Day: May 8, 2014

A Suitable Pseudonym

My alter-ego writes horror.
My alter-ego writes horror.

Why should you consider writing under a pen name?

When I was growing up I was very girly. Ballet, piano lessons, Barbie dolls — these are the fluffy memories of my youth. I also loved the TV show Chiller Theatre, and I spent many happy Saturday nights watching horror cult classics with my older brother. These gems are quite different from the modern slasher movie. The classic horror plot includes elements of the fantastic, the paranormal, and the magical. Many films included a psychological theme of undiagnosed insanity and paranoia. The stark objectivity of black and white cinematography heightened the fear factor. I truly love these films.

I am sure my readers would be surprised to know I have written a piece of fiction that could be categorized as dystopian horror. When I finished with the first draft I was morbidly excited by its darkness and cruelty, but confused as to what to do with it. The author brand I have been working to develop for years is juxtaposed to this story, and I felt it would send a mixed message if I put this on the same author page with stylish, sexy mysteries and tango dancing vampires. Consequently, I put the draft to the side last year and let it brood in its petri dish of cold-hearted carnage. Continue reading “A Suitable Pseudonym”

Featured Book: Special Offers

Special OffersSpecial Offers
by M.L. Ryan
Genres: Paranormal romance, romantic comedy
Available from Amazon.

What would you do if you were possessed by a magically endowed being from another dimension who was trapped in your newly purchased Kindle eBook reader? Special Offers, the first book of the Coursodon Dimension Series, combines paranormal romance, urban fantasy, science fiction and a healthy dose of quirky humor

 Excerpt:

“Luckily for Sebastian, someone must have been testing the wireless capabilities of one just as he became disembodied, and he was intercepted by this,” he declared as he dramatically picked up my Kindle. He looked at the eBook reader with both wonder and admiration and whispered, “He did it. That crazy bastard actually did it.”

I shouldn’t have interrupted his obvious veneration, but I couldn’t contain myself. I vaguely recalled that data is transferred over the internet using the ones and zeros of binary code, but turning oneself into computer speak seemed unimaginable.

“So how is that even possible?” I queried.

He stared at me for a long time. Eventually, he shook his head slowly, a look of total incredulity sweeping over his handsome face.

“Let me get this straight. You’ve accepted that you are essentially possessed by a supernatural being who trapped himself in your Kindle to avoid destruction by a sociopathic outlaw, but you are questioning if the process is technically feasible?”

What others are saying:

All in all, Special Offers is a fantastically fun, extremely entertaining read that will have you laughing out loud and eager for the next in the series. – Reading by the Beach

Coping with Unsupportive Support

broken heartI think we’ve all had days in this writing business when it seems easier to just throw in the towel. The words aren’t coming, or the story’s not hanging together, or the sales aren’t happening, and you wonder whether it’s worth all the time and effort you put into it.

If you’re very, very lucky, you have a cheering section to keep you going. For some of us, it’s our fans; for others, it’s family members or friends. A kind or encouraging word from one of them is often enough to keep us plugging away.

But what if you don’t have a cheering section? Then what do you do? Continue reading “Coping with Unsupportive Support”