tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153709782025-06-08T08:12:22.920-04:00R.G. Male is a writer of horror, sci-fi, and miscellaneous dark fiction. See his chaos of thoughts on his craft, the industry, and his favourite hobby, pen and paper Role-Playing Games. Not to mention general train of thought.Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-74223029669432927712011-10-19T19:04:00.002-04:002011-10-19T19:05:07.102-04:00R.G. Male's Dark Corners <A HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rgmdc/2011-10-5-19.php#oct19-2011">has moved to a new home</A>. Expect all of the old posts to be moved soon. Sorry for the inconvenience, please don't mind the dust.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-18002039140380110752011-10-05T20:50:00.002-04:002011-10-05T20:51:13.391-04:00<P>Hello and welcome to the rundown of this year's 13 Nights of Hallowe'en. This year I decided on a single theme... remakes. Some people love to hate them, but I take them as they are. I will try not to talk too much about the originals if at all. I certainly won't compare them--I have somewhere else I want to do that when time permits a lengthier look. In a moment I will drop a link to the list of all thirteen movies. Hit your local video store, snail mail rental services or legal download service and watch along. If you felt like it you could start watching a night early and be in the know of some of the things I may hint at about the movies--plus you could watch whatever you wanted on Hallowe'en night.</P> <P>The title for each night and sales links to Amazon.com are over at <A HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/wraithstop/2011-10-4-4.php#oct4-2011">WraithStop&#153;</A> as per usual, with the actual nights' posts appearing here.</P> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-87801297622201807112011-09-07T20:16:00.000-04:002011-09-07T20:16:03.274-04:00I will not be posting again in September, while I work on some coding projects that need to get done. I will return in early October to preview the 13 Nights of Hallowe'en, and with some special news. Take care and see you all again then.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-16570576503712456592011-08-31T21:59:00.003-04:002011-08-31T21:59:49.119-04:00<P>I recently read a short article or micro-blog post about the scale of evil in fantasy role-playing game adventures and sessions. The question was asked why is everything on such a large scale? A necromancer raises an army of the undead, an entire world is threatened by the opening of a portal into a hellish world, and such grand and epic storylines. No one is going to say that these are bad plots or undesirable situations for players and Game Masters alike. However, where are the smaller plots? Where is the mad alchemist bleeding a unicorn for his magic projects? Where is the boy with some evil thing living in his cupboard? Where is the woman chained to an altar awaiting the sea monster to take her as a sacrifice to leave the village's fishing boats alone? Where are the myriad of small personal horrors and injustices waiting to be dealt with?</P> <P>The answer is they are wherever you want to come up with them and slot them into your game. That is if you are into that sort of thing. Not everyone wants to start from scratch. Not everyone needs to be a world builder. These intimate sorts of plots should crop up different places. Game designers that want to should get on this need. They can always be used as one shots, convention scenarios, side-stories, and whenever a diversion from the usual is needed. They can certainly come in handy for gaming groups to try out a new game. They would give a taste of what it is like without a lot of pre-preparation and actual game time to run through them. They can also be expanded; part of some larger storyline; or from the same game and author who constructed them so, strung together to form a complete storyline. So, if you design and author games and you are reading this, go make with the tippy-tap and garner yourself a wider audience.</P> <BR>Mood: relaxed. <BR>Music: P &amp; V by Anthrax and Strange Encounter by Steel Prophet. <BR><TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000C52FX/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0000C52FX"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/anthvol8.jpg" ALT="Anthrax: Volume 8" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000C52FX&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TGIC9U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001TGIC9U">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001TGIC9U&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E45SVC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001E45SVC"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/stlprdkl.jpg" ALT="Steel Prophet: Dark Hallucinations" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001E45SVC&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QZTPVE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000QZTPVE">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000QZTPVE&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-12003211945915811402011-08-24T20:22:00.002-04:002011-08-24T20:22:36.894-04:00There are a number of benefits afforded to extended and long-term narratives. The benefit is felt more strongly in the written word than in movies as far as series tend to go, frequently because of a singular author. Of course moving from the page to the screen can pass on those benefits. I have discovered a really nice benefit while writing the posts for the On Dark Rhoads™ blog that I did not anticipate, as much as it makes sense. I can introduce concepts, characters, and any idea I might like to add into the narrative at any point, without getting straight to the point of why it is there. I can hint at its importance, or I can say nothing and just let it stand. Silence on the point can add its own mystique as well. Then I can come back to it when the time is right and the savvy readers will know they've seen it before and have the kind of aha moment that just wouldn't occur or be possible any other way.<br /> <br /> This kind of foreshadowing is really appealing from this side of the process. It may not be quite so exciting for the reader, especially previous to the reveal. I just recently introduced a pretty important element to Josh's story in just such an offhand way. I'd like to think that it is mysterious too. People will read it and tell themselves that this simple, almost innocuously boring update has meaning that is not readily important, otherwise why is it there. The question then becomes can I, or any author in a similar situation, have superfluous posts? The answer must be yes. For starters, the idea of a red herring is reliant on giving information that is not actually important, at least to the true advancement of the story's main conflict, and to the characters beyond the time that it has proven false. By the way, the revelation was that Josh does vote for the hidden-evil political party.<br /> <br /> Mood: dramatic.<br /> Music: Street Justice by Twisted Sister and Top Jimmy by Van Halen.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00297FEUS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00297FEUS"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/tsstayhu.jpg" ALT="Twisted Sister: Stay Hungry (25th Anniversary Edition)" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00297FEUS&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DQFEH8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B002DQFEH8">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B002DQFEH8&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Y6O3/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00004Y6O3"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/vh1984.jpg" ALT="Van Halen: 1984" ALT="" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00004Y6O3&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O7SMLC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001O7SMLC">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001O7SMLC&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-272653264803427222011-08-10T21:10:00.000-04:002011-08-10T21:10:00.936-04:00When you have a setting with ghosts, poltergeists, and other paranormal goings-on in that vein, the next logical addition to the setting is people who investigate and or deal with such manifestations of the supernatural. There are essentially two types of groups who undertake these endeavours, though there is always the potential for overlap. There are those that take a scientific approach and those that take the metapsychical approach. Beyond, or aside, from the overlap of these two methodologies, is the conflict between the two, which can be further complicated by the deniers and debunkers of both. This of course ends with a messy four-way conflict, but therein lays some fun of its own.<br /> <br /> Since you are beginning with a reality base that includes the paranormal as witness-able fact there should be at least the beginning of a scientific basis for understanding it, even if the real hard science answers will not be found for many years to come. The science need not be clear, or widely accepted, or even very useful, but it should be there. Where there is a need for understanding, there will be people to pursue it. They will come up with answers that work for them, eventually. The same can actually be said of the metaphysical adherents too, they will find answers in the fashion that suits them. Since this is a fictional setting they can be just as correct and valid as the science-types, and often will be far ahead of the curve because they simply embrace the rules they see rather than trying to understand them at a level beyond utility. They also do not necessarily seek a rationale or explanation. <br /> <br /> Most of the scientific types will have commonly held beliefs about how the paranormal works. There can be some dissension, even some where groups have wildly divergent theories, but I would guess it is minimal. That said it is minimal in comparison to the myriad of occult system beliefs. There is no feeling of consensus behind these groups because they do not believe so firmly that there is only one reality. As soon as they witness the success of a group with a different belief they must admit there is more than one approach, which is unless they fall into the same category as the debunkers. Even though the metaphysic groups can see more than one method they too can believe their way is superior, or more morally true, or what have you that causes from polite disagreements up to vicious rivalries amongst them.<br /> <br /> Mood: expressive.<br /> Music: Satellite 15...The Final Frontier by Iron Maiden and Not A Dry Eye In The House by Meat Loaf.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JTHESA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B003JTHESA"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/imfrontr.jpg" ALT="Iron Maiden: The Final Frontier" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003JTHESA&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YP0BI4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B003YP0BI4">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003YP0BI4&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002OYB/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000002OYB"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/meatlnbr.jpg" ALT="Meat Loaf: Welcome to the Neighborhood" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002OYB&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V699E6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000V699E6">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000V699E6&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-66371183818987343292011-07-27T19:18:00.006-04:002011-07-28T00:37:43.026-04:00If you're new to this blog, or just to this particular topic I am writing a blog called <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/umbral/joshua/index.php">On Dark Rhoads&#153;</A>. It is the fictional account of Joshua Rhoads and the haunting of his house. It is more than that though. One aspect of the fictional world Joshua lives in is a fictional political party running the country. Another aspect to consider is Joshua is psychic and does not know it yet. Now, this is what I'm dealing with...<br /> <br /> Another decision point has come up in the Joshua's journey. I essentially have to make the decision before the fork in the road appears. Some interesting links have been brought to my attention that afforded some new tweaks to the still forming setting. Some of them have come up in <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/techstop/index.htm">TechStop&#153;</A> and others may make their way into there. They are not a part of the horror, but at the same time they do add to it and certainly many of them are not nice for people like Joshua. There is nothing to stop me from doing one thing in Joshua's stories and another in the game, but I would like to have that cohesion. So here is the decision to be made. There is the aforementioned political party with sinister intentions. Is it more compelling for Joshua to be aligned with them and learn of the dark side and reject it or to be opposed to them in the first place?<br /> <br /> It may be something of a cliché to be party to the party and then learn the error of his ways. They can only be visibly sinister to a small degree or otherwise they would not have the power and influence that they do. At the same time I do not believe there is some dark core pulling the strings but that it is more a matter of an overall dark outlook. Furthermore I intend for them to be the way they are for the good of others. It's not an intentional malevolence and they are not aware of the amount of harm they are creating or the hatred they foster. It's not about any particularly bigotry either--except for political party opposition bigotry where one party despises the other so thoroughly and thoughtlessly--at least not initially until events of other natures start them down that path. It is not a matter then for Joshua to just be readily aware of their malevolence.<br /> <br /> At the same time this party is hard line on a number of subjects, which draws a certain amount of ire from different factions, and a general disgruntlement from people who align themselves with the other parties. The drama is a little less starting on the side of right and removes added dimensions such as guilt over Joshua's former affiliations, and anger at first having indirectly been duped and then becoming victim to their burgeoning malice. There is nothing to stop Joshua's affiliation with the opposition party from having its own turmoil, including the party siding with the malevolent one on the topic of people like Joshua. Here what seemed right is no better, but has the option of it being possible to sway their opinion to a more moderate stance and embrace the approaching sea change for everyone's benefit. <br /> <br /> Mood: harried.<br /> Music: Trumpets Of Jericho by Bruce Dickinson and Death on Two Legs by Queen.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009NCPCE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B0009NCPCE"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/bdicchem.jpg" ALT="Bruce Dickinson: The Chemical Wedding" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0009NCPCE&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AKH9C6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001AKH9C6">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001AKH9C6&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UUKDHG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004UUKDHG"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/qenopera.jpg" ALT="Queen: A Night at the Opera" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004UUKDHG&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZJFH5K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004ZJFH5K">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004ZJFH5K&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-46093174067108406542011-07-13T15:27:00.000-04:002011-07-13T15:27:13.251-04:00Most people when they have to deal with a haunting can simply spend a day or night away from the haunted location. They can even move out and leave it behind forever. What happens when you are the one haunted and the disturbances occur wherever you go? That was the situation I hinted at last week. Since then I see two different scenarios. In one the haunting manifests itself physically and anyone may witness it. In the second only the person who is haunted sees the ghost. The physical scenario may have an apparition or not and the ghost seer's ghost may affect physical objects or not. There are a lot of options these open up for a character and its growth. With either scenario the haunted person is in for a terrible time and the haunting will take its toll. Each scenario has its advantages though.<br /> <br /> A haunting involving moving objects that can be witnessed by anyone is likely the more desirable of the two scenarios, if there is anything to be desired about the situation at all. It has the benefit of being verifiable by some at least. There may still be the ridicule of the uninitiated until they are affected by it directly. The degree of directness is variable and can be, in all cases, either finding objects moved when there was no one around to move them, or out of reach and no evidence of trickery to be found, up to actually seeing the object in transit. The disadvantage of course is that objects become misplaced, the phenomena seriously freaks people out, and it can be a case where people are injured by the haunting. The frequency and insistence can really wear on the subject of the haunting, and no amount of frustration, anger, or curses will dissuade a persistent poltergeist.<br /> <br /> People who are the only ones to see an apparition can hold themselves together and keep it a secret with a little practice. That in and of itself is a benefit to these kinds of occurrences, if they can pull it off. That is as long as there is no physical component to the haunting otherwise it is much as above except for the addition of the visual manifestation. There are the usual cliché responses to seeing a ghost that others do not see such as seeming crazy for reacting or worse interacting with nothing there. The ghost may be friendly or it may be wicked either in line with or at odds with its appearance. It's sudden appearance and activities may be just as dangerous as objects flying around. Consider the ghost appearing with a menacing shout at the top of the stairs or appearing in the middle of the road while driving. At least additional witnesses to a physical assault can step in and lend a hand.<br /> <br /> Mood: driven.<br /> Music: Timelessness by Fear Factory and Basket Case by Green Day.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000009CEM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000009CEM"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/fearfobs.jpg" ALT="Fear Factory: Obsolete" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000009CEM&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NS1T3K/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B001NS1T3K">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NS1T3K&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002MP2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B000002MP2"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/grenddoo.jpg" ALT="Green Day: Dookie" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002MP2&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011Z330C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0011Z330C">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0011Z330C&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-89821502953719831112011-07-06T19:29:00.001-04:002011-07-06T19:30:21.374-04:00I finally got my hands on Paranormal Activity 2 and watched it the night before last. Fear not, no spoilers, but for those on the fence, it is a prequel, not a sequel. That means it happens before the first movie. One last thing about the movie itself. I like the way that it works to lead into the events in the first movie. That's part of a topic for another day. The following has nothing to do with the movie in particular.<br /> <br /> Last time the discussion involved in part two different types of haunting, one of which was unintelligent and repetitious. Apparitions that are an echo of the past or simply repeating events in their life after their death are generally limited to a single location. It is an interesting question to ask, what if they could be attached to an object, or in a real twist, a person. I'm sure there is likely real life lore somewhere about haunted objects with only a residual haunting rather than an intelligent force. As to the other...<br /> <br /> One of the theories of repeat hauntings or echoes is that the nature and or structure of a location allows it to retain events and play them back when certain conditions are met. If a residual haunting was due to an anomalous energy source instead that energy might be attracted, like magnetism of a sort, to a living being of a compatible "polarity" such as any human. Such a person would then be haunted. This might not necessarily be enough for a haunting disturbance, whether poltergeist-like or with a looping apparition. It might be that only someone sensitive to the world beyond might witness the ghost or be plagued by moving objects. In a sense psychic energy from the human might be needed to fuel the haunting. It could make the difference between wispy half seen figures and ones indistinguishable from the living, or objects moved slowly in time versus hurtling through the air.<br /> <br /> Whether the residual haunting "works" when no one is around is another matter regardless off its attachment to a place or object. The old question of "if a tree falls in a wood, does it make a sound" comes to mind. As far as physics go, the answer is yes that the tree makes a sound. These witness only hauntings may be different at your discretion, especially when speaking of visual apparitions. A ghost might not appear without someone to witness it. It might be something that happens entirely in the mind of the viewer, in which case the ghost will not appear in pictures or on video. Likewise with no human presence objects will not move around. This would separate poltergeist phenomena into being the product of an intelligent haunting or as the RSPK/psychic phenomena. Of course there is always leeway on these ideas and multiple mix and match options are open to the writer.<br /> <br /> Mood: amused.<br /> Music: The Game Never Ends by Stratovarius and by Let Me Hear You Scream by Ozzy Osbourne.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004DTLK8A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B004DTLK8A"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/strately.jpg" ALT="Stratovarius: Elysium" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004DTLK8A&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IB0N0E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004IB0N0E">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004IB0N0E&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040WG058/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B0040WG058"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/ozzyscre.jpg" ALT="Ozzy Osbourne: Scream" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0040WG058&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QCNFN8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B003QCNFN8">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003QCNFN8&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-38849800178986870812011-06-29T20:21:00.001-04:002011-06-29T20:51:05.017-04:00Last time, we discussed imaginary friends that turn out to be not so imaginary. Yesterday at WraithStop&#153; while discussing an article titled <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/wraithstop/2011-6-7-28.php#jun28-2011">"Cold Spots: Fort Delaware"</A> I mentioned the "schism in ghost lore where there are photos of half seen figures not seen by the eye, but at the same time accounts of ghostly figures indistinguishable from the living until they disappear or do the impossible like passing into a wall." What I did not mention, because this is the more appropriate venue, is that there is a rules framework that brings together both of these elements and many others that don't necessarily seem to fit together. This does beg the question if it can just be that there are disparate haunting phenomena going on that do not interrelate. The answer is of course, yes, if you want it to be that way.<br /> <br /> First let's look at the theories that make for a cohesive set of rules for ghostly manifestations. It starts with the idea that much of it comes down to energy, and some of it to the will of the spirits in question. It starts with a ghost hanging around unseen, watching things happen. At this base state it may or may not show up in a photograph, depending on how much energy it has. When it has enough energy it becomes visible to the naked eye with the translucency depending on how much energy. Other acts such as telekinesis require energy and may or may not impact on visibility. A ghost with enough energy can chose to remain unseen or reveal itself to someone even if it has no control over its current photogenic quality. Overarching, this all may be dependent upon whether it is an active, intelligent, spectre or a residual haunting played on a loop, or not dependent on that criteria at all.<br /> <br /> It is certainly an option to have different kinds of ghosts and hauntings that each work off of their own rule sets with as much distance or overlap as desired. Poltergeists can be noisy mischievous spirits or they can be purely psychic effects of the living. Unintelligent hauntings can be echoes of the past or entities caught up in the energy of previous events. Intelligent ghosts can be earthbound spirits or conversely non-human spirits such as devils and non-corporeal species beyond our current understanding. There are other events that can be described as a haunting such as Shadow figures and people, doppelgangers, humans travelling astrally, black eyed kids and people, and watchers and thought forms, which are ghosts created by human belief. As with everything else your setting can incorporate whatever manners and meanings work for you. <br /> <br /> Mood: educational.<br /> Music: Thrills In The Night by Kiss and Wake The Dead by Alice Cooper.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000AF95/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00000AF95"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/kissanim.jpg" ALT="Kiss: Animalize" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00000AF95&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VZJNYS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000VZJNYS">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000VZJNYS&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049IHWNM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B0049IHWNM"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/acpracas.jpg" ALT="Alice Cooper: Along Came A Spider" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0049IHWNM&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SBLZ98/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B003SBLZ98">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003SBLZ98&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-31156867574744039702011-06-15T22:02:00.002-04:002011-06-15T22:02:39.776-04:00I was watching a video series of ghost stories told partly by a narrator and partly by witness interviews. One of those fine shows complete with creepy recreations and lots of mood inducing music. I think I had known about a couple of the cases. As often happens some of the cases involve families with children. In some of these tales, before the phenomena becomes too frightening and out of hand one parent, or both, will hear one of their young children talking to their new imaginary friend. Imaginary friends are a somewhat common experience in the grand scheme of parenting. At least we are led to believe this is true. I cannot say for certain if it is a reality. All children anthropomorphise their toys. They pretend that they have all sorts of adventures with those physical if inanimate friends. What then of those children that go the step further to a completely unreal playmate?<br /> <br /> I never had an imaginary friend of the non-corporeal type. I wouldn't want to say it was due to any lack of imagination. Real was real and imaginary was imaginary, but still better with something you could hang onto. Not to mention a friend that would not steer you into doing wrong and getting in trouble, because with that foreknowledge that pretend was only pretend you knew you were responsible for what if anything you imagined any particular toy saying. Now, you know this isn't a parenting blog, and not even really a nostalgia blog. The first line today also tells you where this is going. The child will have given their imaginary friend a name, and they tell bits of this friend's history to anyone who will listen. What comes as a surprise to the parents is that often the imaginary friend is significantly older than the child. This is the first warning bell.<br /> <br /> The ghostly phenomena will become more and more apparent. The parents fear will get worse and worse. It takes a lot though to push a family out of it's home because it is a massive financial burden otherwise and it effectively always has been. That means people will put up with a lot because the other option is to live on the street or have two mortgages until you can offload the haunted house on some other unsuspecting person. Remember, don't get publicity for having a haunted home then turn around and try to sell the house without disclosing the haunting or the law will get you. Invariably, in researching the house's history it will be discovered that a former occupant that died in the house has the exact name and details as the child's imaginary friend. Cue very natural and expected freak out... <br /> <br /> Mood: relaxed<br /> Music: Slick Black Cadillac by Quiet Riot and When The Wild Wind Blows by Iron Maiden.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005NNML/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B00005NNML"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B00005NNML&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=battespleepro-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005NNML&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00136JQEQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B00136JQEQ">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00136JQEQ&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JTHESA/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B003JTHESA"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=B003JTHESA&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=battespleepro-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" ></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003JTHESA&camp=217145&creative=399369" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YP0BI4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B003YP0BI4">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003YP0BI4&camp=217145&creative=399373" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-16493646971036865222011-05-04T19:42:00.000-04:002011-05-04T19:42:39.856-04:00Hi, I'm here to tell you that I will not be blogging here the rest of May. I have the usual yearly back-end cleaning and improving to do on my sites. I will be back in June. Thank you.<br /> <br /> While I have you here, I would like to thank everyone who helped with the Kickstarter for Amaranthine. You're help is appreciated not only by the producers of the game, but by me as well. Cheers.<br /> <br /> Mood: stressed.<br /> Music: Coming Soon by Queen and Black Lodge by Anthrax.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000000OAJ?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000000OAJ"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/quengame.jpg" ALT="Queen: The Game"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000000OAJ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00138KOTA?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00138KOTA">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00138KOTA" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000SXZ7C?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0000SXZ7C"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/anthsofwn.jpg" ALT="Anthrax: Sound of White Noise"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000SXZ7C" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018C2W7S?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0018C2W7S">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0018C2W7S" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-49970339560284764622011-04-27T20:11:00.001-04:002011-04-27T20:19:06.327-04:00Last week I talked about the forthcoming Amaranthine RPG from Machine Age Productions. Their <a HREF="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/machineage/amaranthine-a-roleplaying-game">fund raising initiative with Kickstarter</A> has surpassed the level required for the print run of the game. Now the additional funds will be put to use in producing an anthology of short fiction based on the game and setting. Meanwhile more information has come out regarding the game. Amongst the materials is an interview/discussion with <a HREF="http://www.bearswarm.com/episode-158-another-conversation-with-david-a-hill-jr">David A. Hill Jr. on the Bear Swarm podcast</A>. This interview covered topics and ideas that I did not get into previously. I wanted to point out a couple of items. The first was a line that showed up elsewhere discussing the game and the aspect David and I touched on regarding Amaranthine and success. The quote is "Amaranthine are measured on a scale of Batmen. The baseline is Batman." That's a pretty provocative idea.<br /> <br /> The second item that came up in the podcast was in regard to a post on the Machine Age site called <a HREF="http://machineageproductions.com/?p=546">"Determining Facts"</A> that describes a system of using declarative statements to outline the interactions between characters in the game as they happened in the past. The statements are broken into four groups with “I’ve always,” “I’ve once,” “I’ve sometimes,” and, “I’ve never.” This would cover relationships like I always kill you or I once loved you--and goes well with the Relationship Wheel. These statements can be used to structure current and future meetings between those characters. The article also talks about the story benefits of breaking these declarations, but I will let you read that over there. This framework of course is also be very useful in setting up how different characters will get along or not in your own works of fiction. Some authors have done this for years to varying degrees.<br /> <br /> There is one other bit that I didn't cover from my discussion of the game with David. He told me, "One of the things Amaranthine can do is sort of enchant people and make them sycophantic. So, many Amaranthine have followers, and little mini-empires. This means that indirect war is just as likely as rooftop battles." This ties in nicely with a point touched on in the podcast regarding whether average people know about the Amaranthine. The short answer is mostly no, they don't. This is because the Amaranthine are just the famous and powerful in the world. Their past lives and their extraordinary abilities are just a part of that indescribable je ne sais quoi these people have, or the root of that mystique.<br /> <br /> Just a heads up. I do not expect to post here for most of May. I'm taking my annual break for backend coding work on my sites, including this one. I may slip in one post or none. Follow me on Twitter to keep on top of when and where I post. I am <a HREF="http://twitter.com/#!/robertmale">@robertmale</A>.<br /> <br /> Mood: real.<br /> Music: Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper and Kiss From A Rose by Seal.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008PX8X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00008PX8X"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/cyndiles.jpg" ALT="Cyndi Lauper: The Essential Cyndi Lauper" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00008PX8X&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00136RVP2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00136RVP2">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00136RVP2&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002MMQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B000002MMQ"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/seal.jpg" ALT="Seal: Seal" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002MMQ&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QP7X1M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B001QP7X1M">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001QP7X1M&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-68316122031387540872011-04-20T14:11:00.000-04:002011-04-20T14:11:29.568-04:00Welcome to a very special edition of Dark Corners, please don't mind the extra length. Today I have a post collided with an almost interview with David A. Hill Jr. of Machine Age Productions, makers of Maschine Zeit--I hope to discuss that game later. David and the crew are running a Kickstarter campaign to <A HREF="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/machineage/amaranthine-a-roleplaying-game">fund the print run of Amaranthine right now</A>. Additional funds pledged will mean additional game materials will be available sooner and your pledge earns you items like copies of the game, and those bonus materials and products as per your pledge. I am very excited about this game. As the teaser says, "Leap across rooftops to battle the enemy you've fought fifty times before. You know that every time you meet, one of you will die. It cannot be you; in this life, you have too much to live for."<br /> <br /> Amaranthine is a role-playing game where the fabric of the setting, of the back-story of the characters, is heavily influenced by their past lives. One of the key aspects is something called the Relationship Wheel. When David and I began talking about Amaranthine I mentioned that I rarely touch on game mechanics here from a dice standpoint, but rather the effect. What it does for the story the GM and players are forming. David told me, "Almost every important roll in Amaranthine stresses a relationship." Of course this is apparent in the talks on the site, and he also summed it up well when he said, "The effect of the Relationship Wheel is really the important part anyway. The dice are just a mechanism to see that happens."<br /> <br /> The Relationship Wheel is part of a system that stresses escalation of conflict or tension, and the character interaction aspects in the game. My interest focused on the current effect this has on the characters within one life's cycle, as opposed to where it was in the past--if you will, a focus on the here and now of your game. It is built into the character's psychological make up to push their relationships, strain them... a good metaphor is pulling the bond your character has with someone important to them like an elastic band until it snaps back. Often it hurts your finger because you did it wrong. There's the pain when it hits, or it pulls too far and it breaks on both sides at once, half snapping back, the other half lashing out at the other end. When you get into love triangles or a conflict-à-trois--like I've previously discussed--then pulled or broken, if something was loaded in the elastic the question becomes what was it targeted at--intentionally or not--and what damage does that payload do?<br /> <br /> David said, "I like to look at it like Spider-Man and Mary Jane. As he goes swinging around on rooftops saving the world, it adds tension to their relationship. Sometimes, he needs to do specific things with her to really cool down that side of it."<br /> <br /> Also a part of the game is the idea that the Amaranthine do not do it just once. Even in a single lifetime they do it over and again even when they know it will hurt. I imagine they can't help it. It's hard to break a habit like that.<br /> <br /> Talking about how this also works with mortal--or really in this case practically immortal--enemies David told me, "It's sort of a fight or compliance with fate. Say I've killed you three times before. When we meet, and you remember that, are you going to assume I'm -not- fated to kill you? Of course you're going to assume it. So, you might try to kill me. It causes this vicious cycle, because then of course I'll attack back."<br /> <br /> In the <A HREF="http://machineageproductions.com/?p=485">first post describing Amaranthine</A> it was said that "Amaranthine isn’t about resolving conflicts, it’s about exploring them, creating them, fostering them, then watching them explode." I see this as especially true when we are talking about the meta-game level where players are working to push and strain, to create conflict, to add drama and get something out of it both as players, and for their characters/in-character. That's a fascinating aspect. <br /> <br /> In a bit of contrast David told me, "When I say we don't focus as much on success or failure, I mean to say Amaranthine are awesome. For the most part, we assume they'll win. Or at least, they -can- win if they're willing to put enough on the table. Really, we're more concerned about those kinds of hard decisions."<br /> <br /> I had to ask myself, what does the character get out it? Heartache is likely. Death is a possibility. I imagine as the cycle continues the highs become higher and the lows become lower--I touched on this in my haunting cycle of escalation two weeks ago (Don't Wear Us Out, Josh)--but what is being gained in the highs? On one hand if we're talking about personal relationships there's great sex, there's a strengthening bond. Professionally there are big deals, favours owed, mergers or coalitions, the benefit of more influential networking, etc.<br /> <br /> I asked David, do the Amaranthine become aware in their own way that they could build karma up to their benefit? Do the more villainous or mercenary amongst them escalate conflicts with their adversaries for the express purpose of getting the upper hand the next time around, whether, as David said, in direct conflict with that adversary or through undermining them via their associates?<br /> <br /> His answer was, "The karma question is one I've not touched on yet. It's something I've been thinking about. Fate and destiny are ingrained heavily into what Amaranthine is, so of course that's one way to look into it. We spend a bit exploring the weight of responsibility when you know more, and are capable of more than anyone else."<br /> <br /> Back to that first post on the Machine Age Productions site, there is a description of the Relationship Wheel as having two ‘neutral zones’ along the wheel, and a ‘hot’ zone and a ‘cold’ zone. ...if the wheel is for a lover, the hot zone might offer bonuses when trying to influence them. The cold zone might offer bonuses to resist a strong emotional response when they’re in danger. With a nemesis, the hot zone might offer a bonus to all-out, guttural attacks against them. The cold might offer bonuses to attacking their sycophants to indirectly harm them."<br /> <br /> All in all this looks like another fascinating game from David and the crew at Machine Age Productions. Again, if this game interests you please consider donating to the <A HREF="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/machineage/amaranthine-a-roleplaying-game">Amaranthine Kickstarter</A> for the print run and other materials.<br /> <br /> Mood: thrilled.<br /> Music: Infinite Dreams by Iron Maiden and Crazy by Aerosmith.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000063DI9/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B000063DI9"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/imssoass.jpg" ALT="Iron Maiden: Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000063DI9&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001BEE6LI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B001BEE6LI">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001BEE6LI&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005QENZ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B00005QENZ"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/aerogrip.jpg" ALT="Aerosmith: Get a Grip" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005QENZ&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VRQPPG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B000VRQPPG">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000VRQPPG&camp=217145&creative=399349" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-48860345656911473542011-04-13T19:18:00.001-04:002011-04-13T20:28:39.511-04:00I talked a bit more about the On Dark Rhoads blog over at Inchoate with <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/inchoate/2011-4-1-8.php#apr8-2011">"Gearing Up for the Rhoad"</A> and got into some technical and non-writing aspects like commenting and general blog shoptalk.<br /> <br /> Last time here we talked about pace and tension. What does it really mean in regard to the scare factor of the tale though? For that matter what does the format do to the scare? Certainly as much as horror is known for it scares, for leaving the audience creeped out if only for a little while, it is about the horrific too, obviously, but as a kind of milieu it is about the situations, beings, and the like that are horrific or monstrous. As such it doesn't always have to scare or horrify at least on the small scale--nor constantly either.<br /> <br /> A story about a haunting is a horror story even if you are not scared by it. Stories with monsters are likewise horror as well by virtue of the monsters, though this might require it not additionally being say a medieval fantasy story. It is a matter of degrees and a question of intensity. It is the outlook that matters. Monster heroes in a city will be urban fantasy for instance rather than horror if it lacks horror. It's all shades of grey as far as the presentation goes. Often what distinguishes horror from the other similar genres in this no man's land is how the unnatural elements affect the characters. This is especially true of horror role-playing games. The game need not scare or horrify the players per se, but the setting, the conflict, and the scenarios had certainly better present the characters with fear and horror or a sense of dread.<br /> <br /> I see the same delineation in horror fiction even as others insist the product, whatever it is, book, movie, or game, must frighten them or affect them personally to be successful and therefore count. As an example consider the movie Paranormal Activity. I don't mean to compare my haunting tale to it for either its admirers or detractors, but it is a good example from an illustrative viewpoint. Some who live with an actual haunting were dismissive of the bulk of the phenomena as not being scary enough to carry the horror. Others cannot fathom staying anywhere haunted and are floored by these kinds of movies. To bring it back to the original questions I would like the scare factor to be there. I would like nothing more that to have people, well, haunted, by the events, and suspicious of their own surroundings. Was that book where they left it? Wasn't that water glass on the right a moment ago where now it's on the left? At the same time it's okay if they don't do that, as long as the experience through reading the entries was enjoyable.<br /> <br /> Come back next week for a special post (instead of my usual day off) regarding a forthcoming role-playing game called Amaranthine from David A. Hill Jr. of Machine Age Productions makers of Maschine Zeit. David is running a Kickstarter campaign to <a HREF="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/386174176/amaranthine-a-roleplaying-game">fund the print run of Amaranthine right now</A>.<br /> <br /> Mood: relaxed.<br /> Music: Hotel California by the Eagles and Someone Else? by Queensryche.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YDDUJQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000YDDUJQ"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/eaglehtc.jpg" ALT="Eagles: Hotel California" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000YDDUJQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011Z78R6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0011Z78R6">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0011Z78R6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009L1UR/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00009L1UR"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/qrychprm.jpg" ALT="Queensryche: Promised Land" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00009L1UR" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KQEE64/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001KQEE64">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001KQEE64" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-64581891227273932672011-04-06T18:59:00.003-04:002011-04-06T19:00:54.231-04:00Last week I talked about the new Umbral Intentions fiction blog starring and written by Josh Rhoads. There was a couple of spoilers, one worse than the other. Just check back, I won't mention the worst one again if you want to know about it. There was a different discussion about the project over at Inchoate Ascendant titled <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/inchoate/2011-4-1-1.php#apr1-2011">"Don't Jump the Gun, Pants Kicker"</A> about the actual name of the blog. Since I may want to reference it here today you get to be the first to learn that the blog will be titled "On Dark Rhoads" and not Umbral Intentions--to confuse things worse, as also mentioned last week, the blog is for the This Mental Eventide RPG. Now with that out of the way...<br /> <br /> The topic of merit today--and this is the lesser spoiler from last time repeated--is pacing the haunting, or how to parcel out the ghostly events. Being a blog places constraints on the story I will be telling that have less to do with the story that they do with how blogging works. This is of course only on some levels. On others it doesn't impact the story itself. Here again I'm giving things away prematurely. The first order of business is setting up Josh. Who is he on the blog? This is something different than who he is in actuality. He could just jump right in with details on the haunting. That doesn't exactly establish him as someone the blog reading public should believe. So, he begins with an introduction followed by a couple normal slice of life style posts. From there he begins to tell his past encounters and then get into posting about them shortly after the fact.<br /> <br /> This second stage of story telling is where the issues begin to crop up. First, the blog is scheduled for <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/deaddays/calapr11.htm">Saturdays</A>. Obviously all of the haunting incidents will not happen on just Friday or Saturday. This brings about issues of immediacy, and plays into tension. This is a matter intrinsic to blogging versus real-time interactions like Twitter and Facebook streams. It's just like news reporting where you chose an in-depth look versus greater timeliness. The length of each blog post is a further limit--they tend toward the shorter, especially shorter than full scenes in a short story or novel. There is a certain concision and economy. Another issue is that not every post should be about the haunting. This is important to avoid overload or desensitisation to the creepy goings-on. It also plays into the other important factor.<br /> <br /> There is also the matter of pacing the haunting itself. It will progress, it will get worse, and more harrowing as time passes. The haunting must escalate. It will have its highs and its lows as far as the amount of activity. It may be cyclical, or it may be dependant on outside factors such as witnesses. Both will be true actually. Then at the same time the lows will be less frequent and less of a reprieve. Likewise the high activity occasions will be more frequent and more extreme.<br /> <br /> The idea that witnesses impact the haunting is typical of real cases, especially when said witnesses are intrusive paranormal investigators who come along and disrupt the haunting either with their equipment, their presence, and most often because the entities responsible for the haunting are shy and do not wish to perform for strangers. There are however different new witnesses who can be brought into the situation who have no detrimental effect on the haunting and in fact encourage it as much or more as the original target. That's all I'll say for now.<br /> <br /> Mood: teasing.<br /> Music: Catcher In The Rye by Guns N' Roses and Ghost of Perdition by Opeth.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037BBKIK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0037BBKIK"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/gnrchdem.jpg" ALT="Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0037BBKIK" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MUF62G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004MUF62G">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004MUF62G" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AADYYO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000AADYYO"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/opethghstr.jpg" ALT="Opeth: Ghost Reveries" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000AADYYO" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001202VDQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001202VDQ">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B001202VDQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-32064005918950487642011-03-30T20:25:00.001-04:002011-03-30T20:25:49.957-04:00If you didn’t know already I’ve been gearing up to unleash a fiction blog. Not just any fiction blog, but one tied to a work in progress role-playing game. There are several issues involved in creating this blog on many levels. The issue I am interested in discussing now has to do with going against expectation. I can't help but spoiler some things. Sorry. Let me start with the basic premise behind the role-playing game. The game is called "This Mental Eventide" and revolves around the emergence of a large number of psychics. A man named Joshua Gavin Rhoads is the author of the blog. He initially hints that he has a secret that he wants to tell everyone but has to build up to it. The secret is the haunting. From there he begins to detail the various happenings. Here's the catch--and the worst spoiler of all. Josh is not haunted. Rather he is being plagued by his own burgeoning psychic abilities.<br /> <br /> One of the elements to this setting is that there are no ghosts or earthbound spirits. There are hauntings sure enough, but they are residual hauntings--those are the echoes or events repeating on a loop--or the work of psychics. All in all this makes for a protracted scenario in which nothing is what it seems. There is the possibility that an abrupt turn of face would be off-putting to some. The haunting has to fall within the extent of Josh's psychic abilities. Since he is the cause of all of the phenomena it has to have some meaning to him or otherwise be in character for him. The incidents must be something he subconsciously wants or they happen in reaction to what he feels toward different people and events. Some will be very obvious, but others may seem particularly inexplicable, or at least unfathomable at first blush.<br /> <br /> At this stage only one power is evident. Josh must have telekinesis. It covers a myriad of ghostly phenomena that are poltergeist-like in nature. I have an inkling of one of his other powers, but I won't mention it. The development of the game is incomplete so I do not know how many psychic abilities he should manifest, when they will do so, and what if any progression there is between them. Likewise Josh is a bit of a blank canvas. I have certain traits squarely in mind and the rest is open. I do not even know what his profession is yet. One of the keys to a setting like this, and especially these kinds of scenarios involving adults, is that these people have real lives first before the emergence of the fantastical or the horrific. These unanswered questions play into the next topic I want to write about with regard to this project.<br /> <br /> Mood: secretive.<br /> Music: Can't Stop Rockin' by ZZ Top and Black Dragon by Luca Turilli.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002L8H/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000002L8H"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/zztopafb.jpg" ALT="ZZ Top: Afterburner" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002L8H" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FU3REY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002FU3REY">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B002FU3REY" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002S849/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00002S849"><img SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/lucatknt.jpg" ALT="Luca Turilli: King Of The Nordic Twilight" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00002S849" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002H0LGYU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002H0LGYU">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B002H0LGYU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-12825972081440227452011-03-23T20:20:00.000-04:002011-03-23T20:20:57.970-04:00Remakes. Yes, the most contested movies in all of moviedom. A lot of people online just love to hate them. They whine, moan, complain, harass people who are excited for them, and frankly can't resist speaking up every single time one or even the thought of one is mentioned. Except for the fanatic insistences and blind hatred I say good on them for sticking to their guns. As we looked at last time out people complain if a movie is similar to a previous one and isn't a remake so there's really no winning. Except... there is one remake that almost no one complains about. That would be John Carpenter's The Thing (1982). Whether you like it--and its distasteful subject matter--or not Wes Craven's acclaimed first outing The Last House on the Left (1972) is pretty much a remake of The Virgin Spring (1960)--apparently the Virgin Spring's scriptwriter based it off of a ballad of all things. Craven himself cites the Virgin Spring, though some debate if that truly makes a remake.<br /> <br /> Within remakes there is another subdivision called the reboot. All reboots are remakes, but not all remakes are reboots. To start, a reboot denotes a franchise, meaning a movie with sequels. While there are close remakes and loose remakes--The Thing and Last House on the Left are varying degrees of loose--reboots tend to change something within the story. Again the significance of the change varies. A prime example of a reboot is the remake of Friday the 13th (2009). Its first significant change is that it revolves around Jason, whereas the original first Friday the 13th movie did not. Other than Jason there are next to no other characters from the original film. There aren't even camp councillors. In contrast the remake of Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) while different in several aspects does not feel like a reboot despite the different additional characters. It added elements to the original, but not in a way that changed anything.<br /> <br /> The adding of elements and expanding upon the ideas in the original is what makes for a great remake. A perfect example is the remake of The Hills Have Eyes (2006). It takes most of the original and then adds to it immensely, and in a way that feels natural. It also modernises the story without actually changing the timeframe (at least as far as I noticed). What it did was make more sense in the story's end, and as a good remake does it removed traits from the film that didn't age well and would make it dated. On the other hand it seemed like some of the addition was very close to a different unrelated horror movie, which itself borrowed from something else altogether. Another great remake that adds to the original is the remake of The Amityville Horror (2005). What it added to the film was in some parts new and in others elements present in the original novel that did not make it into the first film. I think this Amityville is the best remake of the new millennium yet.<br /> <br /> Mood: stoic.<br /> Music: Big Man With A Gun by Nine Inch Nails and (Ghost) Riders In The Sky by Me First And The Gimme Gimmes.<BR><br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00066N8JS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00066N8JS"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/nindwnspd.jpg" ALT="Nine Inch Nails: Downward Spiral" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00066N8JS" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00150W1K6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00150W1K6">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B00150W1K6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GRTQI4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000GRTQI4"><IMG SRC="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/me1stltc.jpg" ALT="Me First And The Gimme Gimmes: Love Their Country" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="100"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B000GRTQI4" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0011YQYRC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0011YQYRC">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0011YQYRC" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-19839907365432107122011-03-09T19:45:00.002-05:002011-03-09T20:14:34.637-05:00I wanted to talk a little bit today about movies, in specific the complaints about them revolving around one movie ripping off another. There are some pretty out there comparisons.<br /> <br /> For instance someone described Darkness Falls as a rip-off of the Friday the 13th movies. You know that a flying old dead hag wearing a white mask who can't enter the light for fear of bursting into flames is exactly like a movie about a guy who eventually dons a hockey mask, becomes undead, and throughout life, death, undeath kills people for being naughty. Pretty broad comparison there if you ask me.<br /> <br /> Someone making one of the documentaries about the original Halloween decided that Evil Dead is a Halloween rip-off because you know, people trapped in the woods fighting demonically possessed people and corpses is exactly like a movie about a guy in a mask killing babysitters. Never mind the fact that Evil Dead is actually to some degree an homage to Night of the Living Dead and not a rip-off of that even.<br /> <br /> The other day I saw another ludicrous comparison. The Manitou is a rip-off of the Exorcist because you know that a woman with a tumour on her neck that's actually an embryo of a reincarnated Native American medicine man bent on destroying modern day white people is exactly like the story of a girl suffering from demonic possession. Wow, the similarity is just uncanny. Come on people.<br /> <br /> Don't let these baseless accusations slide. No one likes a mean dismissal of their thoughts, so kindly and gently educate if you see something outrageous like this. As smart places on the web say, don't address the poster, don't make it personal, just state the big differences in these movies. Remember, only you can prevent flame wars.<br /> <br /> On the other hand don't be afraid of pointing out the really close ones like say (and I cannot recommend anyone actually watch this movie) The Astronaut's Wife, which is very similar to Rosemary's Baby. I'm not even saying that closeness is itself an issue, just that unlike the other examples it's pretty clear. My issue with the movie is what I consider it's lack of quality, which is neither here nor there, and some people may like it. <br /> <br /> I hear recent The Roommate is much like Single White Female from years back. So what. I don't have a problem with that. It's just this idea that everything is a rip-off and thus bad and should be, I don't know, blocked, banned, or burned that gets me--of course compounded by blatant mistakes in the similarity. I guess that's all I have to say about this now. Next time, my take on remakes.<br /> <br /> Mood: spleeny.<br /> Music: The Ripper by Iced Earth and Let Me Hear You Scream by Ozzy Osbourne.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=battespleepro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B0012RM4NG" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018Y9WHY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0018Y9WHY">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0018Y9WHY" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=battespleepro-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B003HLM2QO" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003QCNFN8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003QCNFN8">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B003QCNFN8" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><BR><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-18271690371072700122011-03-02T19:43:00.000-05:002011-03-02T19:43:25.334-05:00After last week it's time for a conversation about three-ways. It's one thing to say that they are complicated, that they change the nature of the story. The first decision is always who are the three sides. Answering this helps to open up the other questions like which two sides will come together to deal with the third. That is if any of them come together. It happens most of the time, but it is not a requirement. Whether or not two side with each other one will always mess up the plans of at least one of the other two sides, if not both of them. It all comes to down to the other huge question of what are the goals of each side. The goals may be deeply ingrained in the whom of these three characters or groups. Or it may be just of matter of what they are willing, or unwilling to do. <br /> <br /> As complicated, or straightforward, as the conflict may be there may always be a fourth matter of complication. The three-way conflict struggles in the directions afforded those possible outcomes without the affect of any outside influence. An outside influence throws the whole dynamic into a spin. Although allegiances may form and break up, or shift based on the actions of one or more of the sides, they do not shift as fast or as easily when there is an external impetus. Each party of the conflict will try to manipulate events to their advantage, but some events are adjustment proof. They can't be planned for. They may not be of help to anyone. They may even be immutable and only worked around. There are different events that can be like this.<br /> <br /> Disasters are the first example of an immutable event that cannot be avoided. It may be used to advantage by any of the characters or groups if they can be predicted. Plans are foiled or need serious revision if an unplanned for disaster strikes. Such disasters could be weather related, seismic, or even smaller scale such as a fire. Depending on the setting and pre-planning a disaster might even be a weapon in one side's arsenal. This is especially true of fire, bombings, avalanches, and the like. Of course even false indications of such a disaster can be a tool to use. Fake bombs or threats, false tidal wave warnings, or even pulling a fire alarm throw a wrench into someone's plans. As almost always, the possibilities are endless.<br /> <br /> Mood: feisty.<br /> Music: Porno Star by Motley Crue and Slick Black Cadillac by Quiet Riot.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EN1R4K?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001EN1R4K"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/mcrutatt.jpg" ALT="Motley Crue: New Tattoo"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001EN1R4K" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B9BCK6?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001B9BCK6">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001B9BCK6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002A4G?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000002A4G"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/qrgretht.jpg" ALT="Quiet Riot: The Greatest Hits"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002A4G" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00136JOKM?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00136JOKM">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00136JOKM" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-19026022611035752232011-02-16T19:16:00.000-05:002011-02-16T19:16:35.974-05:00Henry Thoreau is attributed as saying, "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root." It's a quote that I've always found fascinating ever since I heard it from the lips of Captain Howdy in Dee Snider's "Strangeland". I believe the meaning is that it is better to get to the core of the evil and deal with it than waste time with minions. I prefer to twist it around in a kind of reverse. I like the idea of it being about tapping into evil rather hacking away at it to get rid of it. There are thousands brushing against what it is to be evil and amongst them is a true monster. In a recent interview to be posted next month I brought up my dislike of pathetic punk and rabble sort of evil. I have a real taste for the boogeymen the monsters fear. <br /> <br /> Every now and again there is a story or a movie where a group of ne'er-do-wells or even outright miscreants are out doing their damage, sowing chaos, and/or generally ruining other people's lives. Then they come into a situation like so many others before, except that this time they will be the victims. There is more than one way for the worse evil to prove that it is worse. It doesn't always have to be the stock answer that they are more violent, more sadistic, or more perverted. Here is where manipulative and insidious is more fun, even if eventually it comes down to a gruesome end for the lesser evil. Another choice I find less than desirable is for the victims to be brought down by their own in-fighting. Some find great satisfaction in that, but I find it wears thin. This leads to one of the defining elements of hard-core evil.<br /> <br /> Like anything else, it's easy to overuse it, but I find the worst evil that villains can do is bring out the evil in otherwise good people. It's nothing to make the selfish and the uncaring to commit heinous acts, but if you can make upstanding people willingly do the wrong thing, what they would never do on their own in most other situations, then you're getting somewhere, evil-wise.<br /> <br /> There is an unasked question here. Where does the protagonist fit into this story? A lot of the time there isn't one; not in the sense of a hero. Sometimes it may be the least offensive of the victim villains. Some other good person caught in the middle and able to provide a sense of urgency or heightened tension is a good choice. Things can get complicated. That is a consideration to keep in mind. Tying back to last week, it is a more relatable, good, person that provides for a greater anchor to the horror for the audience. Finally, the three-way conflict has its own pros and cons. The dynamic is different, and it affects the warp and weft of the mood, pacing, and character requirements as much as it does the narrative fabric.<br /> <br /> Mood: meditative.<br /> Music: Original Sin by Meat Loaf and Instruments Of Destruction by N.R.G.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002OYB?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000002OYB"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/meatlnbr.jpg" ALT="Meat Loaf: Welcome to the Neighborhood"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000002OYB" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V699E6?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000V699E6">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000V699E6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PHW236?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000PHW236"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/transfrmr.jpg" ALT="Various: Transformers: The Movie [Extra Tracks]"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000PHW236" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00138F48Q?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00138F48Q">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00138F48Q" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-23109933682319249562011-02-09T20:10:00.000-05:002011-02-09T20:10:03.270-05:00<STRONG>*** Disclaimer:</STRONG> The following in no way means to disparage the people of lower class income or who live in certain kinds of homes. It is specifically about the character of some people and speaks to the common and likely even stereotypical view of such groups of individuals.<STRONG> ***</STRONG><br /> <br /> Previously we took a look at the unsavoury subset of the already looked down upon white trash group. For note some of this applies to disaffected urbanites, the rich who live in their own world practically, and just the general malaise affecting much of the civilised world that rises to the very aptly named legal term called depraved indifference. Further, this is different than the uncivilised groups that frequently partake in wanton destruction and consider defilement commonplace and desirable--the villain/monster perhaps. This is really about those who have the veneer of decency and civility bare in spots or ripped away and sitting askew. With that in mind, it's time to look at how exactly they change the horror in a story or movie.<br /> <br /> One consideration is that the horror should offset or counterpoint the grungy, dirty, immoral quality of these characters--this of course is if they are prevalent, which is certainly true with their natural habitat as the setting. The first possibility that comes to mind is a slasher who is much the opposite, who is moralistic in that sinners and the improper die by his or her hand. Thematically, or better yet even literally/visually, the blood spilled washes away or hides the dirt with clean, placid-smooth red, though of course this is temporary as it dries and becomes just more grime worsening what was there--don't forget the added element of blood smell to this--a chink in the armour of this "purity" if you will, belying it's masking nature, and foreshadowing the physical rot to come to match the moral rot.<br /> <br /> Overall the most important consideration in creating terror with these types of characters is how to overcome the audience's dislike of the characters. It dulls the horror when people don't identify with the characters. It's even worse when the audience wants to see them come to a bad end--though there are readers and movie watchers who do that on purpose, but even they frequently want nice, undeserving victims, when the point isn't to punish the impure. Also, unless you're looking to have shades of grey in frightening conflict you want to be clear just who the metaphorical monster is. Make your horror really horrific and evil. Enough to scare the hardest heart and make them look almost cuddly in comparison. Lastly, in film at least, fear is infectious and characters who show their fear illicit it from the audience. These are just some of the things to keep in mind in this kind of setting.<br /> <br /> Mood: solemn.<br /> Music: Sweet Pain by Kiss and Poison by Alice Cooper.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000001EL3?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000001EL3"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/kissdest.jpg" ALT="Kiss: Destroyer"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000001EL3" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VZR75K?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VZR75K">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000VZR75K" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012GMUPO?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012GMUPO"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/acprtrsh.jpg" ALT="Alice Cooper: Trash"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0012GMUPO" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00138KISM?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00138KISM">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00138KISM" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-41608504687181112882011-02-02T19:14:00.000-05:002011-02-02T19:14:11.128-05:00<STRONG>*** Disclaimer:</STRONG> The following in no way means to disparage the people of lower class income or who live in certain kinds of homes. It is specifically about the character of some people and speaks to the common and likely even stereotypical view of such groups of individuals. <STRONG>***</STRONG><br /> <br /> Let’s talk about Rob Zombie again. Specifically I want to talk about how sometimes I jokingly refer to him as the White-Trash King. I mean no disrespect in this, in fact quite the opposite. If you want down and dirty, trailer trash--with or without the trailer--lowbrow, low rent, it must be both trying and fun to be around these people, kind of characters then Zombie is your man. I mean wow. I am in awe and more than a little jealous. I feel way too clean cut and, take your pick, suburban or rural to get the kind of grasp on these kinds of characters like Zombie does. You can have your opinion as to why he has this grasp, but that's none of my business, and I'm here about other things. Now, let me give you a little background and viewing history.<br /> <br /> I've had an influx of Rob Zombie watching over the last couple of months. I had liked "House of 1000 Corpses" from the moment the end credits rolled despite some of its obvious flaws. It took me quite a while to get around to "The Devil's Rejects" and I was floored. It was amazing. What a huge leap forward in directing--and the other aspects of the filmmaking process were also up to that standard. Then we have Zombie's "Halloween" remake. I like it. I've only seen the director's cut--go unrated discs. It really puts me in mind of the original's director cut in that it seems to carry on quite a while. The thing is that it is interesting if you are in the mood. Since I recently saw Rejects I also finally got my hands on "Halloween II"--again director's cut and unrated. Let's start with the bad news--I'll be brief, the review will be elsewhere. It has it's problems--again that will be elsewhere (sorry).<br /> <br /> Back to the characters. These trashy characters aren't just everything I described in the first paragraph. Those people aren't all that bad. There is a subset among them though, that you might say are equal in roughness, more kindly unpolishedness perhaps, morally as they are in the more obvious attributes. This more rotten core will stab you as soon as look at you, smack their kids and spouses around (yes, by no means limited to the trash demographic), and attack the authorities when they come to take away their right to be beaten. As with any group, the two kinds mix freely making it harder to spot the villains, and adding complexity to dealing with them for both the author and any characters from the outside. Now, with this look at these types of characters in hand, we can take a look at how they affect the horror in any given story or movie.<br /> <br /> Mood: daring.<br /> Music: Deep Unknown by Stratovarius and These Colours Don't Run by Iron Maiden.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025X4P7E?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0025X4P7E"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/straplrs.jpg" ALT="Stratovarius: Polaris"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0025X4P7E" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002A84IJE?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002A84IJE">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002A84IJE" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H7JD4A?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000H7JD4A"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/imamolad.jpg" ALT="Iron Maiden: A Matter of Life and Death"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000H7JD4A" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R02K6A?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000R02K6A">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000R02K6A" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-46782784179407886462011-01-26T16:28:00.001-05:002011-01-26T16:30:48.474-05:00Hello and welcome to the New Year of Horror on Hump Day! It's been a long hiatus, though maybe not the longest I've taken. Publishing a horror magazine will do that, even at the length of <a HREF="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/magazine.htm">Killing Time - Horror E-Rag</A>. It's become something of a tradition to look back and then look forward. Let us begin.<br /> <br /> Looking back I am immediately struck by the recent posts about movies and television both before and after Hallowe'en's thirteen blogs. Both by the number and the ideas I hoped to express about them. There was even some motivational material, because honestly with all the negativity out there about the genre and its failings someone has to get on topic, push forward, and try to be a force of change.<br /> <br /> To some degree it's a sad state of affairs that it has to be me, but really who better? I've always been trying to push for better horror, and painting the way as a consumer. Some could ask, who am I tell to anyone how to make something better? The answer is, I'm someone who enjoys horror so much I had to become a creator. Even that much commitment isn't necessary. All it takes is a passion for the material, the movies, the books, the games, the tropes, the feelings, the whole shebang.<br /> <br /> The look back became the look forward. Might as well continue mixing it up. The past year I talked about a setting with witches, and more pertinent to the discussion witch hunters. It's kind of funny because I recently saw the animated video for <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4zbZ3ULaU">"American Witch" NSFW</A> by Rob Zombie, which seemed to me to be a companion piece to the <a HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV0NoICl7cE">"Lords of Salem" NSFW</A> video, which I had seen significantly longer ago. The Lords video is very evocative of just how frightening the Witch Hunter General and his closest men are, to not only the common man, but also to even the blackest hearted witch.<br /> <br /> I intend to look at some more settings. Like early in 2010 I also intend to look at horror from a RPGer's perspective because what is a pen and paper RPG for the person running the sessions (known as the Game Master among other names), a position akin to director on a movie set and at the same time scriptwriter--if both of those only worked with or wrote the minor characters and the setting/sets. I'm re-explaining this both for new readers and because there's been some recent controversy, but that's not something I intend to get into here. Beyond that, I never know what I'm going to write about until I start planning for the next week. Here's to new horrors and new looks at it.<br /> <br /> Mood: stoked.<br /> Music: American Witch by Rob Zombie and Werewolf Women Of The SS by Rob Zombie.<br /> <br /> <table COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><col WIDTH="120"><col WIDTH="154"><col WIDTH="120"> <tr><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ENWKN8?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000ENWKN8"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/rzomedho.jpg" ALT="Rob Zombie: Educated Horses"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000ENWKN8" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NCR4OO?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NCR4OO">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NCR4OO" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><td WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<br /> Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><td WIDTH="120"><center><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XUKVXU?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003XUKVXU"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/rzomhlb2.jpg" ALT="Rob Zombie: Hellbilly Deluxe 2"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003XUKVXU" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00359PAVW?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00359PAVW">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00359PAVW" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR> </TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15370978.post-4926502442294579112010-12-15T19:09:00.000-05:002010-12-15T19:09:48.979-05:00Here we are at the last entry of the year. There are just a few days left. I hope you've all had as much fun as I did. I think there's only thing left to do. I wish everyone a Happy December/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Solstice/Yule or a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. Stay safe. See you in 2011!<br /> <br /> Mood: festive.<br /> Music: Highway To Hell by Quiet Riot and Thunderbird by Quiet Riot.<br /> <br /> <TABLE COLS="3" BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="394"><COL WIDTH="120"><COL WIDTH="154"><COL WIDTH="120"><TR><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000IFUL?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00000IFUL"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/alivwel2.jpg" ALT="Quiet Riot: Alive and Well"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00000IFUL" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000R00SBY?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000R00SBY">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000R00SBY" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD><TD WIDTH="154" ALIGN="center">Buy these at Amazon.com<BR>Click Images to Buy CDs</TD><TD WIDTH="120"><CENTER><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005NNML?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005NNML"><img border="0" src="http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/rmtp/reviews/images/qrmetlhl.jpg" ALT="Quiet Riot: Metal Health"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00005NNML" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><BR><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00136JQEQ?ie=UTF8&tag=battespleepro-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00136JQEQ">Or get MP3s.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=battespleepro-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00136JQEQ" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></CENTER></TD></TR></TABLE><div style="clear:both; padding-bottom: 0.25em;"></div><br /> We miss you Kevin.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Robert G. Male, Horror Author http://www.batteredspleenproductions.com/store/index.htm</div>Robert G. Malehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791440672964035138noreply@blogger.com0