Ghosts, demons & obsession
Delving into the “season” of Halloween has proved to be fun. I’ve remembered my mum, a dear friend and our midnight movies together, and assembled a survival kit in case of a zombie apocalypse.
We don’t get many children on October 31st. Seemingly our driveway is too long for them and they go to the other side of the road where front doors are closer to the street. I prepare every year for many more than who knock and yes, it’s because I get to keep the leftover chocolate bars, bubble gum and rocket candy that doesn’t get handed-out. Some things don’t change.
At a N@TB (Noir At The Bar) earlier this year I begged a friend to introduce me to Andrew Pyper, Canadian horror author extraordinaire. Pyper’s current book: The Damned is a story about twins, one of whom has died and begins haunting the other.
He inscribed the book: Boo! after I related to him that I couldn’t finish his book The Demonologist as I found stories about demon possession too frightening.
Look at these covers, can anyone argue that the contents won’t be deliciously scary… I thought not.
Speaking of horror authors, a few months ago I guest posted on Latashia Figueroa’s blog about my favourite horror films. I thought it would be great Halloween fun for you to hear about the writers who make the hair stand-up on the back of Latashia’s neck.
My Favorite Author
When June asked me to pick my favorite book or author, I didn’t have to think too long.
I have read many books that fall under different genres. But most of the stories I read are stories I love to write: Thrillers and Horror.
I was introduced to Stephen King at an early age, and then, Edgar Allan Poe by my seventh grade English Teacher. I discovered H.P. Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson along the way.
They were definitely ahead of their time; the stories they penned are timeless and frightening still.
There are many authors out there that I admire. But right now, there is only one I adore. John F.D. Taff.
My favorite books of his, Little Deaths, and most recent, The End in All Beginnings. They are positively the best collections I have read in quite some time.
There are a lot of people who consider themselves die-hard horror fans. I used to think of myself that way. But my idea of horror is not the blood and gore or the, you can see it coming, jump scares.
What I consider horror, is not just the idea that there are possibly monsters out there, but that you can be the monster. When you feel for a character, even though he has done awful things, that’s good horror. And when you read a story that can make your skin crawl while you’re wiping away a tear, that’s great horror.
That is what Mr. Taff has done. Each of his stories are unique, and in your face. They are dreadful, yet intelligent– terrifying and lovely. Yes, they fall under the genre of Horror but for reasons that run far deeper than your heart dares to explain.
John F.D. Taff has been named Horror’s New King of Pain and rightfully so. His stories take his readers on strange and fearful journeys. But I grab his hand and go willingly because I know even in the darkness I am safe with this author.
Books by Latashia Figueroa available on Amazon
