Should you be friends with your editor? Did Stephen King ever worry about money? What are the speedbumps you need to be ready for as an author? All that and more.

@tomleveen

RESOURCES

These are affiliate links. I only recommend and endorse material I have personally read or viewed.

DANSE MACABRE

https://amzn.to/471zj5a

101 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED

https://amzn.to/3X1LJVX

Also follow Mother Horror on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mother.horror/

Welcome to the second episode of Retro Reads, where we explore the terrifying world of horror literature, starting with Stephen King's "Danse Macabre." Join me as I share personal anecdotes and insights on how this seminal work shaped my understanding of the horror genre, both as a reader and a writer. Whether you're a horror fan, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about King's unique take on horror, this episode is packed with valuable insights. RESOURCES These are affiliate links. I only recommend and endorse material I have personally read or viewed. DANSE MACABRE https://amzn.to/471zj5a NIGHT SHIFT https://amzn.to/3WUveuW And here is one of my own horror novels, a Bram Stoker Award Finalist: HELLWORLD https://amzn.to/3T4iAsb 💀 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Retro Reads! 📚

Welcome to the first episode of Retro Reads, where we explore the terrifying world of horror literature, starting with Stephen King's "Danse Macabre." Join me as I share personal anecdotes and insights on how this seminal work shaped my understanding of the horror genre, both as a reader and a writer. Whether you're a horror fan, an aspiring writer, or simply curious about King's unique take on horror, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

RESOURCES

These are affiliate links. I only recommend and endorse material I have personally read or viewed.

DANSE MACABRE

https://amzn.to/471zj5a

101 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU'RE MURDERED

https://amzn.to/3X1LJVX

Also follow Mother Horror on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mother.horror/

SKELETON CREW

https://amzn.to/4747xFm

NIGHT SHIFT

https://amzn.to/3WUveuW

MONSTERS IN AMERICA

https://amzn.to/3yT0geG

THE MONSTER SHOW

https://amzn.to/3yT0geG

GRIMM'S GRIMMEST

https://amzn.to/3T5RyR7

And here is one of my own horror novels, a Bram Stoker Award Finalist: HELLWORLD

https://amzn.to/3T4iAsb

My novel THOSE WE BURY BACK is a haunted house story...but it's really about grief. Take a listen.

Feeling stuck in your creative journey? In this video, we dive deep into common challenges faced by writers and creatives and explore practical solutions. From breaking down the silos of your different life roles to managing the impact of external factors on your creative process, we cover it all. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate through tough times and stay on track with your creative goals. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on boosting your creativity and overcoming obstacles!

Imagine Sir Anthony Hopkins, most known for his role as Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs.

Now, Sir Anthony Hopkins was once just Tony Hopkins, starting like all of us. He was 17 or 18, doing shows wherever he could. In one play, he worked with Sir Laurence Olivier, considered the greatest classical actor of his generation. Hopkins, playing a minor role, mustered the courage to ask Olivier for advice on his performance.

Imagine Sir Laurence at his makeup table. Hopkins asks for advice, and Sir Laurence turns and says:

"When you speak, you are the star."

Just this morning on my walk, I brushed a hand over a short pine tree and came up with the following sentences on the fly, which might open a novel someday:

Despite their name, pine needles are actually soft, almost silky, to the touch when caressed the right way. Rub them the wrong way, and they’ll stick you. My mom was the same way.

Will it win a literary award? No, but it’s a vivid image, ain’t it?

In this episode, learn to go outside to improve your description.

If you find this episode helpful, I am positive you'll get a ton of use from my book on improving dialogue, available at Amazon and other retailers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WZWMW5W

https://books2read.com/u/bWZY2z

Thanks for being here!

Pro tip: You don't get writer's block... :)

Here's a quick 16-minute bit about how to crush logjams in your writing!

If this is helpful, may I point you to STORYCRAFT...ten hours of hanging out with two successful authors, talking about everything from story structure to traditional publishing contracts and more!

https://tomleveen.store/b/storycraft