My Favorite Monsters Volume 4

This is my last monster post for this year. It was hard to decide which one to close with. I finally chose… (drum roll in the background) witches.

 Witches, like vampires, come in many varied and strange forms. Some are able to cast spells while others simply play with herbs and stir their cauldrons. They can see the future and offer assistance to heroes or stand in their way. They are beautiful angles and gnarled decrepit demons.

As far as literary witches (and movies) the first ones I can recall is Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz.

Or maybe the old crone from Hansel and Gretel. There is Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty as well.  Wow, there are a lot of witches. There are almost as many of them as there are vampires.

In the end, they like so many monsters, fascinate and draw us to them. We dream about them and emulate them. They are monsters of our dreams and nightmares and we love every last minute of it.

My Favorite Monsters Volume 3

The Werewolf or Lycan is my second favorite monster of all time (right behind the vampire). Though its literary origins are not as prolific as Dracula’s and vampires in general, until Twilight was released, at least in novel form, the werewolf was relegated to the back of the pack.  The movies are where the werewolf has not only survived, but thrived.

I have to say my first memory of the werewolf is George Vaggner’s The Wolf Man. Like Frankenstein’s Monster he is a tragic figure.  He doesn’t ask for the curse, and in the end it cost him his life at the hands of his father.

An American Werewolf in Paris is where they began to transform from mangy beast into something more. 

The makeover was completed with the first of the Underworld series creating a sexy sleek creature that rivaled the vampire.

The movies are where the werewolf stepped out of our nightmares, and transformed into the magnificent creatures that we have today, and I couldn’t be happier.

My Favorite Monsters Volume 2

It’s time for the second installment of my favorite monsters. 

This week is Dracula, the original sexy vampire with evil tendencies.  No rotting bloated corpses for Bram Stoker. He is the stuff of legends.  Based on Vlad the Impaler a Romanian Prince and national hero, he was truly diabolical. 

Dracula has had many incarnations and Stokers version was able to seduce to beautiful women, Lucy and Mina, upon his arrival in London.  He drinks blood transforms into mist and wolves and drinks blood without apology.

Though Stoker’s version of Dracula is not my favorite novel/ journal, it is the original.  And thanks to the original we now have the moldy oldie vampires, vampires that sparkle, and even vampires that aren’t really vampires at all. 

My First Negative Review

I received my first negative review this weekend.  I’m not sure if a month out of the gate is the norm for new authors, but I can’t say I’m shocked.  I knew they would eventually come.  It was only a matter of time.  After all, with so many varied tastes and preferences you can’t expect everyone to love it.  Even still I have to say, Ouch.

The thing that bothered me the most about it was that there was not one positive comment.  It was basically a tear down of the entire novel, culminating in my being the reason why Indie Authors are so hated.  I wonder, why have none of the other individuals who were kind enough to write reviews, or give me feedback pointed this fact out.

(If you would like to check it out they are at Amazon and Goodreads)

My Favorite Monsters Volume 1

Since it is that time of year, I decided to have a little fun while I am writing, going to school, and working.  I’m going to feature my favorite literary monsters. 

I’m starting it off with Frankenstein’s Monster.  He has had so many incarnations it’s scary (ha ha I made a joke). In most he is seen as a monster without a conscience. To me he is one of the most misunderstood and tragic literary figures.

The Monster is abandoned by his creator as soon as life enters his body.  He is left to wonder the world in complete ignorance.  He is isolated and miserable.  The few times he reaches out he is ridiculed and punished.  When he meets his creator again he asks for one thing, a companion.  Even this one request is denied.  In the end he is even denied one of the most basic dignities.  A name.

How Many Blogs?

Everywhere I go I see links to blogs and announcements for new ones.  All of the blogs are by the same author.  I find myself wondering, why and how?

I realize that there are many different hosting sites out there. There may be a chance that you can find some new readers by visiting the different sites.  What I guess I don't understand, is why do you start another blog through that hosting site.  I believe you may have to sign up, but is it a requirement to start and entirely new blog?

The how is simply a time management issue.  I can understand having one or two blog without any problems.  I have seen some individuals who have three (a little shaky), four (okay starting to freak out a little), and even five or more (I have gone completely insane and no longer have a life).  They don't simply copy and paste between their blogs either.  Each is an independent posting.  I have trouble keeping up with one blog and networking sites. 

So I ask, how many blogs are to many to keep up with and still maintain your sanity?