Inspirational Nexus
Art by Sophie Taeuber-Arp, Komposition 1921
Inspiration is a funny thing. You’re writing a dark horror book aka The Darkest Book I Ever Wrote (codename for the WIP), then you’re working on the Big Poliano/Young Beezly crossover with David Simmons, then next you know, you’re working on a short story.
I get a lot of writing done in my phone’s notes on the commute from and to work. Inspiration strikes at any time and you have to stay ready. I started a short story specifically aimed at Hex Literary. A flash fiction joint—1000 words or less. As I started freestyling a fashion horror-themed piece, I could feel the story wanting to balloon into something more muscular. I knew pretty early on, it couldn’t and wouldn’t be 1k. At the very least, it feels like a 6k story, maybe a novelette and even conceptions of a novella began brewing in my head. Inspiration can’t be contained by word counts or limits.
The funny thing is, I used to write nothing but flash fiction pieces when I was 19. I couldn’t write long stories to save my life. People began asking me when I would write a full-fledged book and that felt impossible. Fast forward, a 16 years and now I have the opposite problem despite being a minimalist. Everything I write yearns for life as big body books, but do they deserve it?
Hold on a sec…where have you been Grant? You haven’t posted since September. Well, I’ve been surviving the astrological trials and tribulations of Mars in Cancer, and trying to get a handle on a number of things, but…
Edge of Darkness
One of my personal highlights of 2024 is getting my Big Poliano crime/horror hybrid short story accepted and published in Shotgun Honey’s newest anthology At The Edge of Darkness. If you’ve read Bullet Tooth, you’re already well-aquainted with Big Poliano, but this goes back to his childhood days in Chicago. I’m published alongside some dope names and I’m super proud of my short story “Initiation Day.” Cop it everywhere books are sold.
Don’t Move
The movie trailer got me and I fell ill to high expectations. A girl contemplates committing suicide and a random guy stops her and then proceeds to inject her with a poison that slows her down and incapacitates her. Will she survive? I thought this was going to be an intense thriller, not to say it didn’t have its moments, but it fell short.
I Believe in Mister Bones
When I heard Max Booth had an extended panic attack while writing this book combined with the knowledge that this was an Apocalypse Party release, I knew I had to check it out. Booth channels the dread and mystery of internet legends & creepy pasta to cook up the entity known as Mister Bones, who can only be summoned after you break a bone.
Pretty early on, this book gave me a weird dream about accidentally breaking one of my bones and being paranoid about summoning the entity. This is impressive in itself because I’m a seasoned horror fan and this is a super rare occurrence.
It starts out somewhat unassuming with the publisher couple’s up and downs, but spirals into bone-breaking madness and paranoia. Plus, the shots which serve as subs at other publishers, editors, etc. was funny. Highly highly recommended.
Halloween Tings
Currently Watching: The Penguin
Currently Reading: Cosmic Horror Monthly #3 & Less Than Zero by Brett Easton Ellis & Clown in the Cornfield 2 by Adam Cesare & The Holy Bible
Listening: The Danny Brown Podcast, Back from the Borderline, The Higherside Chats, Agitator, Victory Light
Glorilla has been on a helluva run this year. The Memphis spitter seems like she crafts hits in her sleep and “Hollon” is no exception. Another fun trunk-rattling anthem enhanced by high energy visuals.
Tony proves he’s truly one of dem ones and you can feel it in his new single. I wish more rappers would use DJ drops like this. That gun being cocked in the beginning goes too hard. Shoutout to DJ Young Rel.
I could see why TDE scooped up Ray with a quickness. The lyricism, passion, and metaphors, pop culture references, and intensity drip through the speakers. This is a plate of collard greens that begs for seconds and thirds. I need an album by the end of the year.
Halloween references, menacing threats, and A-1 storytelling is all present in this song. Tay Savage channels Chucky as he raps with his crew in the background. Crazy, seeing Rico Reckless in the cut.
Until next time…
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For business inquiries & blurb requests email grantwamack@gmail.com