Sunday, July 31, 2016

NEW RELEASE - Fossegrimen


I hope everyone is having a great weekend!  Just wanted to drop in and let you know that my new short story, 'Fossegrimen', is now available to read for FREE on Wattpad!

This folklore inspired fantasy tale is set in 19th century Sweden.:

"Fredrik Larsson is always second best.  At least that's the way he sees it.  His cousin, Elof, is constantly besting him at everything.  Especially the things he loves the most!  Consumed with envy, he sets out to seek help from the one creature he knows of that might actually be able to give him the upper-hand."
I hope you enjoy it!
~Dez~

Friday, July 29, 2016

Influences: John William Polidori



As an artist/creator in any medium, you have your own voice but are definitely the sum of various other creative people that have inspired you throughout your artistic growth.  Their works affect us both directly and indirectly and at different times; but you can always look back fondly and say, "I found them so inspiring!"

It is because of a sense of kindred spirit, I presume.  We see ourselves- our own beliefs, passions, and perceptions- mirrored in their work.  This leads us to admire it, internalize it, and- very often - it becomes a silent part of our own creative thinking.  These inspirations build the atmosphere and backdrop of our own imaginary worlds.  They represent to us a set standard and become a stage to bring to life the characters that we have then created to perform from our own unique perspectives.

In the past I've shared some of my musical influences but I'd like to expand that and share others as well.  John William Polidori feels like a fantastic place to start.

Most of you are probably familiar with the Regency era English physician and writer, Polidori.  If not, he was part of the Romantic movement and published the first modern English vampire story "The Vampyre" in 1819.


Polidori was Lord Byron's personal physician and traveled with him across Europe.  He stayed at the Villa Diodati in Switzerland with Lord Byron, Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (pre-marriage to Shelley), Percy Shelley, and Claire Clairmont.  I'm certain that you know this story.  During that summer, Lord Byron proposed that they all write horror stories of their own (after having read "Fantasmagoriana").  This was where Mary Shelley's story "Frankenstein" originated and also a story that Bryon began and abandoned.  However, Polidori took the basis of Byron's tale and fabricated his own story which became "The Vampyre".

If you've not had a chance to read this short story, I greatly recommend it.  I feel as though more people run to Dracula than to Lord Ruthven (the vampire in Polidori's tale) in search for the origins of the modern vampire.   And that, honestly, makes me a bit sad.

Other than "The Vampyre", Polidori's published works include some diaries, medical essays, a few short stories, and poems.

Polidori suffered from depression and struggled with a gambling habit.  He died at the age of 25; committing suicide by ingesting cyanide, though the coroner gave a verdict of natural causes.


Side Note:  If you're ever looking for an interesting film that features Polidori, Alex Winter (of "Bill & Ted" fame) gives a great performance in "Haunted Summer" (he's pictured above on the far right).  I'm not really sure where you can get a copy of this.  I bought a DVD of it on Amazon a while back but it was obviously bootlegged when I received it.  If you do get a chance though, it's definitely worth watching. 

Clearly, "The Vampyre" has inspired all of us that write in the genre.  It's the backbone on which our beliefs of the handsome, aristocratic, sexually charged version of the creature are based.  I find that I've not only been inspired by the vampire in the story but of the main protagonist, Aubrey, as well.  He was a very relatable character- optimistic, ambitious, and naive.  I think, in many ways, he's shaped my own renderings of protagonists.

After all, a vampire story is only as good as the humanistic elements at its core; and at this, Polidori understood more about the possibilities of the creatures and their prey than anyone that had ever come before him.

Thanks for reading!




Thursday, July 28, 2016

TEASER - New Short Story


I'm excited to share this teaser of my new project.  My upcoming short story, 'Fossegrimen', will be available to read for free on Wattpad!  You can follow me on Wattpad or Twitter to be immediately notified once it is posted.

After this, I will begin working on the sequel to 'ROAM' which will be titled 'HUNTER'.  Looking forward to sharing more on that soon!

Thanks for reading!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

The Revelation of Dacey Sinnett - COMPLETED


'The Revelation of Dacey Sinnett' is now complete!  You can read the book in full on Wattpad.  Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading!

In answer to a few questions I've received from non-Wattpaders:  Yes, I do plan on releasing this novel through Amazon eventually.  However, there is no official ETA on when that will be.  I will need to proof the whole thing, format it for Kindle, etc.  Plus, over the next few weeks I will be prepping for WT3C and beginning work on new projects.  Once it's closer to being ready for a Print/Kindle release I will post an update.

Again, thank you for reading and letting these characters into your heart!  I'm happy to have been able to share Dacey's story with you.

Next up, I will be releasing a short story on Wattpad and then will head into writing 'HUNTER' (the sequel to 'ROAM').

I appreciate all of your support and look forward to sharing these new stories with you soon.  Until then, I hope you enjoy the conclusion to 'Dacey Sinnett'!

Sunday, July 10, 2016

WT3C - I'll Be There!


I will have a Writer's Booth at WT3C this year!  I will be there on Sept. 10th ONLY.  So come by and see me and get a book signed!  I will have copies of 'ROAM' available or you can bring your own and I will gladly sign those as well.  I may or may not also have prints/merch of some of my art (still considering this).  I look forward to seeing you there!



Sunday, July 3, 2016

BTS Writing: Upcoming Projects

(Illustration of Findlay McCrea from 'The Revelation of Dacey Sinnett')

I'm back from taking some time off for vacation and am now getting into the swing of things again.  I'm rounding out the final few chapters of 'The Revelation of Dacey Sinnett'.  I'm really excited to share them with you as there are now direct tie-ins to 'ROAM'.  You'll get to meet characters that were mentioned in the other book and also enjoy a cameo from a certain charming doctor.

As I finish up this novel, I'm working on ordering copies of 'ROAM' and having promotional materials printed so that I can do my first book signing.  More details to come later!

I've also taken some time to set a "Goal List" for all of the things I would like to accomplish and I've already filled up my calendar for the next two years. (!!!)  So, there will be plenty more stories about sassy supernaturals headed your way.

UPCOMING PROJECTS:

NOVEL
Hunter
Status:  Outlined
The sequel to 'ROAM'.  Ethan Roam returns from dream traveling to find that Shady Pines has somewhat of a vampire infestation.  As he and Dr. Grady Hunter find themselves at odds on how to deal with the problem a familiar face returns to offer some help.  But can he be trusted or is he there to ensure that they fail?  Grady also finds himself distracted and challenged by the ghosts of his past.

SHORT-STORY
The Fossegrimen
Status: Outlined, Working on Cover Art
An ambitious young musician befriends a handsome fiddle player full of promises that may cost him more than he bargained for.

As always, thank you for reading and for all of your continued support!  I look forward to sharing more with you as I progress.