On Writing About the Dead by C.C. Cole

I watched a favorite old horror film recently, “The Changeling” starring George C. Scott, that to me brought together the unrests of ghosts and one of the best séances I’ve ever seen on television or film.  Obviously, I’m biased about anything starring George C. Scott, a longtime favorite actor.  When I first saw this film with my late sister, a huge horror fan whose favorite film was “Motel Hell,” she climbed behind me, finding the bloodless ghost more horrifying than the splatter-films.

With my typical pondering about anything and everything, what is it about the dead that reaches us fiction writers?  Think of the knee-jerk “dead” characters:  Ghosts.  Vampires.  Zombies.  Skeletons.  Mummies.  That’s just getting started, as one could move on to more sophisticated “dead” like spirits, banshees, or wraiths.  Moving away from dead creatures, think about places used:  Cemeteries.   Churches.  Graves.  Empty homes.  Basements.  Dark woods.  

The dead is full of clichés as well:  They return to get even.  They return to settle a score so they can be at rest.  They return to warn the living.  They return to see whom they love.  They return to eat people or drink their blood.  Amongst these clichés is usually someone in the land of the living, who must figure out who this “un-dead” person(s) is, and communicate and/or destroy it.

Why are we writers writing about the dead?  I believe that what happens after death remains a great fascination for many readers and writers and is so full of variations it makes for a useful tool in the creation of a story.  Clichés are not red flags as a negative, sometimes they add enough to bring interest to the reader, and it’s up to the writer to deviate away enough to keep the story unique.  Also, many of us grew up hearing scary ghost stories, and many readers like a good thrill; hence, the horror genre, and I’ll speak (write)  for myself on this one:  There are some great new talents out there that made me drop my kindle.

New authors, if writing about the “dead” or “un-dead” is your thing, go for it.  It’s tried, done, and not going away.  Whatever variation you can give to an old idea will be what you can show the reader by using your talent.  And don’t forget to tweet to us about it. 

By C.C. Cole. 
Originally  posted at 
http://www.shevata-cccole.blogspot.ca


THE GASTAR NOVELLAS


Follow teen assassin Shevata's journey through the history of the city of Gastar for redemption of her past actions and to re-gain her soul.

C.C. Cole is the Author of the Gastar Dark Fantasy Series

The First Book of the Gastar Series: Act of Redemption 

dark fantasy

The city of Gastar stands in ruins following the aftermath of a prolonged war. A new enemy awaits, the demon lord Zermon, to make the remnants of the city part of his territory in hell. A trio of soldiers summoned from the afterlife arrive to help rally the people. Shevata, a former child solider/assassin of the prior wars, is released from imprisonment, and through their combined efforts, the bravery of Gastar's remaining people, and Shevata's familiarity with Zermon protect the city from annihilation. 

The Second Book of the Gastar Series: Children of Discord 

dark fantasy 

Following the defeat of Zermon, two centuries pass allowing re-building of Gastar and growth of the people. The evil boy Goldeon, traitor to Shevata and the people, returns to the city with plans to take over the leadership by forcing control over the vampires, who stayed in hiding through the past wars. Shevata is summoned back to Gastar by unlikely allies while tracking Goldeon in hell. The secret war between the two dangerous children with the city between them places the entire population in jeopardy. Shevata takes her first steps to claim back her humanity at the book's dramatic end.

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C.C. Cole 

I am a writer from rural Mississippi. Schooled in medicine, I live in the suburbs with my family. Other interests than writing are rescued greyhounds, martial arts, and medieval and 20th century history. First book "Act of Redemption" was published in 2009,(Best Independent Novel Goodreads) second "Children of Discord" (NABE pinnacle achievement winner 2011) was published in 2011. The series of four novellas when complete follow teen assassin Shevata as she travels through history of the city of Gastar seeking redemption for her past actions and to re-gain her soul. Genre is medieval dark fantasy/action/adventure, no erotica, minimal profanity.