To Substack or not to Substack, now that is a question...
Is migration of my newsletter to Substack a good idea?
Fit like fiendish spooky friend, thought I’d pop my monthly newsletter from weird and wonderful little me here.
I’m not new to Substack but I definitely don’t use it as much as I should. So, here is a few bits from my off Substack newsletter last month to see how this goes and if migration is a good idea.
Some words here and there have been amended to fit with a post from last month and to keep it relevant.
WoW what a May…
Spring has sprung. A mini heat wave and flash flooding have hit my neck of the woods (North East Scotland). But enough of the weather. May was another book birthday. Actually it was 2 biggies. May found, Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist turn 20 And Dracula by Bram Stoker becoming 127 years young.
So lets ramble through my head about that...
HEAD RAMBLES…
John Ajvide Lindqvist's Let the Right One In is one-of-a-kind in vampire novels. A haunting atmosphere, themes of loneliness, friendship, and the darker aspects of human existence. The book stands out for the skilful blend of horror elements and the complex bond between the main characters, Oskar and Eli.
Praised by critics and readers for its unique take on vampire lore and skilfully subverting traditional tropes. Lindqvist crafted characters with depth and humanity, rendering them compelling and authentic. The grim backdrop of a Swedish suburb enhanced the story's unsettling and ominous atmosphere.
The movie adaptation of Let the Right One In widely praised for its ability to capture the book's essence while incorporating a unique visual style and atmosphere. The film certainly deepened the emotional complexity of the narrative and sustains a feeling of unease from start to finish.
Compared to vampire tales like Dracula by Bram Stoker or Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice (whose book birthday was last month,) Let the Right One In offers a distinct and subtle take on the vampire mythos. While Stoker's Dracula was all grandeur and gothic themes, Lindqvist's novel has a more subdued approach, focusing on intimate relationships and the characters' internal struggles. Similarly, Anne Rice delved into the philosophical implications of immortality in Interview with the Vampire, contrasting with Lindqvist's exploration of the emotional bond between Oskar and Eli in his story.
In essence, Let the Right One In - in my opinion - presents a fresh and intriguing interpretation of the vampire genre, exploring timeless themes of immortality and the perpetual battle between good and evil.
In stark contrast to Bram Stoker's Gothic horror, a bloodthirsty yet melancholic tale unfolds. Dracula, while perceived as purely evil in the book, transforms into a menacing figure in Hammer Horror movie adaptations, especially through the captivating portrayal of the late Christopher Lee. In my novel, The Rising: Awakening, I took a unique approach to Vlad Dracul, diverging from Stoker's immortal vampire prince. Despite over 300 film appearances and countless pages in books, Dracula's enduring popularity shows no sign of fading anytime soon. Undoubtedly, he has firmly embedded himself in our collective consciousness.
But to both LTROI and Dracula, I say happy birthday.
I would love to hear about your favourite Vampire film or book. Please share with me!
Dx
WHAT ELSE…
MICHAEL McINTYRE
Also last month I went to see comedian Michael McIntyre at the P&J Live Arena in Aberdeen. He was macnificent. Can't take credit for that, it was the name of his show. LOL
He was absolutely brilliant. Laughed so hard my cheeks were sore. Boys loved it too. Such a great stress reliever while sonny was going through his exams. And my mad coo mind was hitting the roof.
NEW WRITING SPACE
So for just over two years I've been stuck in the corner of our spare room - which is better than being under the stairs like I was during 2020. But it was a desk cobbled together and stuff shoehorned around me because there was no where else to put it.
Well finally we replaced the furniture and moved stuff around and now I have a lovely "me" area for being creative. Yeah ok, I have to use it for the day job too. But it's mine! All mine!!!
So what do you think?
Where the creative magic happens (left original/right new | copyright D. Ann Hall
CREATE SPACE…
“To write something, you have to risk making a fool of yourself." Anne Rice. (The Vampire Chronicles).
This quote by Anne Rice is so true. Writing is not for the faint of heart.
I'm still thick in the writing of TWOS. I've issues with plot and with 92K I wasn't expecting to be stuck. I'm taking a wee break, hoping that some creative refilling will help. That section between the middle and the conclusion is still being sticky.
I've edited two more chapters. I can see the summit, there's just this chasm to cross.
BOOK CORNER…
So lets discuss books.
I've been struggling with my reading despite having a TBR list to scare you. After reading Tender Morsels a Victorian Vampire Chronicles novelette by Jack Rollins. I took a scroll through my eReaders and book shelves and ended up buying yet another book; Anne Rice's Ramses: The Passion of Cleopatra.
Although I'm a fan of Ms Rice, I've not read all of her books. The first Vampire Chronicles 1-4, The Witching Hour and The Violin was it. I stopped at Servant of the Bones - I felt that she'd lost her way and DNF - and then suddenly there were the new vampire chronicles. I was like nooooo.
Years later my mum bought me The Mummy: Ramses the Damned from a charity book shop and I suck it on my self because an Egyptologist once told me it was farcical nonsense. And I also didn't want to read it for fear that my own book - The Rising - would be influenced.
But once I finished and published TR, the book beckoned me to read it and off it came from my shelf and into my hands. I devoured it and it quickly became my favourite AR novel to date.
It had everything that I wanted in a book. Supernatural elements. Romance. Horror. Intrigue. Characters to love and some to hate. A dead body or two, four, six, ok it might be seven. The locations where descriptive and dripping with atmosphere and decadence. And the passages involving Egypt and the streets took me right back there.
Again I found myself hovering over the buy button for book 2, because of fear of influence. But I really really want to read the next book and it had been out for a long time just like The Mummy had. So I did it. I made my purchase and I got stuck right in and sucked back to a world and style of writing I hadn't realised I'd been missing.
I'm savouring every page. And doing so like it's mothers milk. I don't want this feeling to end.
What book are you reading that you wish would,’t end?
So what do you think?
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