road with her daughter. She was holding an umbrella up over her daughter and they both looked pretty miserable. They both looked pretty harmless, so i decided to pick them up and give them a ride. mistake. the woman was looney as hell, and her daughter was even more. She told me she lived in the opposite direction i was planning on going and she'd be willing to do anything to get her and her daughter there. I dropped her off at a gas station and wished her luck. She got pretty angry with me and i was a little frightened of that look she gave me. So...I began to form this story around it. Too many times, women are victimized in this genre and very rarely are men. I thought i would switch the tables on poor old Gerry. A man of the world, living a care free life and then getting a taste of the true dark side of hell. FAQs About The RACs (Q & A on the zombie apocalypse in Zechariah 14:12-humanity's last stand)11/18/2013 The questions have been rolling in regarding the latest book I've written "Zechariah 14:12-humanity's last stand" and I thought the best way to answer them is in a forum like this. So without further ado (I've always wanted to say that), let's jump in and get our feet wet. 1. I noticed in the novel, some of the main characters refuse to call the undead "Zombies". Why is that? -"dead heads" as they're called in the book are not your text book "zombies". Zombies in most of the genre are the dead coming back to life. Dead heads were living people that were infected by a virus. They need to eat living tissue to stay alive or they decay because the virus is actually feeding on them. If they starve, they will liquefy as the virus eats everything including bone tissue. 2. Where is Fair Lakes, MN? -mostly, in my head. But you won't find it on any map. I've modeled it after Fairmont, MN. Where i currently reside. I've taken some liberties with certain parts of the town, but for the most part, every building or area you read about in the book, i've either lived in or been to. I've given the five lakes that run through the center of town "moon names" to coincide with the mythical county the town is the county seat for: Moon Valley. 3. What is the best way to kill a "dead head"? -As per usual, the brain. The R.A.C.-V base of operations is the frontal lobe of the brain. It turns that part into a sponge and the host loses all reason and is easier to control. So either decapitation or destroying the brain completely is the only way. 4. Do you believe in a zombie apocalypse? -I don't think something like in the book could ever really happen. while i tried to make the virus and the epidemic seem as real as possible, I don't think an all out "zombie apocalypse" could happen. Logic would dictate that it would be impossible for a human body to function like they do in the movies or in most stories. This does not rule out that some sort of pandemic that would make people go "insane" and kill each other. But i think there is enough firepower in the world to stop that before it got out of hand. 5. Why do some "dead heads" run while others just shamble around slowly? -i think an infected's mobility would depend on certain factors. If they are newly infected or well fed; i think they would be able to travel faster. But ones that have been infected for awhile or haven't fed in a long time would move slower because their body has begun to deteriorate. 6. What would be the best weapons to dispense dead heads with? -shotguns are a favorite. Don't have to aim as much and can easily be modified to handle easier. Like a Remington 870. Shells, say a dragon fire round, can mess up a whole lotta zombie. The AR 15 is also a great weapon and more efficient than the M16. Unfortunately, the last stronghold in Moon Valley only has M16s in stock. The 1911 handgun has always been my favorite, with a hollow point bullet. If you don't have access to any firearms...hammers do great blunt trauma, as do baseball bats. Knives, hatchets and axes are great, but they also get stuck in bone marrow pretty good, and who wants to wrestle with a knife or axe when you've got a horde breathing down your neck. 7. Will there be a sequel to Zechariah 14:12? -that's hard to say, because when the story first started out; it was a short story. "The Last Stronghold" (midnight snacks). I was asked to expand it into a novel. I really didn't think i could do it, but i did. I honestly thought "how the hell do you go on at novel length about the zombie apocalypse?" But it happened, and it actually gave the characters time to introduce themselves better so you would care about them getting munched on. I would like to say that how "Zechariah" ended is how it ended, but my mind never listens to me. So if it wants to write more about zombie survival... 8. What are your favorite zombie movies/shows/books? -Night and Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero. Not too keen on his later projects, they became sort of campy. -The Walking Dead. This was probably a dream come true to my young zombie loving mind. It is so well done in both writing and acting. -World War Z (novel). The book is probably one of my favorites out there on the zombie genre. Didn't like the movie version, that was disappointing. -Shaun of the Dead. Got to be one of the most funniest zombie flicks out there. -Zombieland. very entertaining but wanted to see more zombies. -28 Days Later. The brits really know how to do up an apocalypse right. Loved the whole plot line and everything. -Ranger Martin and the Zombie Apocalypse. (novel) a really great spin on the genre. the characters are believable and the action is very descriptive. -Apocalypse Z(novel). This book was translated to english from espanol. I got addicted to this book and found out there was a sequel, but it hasn't been translated yet. dammit! 9. Is the president in the book a democrat or a republican? -hahahaha. To be honest his personality came from a few presidents of both parties. I really wanted his character to represent America, strong and powerful, but in the end...very human. 10. Is there really a government lab testing facility in Manhattan, Kansas? -Yes. In fact, i watched a special on Discovery that they did on real life people who were prepping for a zombie apocalypse and this facility was in that program. One of the things i noticed was that the place kept their test animals outside and birds and other wild animals mingled with the test animals. The place also sits in the middle of town and is pretty close to the city's water table. I had found my place for the beginning of the outbreak. A wonderful 5-star review from Jack Flacco!! "Anyone familiar with the Holy Bible will know the book is replete with hair-raising prophecies. The book of Revelation, especially, contains imagery that would put zombie director George A. Romero to shame. If anyone didn't know better, a third of the Bible's subject matter focuses on a tumultuous zombie apocalypse that will occur in the last days to rid the earth of humanity. Thus Zechariah 14:12--Humanity’s Last Stand begins, with not one but three prophecies from the ancient book warning the disobedient that a plague will eat them whole should the people not repent and turn to the Lord. In the words of Zechariah "...their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet and their eyes shall consume away in their sockets and their tongues shall consume away in their mouths." With that warning, the story springs to life with a mysterious phone call. Kris, an on-call nurse with the local hospital, immediately leaves the house to head for work. Her husband, Len, wakes up later that morning to let the dog out for its start-of-day ritual. That's when the neighbor shows up not looking so good. The dog barks, the neighbor bites, and the story continues at that same breakneck speed. Right off the bat, we hear of the infected. These evil things eat meat--human meat. And they do nothing but eat human meat. As Kris says later on in the story, "Crazy is the new normal if you haven't noticed." Not wanting to spoil the story in any way, some of the topics the author covers have to do with all the ordinary subjects we humans have to deal with throughout our daily lives. The only caveat being the intensity by which humans deal with these issues. For instance, betrayal is a hot button in this book. As ordinary humans not having to contend with the apocalypse, we already have a hard time dealing with it. But then add a heavy dose of horror and terror, you've got the making of a real problem. All of a sudden, betrayal can turn nasty rather quickly. The other sizzling topic the author touches on has to do with the question of whether it would be better taking one's own life or taking a chance by attempting to survive the multiple encounters with the infected. That kind of stuff is what makes this book unique with respect to the study of human behavior based on the challenges of a moral dilemma. The other thing about this story is its focus with the progressive escalation of action and violence in a deteriorating world. There were times I had to put the book down. If I hadn't done so, I would have lost valuable hours of sleep and the next day it would been a miracle if I got anything done. Overall Zechariah 14:12--Humanity’s Last Stand is an intense post-apocalyptic tale of survival that a zombie fan would enjoy reading!" **Jack Flacco is best-selling author of the zombie thriller "Ranger Martin and the Zombie Apocalypse" whose book is ranked in the top 5 Nyctophobia will be the new horror anthology scheduled to come out in March of 2014. I already have a few stories to put into it that i couldn't fit in (okay, truth is i got lazy and didn't feel like editing them to get them into "midnight snacks") and also a mash of other short stories i have in mind. Problem? laptop went to shyte. so depending on a friend to give me his old one when he's backed all his files up and factory reset it. So until then, i'm only able to keep the basics on paper until i can really dig into the meat of them. This is what i have so far with a short premise: Back roads: a famous horror author is on a road trip through southern minnesota for book signings. while in the rural outback he picks up a homely woman and her mentally ill daughter. the trip begins to unfold like one of his horror stories. Mr. Matthews Checks Out: a bit of a metaphorical horror story. Mr. Matthews wants to "check out" of the "Life Hotel". But a mischievous hotel clerk and existential forces won't let him. Open House: a young couple goes looking for a new home. After getting into a near accident, they end up right in front of what they believe to be their dream home. But inside is something completely different. Running Alone: the very first horror story i ever wrote. Meant to be in the first book; this is the story of one man's struggle to escape a sinister force that is consuming the entire planet. A Good Day to Fly Kites. on a beautiful spring day a man and his daughter head out to the soccer fields to fly kites. He sees something in the sky and then looks down and his daughter is missing. Everyone believes he is the reason for her disappearance, and he must fight to prove himself before he disappears. 3am: little Timmy is awakened every night at 3am. Sometimes it's his little rocking chair rocking, or his teddy bear moving around the room, or music coming from the empty basement, and sometimes...it's something climbing in bed with him. 1986: one hot summer a boy and his brothers encounter an evil force in their childhood home, and if they don't do something about it soon...they will have to live with it for the rest of their lives. The Second Line: A young man is brought to mardi gras by his friends to help him get over a bad relationship. One night he takes a walk on his own through St. Luis Cathedral and meets up with a ghostly second line that seduces him to make a choice between his heart and his mind. Kelso's Service Station: Just on the outskirts of Omaha, NE is Kelso's Service station. A nice family run business who believe that service stands above all. But if they ask you over for dinner, you may want to pass. I've started several novels but being the scatter mind that i am, i never finish hardly anything. The poetry books were easy, there was no plot, just poems which i had already written, it was a matter of organization and BAM...publish. "Midnight Snacks: a horror anthology" was pretty much the same way, except i did need to tweak a few stories and characters. "Zechariah 14:12-humanity's last stand" was my first full length novel and it was tough for me to know when to stop. when i thought i was done, a character would tell me they weren't done yet...so click and clack...4 chapters later i'm frustrated as to whether i was done yet. I've asked some of my readers what they'd like to see out of me next. I gave the the choice of these ideas from projects i've started: -The Painting: a historical/drama/fiction/love story. in the 1950's an artist from east berlin falls in love with the daughter of a west berlin gallery owner. they fall in love and the night before he plans to propose to her, the wall goes up. they are separated and the story follows their trials and tribulations to find each other. This follows both the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. -The Land of Nod: a young adult fantasy novel. After the death of a minnesota family's matriarch, they soon find out after digging through some of gramma Elorah's things that their family has a legacy to guard the border between our world and others. -growing fonda kerouac: a road story about a young graduate who tries to live out his dream to find the ghost of jack kerouac and the spirit of "easy rider" on his motorbike across america. -love and insanity: a semi-autobiographical story about a suicide attempt and his inner-quest to find love in a dysfunctional world. So far, "The Land of Nod" is winning out....though i have had requests for a sequel to "Zechariah"...hmmmm... Well, the book has been "live" for 24hrs and seems to be selling better than i expected. The Kindle version has had great sales and i've already received my first review from a kindle reader: "I don't normally sit down and read a book in one sitting, but i couldn't put this book down. The action starts early in this book and continues throughout. I kept waiting for the dull boring part but there never was one. There is a great balance between the gruesome horror of a zombie apocalypse and the family ties and love interests in this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading." -MinnesotaMike Amazon reviewer thanks, mike! |
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