Index

Being a index of the articles and posts that have appeared on this blog, broken down into categories (note some posts are presented more than once, when they clearly belong on two different listed categories, you will find this most often, but not exclusively with things appearing in both the “list” category and elsewhere).

Categories:

Give Aways

Jade Lady Give Away!
Jade Lady Give Away Winners

History

5 Historical Mysteries to Serve as a Muse for Speculative Fiction
Aldebert, Clement, Saint Boniface, and Heresy in the 8th Century
Blackbeard: America’s Most Famous Pirate
Blackbeard’s End: The Death of America’s Most Famous Pirate
Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day… Why Though?
Evolution of Science Fiction: A Journey Through Decades
From History to Fantasy: Mining Ancient Civilizations for Story Ideas
Jack the Ripper Files: The Curious Coincidence
Magdeburg Water Bridge
Social Realism: How the Plague Influenced Medieval Europe’s Art and Culture
Spirits of Yuletide: The Tradition of Christmas Ghost Stories
The Arnold Paole Case: A Cornerstone in the Understanding of Vampire Traditions in Eastern Europe
The Baroque: Action and Realism in the Arts
The Influence of Video Games on Speculative Fiction: A New Frontier of Storytelling
The Kaspar Hauser Mystery
The Sinking of the Bismarck

Lists

10 Tips for Crafting a Gripping Inciting Incident for Your Novel
10 Tips for Writing Awesome Fantasy Fight Scenes
10 Tips for Writing Convincing Dialogue in Speculative Fiction
10 Tips for Writing Speculative Fiction Short Stories
10 Tips to Elevate Your Descriptive Writing
5 Christmas Ghost Stories to Chill Your Festive Spirits
5 Common Sci-Fi Tropes and How to Refresh Them for Your Story
5 Historical Mysteries to Serve as a Muse for Speculative Fiction
5 Lesser-Known Horror Tropes and How to Use Them Effectively
5 Tips for Crafting Believable Characters
5 Tips for Creating a Killer Magic System for your Fantasy Novel
5 ways an Anthropology degree made me a better writer
5 Ways to Improve Your Writing
8 Tips to Put the Weird in your Weird Fiction
Breaking Writer’s Block: 10 Essential Tips for Speculative Fiction Writers
Five Haunted locations in Seattle
Five Places to Peruse to Ignite your Speculative Fiction Imagination
Halloween Reading List
Top 5 Classic Science Fiction Authors Every Modern Sci-Fi Writer Should Read, and Why
Writing Strong and Dynamic Action Scenes in Speculative Fiction: 10 Tips and Tricks

Literary Review – Analysis

“At the Mountains of madness” by H. P. Lovecraft: A book Review
“Dracula” by Bram Stoker: A book Review
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly: A book review
5 Christmas Ghost Stories to Chill Your Festive Spirits
A Review of “The Book of Werewolves”: A Reflection on the Human Psyche and Mythology
A Scholarly Voyage into the Heart of Vampire Mythology: A Book Review of Montague Summers’ “The Vampire in Lore and Legend”
An Analysis of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”
Analysis of “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: The Futility of Hubris
Analysis of “The Village Blacksmith” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Strength and Virtue
Analysis of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From Saint Nicholas”: The Enduring Magic of an Enchanting Christmas Eve
Analysis of Edgar Allan Poe’s “A Dream Within a Dream”: Ephemeral Realities
Analysis of Sylvia Plath’s “Wuthering Heights”
Analysis of T.S. Eliot’s “Little Gidding:” The Intertwining of Time and Spiritual Redemption
Fantasy and Reality in the “Border State”: A Book Review
Perfume in “A Street Car Named Desire”
The Theme of Fate in the Poetry of Langston Hughes
Top 5 Classic Science Fiction Authors Every Modern Sci-Fi Writer Should Read, and Why

Personal thoughts

Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day… Why Though?
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome as an Author
Diverse Voices: Encouraging and Highlighting Representation in Speculative Fiction
Feeling Maudlin
Games (and Days) to Lose
Ghostwriting
How I Learned to Embrace the Audiobook
Imagining New Worlds: Why Speculative Fiction Matters More Than Ever
Introspection on Comic Book art (and Life)
Meditation for Writers
Musings on Writing I
My Bane
Questions and Answers
Serendipity
Tea
The Anti-Depressant Blues
The Benefits of Adult Coloring Books: Stress Relief and Mindfulness
The Scariest Thing in the World
The Secret
Voting Registration PSA

RPG

Fantasy Economics: Building Realistic Economies in Imaginary Worlds
Rolling the Dice on Creativity: How Tabletop RPGs Like Dungeons & Dragons Enhance Writing Skills

Maps

Map #1: Wererat refuge
Map #2: The Tomb of Shadow
Map #3: The Cave of the Unknown

Cryptids, Monsters, and Beasties

Mystical Creatures 101: A look at Lesser-Known Beasts from World Mythology
The Beast of Bray Road: Werewolf or Dogman of Wisconsin
A Review of “The Book of Werewolves”: A Reflection on the Human Psyche and Mythology
A Scholarly Voyage into the Heart of Vampire Mythology: A Book Review of Montague Summers’ “The Vampire in Lore and Legend”
The Hag of Leicester: Black Annis
A Beast in Exmoor

Ghosts and Paranormal

Five Haunted locations in Seattle
Gettysburg Ghosts: Where History Meets Mystery
Ghosts of Fall River
Paranormal 101: Residual Hauntings
So, You Want to be a Ghost Hunter: A Basic Guide to Starting Out
Spring-Heeled Jack: Mysterious Terror of Victorian London
The Arnold Paole Case: A Cornerstone in the Understanding of Vampire Traditions in Eastern Europe
The Enfield Poltergeist: A Supernatural Mystery
The Enigmatic Theatre Royal, Drury Lane: A Stage for Spirits
The Ghost that was Buried Alive
The Haunting of Borley Rectory
The Hell Hound of East Anglia: Old Shuck
The Lynched Ghost
The Mysterious Case of the “Goblin” of Zaragoza

Ghost Ships

Ghost Ships: Horror of the Ourang Medan
Ghost Ships: The Legend of the Flying Dutchman
Ghost Ships: The MV Joyita Mystery
Ghost Ships: The Mystery of the Mary Celeste
Ghost Ships: The Palatine Light of Block Island
Ghost Ships: The Phantom Ship of the Northumberland Strait

Writing Advice and Resources

10 Tips for Crafting a Gripping Inciting Incident for Your Novel
10 Tips for Writing Awesome Fantasy Fight Scenes
10 Tips for Writing Convincing Dialogue in Speculative Fiction
10 Tips for Writing Speculative Fiction Short Stories
10 Tips to Elevate Your Descriptive Writing
5 Common Sci-Fi Tropes and How to Refresh Them for Your Story
5 Historical Mysteries to Serve as a Muse for Speculative Fiction
5 Lesser-Known Horror Tropes and How to Use Them Effectively
5 Tips for Crafting Believable Characters
5 Tips for Creating a Killer Magic System for your Fantasy Novel
5 Ways to Improve Your Writing
8 Tips to Put the Weird in your Weird Fiction
All writers should try to write at least one Ghost Story
Balancing Worldbuilding and Plot: Ensuring Your Story Isn’t Overshadowed
Breaking Writer’s Block: 10 Essential Tips for Speculative Fiction Writers
Building Suspense in Sci-Fi and Fantasy: The Art of Pacing (Part 1)
Building Suspense in Sci-Fi and Fantasy: The Art of Pacing (Part 2)
Choosing Point of View and Narrative Perspective in Speculative Fiction
Cinematic Insights: How Watching Movies Analytically Enhances Speculative Fiction Writing
Clearing the Clog: Dealing with Writer’s Block
Crafting Atmospheric Horror
Crafting Believable Horror Protagonists
Crafting Prophecies and Legends: Incorporating Myths Within Your Story (part 1)
Crafting Prophecies and Legends: Incorporating Myths Within Your Story (part 2)
Creating Compelling Antagonists: Beyond the Typical Villain Archetypes
Cross-Genre Blending: Mixing Mystery, Romance, and Speculative Elements
Dealing with Imposter Syndrome as an Author
Diverse Voices: Encouraging and Highlighting Representation in Speculative Fiction
Dos and Don’ts of Self Editing
Dystopias and Utopias: Exploring Societal Themes in Science Fiction
Eldritch and Unknown: Crafting Cosmic Horror That Chills
Evolution of Science Fiction: A Journey Through Decades
Exploring Subgenres: The Multifaceted Worlds of Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror
Fantasy Economics: Building Realistic Economies in Imaginary Worlds
Fiction Basics: The Three Act Structure
Five Places to Peruse to Ignite your Speculative Fiction Imagination
From History to Fantasy: Mining Ancient Civilizations for Story Ideas
Hook, Line, and Sinker: Crafting a Powerful Opening Line for Your Novel
Interpreting and Subverting Fairy Tale Tropes in Modern Fantasy
Landscape as a Character: Giving Life to Deserts, Forests, and Alien Terrains
Making Your Aliens Believable
Meditation for Writers
More on Atmosphere and Tone in Horror
Mystical Creatures 101: A look at Lesser-Known Beasts from World Mythology
Non-Traditional Narratives: The Role of Epistolary and Diary Formats in Speculative Fiction
Paranormal in the Modern Day: Merging the Supernatural with Contemporary Settings
Plot Holes and How to Avoid Them
Predicting the Future: How to Approach Futuristic Tech in Sci-Fi
Portraying Immortality: Crafting Believable Immortal Characters
Realistic Dialogue in Fantasy and Science Fiction
Robots, AI, and Consciousness: Crafting Genuine Non-Human Characters
Rolling the Dice on Creativity: How Tabletop RPGs Like Dungeons & Dragons Enhance Writing Skills
Should My Fantasy Novel Have a Prologue? Navigating the Great Debate
Speculative Fiction Poetry: The Convergence of Verse and Imagination
Spirits of Yuletide: The Tradition of Christmas Ghost Stories
Structuring a Short Story
Submitting Your Short Story to a Magazine: The Cover Letter
The Art of the Twist: How to Surprise Your Reader Without Losing Trust
The Basics of Subplots: Adding Depth and Dimension to Your Novel
The Ethics of Time Travel: Writing Consequences for Manipulating Time
The Hero’s Journey: A Timeless Blueprint for Crafting Epic Stories
The Influence of Video Games on Speculative Fiction: A New Frontier of Storytelling
The Magic Formula: How to Craft Engaging Fantasy Plots
The Power of Dreams: Using Dreamlike Imagery and Logic in Speculative Fiction
The Power of Humor in Suspenseful Fiction Writing
The Role of Mythology and Folklore in Fantasy, Sci-fi, and Horror Storytelling
The Secret to Great Showing: How to Use the Senses in Descriptive Writing
The Use of Symbolism in Fantasy and Its Impact on Storytelling
Tips and Insights for Editing and Revising your Fiction
Twists on Classic Tropes: How to Refresh Overused Story Elements
Weird News as fodder for Speculative Fiction
When to Show and When to Tell in Fiction Writing: Finding the Perfect Balance
Writing a Christmas Ghost Story: Practical Advice for Those Seeking to Add to the Tradition
Writing Strong and Dynamic Action Scenes in Speculative Fiction: 10 Tips and Tricks
You should be reading, too!

Speculative Fiction SubGenres

Exploring the Cyberpunk Subgenre: A Journey into Dystopian Futures and High-Tech Rebellion
Exploring the Folk Horror Subgenre: Navigating Forgotten Paths and Half-Remembered Fears
Exploring the Gothic Horror Subgenre: An Immortal Form of Horror
Exploring the Hard Science-Fiction Subgenre: Fiction Grounded in Real Science
Exploring the High Fantasy Subgenre: An Enchanting Journey to the Fantastic
Exploring the Steampunk Subgenre: Historical Science Fiction and So Much More
Exploring the Sword and Sorcery Subgenre: Pulp Inspired Thrills
Exploring the Urban Fantasy Subgenre: Magic Meets the Mean Streets

Fiction

Ripper’s Blade Chapter One
Ripper’s Blade Chapter Two
Jade Lady: Chapter One
Jade Lady: Chapter Two
The Sea-Changed
Back Seat
Dead of Winter
Faceless

Poetry

Awakening Spring
Famous Dead People on Parade
Perfume in “A Street Car Named Desire”
Bigfoot, A poem