Prelude To Redemption...

For Keith, because he asked...

2012-01-07T01:42:00.000-05:00

Alright ENOUGH!!!

2011-12-27T11:45:00.000-05:00

The holidays are finally behind me and I can sit down for a moment and take a breather! What a hectic year! I don't think I've ever attended so many parties, and ran around like a chicken with my head cut off! I've hardly had time to do anything for myself at all, but the new year is fast approaching, and I plan on getting my ass in gear and FINALLY completing the revisions I've been working on for many months now.

This past year has been incredibly hard on me, trying to get my strength back, return to a regular writing routine, and getting my personal life back in order. My health issues caused me to lose a lot, and it is only in recent months that I've felt strong enough to actually join a gym and push myself to regain my former self. My legs were so weak, I could only walk a short distance before pain would creep in and force me to rest. The hysterectomy damaged me in unexpected ways. I couldn't sit for long periods of time, but I also couldn't stand. My whole body ached and the medication caused me to bloat. I ended up on heavy duty pain meds, which made me practically useless. Psychologically it did a number on me.

I had gained over 30 lbs, and lost muscle tone. I've always prided myself on having great legs, strong thighs, and shapely calves. I used to joke that I could choke a man out between my thighs...*insert dirty line here*...But it was true! I've always had a sporty physique and natural curves based on maintaining a high fitness level. Then cancer reared its ugly head, and surgery cut me down at the knees, err, legs. I literally couldn't hardly walk for about 6 months. My legs turned to jelly. But now, well now I'm back and feeling much better!

I have a trainer now, and she's kicking my ass! Sure I've lost a lot of strength and it's going to take some time to get it back, but I'm not going to allow excuses to enter my mind, and my New Year's Resolution is to gain back my figure and my strength by my birthday, May 11th! My other goal is to have my book ready to go by this spring as well. No more procrastination, no more laziness, no more excuses.

By the way, I wore my hair down for the first time at a Christmas party. Before I'd been slicking it back into a stubby ponytail and wearing a drawstring piece to add length. I debuted my new hairstyle, and it was funny, everyone thought I was wearing a wig! LOL! My hair is officially touching my shoulders, and I cut my bangs so I looked like a China Doll. It is very thick, black, and glossy. Anyone who knows me, knows how I felt about my hair. It is coming back and I am starting to feel like my old self again.

So, I know this post sounds like complete vanity, but unless you've gone through this yourself you cannot fully appreciate how much this stuff affects you, like it did me, on so many levels. I'm back, I'm feeling good, and the new year is going to be AMAZING!

I hope yours will be too.

~Robin

Save the Evans City Chapel! Night of the Living Dead

2011-12-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

Fix The Chapel.com is the grassroots effort of Night of the Living Dead fans to restore and preserve the chapel in Evans City Cemetery, a cinematic landmark from the George A. Romero classic horror film originally released in 1968. Fundraising activities include donations and merchandise sales through the web site and online auctions, as well as raising awareness at horror conventions and via social networks such as Facebook and YouTube. A goal of $50,000 is being sought.

The restoration and fundraising project is being organzied by Gary R. Streiner, key member of the production staff on the original Night of the Living Dead and currently a resident of Evans City, PA. In 1967, Streiner was working at The Latent Image together with George Romero and his brother, Russell Streiner, in Pittsburgh when production began on the landmark film in which he was one of the original ten investors and owners. In 2008 and 2009, Streiner organized Living Dead festivals in Evans City which attracted the largest reunion of cast and crew to date.

fixthechapel.com

Stare at this pic for a few minutes...

2011-11-19T19:34:00.000-05:00

YES I AM ALIVE AND WELL!

2011-11-19T14:44:00.000-05:00

I've been really busy lately, and haven't had a chance to seriously focus on this blog. I'm sorry for not posting sooner, and I promise I will rectify this immediately. Starting Monday I shall set a posting schedule for myself and get back on point. Thanks Keith for reaching out to me!

I'll try to be better...

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

2011-10-17T14:45:00.000-04:00

A 5K race with obstacles, and that's not all! You have to complete it all while you're trying to escape from ZOMBIES!!!!

Several locations have been announced nationwide, with more to be added soon. This is an event I know I don't want to miss. The nearest one to me is currently in Maryland on the 22nd of this month, however there are others that might be a consideration, especially the one in Pittsburgh!

You can check out the details and locations here:

runforyourlives.com

This has got to be about the most awesome thing to come along since The Walking Dead!

Not lost...

2011-10-02T19:09:00.001-04:00

I'm still kickin' it.

Been very busy with writing, and planning a bachelorette party in Atlantic City for my girl Lucy. I know I seem like I've fallen off the face of the Earth, but I didn't. Hopefully after this weekend it'll ease off a bit and I can get back to normal. Sorry for the lack of posts.

~Robin

Who runs this mother?!!

2011-09-22T14:57:00.000-04:00

Yeah, bettah recognize!

Zombie Diva

2011-09-18T11:19:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned this before, but I didn't have the full page to post until now.

My dear friend Glynn Barrass, a FANTASTIC writer who generally writes within the Cthulhu mythos decided to surprise me one day with a poem inspired by, well, ME, and uh, he actually got it published in Murky Depths Magazine.

Murky Depths Magazine

The poem appeared in issue #3, and I think it was in 2007-8? Here's the cover:

Anyhoo, inside of this issue is the poem that Glynn wrote for me, and the artwork was done by Luke Hinchley.

9-11-2011

2011-09-10T20:12:00.002-04:00

I will not post a bunch of ghastly photos of the Twin Towers while they were burning. I want to remember the Towers the way they were, and also post some pics of the Memorial lights from previous years. I can see them from my own back yard, but when I try to photograph them, they do not appear clearly enough to do them justice.

I'll never forget that fateful day, and the horror of that event. All I wanted to do was get to my children, who were in school when the planes crashed and the towers fell. I know people who were killed in the attack, right from my own neighborhood. What struck me was the sheer humanity and compassion that ruled the rest of that day, and the days, weeks, and months to come.

Although my heart breaks for those families who lost loved ones, I want to remind everyone that peace can only be achieved through love and respect. There's so many questions that were left unanswered, and even with the attempts to find answers, there have been many more that crop up as a result. There's a reason why we went to war in Iraq, instead of focusing on Afghanistan and Pakistan. There's a reason why building 5 and 7 fell, although they were never struck. There's even a reason why the CIA chose to ignore the very clear warning that the towers were being targeted. There were emergency drills just the day before, at the World Trade Center. Did you know this? There were even pamphlets distributed with a drawing of the Towers with a plane heading toward them on the cover. I have seen them personally.

I am not satisfied with the explanations, although I do not blindly accept all of the conspiracy theories either. I simply know in my heart that there has been a cover up, and the government has not been honest in its explanation of not only the events, but their own involvement. Money, religious and cultural persecution, and imperialism is at the heart of the matter. When does it stop?

I have my own deeply personal convictions that there is so much more to this story than some people want us to believe. But in the end, the only answer is PEACE.

My favorite vampire, Marceline The Vampire Queen!

2011-09-05T07:49:00.001-04:00

I think just about everybody by now knows I'm a huge fan of vampires. It is true my debut novel is about zombies, but if you REALLY want to go there with me, I'll just have to explain that my own personal theory is that vampires and zombies are actually linked. Some of the earlier vampire legends revolve around the Strigoi, which were undead "revenants"; basically the rotted and bloating undead that appeared only at night, wandering around looking for a midnight snack. Sounds like a zombie to me, amiright?

Sooo, back to vampires...

There have been a number of vampires that I've admired over the years; Vampirella, Count Chocula, Sesame Street's Count Von Count, and Lily Munster, to name a few. I know, a very weird and eclectic list I suppose, but then again you get an idea of what sort of thing goes on in MY brain. I'm not your average vampire fan! LOL!

But it does lead you to understand WHY I love Marceline sooooo much! If you do not know who she is, let me explain.

Marceline is a recurring character on the cartoon series Adventure Time on Cartoon Network.

Marceline is described as a wild rocker girl. Unlike traditional vampires, Marceline is capable of sustaining herself on "shades of red" instead of exclusively blood. She has a mischievous personality. Despite seeming evil at first, she is more of a trickster, and her 'evil plans' often turn out to be nothing more than harmless jokes and teasing. She has a strained relationship with her father and occasionally has violent outbursts. Finn is generally linked with Princess Bubblegum, but secretly he has the hots for Marceline, although in one episode he proclaims that they do not "like each other in that way." (Yeah right!)

Marceline wanders the Land of Ooo, a post apocalyptic wasteland. (How cool is that?!!) She is 1,000 years old, but appears as a young teen. Hers is the ONLY character in the series who changes clothing and hairstyles. She has a zombie poodle named Shwabl. There is no Vampire King because she killed him. Marceline can shape shift into different creatures.

Adventure Time is a whimsical cartoon made even better by the character Marceline! I really enjoy this series, and particularly love the way Marceline is portrayed as a vampire. If you haven't seen Adventure Time, I highly recommend it!

I'm dipping my toe in the water...

2011-09-03T23:47:00.000-04:00

Over the next week or so I'll be uploading a few short stories to amazon.com for the Kindle at .99 cents a download. I'm also looking into uploading a couple of novelettes in the coming months, but for right now I'm experimenting with the short stories. There'll be a variety of monsters featured, so I hope you'll enjoy what I have to offer.

I've also got a few YA titles coming down the pike, and hope to have those ready for the holiday season. This is something new for me, but I love that there are so many kids getting into horror, sci fi, and other paranormal fiction, so I figured I'd give it a whirl!

At any rate I look forward to using my photoshop skills to work on the cover art. It should be fun!

ATTENTION PLEASE!

2011-09-01T09:25:00.001-04:00

I know I joked around about my great disappointment in hurricane Irene, but I recently discovered that she caused some very serious damage in regions that shouldn't have been affected. It wasn't the actual hurricane we had to worry about, but the FLOODING that resulted, and certain small communities up north have suffered greatly. (Yes I know there was serious flooding in my state. Sebastian Bach's house in south Jersey was destroyed!) While New Jersey can easily overcome the damage, I'm afraid many small town communities cannot. Not without help, that is.

Please read this blog, there are pictures and a full report of what happened.

Small Town Adirondack Library Needs Your Help!

PLEASE, any help is appreciated.

Apparently a good thing has come from hurricane Irene!!! ZOMBIES!

2011-08-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

Because I was soooo disappointed in Hurricane Irene hype...

2011-08-29T12:10:00.000-04:00

If I couldn't actually have a real hurricane after being warned to evacuate, running around stocking up on emergency essentials, and battening down the hatches, at least there was random penis to make up for it!

Forget remakes, this was my childhood of horror...

2011-08-27T18:31:00.000-04:00

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark

Trilogy Of Terror

It's Alive!

Burnt Offerings

The Sentinel

Audrey Rose

The Exorcist

Dawn of the Dead

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things

Phantasm

Because these things amuse me!

2011-08-24T13:19:00.000-04:00

EARTHQUAKE!!!

2011-08-23T17:03:00.001-04:00

This afternoon I was sitting at my computer desk shortly after returning from my daughter's road test. Suddenly I felt a weird sort of dizzy feeling, but not really dizzy. I couldn't exactly describe it. I felt the ground sort of rippling violently, kind of like when you go wake boarding behind a boat? I could literally feel the waves bouncing the house up and down, and the windows shook a little.

I thought at first one of my kids snuck up behind me and was jiggling my chair in order to scare me, but nobody was there when I turned around. I sat there feeling the earth move below me for a minute, actually getting a thrill out of the sensation! When I looked over at my fish aquarium, the water was sloshing back and forth rapidly. Some water even splashed out of the tank.

I was surprised by how long it continued. While I was looking around the room, my daughter suddenly appeared and asked me why was the house moving. I told her it was an earthquake, and she said "NO!" and didn't believe me at first, but I insisted that it was precisely what was going on, and she grabbed my hand and made me feel her heart. She said she was so scared! But I really thought it was the most awesome thing ever! If I had to guess, it lasted for about a minute. Feeling sustained rumbling underneath you while your house is swaying is pretty darned cool if you ask me!

I know I'm strange, but I almost hope there are more aftershocks!

EVERYBODY GET OFF THE ROADS!!!

2011-08-23T13:48:00.000-04:00

My daughter Katie got her driver's license today.

This has been an emergency alert. Don't say I didn't warn you!

The iDig Your Blog Award!

2011-08-23T01:29:00.001-04:00

The ever gorgeous miss thang herself, Zena, THE REAL QUEEN OF HORROR bestowed upon me a major award! I mean MAJOR...as in, better than getting a wooden crate marked "Fra-GEE-lay" on the side containing a LEG LAMP, kind of major award! (Although I have to say, it'd be pretty frikkin' cool to have that leg lamp, LOL!) This is pretty damn cool! I'm honored! I'm doing the HAPPY DANCE!

As with all good Karma, it is time to pay it forward and here's how this works:

iDig Your Blog Award Protocol:

1 ) Gratefully accept this award.

2 ) Link to the person you received it from.

3 ) Post 3 interesting facts about yourself.

4 ) Pass this award around to at least 5 blogs you dig.

5 ) Notify them.

Alrighty, the link to Zena's blog is included in the text above, now I have to think of three facts about me. Hmmm, let's see...

While it is true that I'm a Jersey Girl through and through, I was actually born and spent all of my summers and most holidays in a tiny little village in upstate New York just a stone's throw from the Canadian border. So I'm a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll...or something like that. The rock and roll comes from living in the land of Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. But I've never forgotten my country roots.

I speak French, Italian, and Spanish. I am NOT Italian or Spanish, and only have like 1/4 French blood in me. French Canadian, that is. I am also a mish mash of English, Dutch, and Mohawk. However there is Mohawk on both my mother's and my father's side of the family. As Cher sang about in the 70's, half breeds. What's really cool is that we've been able to trace our family back all the way to the early 1700's. Hard to go back earlier than that because people didn't keep good records. Some of my ancestors were early settlers in the region, and some, well, had been there all along-- if you catch my drift. I speak Italian because my son's father is from Italy; from Portici, Naples to be exact. Besides, living in New Jersey you're bound to pick it up through osmosis. And Spanish? My husband is from the Dominican Republic.

My horror roots can be traced all the way back to The Wizard of Oz. I know, you're asking yourself "How is that considered horror?" There's witches right? Flying monkeys? Magical robots and strawmen? Talking animals? Pretty darn horrific when you're only a little girl. I mean, REAL LITTLE. I was only around 6 years old I think when I saw the movie and then subsequently read the book. Then I read Alice in Wonderland. Creepy and a little trippy if you ask me. These people were definitely on drugs when they wrote those stories! Then I got a little older, and my mom worked nights. My babysitter would watch horror movies on TV late at night, after I was supposed to be fast asleep, and I "accidentally" (yeah right!) watched Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things, and it was all over then! I had nightmares for weeks after that! Zombies creeped me out, but still you couldn't drag my ass away from Saturday afternoon CREATURE FEATURES. I fell in love with Dracula, the Wolfman, Frankenstein's Monster, and The Creature From The Black Lagoon! When I was into my early teens I started reading about vampires mostly. Stories like Bram Stoker's Dracula, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, and Varney The Vampire, by Thomas Preskett Prest. (Also attributed to J.M.Rymer.) And as much as I LOVE vampires, zombies have always held a special place in my heart. Probably because they still continue to creep me out. I saw George Romero's Dawn of the Dead in a movie theatre when I was 16, and ever since then have been making plans about how I'm going to survive the zombie apocalypse!

The five blogs I'm passing this award to are:

My friend Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, because she's always been supportive of my work and a great friend!
The Lost The Forgotten The Damned

Another really great friend, the wonderful Matt Nord. This man's writing is made of AWESOME!
Zombie Custodian

This guy named Joe, he grew up in the 70's just like me. He also lives in the north country which makes him extra special in my book. I dig his blog 'cause he takes me WAY back.
70s-child

Another guy, Keith, who makes me laugh and posts pretty interesting stuff on his blog.
Laughing Scared

And finally for EVERYTHING retro culture, which is, like, my favorite pasttime ever!!! I present you with:
Secret Fun Spot

WINNING!

2011-08-20T17:40:00.000-04:00

OK, I'm cracking up over here! There's this site called yourkidsartsucks.com and I came across this pic:

Alright, I know it's probably fake, as in an adult actually drew it, but I couldn't help but bust out with the giggles!

The West Memphis 3 are FREE!

2011-08-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

I know, I'm a little late with this. I wanted to post something about it last night but got caught up with other things.

It's the first full day of freedom for the West Memphis 3. Jason Baldwin, Jessie Misskelley and Damien Echols spent the last 18 years in prison for the murder of three 8 year old boys, known as The Robin Hood Hills murders, which was also documented twice on HBO's Paradise Lost series. A judge released them yesterday after lawyers for the West Memphis 3 reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The teen boys were convicted on flimsy charges due to the reputation of one of the suspects; Damien Echols being a "Satanist". Actually Damien has an interest in all things paranormal, and practiced Buddhism while incarcerated. I cannot imagine someone pointing a finger at me simply because I'm into vampires and zombies. But that's pretty much how it all went down with these kids. Even DNA evidence didn't match up to any of the teens, but eerily enough it did match a stepfather of one of the little boys. No evidence connected to the teens, but let's ignore the evidence that actually points to another suspect!

So 18 years later, after several attempts to prove their innocence they have decided to throw in the towel and plead guilty to a charge just so they can finally go free. That sucks. Really it does because by taking that plea they have actually made claim of guilt. Sure I know that when faced with something that will actually set you free I'd probably make the same decision. But an admission of guilt, well, so many people still think they are guilty despite having no evidence to validate it. I can only hope that these men (after 18 years I can't call them boys anymore) can find some peace in their lives. Hopefully they will be left alone to move forward in a positive direction. 18 years is a long time.

Oh, and I just have to comment on this...

John Byers, the adoptive father to one of the murdered boys is now a supporter of the WM3. Funny how coincidentally he is writing a book and talking to filmmakers about a movie deal after he vehemently insisted on the teen's guilt. Sure anyone is entitled to change their minds, but this Byers guy is creepy as all get out, and I feel that he is only using the media coverage to help line his pockets. He especially played up to the producers of the Paradise Lost films, and acted very strangely in the documentaries. He is a leech, plain and simple.

For more info please click this link:

www.wm3.org/Updates

New favorite video

2011-08-19T12:28:00.002-04:00

Drew Barrymore directed this video. I really like this vibe. The group is called Best Coast and the song is entitled Our Deal. I don't care for the rest of the group's repetoir, but this song has that certain magical retro feel to it, and Drew pulls the sound and the visuals together perfectly ala West Side Story.

Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast

More of my art, featuring ME!!!

2011-08-15T19:32:00.001-04:00

Here's another one of my creations featuring my mug, mainly because I have a bajillion pics of myself and it's easier to manipulate in photoshop when you have a lot of different "looks". The original image was in black and white, so I had to colorize it to make it work.

ENJOY!

Writing tip of the day.

2011-08-14T15:42:00.000-04:00

I know I titled this entry with "of the day", as if I'm going to update this blog every day with a new writing tip. Sorry, ain't gonna happen. BUT I will post a few tips here and there that I consider very sound advice, especially if it is something I've noticed other writers (and me!) having a problem with.

Anyway here goes:

The Rule is Not “A” Before Consonants and “AN” Before Vowels.

The real rule is this: You use the article “a” before words that start with a consonant sound and “an” before words that start with a vowel sound. For example, He has a unique point of view on the subject and talked about if for an hour. The “u” in “unique” make the “Y” sound—a consonant sound—therefore you use “a” as your article, while the “h” in “hour” sounds like it starts with “ow”—a vowel sound.

Source:

Writers Digest-and-an-before-vowels-is-not-the-rule

Banner exchange anyone?

2011-08-13T11:28:00.001-04:00

I've added a few friend's banners below, and thought it would be nice to extend the same courtesy to anyone else who might be interested. It could be a link to your blog, or other website, it doesn't matter just as long as it is horror/fantasy/sci fi related. All I ask is that you post my banner on your blog/website in exchange. We can help each other spread the word about our work!

If you'd like to participate, please contact me at: zombie.diva@yahoo.com.

Working on a banner

2011-08-11T21:59:00.001-04:00

Never made one before. I want to be able to exchange banners with other author/publisher friends of mine, and thought that I could do this myself, and so I've been tinkering in photoshop again. Here's what I've got so far:

And:

I'm not sure why they seem a little fuzzy. I'm still working on them and will attempt to get them sharpened up a bit more. Anyway, those are the basic ones I've come up with. We'll see what the finished product ends up looking like. Feedback is appreciated!

EDIT: I've added one more, just to see how it shows up on here.

Another acceptance!

2011-08-06T11:18:00.000-04:00

So far I'm all about WINNING!

I received another acceptance, this time for the short story that was inspired by my son's experience with the paranormal. The story is entitled It Hides In The Shadows, and it will appear in Eclectica - The World of Shadows, due out around Halloween.

I've still got a few other short stories I'm working on, and I'm thinking about uploading them directly to Createspace to be downloaded to the Kindle for .99 cents each. Just a little experiment I want to play around with. My line of thought is that I can make more money doing things this way, rather than having all of my short stories appearing in anthologies that only garner me a few dollars, if any at all. (A lot of small press only pay you with contributor's copies of the book.)

I'm not against submitting to anthos, though. I'll contribute of course to people I know and help them out with their projects, and will always be willing to do what I can for a charity anthology as well. But aside from that, with the way technology has changed the playing field, I think it might be in my best interest to do ME. I could be wrong. I've been before, LOL!

I guess we'll see how this plays out.

More Google keyword madness!

2011-07-24T15:08:00.000-04:00

robin eduardo

story in zombie pov

black shadowy creature long fingers

meds for fuck

preludetoredemption.blogspot.com

terry breese, united states deputy ambassador to canada

_____________________________________

Hmmm, "robin eduardo", good to know that people are actually typing in my name. It means they know who I am, and want to know what I'm all about.

"story in zombie pov", these are good keywords, because I know that there is only a limited amount of zombie books out there featuring that POV, and my blog is one of the hits that comes up. Hopefully that will lead to more chances to introduce my work to the masses.

"black shadowy creature long fingers", ahhhh, my short story inspired by my son's true life encounter with something mysterious. Or so he keeps insisting...

"meds for fuck", WOW! I'm glad this particular search led some poor soul to my blog. If my blog serves this purpose, and helped somebody actually fuck, then hey, my job here is done! Personally I don't need meds to fuck, it just comes naturally for me.

"preludetoredemption.blogspot.com", YES that's the address! But the question is, why Google it if you know it already???

"terry breese, united states deputy ambassador to canada", Yeah, you know me and Terry, we go WAY back! Not. But whatever works.

Once again I am fascinated by what keywords lead people to my blog. It has been interesting.

Photoshop skillz, I haz them!

2011-07-23T13:39:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love to play around with is my photoshop program. Just because I enjoy snagging cool pics off from the internet and then shopping my head into the picture. Yes, I am a big doofus!

I've had friends even ask me to photoshop them into zombies or other stuff. Sometimes the pics come out cheesy, or on a rare occasion they become epic pieces of art!

Here's one I just did today that I think qualifies as EPIC. It came out about as perfect as can be, and reflects my current state of mind! I present you with my own personal version of Wonder Woman...ME!!!

My precious baby! (Time for a lil' cuteness!)

2011-07-19T23:01:00.000-04:00

The love of my life, my best buddy, PEDRO SANTANA EDUARDO!

He's named after this guy:

And this guy:

And this guy too!:

My dog is the bestest ever! And devilishly handsome too, see?

You know you wanna just kiss him to death!

Off Topic: A terrible event, and what went down.

2011-07-18T14:37:00.002-04:00

A very dear friend of mine had recently adopted a new chihuahua puppy into her family. She was so excited by the prospect of being a new "mommy" and posted many photos and videos of the new pup online. She got this particular pup from the same exact breeder that she got her other chihuahuas from, and had in fact, become friends with the breeder.

I myself had seen this breeder's Facebook page on my friend's page, and had even looked up the breeder's website in consideration of possibly adopting my next pup from her. (I too have a little chihuahua named Pedro, and he is my life's delight!) I figured it would be nice to have a chi from the same breeder that my friend's chis came from. One big happy family! Right?

Well, unfortunately my friend suffered a HORRIBLE loss. Her pup was attacked by another dog and was killed in front of my friend's very eyes. In shock she turned to someone who she THOUGHT was a friend...Valerie Dumas Keppinger, the breeder of her chis. My friend TRUSTED that this friend would help her during such a traumatic event, but instead, Valerie lit into her, giving her the third degree, and insinuated that it was ALL HER FAULT that her pup was killed. What kind of friend does that? What kind of human being lacks the compassion and understanding that goes along with dealing with this sort of situation? And then turns around and tells LIES to everyone else about what really happened?

It was bad enough that Valerie lashed out at my friend. Perhaps it was because she was also in shock at the time? Maybe she doesn't handle trauma well? Who knows? I do know that my friend's husband was almost willing to go along with another mutual friend's suggestion of trying to work things out, because it is understandable that sometimes people say things in anger or frustration, and they were willing to overlook the misunderstanding and strive for forgiveness and move forward in a positive light. This is what friends do.

But then, my private messages on Facebook with Ms. Keppinger came to light. You see, I too tried to mediate some sort of dialogue of forgiveness between my friend and Valerie. I contacted her and tried to make her understand the consequences of her words and actions toward my friend. My friend was completely distraught and near suicidal over the death of the pup, and it was because of the things that Ms. Keppinger had said to my friend. But then in response, Valerie then began to bash my friend, and on top of it LIED about everything that had happened that day. Of course I screencapped the whole conversation and forwarded it to my friends.

So, in conclusion not only did this "friend" treat my friend horribly in the face of a traumatic event, but she subsequently lied about it which makes her a terrible person. I will not do business with her, and do not recommend anyone else do business with her likewise. I won't post her website here because I do not want anyone to even click through.

Anyway, here are the screencaps, plus the red script added on the side are what my friend's sister wrote in to further explain the situation. She was furious when she received the screencaps and found what Valerie was saying about her sister! Now the whole family knows, including my friend. I am glad that my friend found out what kind of person Valerie Dumas Keppinger is! Maybe now she can stop blaming herself and feeling hurt by what a thoughtless, insensitive LIAR said to her.

PLEASE CLICK ON PICS TO ENLARGE:

Some zombie POV, a teaser from No Redemption For The Dead

2011-07-16T13:04:00.000-04:00

I've decided to post a tiny bit from my upcoming novel, however this is still under revision and may change a bit from what I post here. The scene is one of many zombie POV situations that I include in my story, but let me be clear, the whole novel does not revolve around the zombie I am featuring here. She only represents one of the characters in my book, although she does play an important role to the story. And here it goes:

When the rain begins to come down hard, I move myself into an alcove. Lightning flashes, and I look up into the sky. The flicker of light somehow entrances me. I hear a squeak and see a large rat run across the alley directly in front of me. Something entices me to that rat. I don't know what it was, I just had to get at it, so I follow.

I move in the direction the rat ran, and then I notice a doorway. I stumble toward it, and the door gives a little. I push it open further and step into a corridor. The door makes a creaking sound when it closes behind me.

I hear a voice, but I don't understand what it is saying. I did understand what it meant. Instinct takes over and I begin to move with a renewed purpose. A man stands at the top of the stairs. He is speaking to me, and it makes me desire him. I attempt to make my way to him. My hair is hanging down covering my face, and my clothing is soaked through from the rain.

Apparently, the man didn't see my wounds, but has his eyes transfixed on my breasts, which are quite visible through my drenched blouse. I want to grab him, but I couldn't quite figure out how to negotiate the staircase.

The man watches me as I struggle with the landing. Inside the hall it is somewhat dark and I wasn't making much headway, so the man proceeds to come down the stairs toward me. He continues speaking to me as he makes his approach. Mistaking me for someone else perhaps, he reaches out to me. My hand latches onto his arm. He hesitates for a second, and then roughly squeezes my breast. His breathe smells strong of cheap whiskey.

I don't know why this man is exciting to me. I lean in and in an instant I tear a large chunk of flesh from his throat. I don't know why I wanted to bite him, but when I did I see the red, and it gets me more excited. The discovery of the object I most desire, the hunt for it found fruition. Gurgling sounds came from him as he slid down the wall to the floor. I straddle him, ripping at the soft flesh of his stomach. I find more treasure there.

Slippery entrails slide through my fingers as I gorge on him. In that moment I learn what it is to seek out the living, and their importance to me. I press my face into his stomach; the warmth feels so good to me. As I struggle to devour the man's intestines, his pants slid down exposing himself to me. I open my mouth and receive it in one bite; pulling it away from his body with my teeth until it could stretch no more, snapping free from him in a burst of bright crimson. His blood flows down my lips, dripping wetness down onto my breasts where his hands were just a moment ago.

Upcoming work to be published

2011-07-14T09:32:00.000-04:00

Recently I've been in conversation with a friend of mine concerning publishing a short story I've had on the back burner for an upcoming zombie anthology. I was supposed to do some work for another antho of his, but unfortunately things came up and I just didn't have the time to give it my full attention.

My son did some artwork for the original antho as well, but I'm told that work might end up (MAYBE) the cover of the new anthology, so that's pretty exciting news right there for him! Since this is all tentative I will not reveal the title or the publisher yet.

All in all I'm very proud of my son for his contribution, and it will be fun to see both of our work together in the same anthology! Coolness! Now let's cross our fingers that it will happen!

Search keywords

2011-07-12T09:58:00.001-04:00

These are the search keywords for the week:

len barnhart - reign of the dead: outbreak ebook

robin eduardo

anxiety meds and creativity

max brooks short story

no redemption for the dead zombie diva

prelude short story

prelude to redemption

wiki leaks prelude to ancient atlantis

_____________________________________________

Hmmmm, none of Len Barnhart's books are available in e-format. I'm sorry, but there it is. I think I'll try talking to him about this and see if the situation can be rectified. I know he'd make a lot more sales this way.

Anxiety meds and creativity, yep, I've discussed this. I hope that whoever was googling this could relate. It's been a big topic of conversation lately in real life and not just on the net. I know I've been overwhelmed by it recently.

Max Brooks is teh awesome! I just had to say this. Nice guy in real life, and I love his books.

Zombie Diva....people who can't remember my name perhaps? At least they remembered the title of my book, and THAT'S more important. (The ZD moniker has been used in the past, but I haven't been called that in a long time.)

"Prelude" is not the name of my book, but part of the title of my blog. I have had people ask about my book by calling it Prelude, though. C'est la vie!

ANCIENT ATLANTIS?!! I've never discussed this on my blog, but I promise that if I ever find the location I will post a map here! I'm not sure how it relates to my blog, but I'm glad you found me in your search! Welcome!

Now, I wonder if I started posting weird or controversial topics, would it lead more people to my blog? I sense an experiment coming on! This could get interesting folks! LOL!

Curious...

2011-07-11T00:26:00.007-04:00

OK, who was talking smack about me in the Permuted Press chat?

I hope it was juicy. LOL!

No, I didn't die.

Yes, I've signed a contract for NRFTD.

No, I really didn't do it.

Yes, I did do THAT.

No, I'm really not (fill in the blank), but thanks for thinking about me.

Yes, I know so-and-so said (fill in the blank).

No, it's not true.

Yes, I am laughing about what so-and-so said because THAT shit cracks me up!

Distractions!!!

2011-07-04T10:11:00.000-04:00

I was thinking about this quite a bit, and I've come to the conclusion that I've allowed myself to become quite distracted by not only the internet, but by everything else under the sun in order to avoid actually working on my novel at the pace I should be.

There's been plenty of times I've sat down and started to edit, and then found something I'd like to research a little further, only to get lost in clicking through links. The internet can be your best friend when you are a writer, but it also can be your worst enemy.

There's also the subject of trying to keep a presence going. I belong to several messageboards, and follow a lot of blogs. Then there's Facebook, and all of the other social networking places to keep up. That is pretty time consuming as well. That is time taken away from writing. But it's a double edged sword. You have to partake in order to reap the rewards.

And that's just the internet. I also have to deal with my real life issues such as taking care of my family and other responsibilities. It's hard to shave off a little time for my writing when I have so much on my plate. But I know so many others who have equal amounts of pressure and get their books finished, so I wonder what I'm doing wrong? It never seems to be enough time to get everything done. I definitely suck at time management.

I read at Amanda Hocking's blog that she went on a mini vacation on a houseboat in order to avoid distraction while she was finishing up a novel. Unfortunately she got stranded out on the lake and had to be rescued due to engine trouble. Sounds like my kind of luck! Of course she made the best of it. But I would've made a huge deal out of it, and probably whined my ass off and avoided writing for another month just because I'm a big baby like that. I'm always blowing things out of proportion! Anxiety will do that to you. At least, that's how it affects me.

Anyway, here I am posting to my blog when I should be working on my novel. At least I feel a little better getting this crap off from my chest. Acknowledging my problem is half the battle, I suppose. Now back to work!

No Redemption For The Dead

2011-06-21T08:29:00.002-04:00

Almost finished with the rewrite!

A few more chapters and then I can pass it along to my editors. I'm crossing my fingers AND toes that the manuscript will be more acceptable. This had to be the most difficult thing I've ever done, I really don't know how people can do this all the time! Don't get me wrong, I quite enjoy writing, but there are some aspects that I don't like so much.

I warn you, the parts in the middle that you may have read before? TOTALLY different. The ending? Different too. I even switched around the order of the beginning chapters and of course fleshed out the scenes, so there's more detail, more dialogue, and now it comes with 100% MORE ZOMBIE!

In other news, I was reminded that the internet is EBIL...

All I can say about it is I can be more productive by focusing on getting NRFTD completed. After that I have a bunch of short stories I want to polish up and then I'll go from there. I wish those of you who are writers reading this, much luck with your own projects, and as always thank you for reading my blog.

~Robin

Story vs Craft

2011-06-19T11:11:00.004-04:00

Here's an excellent blog post by Rachelle Gardner, an agent for Word Serve Literary Group in Denver, Colorado. She is reinforcing EXACTLY what I've been saying all along concerning what is more important to publishers, and ultimately to the consumers at large:

Rachelle Gardner: Story vs Craft

There will be no further comment from THIS peanut gallery! Ms. Gardner broke it down better than I could, and she has more cred than me anyway!

I got's more followers!

2011-06-13T10:26:00.002-04:00

Heh heh heh...

I guess a little self promotion doesn't hurt. I got almost 10 new followers in the past couple of days. Now whether they'll actually READ my blog is another story. LOL!

Truth be told, I've been off the grid for a little while, and I'm looking for some company. New friendships. More like-minded people with whom I can discuss going through the process with. When you are in writing mode, you tend to isolate yourself in order to concentrate on the task at hand. A good thing if you have a deadline, that's for sure! But sometimes it's nice to shoot the breeze with others who know exactly what you are going through.

And of course it's always fun to talk to other fans of the genre!

Interests, what do I like to do?

2011-06-12T11:38:00.003-04:00

Hmmm, I like reading. A lot! Especially horror, and especially about zombies. Vampires and other creeps are fun too.

I like roller derby. My current favorite team is The Jersey Shore Rollergirls. I also like the Penn Jersey She Devils. I go to bouts as much as possible! There's nothing like strong independent women rolling around a track trying to beat the Hell out of a bunch of other women! And they're snarky!

Roller derby brings me to my next love, tattoos. TATTOOS!!! The best artform ever! I really dig old skool stuff, but I can also get into the mexican tradition, and I like sugar skulls. Old 70's iconic stuff is cool too.

Horror conventions! lots to see, lots to learn. And the guest stars really go out of their way to talk to you! I've enjoyed many pleasant conversations, and I've even been invited to their homes (they live nearby) to hang out, and Ken Foree has even invited me to get our tarot cards read together! He's a fun dude. Lenny Lies has become a good friend over the years, and looks me out all the time.

Witchcraft, spell casting, voodoo...yeah, I'm a spooky bitch. WATCH OUT! LOL! Seriously? I have a whole room dedicated to the metaphysical. There be bones, herbs, candles, books, incense, and other curiosities.

I collect things. Unicorns, cobra snakes, crystals, skeletons, vintage jewelry, old rock concert t-shirts, roller derby t-shirts, nail polish, shoes, Mardi Gras masks, and books.

Native American activism. I especially support the Mohawk Warrior Society.

Gardening. I have a large cottage style garden, complete with greenhouse. I also have a vegetable garden. My grandmother got me into it, and I have never not had a garden in some form, even when I lived in a small apartment in the city.

Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activity. The woods are a veritable playground to me. I especially like to try out new survivalist skills when I'm there. I'm a nut when it comes to that stuff.

New York City!!! I love the city. LOVE IT! There's always something to do! I'm not afraid to explore either. I like to ride the subway, and Central Park is the best in the summer time!

The ocean. I live near it. Walking distance in fact. I've moved away from New Jersey to all parts of the US, and I keep coming back home because there is no place in the world like the Jersey shore. It is in my blood!

Anyway, there's more, a whole lot more, but I'll stop for now.

Stats

2011-06-11T10:08:00.005-04:00

Does anyone else check the stats for their blog?

I never used to, but recently I've become interested and it is a funny little thing, vanity and all.

In the past three days I've had at least 20 more people checking my blog out than the day before, and it has climbed exponentially. Each day has had a spike of at least 10-15 people viewing the blog at the same time. All of this traffic has been coming from my friends at The Horror Blogger Alliance, The Scream Queen, and at Scumfuck Living In Babylon. Thanks for featuring my blog in your blog roll!

I know right now my numbers are still small in comparison to other better known blogs, but hey, I do not even promote my blog or use tags, so the fact that I have as many followers as I do amazes me! I just wish you guys would post comments more! GRRRR! A girl could use some encouragement! Ha-Ha!

Anyway, thanks everyone who is coming over here and checking out my humble little blog. I appreciate it!

http://horrorbloggeralliance.blogspot.com/

http://www.thescreamqueen.net/

http://scumfuckinbabylon.blogspot.com/

Geronimo didn't die in Pakistan!

2011-06-10T16:45:00.001-04:00

Played for the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing on Thursday, on implementation of the Declaration the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Produced by Ryan Red Corn, Osage, and Dallas Goldtooth of the Indigenous Environmental Network.

Reign of the Dead: Tribulation

2011-06-10T09:41:00.002-04:00

My friend Len Barnhart is working on a fourth installment to his Reign of the dead franchise! I'm so giddy about this! If you haven't read his work, please check it out! You won't be disappointed.

A synopsis:

To reach home means a three hundred mile journey through an apocalyptic America...

Chuck and Duane are joined by the other survivors in the Trump World Tower as they make their way back home; a small town in Virginia by the name of Warren.

They soon discover that while New York City was lost quickly, the rest of the country isn't far behind. Pirates, death camps, and an out of control government are just some of the things that threaten their success as the undead population explodes nationwide!

When they are joined by a motorcycle club that is also on their way to Virginia, their ability to do battle with the living-dead improves. But it's a long trip, and danger is everywhere.

Reign of the Dead: Tribulation is due out sometime in 2013.

reignofthedead.com

Hammered...

2011-06-06T10:49:00.003-04:00

Hammered, a memoir by G.N. Braun.

Check out his blog dedicated to this book, and it's process in getting published here:

http://beenhammered.blogspot.com/

It is the author's own story of addiction to heroin and other drugs, and his journey to getting clean again.

I sincerely hope he finds success with this novel, and continues to find peace within himself as a person first and foremost. His desire to become sober and reach out to help others through his own words is inspiring. He asks to connect with others who have experienced addiction, and by opening up to this form of fellowship he continues to not only help himself, but to help others go through the process of healing.

I reccomend this blog, and I'm looking forward to the book's release. Please check it out, and follow it. I expect many interesting posts to come.

Good luck Geoff!

~Robin

OK, enough boo-hoo baby crying!

2011-06-05T09:21:00.004-04:00

Alright I had my self pity party, now it's time for action!

I know I want to do the best I can for my story and there's no way around that, no shortcuts to doing this right. I don't care if I'm with a big publisher or small. It is my responsibility to do the grunt work. As a writer I'm expected to know the basic rules of grammar and world building. I know I'm supposed to write and revise it until it is the best it can be. It would be very lazy writing indeed if I expected to only "tell" the story and let someone else do all the work of cleaning it up...and then I get all the credit!

Nope, I have to stop whining and put my nose to the grind stone. Even if I feel as if I'm in over my head I must push harder. I can't let my anxiety get the better of me and keep me from doing what I'm supposed to do. I was really being a big baby about it all! Shame on me!

Ok folks, I'm back to business. (And I have to stop worrying about what others are going to think, because I'm not going to please everyone no matter how hard I try!)

I can do this!

~Robin

Harder than you think!

2011-06-03T13:31:00.002-04:00

Some people think writing is easy. All you have to do is have a great story, create an outline, follow the rules for spelling and grammar, and make sure you write every single day.

I've been doing this. The problem is I go back after a few days of letting it rest and then deleting whole passages. Why? It's not that I don't like what I wrote, but worry that someone else might not like what I wrote. I've been second guessing everything. I want to bang my head on my desk because of the self doubt.

When I thought I had the story completed I felt differently about the whole thing, but now I have to force myself to do better. I feel like I have to live up to higher expectations. Today I feel so unworthy. I had to force myself not to delete the whole manuscript and start over, that's how bad I've been feeling.

I realize that every author thinks their writing is good enough, that is, until the critics get their paws on it. Then you get torn apart, and that doesn't feel good at all. No matter how thick of a skin you'd like to think you've grown, nobody wants to accept that their writing might actually suck. So you work harder to improve it. And that's where my self doubt and second guessing comes in. I can see what needs to be improved upon, but I am not so sure how to do it successfully. I feel like I did a fine job, but then go back and reject it. The problem is when I think I've improved upon a passage, I go back later and reject it again.

I know that this is what I'm supposed to do. Write and rewrite. But it is so exhausting! When I read others claiming how fun it was to write 'so and so' novel, I'm like, "What is so fun about it?" Sure writing the initial story is fun but really now, going back over it, revising and editing it is actually fun? Are you kidding me?

This is not fun for me anymore. It feels like a job, and I didn't start out writing because I wanted to do this for a living, or to be considered a "real writer". I just wanted to do this for the fun of it. For the love of it. I love being creative, and I love horror. I even love writing. But worrying about making this perfect is driving me nuts! I'll never be able to achieve perfection. Not anywhere close. Why am I doing this to myself? Because I have a publisher now, and an editor that expects me to do better? Yeah, I guess so...it is my own goal too, to put out a good product. I'm just really tired.

Like I said, this is harder than you think! So for those of you who want to be writers, please understand what we have to go through, what is expected of us, and the burden we carry when trying to create something for the masses and not just for ourselves.

Maybe I'm just having a bad day. I'm going to take a break and come back to this later...

What's it doin'?

2011-05-29T11:23:00.002-04:00

Yeah, I know. My blog has been a bunch of nothing lately, and yes, I did edit the story chapters off from the page so you don't even have that to read.

The last couple of posts have had nothing to do with my book either, but are still close to my heart due to my ancestry. What can I say? I get hung up on some things and feel the need to share.

Hmmmm, let me see...what can I talk about regarding the book, NRFTD?

Well, I think I've mentioned that I've been assigned a new editor. He's asked a friend of his to help me out with polishing up my writing. The friend, I'm hestitant to name, is a well respected editor for a sci fi magazine involving the Chulthu mythos. I am appreciative of this help. I NEED it. Any writer who thinks they don't need to work on their craft is bonkers anyway, but in my case I still have a long way to go and need all the help I can get. Thank goodness I actually have the level of expertise backing me up and whipping me into shape. Otherwise I might have embarassed myself, who knows? LOL!

I've been keeping my head low and working hard at reworking my story, as well as adding more material. I've been asked to expand the book by almost an additional 50,000 words. That's twice the length it ended up being when I completed it last year. I knew though that at that length it was going to be hard to place. It was originally at around 80,000 words, but there was so much unnecessary garbage that I trimmed out and that is the reason why it ended up being only around 47,000 words when I was done. But now I have to expand the scenes and add more dialogue.

Tough to do when most of the story revolves around one person alone in an empty apartment building.

I guess I'll be switching some things up a little. We'll see where the story goes. But that's why I took down the chapters that were available here. I promise, the basic premise will remain the same, but I need to make improvements to this thing, and I know that you guys can understand where I'm coming from, right? I know I must sound like a frikkin' broken record already, the book's coming out soon! NOT! Well, yeah, but we're shooting to have it out soon. It is my own incompetence that is delaying this shit!

Frankly, I don't want to be like so many first timers who self pub their books, and there's glaring mistakes from the git-go. Now when I say this, please understand that I'm definitely NOT looking down my nose at anyone. I'm striving to do better for myself, for my own sense of self worth. Yeah it's taken 50 bajillion years for me to write this damn thing already, but understand, I wouldn't be satisfied if it turned out to BE garbage. Just because I wanted to crank it out and get it out there in a hurry. That wouldn't be right. Not for me, the author, but definitely not right for YOU the reader and more importantly, YOU the purchaser of my work! I would feel like shit if someone regretted paying for my work.

So, with that being said, I am working hard at revising the story, expanding the scenes and adding more dialogue. Even the zombies will get extra special treatment. (Not that they weren't disgusting or scary enough!) I'm going to push myself even harder, and hopefully you all will be happy with the finished (re) product!

Thanks for your patience, and thanks for reading. You know I love you guys!

~Robin

Wikileaks: US cables on Mohawks, Border guards feared Mohawks (damn right!)

2011-05-24T13:46:00.002-04:00

Monday, May 23, 2011
Wikileaks: US cables on Mohawks
WIKILEAKS: Border Guards feared Mohawks

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News

http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/

The US Embassies in Montreal and Quebec monitored Mohawks and Indigenous activists. In a series of cables released by Wikileaks in May, the US Ambassadors in Canada make it clear that no one wants to fight the Mohawks.

In fact, the US Embassy in Ottawa points out that the Canadian Border Guards feared the Mohawks.
In a cable dated July 30, 2009, from Ottawa, Terry Breese, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy, wrote about the Canadian Border Services Agency.

"The CBSA customs post on Cornwall Island (Kawehnoke) located on the Mohawk reserve territory of Akwesasne on the Canada-U.S. border closed on May 31. Canadian border guards had left the post citing fears of a violent confrontation with Mohawk residents, who opposed a CBSA directive requiring border guards to carry firearms at the Canadian port-of-entry, effective June 1."

The Canadian Border Guards Union said Mohawks were intimidating them.

"The MCA (Mohawk Council of Akwesasne) has accused CBSA agents at the Cornwall island border post of harassment, intimidation, and racial profiling of Mohawk residents, while the border guards' union has reported that Mohawks on the reserve had harassed and intimidated its members," Wikileaks said in the July 30, 2009 cable.

So far, there has only been only one benign mention of the Zapatistas in the diplomatic cables. However, there are more than a dozen detailed cables about the Mohawks and aboriginal Canadians. Border crossing, land rights and treaties are among the issues.

Earlier in 2010, before Wikileaks dominated the headlines, Wikileaks revealed Canada's illegal wiretaps of Mohawks.

WIKILEAKS CABLES MOHAWKS:
WIKILEAKS: Border guards feared Akwesasne Mohawks
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/wikileaks-border-guards-feared.html
Wikileaks Cable: Mohawks Borders, Land Claims, Treaties
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/wikileaks-cable-mohawks-borders-land.html
Wikileaks Montreal Cable: Mohawks 2004
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/wikileaks-montreal-cable-mohawks-2004.html
Wikileaks Cable: Mohawks, Kanesatake, May 2004
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/wikileaks-cable-mohawks-kanesatake-may.html
Wikileaks: US and Canadian militaries like a marriage
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/wikileaks-us-and-canadian-militaries.html
.
Also see:
Wikileaks: Canada says UN Indigenous Rights Declaration headed for 'train wreck'
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/05/wikileaks-canada-says-un-declaration-on.html
(Aug. 6, 2010) Wikileaks: Canada's unauthorized wiretap of Mohawks:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2010/08/wikileaks-canadas-unauthorized-wiretaps.html

From UN Permanenet Forum on Indigenous Issues, 9th session report 2010:

The Permanent Forum recommends that the Governments of Canada and the United States address the border issues, such as those related to the Mohawk Nation and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, by taking effective measures to implement article 36 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which states that indigenous peoples divided by international borders have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation with their own members as well as other peoples across borders.

Onkwehonwe

2011-05-19T18:37:00.009-04:00

And much rejoicing shall be had....

2011-05-02T14:47:00.002-04:00

My Diana is coming home from Afghanistan this week. In fact I spoke to her yesterday morning when she was boarding the plane heading back to the U.S.. And then last night I find out Bin Ladin was killed.

The last time Diana was home on leave she had too much to drink and started to sing out loud "And I'm Proud To Be An American..." You really had to be there. The patriotism was over the top...her singing, not so much. LOL! I'm sure there will be a repeat performance.

This is Diana's 6th year in the Air Force. Her second tour in the Middle East. I'm very glad to have her back home. Friday's the big day! (She's stopping in Virginia first.)I look forward to seeing her and spending time with the family. Oh, and it's my birthday too. BBQ time!

A sucker is born every minute...

2011-04-01T10:41:00.002-04:00

Yep, I am an "April Fool".

I replied to a post made by my friend Matt Nord that he was going to stop writing horror due to his faith based beliefs....Ya, I was tricked!

Then I surveyed my other friend's blogs and sure enough, there are several pitfalls waiting, and luckily I figured it out on my first post, LOL! Actually, almost immediately right after my initial post, because I happened to look at the time/date thingy on my computer. I wonder how long it would've taken for me to figure it out otherwise? LOL! Probably a long time, knowing me!

Anyway, here I am, in all my foolish glory! KISSES!

~Robin

A beginning of a new vampyre tale...

2011-03-24T11:18:00.003-04:00

The night was black; the moon hidden by dark, ominous clouds. Sinister shadows played upon the curtains and walls about the toddler's bed. She was supposed to be fast asleep, but slumber escaped her. She was frightened and whimpering. A flash of lightning lit up the night sky, and in that moment she noticed another one, hidden amongst the shadows. It was very dark and cold in the room. The beautiful woman with the large eyes placed a finger to her lips and shushed the child in a soothing tone.

The lady wore a long flowing dress, and her hair hung in ebony waves. She had piercing green eyes, and full red lips. The little girl watched, fascinated as the female approached her slowly and took her up into her arms, cuddling her to her breast. Her touch was like ice, but she felt so soft, so comforting. The strange woman began to hum a lullaby to the child. She felt safe in the cradle of the woman's embrace.

She looked deeply into the strange lady's eyes and grew sleepy. The woman's gaze caused an illusory effect to overcome the toddler. The child's lids grew heavy, and she slipped into a doze and her body went limp. The strange woman sat there on the edge of the child's bed rocking her back and forth, brushing the soft curls away from the little girl's face for a moment, still humming an old melody.

Sleep was what the child needed. Fear had kept her awake, and that was not what the lady wanted for the baby. The singing and rocking continued for a moment longer. The room was damp, or was it the child's nightclothes? A flash of lightning pierced the sky once more illuminating the chamber. A white silhouette against crimson lace. The lady nuzzled the toddler and patted her back, resuming her rocking. The child did not stir. She continued to sleep soundly as the strange woman raised herself up from the bed and quietly changed the little girl's clothing, taking care to keep the child comfortable and warm. Afterward she tucked the baby in and sang to her once more, patting her little hands delicately.

The strange woman stood by the window in her long gown. Blood stained the whole front of her bodice. She opened the window a crack and then she was gone. The wind whipped inside the room icily as the window flew open against the blustery weather. The child did not awaken.

The end of what was...

2011-03-06T21:40:00.002-05:00

I've removed all of the sample chapters I had up here in my blog. Currently my manuscript is in the hands of my editor/s. I'm so impressed by who I have working on my book that I can hardly believe it! I am more than blessed. I took the chapters down because the book is going in another direction. It will be the same basic story, but expanded upon. Improved even. I look forward to sharing it with you.

Thank you for supporting me.

~Robin

Preschool Thriller!

2011-03-05T22:46:00.001-05:00

These kids are so cute doing their thang! Watch for the big ending!

A continuation of Death Becomes Me

2011-02-09T11:27:00.002-05:00

The ink black void closes in on me, and I slip into my final slumber as my body bleeds out from the wound on my arm.

I open my eyes and slowly my surroundings come into focus. I stare blankly in front of me. Thumping sounds resonate from the space to the left and so I turn to face that direction. Slowly I rise upward, stumbling as I make my way toward the sound. Hunger gnaws at my belly as I move closer to the clatter. Saliva drips from my maw onto my shirt mingling with the dried blood. I reach the door and scratch at it, trying to get at what was making the noise on the other side.

Whatever it is, it keeps beating on the door. I beat right back. A weak mewling sound escapes my lips as I try to find what it is that is attracting me. My hand fumbles with a protruding object and I find that I can turn it. With one powerful bang the creature on the other side of the door pushes its way in.

We stare at each other. There is nothing there to satisfy the urge. Instinctively I know I must move on. Some residual memory leads me to shamble to the next entry down the hall. I vaguely remember something important about the place. I start to pound on the door, and the other one joins me. Then more enlist in one wave of undead purpose.

The door starts to buckle under the strain of bodies pressing against it. It was only a matter of time before the occupants would face certain death. As the door falls inward and swings away from the entrance, I shamble toward the cowering family before me. A man, a woman, and a child were hiding inside the apartment. Drooling excessively I face the man who is holding an object before him.

I hear a loud bang and then nothing.

Death Becomes Me

2011-02-07T18:10:00.000-05:00

This shit hurts! I can't get it to stop bleeding and my arm is fucking throbbing! I don't know how I'm going to get through this either, there's so many of them just outside. They don't stop pounding, pounding, pounding on the door. What am I supposed to do?

I knew I shouldn't have tried to make it next door. I'm such a fucking idiot! I squeeze the flesh together as tightly as I can trying to hold it, but it's not working. There's blood literally everywhere!

My GOD! Please help me!

My head feels heavy and I think I'm losing consciousness. My thoughts are swimming as I fight to stay focused. The room I'm in is whirling slowly. Fighting back tears I slide down the door and sit in a pool of my own blood. The pounding continues. I can't take this shit! Why me? I cry out, snot running down, mingling with my tears, and my blood.

I whimper softly to myself. I close my eyes in an effort to make the room stop spinning. It's not working. I think about the creature that bit me. It was moving so slowly, I really didn't think it could get me. I figured that if I moved fast enough, I could slip by it. But instead it grabbed onto me with a speed I hadn't anticipated.

Before I even had a chance to fight, it had already taken a chunk out of my arm. I flailed my arms wildly and dashed back into this room. The movement attracted more of them to my location. Now I'll never have a chance to get to my family.

Looking out the window all I can see is additional zombies joining the ones who are already here. The pain is creeping up my arm, searing hot worms crawling under the flesh. I know I'm not going to make it. I'll never be able to tease my sister, hug my mother, or joke around with my father.

I'm done. I tilt my head down and my shoulders go slack. I can feel my heart beating in my chest, each thump coming slower than the one before. I sense the room around me growing dark, and I swirl in the pool of blackness as it engulfs me.

(To be continued)

New short story by Max Brooks!

2011-01-21T20:36:00.002-05:00

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-14/max-brooks-original-zombie-story-from-world-war-z-author/

From Max Brooks, bestselling author of World War Z, an original story about a global war between humans and zombies seen through the eyes of Vampires.

Welcome to my new readers!

2011-01-20T14:20:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to say thank you to my new readers (as well as my old) for checking out my blog. If you came here looking to read the sample chapters of No Redemption For The Dead, the link appears just below the blog's header. Click there and it will take you to a list of chapter links. Please feel free to comment here or you can drop me a line at my email: zombie.diva@yahoo.com.

Have fun and tell me what you think!

~Robin

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!

2010-12-24T16:05:00.001-05:00

I'd like to wish my readers a very Merry Christmas, and to my sister Rene, a happy birthday. Have a good one!

~Robin

Another interview!

2010-11-21T05:52:00.003-05:00

Leonard Lies, the guy that got the machete to the noggin by Tom Savini in Dawn of the Dead '78 asked me the other day if I'd be interested in being part of a documentary film project he's working on about zombie culture, people who are obsessed with zombies, whether it be movies, art, writing, zombie walks, etc.

Naturally I said yes! Now that my book is done it's time to find other venues in order to express myself, revolving around zombies of course, and to promote said book! Lenny has been a great friend and a supporter of my work, so it means a lot to me to be featured in his film. I cannot wait to get started on it!

Now to take off a few pounds for the camera, heh heh heh...

~Robin

I signed the contract today.

2010-11-11T10:01:00.002-05:00

And now I enter a new path, one that I wasn't expecting to go. I'm so nervous handing my baby over to another mother, although a certain amount of trust needs to be given, and I do trust Janrae.

My publisher is going to be Daverana Enterprises, a small POD and e-book press who has expressed faith in my writing. It actually feels good to have someone else willing to say your work is good enough. I've had friends tell me, but it just doesn't feel real until you put that pen to paper and sign the contract.

My next project is going to rewrite a short story that I had written originally for Library of the Living Dead, about a young girl and her little sister who are trapped in the attic of their home after the zombie apocalypse has begun. The short story was meant to be a part of the "Letters From The Dead" collection, but I dropped out. I will rewrite the short story and then search for a home for it.

After that, I begin work on my native american shape shifting story. A werewolf tale. Hopefully it won't take me as long to write as NRFTD did! LOL!

Thanks for reading my blog,
~Robin

I got the contract today...

2010-11-09T17:02:00.003-05:00

It's a standard contract, the terms are decent, but my cover is rejected. I love my cover and don't want to give up on it. The owner of the publishing outfit says she wants a sexy cover, something to attract the soccer moms to reading horror, she says that my cover is old skool horror and will not sell books. I'm not quite understanding why she would want sexy. I mean sure, the idea is that sex sells, but my book is about finding redemption from negative life choices and survival in an undead world. I don't see how sexy fits into the equation.

I would love to discuss other things that stuck with me concerning the contract, but I'm not so sure this is the place. The contract is not signed, and I'm not past having the whole thing fall through. I like the people I'd be working with, but I want some control too, and this is where things get scary for me. The people I'd be working with are seasoned professionals, who am I to question their authority on the subject? But I still do. I will run the contract past a few friends who have been around the block and see what they have to say. I'm just worrying myself unecessarily I think, especially considering I know next to nothing about this process.

I just needed to get my nerves under control and vent a little. Waaaaaaahhh! Why can't she like my cover?

Thanks for reading,

~Robin

They definitely want it!

2010-11-04T17:47:00.002-04:00

I spoke to the owner of the publishing outfit, and she says she definitely wants to publish No Redemption For The Dead in both e-book and dead tree format, so I'm content with that. I'm just waiting on the contract to be sent so I can go over the terms and see what kind of deal I'm being offered. My main thing was to have actual books in hand so that when I do the conventions I have something to offer to my fans and of course my friends and family. They're not on the e-reader tip yet, LOL!

So hopefully it won't be much longer. I'm looking forward to the release!

Thanks for reading!
~Robin

Confusion...

2010-11-02T10:22:00.002-04:00

I was contacted by an editor who had my manuscript and they informed me that there was a mixup as far as contacting me. Apparently the editor liked what they read and wanted to recommend my book for publication.

I in the meantime, have started the process of formatting my novel for self publication. Now I'm at a crossroad. What to do?

I want my book to be published either way, and strongly prefer for it to be in dead tree format. E-sales are up but constitute only a small percentage of total sales through the various distribution sources in general. I know that most of my sales would do better as actual books, although I have considered releasing it in e-format also for the Kindle. The publisher who is interested deals primarily in e-sales.

What to do? I'd like to work with this publisher but also want my novel to be available in actual book form from the onset. I guess it's time to talk to someone and get this straightened out before proceeding in either direction.

I just want to do what's right by my baby. I believe in it, and want others attached to it to believe in it as well.

Thanks for reading.

~Robin

Check this out!

2010-10-28T09:31:00.003-04:00

Since Len Barnhart is being so nice and helping me out with my book since I'm such a dimwit about these things, I thought I'd try and send him a little promo his way.

His latest release in his Reign Of The Dead series entitled Reign Of The Dead: Outbreak is finally available. You can pick up a copy of it at his website.

Max Brooks also highly recommends and is a fan of Reign Of The Dead. He says so in his latest interview on youtube.

Having gotten to know Len a bit over the years as a fellow writer I cannot say enough about him as an individual as well as a friend. He is always willing to help out and is encouraging to us fledgling writers. I appreciate his friendship and generosity.

Please check out his site for more information and news of upcoming releases he has in store:

www.reignofthedead.com

Thanks for reading,

~Robin

Publishing, part Trois!

2010-10-25T19:27:00.002-04:00

OK, I suck.

...

Really, there's issues with the formatting and everything. This isn't supposed to be this hard! Is there something wrong with me? Really?

Anyway, my good friend Len Barnhart is coming to my rescue! THANK YOU!!!

He said he'll help me get everything in order so I can get this sucker out already, although it is looking like I will not see it released in time for Halloween. Maybe Christmas? Well, anyway at least someone competent has it in their mitts and knows what they're doing because I apparently haven't a clue. Shouldn't Createspace have a template for publishing and formatting cover images? They don't. It's not as easy as I thought it would be, but it is on its way!

Bear with me!

~Robin

Publishing part deux

2010-10-22T16:33:00.003-04:00

I went ahead and did it.

I mosied on down to Createspace and uploaded the file to self publish No Redemption For The Dead. Now I await the process of them emailing me back to confirm everything and I can order my proof. MAN am I nervous! I didn't even know how to convert my cover image to a PDF file, which was a lesson in itself. (One I'm not sure I learned, I just tried a million different things via google until it worked, LOL!) I admit I am computer illiterate and this is something that is completely new to me.

I hope I didn't make a mistake although I'm sure I'll find out soon enough how it all went. I wanted to have this book published by Halloween, and so I started the process...

Wish me luck!

~Robin

Publishing

2010-10-21T14:21:00.002-04:00

Well, I'll have to decide here pretty soon if I'm going to go ahead and self publish this for Halloween, or wait it out a little longer and see if it gets picked up. I haven't heard anything back from the editor who's checking it out, and I don't want to rush things, but I also wasn't planning on not having it out this year. If I go ahead and self publish it, if anyone wants it then they are more than welcome to it. I just wanted to do this for fun, I never took my writing serious as in considered looking at this as a form of employment or anything.

I know many of my friends and family have been bugging me, asking when is it coming out, so I better decide what I'm going to do soon.

Anyway, I just thought I'd update anyone who might be interested on what's up with No Redemption For The Dead. I'll definitely post something here if I decide to go ahead and self publish it.

Thanks for reading.

~Robin

More editing???

2010-10-16T13:12:00.003-04:00

Yep, I went and started to reread the book, even after It went to an editor and still wanted to add some more.

The story is a little bit short for a full fledged novel, but longer than a novella. I've been wanting to flesh it out more, but don't want to make it too wordy. Difficult for sure. Perhaps I am just a nervous Nelly, always doubting my ability. So yes, I've gone ahead and edited a little more and added a little more too. It's all for the good.

Nothing much else to say. Working on getting this thing ready for release. Any day now!

A bit of confusion...

2010-10-07T17:42:00.003-04:00

It has been brought to my attention several times that some were under the assumption that I had a publisher for my book, No Redemption For The Dead.

I want to make it clear that I never was officially approached for my book. I did have a couple of publishers express interest in it and told me to forward it to them when it was completed. Much time has passed since then, and that opportunity is now I fear, water under the bridge.

I've also had friends who have offered to help me with the book. One person started and then it fizzled out, as she is working on her own writing. Another I'm still waiting on. I will wait only just so long before I go ahead and hit up CreateSpace. I had plans of having this book out by Halloween due to the fact that I've been working on this book for four years now, and been ill for two of the years I've worked on it. My family and friends, as well as a few loyal fans have been waiting on it for a long time. I just want to get it out already.

But I just wanted to be clear that I never officially had a publisher for my book. I never stated such, and I'm sorry for the confusion. I will still strive to put out as much of a quality piece of work as I possibly can. And I hope that my readers will enjoy the book as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

Thank you,
~Robin

Holding off the release for just a bit...

2010-10-03T14:49:00.002-04:00

I have someone who requested to read the full manuscript of NRFTD, so in light of this I'm holding back the release. I could always use one more pair of eyes, and this person is a pro. Could it lead to possible publication? Who knows but I'm happy to have been requested and offered some help with it. It means a lot to me and if this means a delay than so be it.

I do apologize to those of you who have been waiting for No Redemption For The Dead. It is coming soon, I promise!

Getting close to that time!

2010-09-16T10:19:00.003-04:00

I am down to one more month before the official release of my first zombie novel, No Redemption For The Dead!

Exciting times, but also scary times. Of course I am nervous, and anxious, as well as nauseous, LOL! I've learned that putting a book together is nowhere as simple as it seems and on top of all of that I worry that in the end nobody will be interested.

I supposes all of this nervousness is normal and part of the package. I guess all writers go through this. But did I mention exciting too? Yes I did. Exciting because FINALLY after so many years of starts and stops with this book I get to see it in print! And in the end it was a great learning experience for me, as well as it has been a lot of fun writing the book. Although at the time there were a few times that I grew frustrated with doing it, writing I mean. Toward the end block hit me hard, and I envisioned several different endings for my book, but none seemed to be what I was looking for. Luckily I was able to work it all out as I edited.

I hope that you readers will be satisfied with the result. I'm pretty sure that I have enough action, gore, and suspense rolled into this one to do it justice. I think you all will enjoy it a lot.

No Redemption For The Dead is scheduled to be released for Halloween. Hot on the trail of AMC's The Walking Dead series, MTV's The Real World In Zombieville promo, and Resident Evil Afterlife. Zombies are hot again! Help to keep the ball rolling by getting my book!

Thank you!

~Robin

Do you love roller derby? I DO!!!

2010-09-08T19:39:00.004-04:00

And here's why. If only it was still like this...

Today's flat track action is pretty tame by comparison. I wish the old days were still here. Of course there are banked track teams, but the game has changed so much. I still love derby to death, and plan on getting involved in the coming season, but I gotta say it, I miss the old days of derby.

My two favorite teams to cheer on are the Penn Jersey She Devils and the Jersey Shore Roller Girls. Both are flat track although the She devils follow Old Skool Derby Association rules, and Jersey Shore are Women's Flat Track Derby Association rules. My friend Allison Salenetri, aka "Hot Rod Hussy" is often in the penalty box due to transitioning between the two different rule sets. OSDA is a little more lenient compared to WFTDA when it comes to penalties. She started with the former team and now is with the latter. I'm confident that Hussy is going to get it together and stay in the game more often in the next season. She is getting better and better with each bout. It must be hard to switch from the old rules to the new rules.

BTW, Judy Sowinski (featured in the video)now coaches the Penn Jersey She Devils. She was Hussy's original coach. Judy is actually one of the sweetest ladies you could ever meet. She boosts you up and makes you feel empowered. And she's still a tough cookie. Sweet, but tough, LOL! Judy is an inspiration!

Slow shambling zombies or the super fast sprinters?

2010-09-06T09:45:00.003-04:00

I was watching George Romero's Night of the Living Dead the other day (for the millionth time) and wondered to myself, Which is the better zombie, fast or slow?

In NOTLD the cemetery zombie was pretty quick. He shambled but put up a heck of a fight with Johnny, knocking him unconscious against the edge of a grave marker. I kinda got the impression that Johnny turned out to be a pussy after that brawl, considering he was fighting a slow shambling zombie, and an old guy at that. Johnny was a young punk. He shoulda been able to handle the zom.

In NOTLD they are slow, but also use tools, so lack of speed was substituted with a tiny leftover bit of intelligence. You also see this with the cemetery zombie, using the stone to break open the window of Johnny's car to get at Barbara. Later you see the zombies use other tools such as large sticks to bang on the walls and doors of the farmhouse. You also see a zombie eating an insect. That one didn't make much sense but hey, whatever.

In the recent Zack Snyder remake of Dawn of the Dead the zombies are fast. They can run tirelessly after you and you better move quick and have a plan of escape or they will get you. THANK GOODNESS that they do not know how to use tools.

The thing that gets to me is if there are running zombies, then the ability to survive is greatly hampered, and you'd have a much less chance of making it in that scenario. Sure, you could hole up somewhere for a little while, but once you ventured outside for supplies you'd be toast!

Slow shamblers give a sense of hope. They give you the ability to fight back and try to get things under control. In NOTLD they had things under control in one night. Martial Law was put into effect, rescue stations were set up, the national guard was deployed, and roving bands of militia helped out too. In DOTD, there was no hope. Everything fell within a matter of hours. There was no time to get things under control on a national scale. It was basically fend for yourself.

I prefer the slow shamblers because it is an easier story for me to work with. Some prefer the runners because they like the fast paced action scenes and nihalistic tone. In my friend Zach Recht's Morningstar Strain series, you get a combination of both; sprinters while they are still alive but infected, but then when they die, you get the slow shamblers. I highly recommend both Plague of the Dead, and Thunder and Ashes. These books are top notch, and the third is going to be released by Permuted Press in the near future. RIP Zach.

To each their own, I guess. Fast or slow, we all have our preferences. Mine just happen to be the classic Romeroesque slow buggers.

~Robin

Are Felicia, Pee Wee and other characters based off from real people?

2010-09-01T09:00:00.004-04:00

The short answer? YES.

They're not exact copies of actual individuals that I know, but a little bit here and there. Something that inspired me, someone who meant a lot in my life.

Do I know something about actual drug usage/users, yes. Anyone who really knows me in real life knows my story, what I've had to deal with, the people who shaped my life, and were around me back in the day. The city I live in, and the city I live near both contain neighborhoods that are rife with drugs and prostitution. It's easy to know somebody who might be involved in such behavior.

Do I know about abandonment and other psychological issues? Yes again. My own life hasn't been easy and there has been lots to draw from, although the story is not based on my own personal experiences. As someone wise once said, write what you know. I know a lot about what is in my novel. Interesting stuff, even without the zombies thrown into the mix.

I do know a Felicia, and a Pee Wee. I do know people who live like that and know there are many more out there. Some are able to move beyond all of that, some can't. I feel for people. I know and understand their suffering. I hope that those who are suffering still can eventually find their own peace and redemption. It's a rough world out there.

New Sample, not a whole chapter

2010-09-01T08:54:00.001-04:00

Escape had to be the answer. But how? How was Felicia going to get strong enough physically and emotionally to attempt such a thing? She knew deep inside that nobody was coming to rescue anyone. It had been a little over two months since the last time the military had come through. That was two months since the water and electricity had been shut off. Nobody was coming back for Felicia.

Felicia gasped at the last thought. The one thing she couldn't do was lose hope. Without hope she couldn't have the courage to make it through. Felicia tried to banish all bad thoughts from her mind. Instead she tried once again to focus on her grandmother's religious teachings. She knew that she shouldn't have lost faith. The Lord would be with her and protect her as long as she stayed true.

Felicia felt the comfort of her grandmother's love wash over her. She remembered how her grandmother had taught her to pray for forgiveness, and so she began;

"Padre nuestro, que estás en el cielo,
santificado sea tu Nombre;
venga a nosotros tu reino;
hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día;
y perdona nuestras ofensas,
como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en la tentación;
mas líbranos del mal."

She prayed the Our Father, and ended it with a simple amen.

Never before did Felicia feel so at peace. For the first time she felt liberated from all of her sins, all of her misgivings, and finally she felt comfort in giving up her trust and faith in the Lord. He was her savior and it brought her great strength. To be delivered from evil, this was her greatest hope. That she could survive through this apocalypse. Felicia finally understood where her abuela got her strength and her perseverance. Felicia understood that she didn't have to always agree with her grandmother's decisions or actions, she just had to trust in God. This was what was missing in her life. All Felicia needed was faith. Perhaps she would find redemption yet.

Dedicated to my husband Rey...

2010-08-29T09:46:00.002-04:00

After 17 years we married, this is our 18th year together.

AMC's The Walking Dead!

2010-08-26T08:50:00.003-04:00

I can't pass up the opportunity to share this with all of my fellow zombie fans! AMC is debuting a 90 minute episode on Halloween Eve, 9 EST. I've been looking forward to this ever since I first heard of it. By the looks of the preview, it's gonna be great! The special effects makeup looks perfect and it has just the right amount of spookiness to get the heart racing!

I seriously can't wait for this!

Checking and re-checking!

2010-08-17T08:40:00.002-04:00

I was afraid that my cover art image was going to pixelate and look all wonky when it gets expanded for the cover because I don't have the original image. I had lost the email that it was sent and I haven't been in contact with the artist for a long while. He seems to have disappeared for a bit.

Anyway, I decided to test it by resizing it in photoshop to see how it looks. Generally when I do this with other images they start to get fuzzy. You can only enlarge them so much. But luckily the image I have is large enough that even when I resize it beyond the parameters necessary for the cover it still looks clear.

So that is one less worry for me!

Now I need to find somebody who knows how to format manuscripts for publishing! (Well, after I have all the editing completed, but yeah...heh heh.)

I wish I knew what the HELL I was doing. This stuff ain't easy!

That's all folks!

2010-08-12T15:17:00.003-04:00

Yep. 20 chapters of No Redemption For The Dead...at least that's all that's all that will be published to my blog. 20 chapters only represents about half of the story. There's so much more but if you're curious then you'll just have to purchase my book come Halloween time. That's right, NRFTD is going to be released for Halloween as I've felt it should for years now. Fall is a good time to start getting into relaxing with a good book during the chilly nights all snuggled up in front of a warm fire, or an electric heater whichever have you, LOL! It's my favorite time of the year at any rate.

On another note I'm still using the "Zombie Diva" moniker and in fact will be "branding" it for conventions, merch, whatever. It's a cute name for us female zombie lovers, and I've been known by that name for years. so if you stumble across some really cute T's at a con bearing the name Zombie Diva, they'll probably be related somehow to me. Unless somebody is trying to steal my divaliciousness, that's always a possibility, HA!

In the coming year you will also see the release of my Divas of Horror charity anthology, and my graphic novel Amazombies. After that there are two more tales coming down the pike, one a vampire tale, and one a shape shifter story.

On a final note, my condolences to those who are out of work or are severely affected by the shake up at Leisure Books. The writers who now have to change their model or get left behind are up for some rough times ahead, having been used to working with a mass market publisher. A good option is self publishing through Createspace and paying yourself, like a lot of the most successful up and coming authors are doing right now. So what if you have to work a day job along with the writing? That's what most of us have been doing all along. I know I never planned on being a full time writer, how boring would that be?

And to that certain somebody who said we didn't deserve to sit at the same table with him? Well guess what? There might be room at the kiddie table since there's so many of us who've set our own places since we were excluded the first time around. But you can surely continue with your past success and do better than all of us, so I wish you Good luck! We can all have fun with this, and it is certainly interesting times we live in. Writing for me has always been about having fun, not making the money. That's what the day job is for.

Panic setting in!

2010-08-07T14:00:00.002-04:00

I have only two months to go before I meet my publishing date and I'm in panic mode! Although the story is complete, I'm still working on the edits to No Redemption For The Dead. On top of this, I still need to run it past another editor, as well as format it and hope that the cover art will work since I cannot find the original files. (It should be in an email somewhere tucked away.)

At any rate I'm starting to get really nervous about my abilities as a writer and storyteller. I worry that the whole thing will suck and that I rushed it in order to get it out. I've never been good with setting goals and seeing them through without allowing myself plenty of time. I didn't expect to have so much of my personal time sucked up by additional medical concerns. I really thought I was in the clear to move on this story. Then I had another hospital visit that sucked three weeks out of me. Oh well, I guess I just have to push myself and hope my editor can help me clean this book up! I'm not so confident that I can complete it all on my own.

At least I have friends who keep encouraging me and new followers and friends from online who are liking what I've posted so far. I just have a hard time believing the enthusiasm, and only hope that the final product is good enough to live up to the standards I've set for myself. I guess I've got to relax a little though. I don't know. I'm just so nervous about everything right now!

I still have a little over a hundred and thirty more pages to edit. Plus I'm cleaning up and adding additional content, so it'll end up being around three hundred pages, or slightly under. Hard to say, what with all of the deleted scenes and new stuff. I feel like I'm hacking it with large shears. I hope I don't make this too ugly, LOL! I guess that explains another reason why I'm so nervous. But it is necessary. I'm just simply afraid of the unknown, I guess.

I've found some lost pics from the Pittsburgh Comicon 2007

2010-07-28T13:25:00.006-04:00

I've gone through 3 computers in the last 5 years, and due to my lapse in memory, I forgot to save some photos that were important to me. BUT, I must say I've found them again and I'm very happy about that! I'm posting them to this blog to make it easier to find them again in case I lose them again for whatever reason!

Here's Lennie Lies and I at the Pittsburgh Comicon in 2007:

Me signing autographs...why I do not know, but I had fans, LOL!

Me and my Dawn of the Dead peeps. These guys really look me out!(Clayton Hill, R.I.P.)

Anyway, I'm happy to find these and I hope it doesn't come across as vain but at least I'll know where to find them again if they get lost again. Please bear with me!

Anthem For Dissent

2010-06-19T14:05:00.004-04:00

United in fear we trade freedom, our prize for the Patriot Act as united we securitize

United in power over patriarchy, we misogynize

United in self-righteous arrogance, we imperialise

United in degenerate genital mutilation, we circumcise

United we consume and spend, and, united, we capitalize

United in greed we exploit, as united we multinationalize

United we commit economic suicide as, united, we globalise

United in beligerent violence, we waste trillions as, united, we militarize

United we massacre millions and think we're so brave, united we fantasize

United we bomb, destroy, maim, mass murder, slaughter and terrorize

United in massive denial we look the other way, as united, we atrocitize

United in 'might makes right', we dominate and, united, we hegemonize

United we pillage the third world and then, united, we moralize

United we covet their resources and, united, we monopolize

United in total denial we deny that, united, we brutalize

United we believe without question the star spangled propaganda our leaders so unceasingly televise

United we, so very obediently, swallow the many fabricated red white and blue lies

United we're so blind, with closed eyes except wide-eyed Ashcroft spies

And in the many resource rich countries that, united, we occupy and we colonize, and united we impoverish and victimize

Yet another corporate billion is pried and yet another heart broken mother cries and yet another star spangled bomb drops
And yet another innocent child heinously dies

Yet another example of united we collateralize

Just U.S. business as usual, as united we privatize

United we stand completely deranged
Global terrorist in our 'freedom and democracy' disguise

As united we stand apathetic and complicit in American terrorism
As united we turn on TV to de-sensitise

As united we stand in massive denial
As united we ignore the innocent pleas of the innocent ones we exterminate
As united we stand inanely pledging allegiance to the flag of facist terrorism
As their blood on it dries

As united we stand, surrendering our freedom to the real 'axis of evil' Corporation, CIA, and Military guise

As united we stand with our heads in the sand, as the American Fourth Reich is born
And freedom dies

As united we stand so comfortably numb and deniably dumb
That united we don't have sense to realise

That united we stand on the brink of the New World Order totalitarian police state
United we are so......Blind

By Dacajeweiah "Splitting The Sky"

Back on track

2010-06-08T17:42:00.002-04:00

Alrighty, I'm baaaaack!

Completed editing on a few more chapters and will post them up soon. I've been in and out of the hospital and Dr's offices over the last week. Had an MRI scan done just this morning in fact! I will starting glowing in the dark fairly soon, I suspect....but I did get a lot of work done on the novel and for that I feel a great sense of accomplishment! And I'm still here kicking ASS dammit! So beat that! I feel really good.

I messed this up real good

2010-05-28T11:04:00.003-04:00

I'm sorry for the lack of updates. I wanted to post the rest of chapter 8 and continue but I messed something up when saving the new edits and now when I open the file it looks like gibberish to me. (Weird symbols and stuff, it is not opening correctly.) I have been able to open an older version of my story from about 2 years ago, but it does not contain the edits and new material I'd already completed. I'm back to square one if I can't figure this out.

I've had a good cry over this. Any other writer who's gone through this knows how traumatizing this can be. I remember a particular phone call from Bowie Ibarra at 2 am to me concerning a similar experience. He cried too. This shit sucks.

Anyway, I remember the basic gist of where I went with the new material, and hopefully I can get it back on track. I'll just have to rewrite that stuff and then add it back into that old file, and then go back over the whole thing and re-edit once again. At least I can open the old file to get to the continuing chapters, and I am thankful that I did start posting what I have up until the first part of chapter 8 here. That at least helps bring me a third of the way back up to speed. I have to look for the silver lining in this fiasco!

This is why I hate changing computers. I've gone through three since I started writing this. And with each new computer came a new Word program. I am currently using the latest Microsoft Office for Students at home. I had written the older stuff on a Wordperfect program. At least that is the file I am able to successfully open. The older versions of Word that the newer stuff had been saved to won't open correctly. I have no clue why.

I will get this together though. I am confident of that. I just have to shake off this sick feeling and push myself forward. I apologize to those of you who had been waiting for the next update. I will try to get it up soon.

~Robin

Lexington spits a few bars for redemption...

2010-05-05T20:08:00.002-04:00

Lexington is one of Pee Wee's crew. I introduce you to him early on in No Redemption For The Dead. Lex has talent and writes bars for himself and other rappers around the 'hood. Sometimes he dreams of hitting it big and escaping from the streets he calls his home. Like I said, he has talent but unfortunately dreaming isn't enough, and time runs out when the dead walk...

No Redemption By "Lexington"***

I stand my ground so it's hard to move me
I hold it down in this horror movie
I pray the lord don't try to screw me
'cause I need him and if I fall now I'm through

Ayo it's crazy the way we livin', real horror though
but I'ma make it cuz I'm hard, I'm from Harlem yo
I rake in the cake that I make from exposin'
the dope to the ones that wake but dey dozin'
but I use too so I shake when I'm jonesin'

otherwise I be like a lake when it's frozen
scared stiff cuz of all dez monsters on my block
but every time I see one I pop 'em on the spot
pop 'em in the top that's the key to survive
cuz it's hard to kill something that ain't even alive
put 2 up in his front and 3 in his side
and then hide down on Broadway and 135

Everyday I'm hidin' from dez flesh eatin' beasts
puttin' stress on my chest 'til I'm resting in peace
deceased
in a hard quest for the cheese
so my jobs always best in the streets

It's an uptown uprise surrounded by cannibals
losin' my hope is not part of the manual
so I'll always keep my head up, up in the clouds
think positive and careful I'll never be found

But the horse keep bringin' me down, I get weaker
I always get up to be down with Felicia
to help out when we around all dez creatures
but I wanna leave
straight slide like a visa

......

***A note:
Nobody knows what happended to Lexington. He left these bars written in a notebook that he always kept by his side to jot down bars as they came to him. These were the last words written. Why he left the notebook behind nobody knows? Perhaps he planned to return and finish his rhymes. He disappeared and was never heard from again.

***copyright 2010 By (Matt and Sal) for Robin Eduardo
This is an exclusive and original work. The right to copy, distribute, or adapt the work without legal permission by Robin Eduardo is prohibited.

Some stuff my friends have done for me...

2010-04-20T10:21:00.009-04:00

With the release of my wonderful friend Len Barnhart's Reign of the Dead: Outbreak looming on May 17th, Happy Birthday to me! Ha-ha! I look forward to seeing just how much of this excerpt remains. Len wrote and dedicated this to me 2 and a half years ago. Although we are both very happily married, Len will forever be my Chuck....at least in book form. Before anyone gets any bright ideas, Len and I are just really good friends, and he was the one who introduced me to Lenny Lies. (the machete zombie from Dawn of the Dead '78.) Through him I've met so many wonderful friends who have been a great support to me and have encouraged me to get my book out there!

Anyway, here is a sweet little nugget from a rough draft of Reign of the Dead: Outbreak:

Close to the door stood a woman with long jet black hair and coal dark eyes. She stood taller than Chuck who was only five-nine flat footed. Her breasts were full and pert, their nipples easily seen through the thin and skimpy nightie she wore.

She shuffled along slowly, leaned to one side. Dried blood caked the left side of her beautiful, ghostly face. Chuck watched, desirous of her in spite of what she had become.

"Jesus, look at this Duane."

Duane crept closer, "Yeah, I saw her."

"A zombie diva," Chuck whispered, "she's beautiful."

"Are you outta your mind, Chuck? She's dead, dead and rotting.

"How do you know they're rotting?"

"They smell bad Chuck. That's how I know.

"I'd do her."

"You're a sick bastard."

"You can stand there and tell me you don't think she's hot?" Chuck asked.

"She's room temperature Chuck... room temperature. What's that tell you?"

"She's outside temperature."

"Jesus Chuck."

Chuck moved closer. "Where have you been all my life beautiful?"

"Get away from the door Chuck, they'll see you."

"The glass is tinted."

Chuck put his face to the door and licked a trail of saliva a foot long up the glass in front of her.

As if on cue, she lunged forward, crashing into the door. Chuck fell backward into the room and landed on the floor and out of sight once more. The woman continued to paw at the door, still retaining an image in her mind of Chuck's face there.

"I told you dammit!" Duane shook his head ruefully. "You're going to get us all killed!"

"See?" Chuck said and grinned, ignoring Duane's outburst, "She wants me."

"She wants to eat you... and not in a good way."

***I've long considered this scene being a sort of crossover between his and my books, due to the fact that both take place in Manhattan and I feature a female lead zombie in my own story. I see her as sort of being in the first days of her reanimation, making her way uptown toward my story's location. Unfortunately the clothing doesn't match up...oh well. But I still think this is awesome!

*************************************************

My good friend Glynn Barrass was inspired to poetry and thusly created a wonderful tribute to moi! It appears in the March 2008 issue of Murky Depths Magazine with wonderful color artwork by Luke Hinchley. Murky Depths is a magazine out of the UK and can be found in bookstores, comic shops, and online here:

www.murkydepths.com

Here is the artwork by Luke Hinchley

************************************************

And of course I would be a bad girl not to even mention the artwork done by my friend Christian Dovel who later went on to do a few covers for Permuted Press. Dovel put up with a lot of crap from me when designing my cover art, because I kept changing things up on him. The man deserves a medal! He has also done some fantastic fan art as well for both Zach Recht and myself a few years ago. I really dig this guy's style!

Fan art:

Cover art:

Thank you new followers!

2010-03-26T09:40:00.002-04:00

In the past week there's been a number of new followers to my blog, and I just wanted to personally say thank you and aknowledge you all for what you do in your blogs as well!

There have been artists, horror film buffs, and other writers who have stumbled upon my little internet journal of sorts, and I have found that by visiting their own blogs I have discovered a veritable wealth of new material for me to peruse and enjoy! I encourage my readers to please check out my followers list to the right of my blog and see what treasures you may find to tickle your fancy! I assure you, there's a LOT of talent floating out there on the internetz!

AN UPDATE:

I will also post some more of my "baby", No Redemption For The Dead in the next blog update. I've received several requests for more story, so I see no harm in that. It may be only a few short pieces though, due to the fact that I plan on publishing this in the VERY near future. But there's nothing wrong with a teaser or two, right? At any rate, I hope you find my story to your satisfaction. I deliberately attempted to do something different with it while remaining true to the old skool "Romeroesque" slow shamblers. You will not find any cliched material, and in fact I intend to make you believe in zombie literature again. I know it's been getting a bad rap in the last few years. No wonder when you have a bajillion zombie books being released in order to cash in on the craze.

I promise you, I started writing No Redemption For The Dead a loooong time ago, go ahead and google it! I didn't rush to get it out. Some people have negatively commented on this fact, but my reply to the naysayers is you do what you think is best, and I'll do this how I think is best. I believe that there is a lot of truth in the term QUALITY over QUANTITY. While everyone is rushing to pad their writing credentials, I've been sitting back and observing, trying to learn what I can about what works and what does not. I hope I've got it right. I'd like to think so. I guess we'll see? I'm pretty confident though that my offering will get you juiced about the zombie genre once again!

Watch for the new additions to be posted to my blog in the coming weeks. And please do let me know what you liked about it, or what you'd like to see improved. I'm all about pleasing my readers! THANK YOU!

~Robin

I guess I made an impression!

2010-03-02T05:12:00.004-05:00

I received a phone call last night from a gentleman named James Emler I met at Zombie Fest 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was a photographer that was documenting the festivities at the convention, and approached me and asked if he could take some pictures with me. I had just finished up an interview that Ken Foree had set up for him and I for some film students from Carnegie Mellon, and it did seem that the last Sunday of the convention had been very busy and lucrative as well. I was all about the networking and making good business contacts that year! At any rate I posed for the photos, and talked with James a little bit, giving him my contact information and a bumper sticker that I had made up to promote my book. After that he faded into the blur of activities that were going on around me. The last day of a convention is always a busy one for me, as everyone is scrambling to get in their last minute elbow rubbing and making sure that they've exchanged business cards and phone numbers. (Obviously this is not between the fans and guests, I'm describing the inside track.)

Anyway, James called me last night and stated that he was going through some of his stuff and came across my contact information that I had given him, and wanted to touch base with me to see how things were going with No Redemption For The Dead. I explained that there had been a delay due to some health issues I was going through, but that the book was actually completed and presently was going through another round of edits; this time with a professional editor in preparation for publication. He asked me a few more questions about what inspired me to write and who were my influences, etc.. He even asked me if I had any asperations of being a professional writer, but I shut that one down quickly and explained that for me I could never be a professional writer, no matter if my book became a success because I am too impatient and distract easily. As an artist I am constantly changing up the different forms of media in which I use to express my creativity, and that is why sometimes it takes a while for me to fully complete a project. I sometimes set one thing aside for months or even years to work on something else.

If I were to be a professional writer I'd never make any money at it. Mainly because you'd have to crank out a few books a year, and that's just not me. I also explained to James that I did have other writing projects that I was outlining now, but that I can't even be sure that I'd consider doing a sequel to No Redemption For The Dead. And I'll let a little bit of the cat out of the bag here, just the tail, but the way No Redemption For The Dead is written I can't really see a sequel. I'm sure it could be done but you'll understand more when you read it. The story really is meant to stand alone. At any rate being a real writer, one who earns a living from it, well I just don't see it being in the cards for me. James said he could understand that after I explained all of the other stuff I've got going on. I mean sure, I'll make some money, no doubt. But I'm not going to be paying my mortgage off with it! I told James that honestly my writing is meant to simply be shared with others who are into the horror genre like me. I work hard at it and want to put out something that I can be proud of. I explained to James that this is why it is taking me so long as well. A good writer doesn't just throw something out there. It SHOULD take more than just six months or even a year to write a book that is worth reading.

At any rate, James and I ended our conversation with him promising to forward the photos he took from Zombie Fest, and he said he was really looking forward to reading No Redemption For The Dead and cannot wait for its release. So I guess you could say I made an impression. To have someone come back and reach out to me after over two years in order to check on the status of my book means I've done well, I've made a fan out of a casual contact and that alone made me feel good. I won't let James down, nor any of the other many new friends I've made over the years who have been waiting for No Redemption For The Dead to come out. I'm sorry it has taken this long! But it's coming, coming very soon!

The website will be ready in a few weeks, and a forum. (I've been working on this since last December!) Everything will be posted up here so watch for that.)

Thank you so much for reading my blog. I appreciate it so much. I'm sorry for being such a slow poke!
~Robin

My other writings...Erotica

2010-02-27T19:28:00.005-05:00

What is erotica? What is the definition of "erotic"? Eroticism is an aesthetic focus on sexual desire, especially the feelings of anticipation of sexual activity. It is not only the state of arousal and anticipation, but also the attempt through whatever means of representation to incite those feelings. Which takes us to the definition of erotica, which is specifically works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions.

Some have asked me about my erotic musings. Yes, I do dabble in writing erotica. I know that it is fairly well known that I write horror, primarily vampire or zombie related material. But a select few are aware of my other creative efforts, such as my drawing and painting, and photography for example. An even smaller segment have been privy to other work, my more private work. I write what I know. What I feel.

Not everything I write is for publication, or even for public consumption, but here is a piece that has never been finished. It is just something that came to me one lazy afternoon. It's certainly not my best work, just a little taste of where my mind sometimes wanders.

Obsession, desire, hunger, longing...
That heat down deep inside, my thighs quivering and moist, licking my lips, running my hand through my hair, daydreaming, wishing you were right here with me in this moment. Can others tell what is going on in my mind? I know that I get pretty distracted. So much so that the whole world stops and waits for me, my heartbeat ticking off the moments until I can be alone and indulge in my fantasies. Thinking of you, biting my lip as I sit there lazily gazing out of the window, not really taking in the view. Crossing and uncrossing my legs, the slight friction sending delicious sparks of raw energy throughout my body.

Wanting you.

All senses shift just the slightest, sensations deepening, intensifying. I can taste you on my lips, I can feel your touch on my skin. My breath quickens and I'm in my zone, not caring about the outside world. My body aching for your touch, I imagine your face as I indulge myself. Your eyes looking into my eyes, our minds connecting. Can you feel me baby? I can feel you. Yes, I do believe that you can sense me pulling at you, calling you to me. Come to me...

Come to me. I cry out, your name softly cascading from my lips as I feel the room spinning and my body being swallowed up in velvet folds as I pleasure myself. I allow myself to get carried away with the rapture as I envision myself making love to you. I ride the waves of ecstacy toward the crest and I sing softly, groaning, pleading, singing falsetto notes to you, for you. I want you so bad baby, I want you, I want you, I..want...you.

Panting, pushing myself further, crying out, letting it out, I die a million deaths as I crash and explode into molten stars, my body falling away from my consciousness.

Can you feel me baby? I can feel you.

What is No Redemption For The Dead about anyway?

2010-01-04T11:38:00.004-05:00

Well to start with, it is a zombie novel I have been working on for a few years now, on and off. I initially started posting it up bit by bit on a messageboard as a fun little exercise. I didn't have any intention of publishing it but to just share it with some of my other friends who were into zombie/post apocalyptic fiction. I had been introduced to the idea of serializing my story from reading other's work online, such as J.L. Bourne's Day By Day Armageddon on his website http://www.tacticalunderground.us , Len Barnhart's Reign of the Dead on http://www.homepageofthedead.com , and Z. A. Recht's Plague of the Dead (formerly The Morningstar Saga) on www.themorningstarsaga.com .

Originally these guys weren't posting their stories up with the intention of publishing their work either. We were all in the same boat, simply zombie fans who loved to write. Creative people tend to find many different ways to express themselves. Some may be artists, or musicians, or theatre geeks. I've met film makers, and dancers, actors, and artists of all persuasions who LOVE the horror genre simply because of the many ways you can play around with it. So it is only natural that we all kind of gravitate to it and seek out each other's work to further explore what it has to offer.

Anyway, I stumbled upon these excellent pieces of fiction and thought to myself, why not? I wanted to try my own hand at writing within this genre and although I have been writing all my life I'd never tried to write a zombie story. Mainly because I thought everything had been done already. I didn't know what else I could offer, and was afraid of it being "cliched". I mean really when you think about it, the basic formula consists of the undead rising, survivors barricading themselves in for protection, a couple of battles and some feasting scenes, and then the eventual escape and happy ending, or not...

Of course many have tried their hand at reinventing zombies in order to change things up a little. There's been various explanations given for the dead reanimating, and even their behavior has been switched up in order to keep things "fresh" and offer something different. There have been running zombies, talking zombies, thinking zombies, zombies with a conscience, zombies that can drive cars and seek revenge, and even zombie animals! There's been voodoo zombies, possessed zombies, alien mind control zombies, biologically infected zombies, radiation zombies, and living zombies! Zombies have been portrayed in so many ways it is mind boggling and if you think you have a new way of presenting them, think again! It has probably already been done before. TRUST ME.

So, what could I do to create something different?

I am a consumer and buy a lot of books. I read a book a week on average, often I devour them in a day or two. In between purchasing new books my passion for reading has led me to check out flea markets, yard sales, and online in order to get my fix. I can't always afford to buy a brand new book as often as I'd like and frankly, I've regret paying full price for the occasional stinker. But I do read as much as possible and I know what I like and don't like. Sometimes it's not even a case of not liking but as I mentioned before, the story has brought nothing new to the table.

I will admit that I still prefer the classic "Romeroesque" mindless shamblers. I have enjoyed other takes, but in the end I find my preferences are still very much old skool. So I thought to myself if this is the case, then how can I create something different than what is already out there? I realized that I can't. Not completely anyway. So I looked deeper, and came to the conclusion that I could stick to the basic formula BUT without using the same tired old tropes. What set apart the good stories from the not so good was the fact that they focused on a great human interest story. I always came away satisfied when I felt connected to the characters on some level. I wanted to become immersed in the story, and let it wash over me and play out like a movie inside of my head. If a story helped to facilitate a sense of dread, hopelessness, intense fear, and touched me deeply on an emotional level, then THAT was the story that I placed on a higher ranking. And that was the kind of story I hoped to write!

So without further ado, (or to simply shorten this long assed explanation) I will tell you a little about No Redemption For The Dead.

No Redemption For The Dead is about a young Hispanic woman who lives in the Barrio, upper Manhattan in New York City. The neighborhood where she resides if rife with drugs, poverty, and often no hope for a better future. The young woman's name is Felicia, and she was abandoned by her mother, a street prostitute, to be raised by her grandmother. Felicia is surrounded by many negative influences, but by her grandmother's grace she struggles to survive and flourish amongst the filth and degradation. When a mysterious plague envelopes the city, mandatory evacuation is ordered and Felicia finds herself caught up in the ensuing horror and what she previously thought about her life circumstances as being bad was nothing compared to what she must now face. The story contains adult situations such as drug abuse, sexual and emotional abuse (including rape), extreme violence, language, and gore.

It is my wish to not only entertain you with a good zombie tale, but to explore the darker side of humanity. I hope to draw you into my character's lives and let you have a peek at the psychological impact such extreme living conditions can do to a person, and how often people are misunderstood. I hope that you come away from my story with a better sense of other's reality and of course, enjoy some good old fashioned gut munching action on the part of the zombies!

My story, No Redemption For The Dead is no longer being serialized online (as well as the others I mentioned above by my peers) but I do hope to see it published very soon. I may from time to time post a sample of it here. I cannot promise that the sampled scene will remain exactly the same, and if you do ever stumble across some of it elsewhere, I can ASSURE you that it is NOT the same since it has gone through several drafts over the past few years. I sincerely hope that you find it to your liking once it is finally released.

Thank you so much for reading my blog!

~Robin

Shhhhh, don't be afraid...

2010-01-02T19:39:00.000-05:00

...You are welcome here.

I created this blog to organize my thoughts, dispel some of my inner demons, and of course, to help keep everyone who might be interested updated on my writing progress, and other activities. I do attend a few horror conventions here and there, and I plan on stepping up my east coast appearances in the next year regardless of whether I have any books published or not. Aside from writing I also express my creativity through art, and have been known to throw together some wicked knick knacks and other paraphernalia. I will post photos at a later time, right now I'm just introducing myself to the uninitiated.

Over time I hope you get to know me a little better, and I get to know you as well. Please feel free to post comments and questions. I will be glad to answer all. Just one thing I ask of you is to remember that although my blog may contain "adult" content, there is a line that should not be crossed. Be respectful, and we'll get along just fine.

So, welcome to my blog. I hope to see you around more often.

~Robin