I recorded this live in early 2018. It is set in a small farm in the Ozarks, Southern Missouri. This one is my mom's favorite of all my short horror/paranormal stories. It creeps her out, but has a certain amount of verisimilitude considering her rural upbringing. Room in the Car by SM Dotson When … Continue reading Room in the Car|Scary Stories to Tell in the Night|Short Horror Stories
The House Gnome. The Mystery of Gnomed Intruders. Short Story. Folklore. Gothic Fiction.
Prologue When I was in, what we called "middle school," I would often visit the library to check out books at the end of the day. I mostly re-read the same books, mainly horror shorts, martial arts manuals, weightlifting guides, and anything medieval. One large hardback with colorful illustrations was a tome on the wide … Continue reading The House Gnome. The Mystery of Gnomed Intruders. Short Story. Folklore. Gothic Fiction.
New Project! “Fish & Bones” Paranormal Audio Drama.
This is an exciting announcement for me. I am writing and directing a new paranormal audio drama, Fish & Bones, starring James Bryant and Kristie Fox, as Janitor Fish and Afterlife Communication Tech Dr. Bonita. Here is the introduction at the beginning of each episode: In the early 20th century scientists discovered afterlife communication. Mass … Continue reading New Project! “Fish & Bones” Paranormal Audio Drama.
[Hard Magic & Hard Metaphysics in Fiction] W/ Book Club Discussion Questions. Fantasy. Gothic Fiction. Horror. Paranormal. Supernatural.
In the genre of Fantasy, there is a concept known as hard magic. An author using a hard magic system creates clear principles and methods behind his or her use of the craft. Soft magic, on the other hand, is based on unclear principles as far as the reader is concerned. I like the concept … Continue reading [Hard Magic & Hard Metaphysics in Fiction] W/ Book Club Discussion Questions. Fantasy. Gothic Fiction. Horror. Paranormal. Supernatural.
[Gothic Fiction] A Different Take on Possession ~ 19th Century
Excerpt from SM Dotson's Possessions of Putressa Click here to join my email notification list for upcoming gothic fiction releases.
“Old Testament Table.” A Revenge Tale. Horror. Gothic Fiction. Scary Short Stories to Tell at Night.
"Old Testament Table." A Revenge Tale. Horror. Gothic Fiction. Scary Short Stories to Tell at Night. I always wondered what happened to that magical item from the Old Testament. Glad it could be put to good use! Listen and read below to the short fiction story, "Old Testament Table." A story of a woman, her … Continue reading “Old Testament Table.” A Revenge Tale. Horror. Gothic Fiction. Scary Short Stories to Tell at Night.
Uncle Dean’s Evil Eye ~ Gothic Fiction Short Story ~ Audio & Text
If life is based on the random roll of a cosmic die, then genetics make up a large portion of your base attributes. Genetic traits are many of the various panels on the Wheel of Fortune (of tarot fame, although the metaphor works for the gameshow as well). You might have superior genetics for your … Continue reading Uncle Dean’s Evil Eye ~ Gothic Fiction Short Story ~ Audio & Text
The Dark Comedy of Steve Martin [Part 2] “Wrong Number”
What happens when someone bases his or her life on feelings of guilt and shame? What if suicide is not enough? In this particular situation, penance becomes a vehicle for enlightenment. This writing is great on several levels. It is a guilt play based on an insignificant occurrence bursting ad absurdum. There is a surreal … Continue reading The Dark Comedy of Steve Martin [Part 2] “Wrong Number”
The Dark Comedy of Steve Martin [Part 1] “Cruel Shoes”
At a very young age, I listened to Steve Martin's comedy records Let's Get Small and Wild and Crazy Guy. The Jerk was my favorite movie. I sang King Tut to my 3rd-grade class. I found Martin's book Cruel Shoes when I was around 16 years old and I went insane. I began writing comedic … Continue reading The Dark Comedy of Steve Martin [Part 1] “Cruel Shoes”
How to Speak to the Dead according to Homer ~ Afterlife Communication of the Ancient Greeks
How to Speak to the Dead according to Homer ~ Afterlife Communication of the Ancient Greeks Today, I am sharing an episode of Ancient Light I wrote and narrated on the topic of a method of speaking to the dead employed by ancient Greeks. The primary source for this information comes from Homer's Odyssey. The … Continue reading How to Speak to the Dead according to Homer ~ Afterlife Communication of the Ancient Greeks
Visiting Poe – Edgar Allen Poe in Boston
Recently, I traveled to Boston where I met up with the gothic fiction poet Edgar Allen Poe. The first night in Boston, I came upon his statue on accident. I recognized his face, but the nearby crow only confirmed it. "Well, look who we have here," I said to my wife. Poe is easily recognizable … Continue reading Visiting Poe – Edgar Allen Poe in Boston
Coffin Vs. Casket [Gothic Grammar #5] ~ Gomics. Ideas for authors. #amwriting
Coffin Vs. Casket [Gothic Grammar #5] Did you know the words coffin & casket have different definitions? A coffin is made of wood and has a distinctive wide-shoulder appearance. The casket is rectangular, often opens to view the top half of the body, padded, and more expensive than the coffin. Let me know if you … Continue reading Coffin Vs. Casket [Gothic Grammar #5] ~ Gomics. Ideas for authors. #amwriting
Affect vs. Effect [Gothic Grammar #4] Improve writing ability ~ ESL tips
Affect vs. Effect [Gothic Grammar #4] Improve writing ability ~ ESL tips Welcome to Goth Grammar #4! Here is a common problem: Affect vs. Effect. Simply put, Affect is a verb and effect is a noun. A good mnemonic to use: the words affect and action both begin with the letter a. Verbs are actions. … Continue reading Affect vs. Effect [Gothic Grammar #4] Improve writing ability ~ ESL tips
Cover Art in Progress ~ Guide to Ghosts: Why Your Grandmother’s Name is Stan ~ Sneak Peak
Those in the know say the cover of a book is the primary influence in the decision to purchase. To give my upcoming book a chance to survive, thrive even, the cover art should supply emotions and information to allure readers who like those moods and tropes. The following image is still in progress, and … Continue reading Cover Art in Progress ~ Guide to Ghosts: Why Your Grandmother’s Name is Stan ~ Sneak Peak
Exercise vs. Exorcise [Gothic Grammar #3] Writing skills. ESL Tips.
Exercise vs. Exorcise [Gothic Grammar #3] Writing skills. ESL Tips. I just made this one today. I hope you enjoy! Sven likes to exercise and raise his heart rate before he exorcises demons. Gothic Grammar #4-> Click here to sign up for my email list. Get exclusive updates on my latest projects.
“Hi, Sally” Dark Humor. Flash Fiction. Twisted Love Story.
A love that lasted a lifetime, and the joke that took just as long to finish. It was the story of how they met and fell in love. Jerry was a total stranger. He walked right up to Laura, and said “Hi, Sally!” “Hi, but my name is Laura.” “My plan worked,” Jerry said as … Continue reading “Hi, Sally” Dark Humor. Flash Fiction. Twisted Love Story.
Lay vs. Lie ~ [Gothic Grammar #2] Improve writing ability. ESL tips.
Here is the second Goth Grammar comic strip. The first one explored Nauseous vs. Nauseated. Another common mistake is Lay vs. Lie. To lay is to place an object, other than yourself, into a resting position. To lie is intransitive and only refers to one's own body. Here is a good phrase to remember: "I'll … Continue reading Lay vs. Lie ~ [Gothic Grammar #2] Improve writing ability. ESL tips.
Nauseous vs. Nauseated [Goth Grammar #1] Improve Writing Skills. ESL Help.
Here is a helpful reminder for writers. It's a common mistake to use the word nauseous when one is, in reality, nauseated. Noxious is sometimes used as a synonym for nauseous, in the chance that there is confusion. The mushroom was nauseous. After Sven ate it, he became nauseated and expelled the contents of his … Continue reading Nauseous vs. Nauseated [Goth Grammar #1] Improve Writing Skills. ESL Help.
Hello, Dali – Short Story. Salvadore Dali. Biography. Spooky.
Fictional Account of a True Story "Well, hello, Dolly It's so nice to have you back where you belong." -Louis Armstrong Catalonia, Spain 1909 Salvador Dali was known as an eccentric, an artist, and as a figurehead of surrealism to the public mind. He created strange art, had startled eyes, and his idiosyncratic moustache: thin, … Continue reading Hello, Dali – Short Story. Salvadore Dali. Biography. Spooky.
Beautiful Fingers – Gomic Strip (Gothic Comic Strip)
The ghoul peeled the meat from her hand. “My fingers look more elegant, longer, without all that skin” ~[FIN]~ My own interpretation of a ghoul is a living human who eats human flesh, who becomes altered from the resulting strange disease, but whose life is extended as a result of the supernatural process. I will, … Continue reading Beautiful Fingers – Gomic Strip (Gothic Comic Strip)
SM Dotson 