Classic Horror Lovers discussion

Alone, confused, without any recollection of his past and roaming the plains of an alternative eighteenth century environment in which the supernatural thrives, The Wanderer begins to unearth the truth about God, the nature of the human soul, the horrors of his own past and his connection with a dark apocalyptic future.

Including cursed villages, castles infested with revenants, spectral monks and Lovecraftian creatures, ‘The Awakening’ is book one of the 'Words to the Wise' saga and ventures into a possible reality that greatly mirrors our own contemporary world, but which is also steeped in the Gothic motifs of myth and the supernatural.


Sounds like great fun for all the family, doesn't it?

Cornelius

Cornelius, do you mind if I ask a question? I am really impressed with your Saga (and I hope it's going to be a long one). Your style is classic, antique almost and I love your extensive vocabulary and the beautiful way you use it. I assume you don't talk like this all the time? Can you let readers know your influences? You are obviously steeped in Gothic literature and it would be interesting to know how your writing style evolved.

Hi, Ignite. Of course I don't mind you asking a question. I'm really glad you're enjoying the saga. It is going to be a long one; the next book will be heavy enough to sink a considerably sized ship. I love the baroque language of classic Gothic horror. I began studying the Gothic engine at university and it's never left me. I was bowled over by the likes of Matthew Lewis, Charlotte Dacre, Ann Radcliffe and William Beckford. There was a merging of horror, beauty and chaos in their work that captivated me entirely, and which I believe is seldom seen in today's literature. With that in mind I owe much also to Theophile Gautier and H.P. Lovecraft. The former was an ode to beauty, and the latter a homage to the otherworldly. I do so very much enjoy embracing and utilising both worlds.

It's ok, though, I don't talk like that all the time. I fear I'd be labelled a lunatic ... and that would never do.

Thank you Cornelius. I can certainly see an influence from some of those writers but I feel your work remains uniquely your own. As for the merging of horror, beauty and chaos, it is exemplified in your Saga. I also see from your reviews that you have a small but enthusiastic following who all agree with me.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I didn't know Gautier before. I've checked him out and downloaded some of his work.

You're very welcome, and thank you. It can be very difficult to make your voice heard amidst a plethora of new and talented authors. I hope you enjoy Gautier's work.

Hello again!
Right, I've read Book One and Book 2 of your Saga.
Book 3? By Christmas? It's all I want (I've already got 2 front teeth!)

Hello back. Book 3 by Christmas? Hmm, I may have to get back to you. I checked the word count recently and discovered that the third book in the saga comes in at a measly 295,000 words. This will require a great deal of editing, proofreading, patience, laser surgery and, quite possibly, a defibrillator.

Or did you mean Christmas 2012?

Edit: I have a blog now as well; I'm very posh. I'll update regularly to let people know how the editing process is going. I'll also let you know if I'm still in full possession of my wits.

http://corneliusharker.blogspot.com/

Hello all, my book has recently been chosen as one of three for the monthly book read on the 'UK Amazon Kindle Forum' here on Goodreads. If you have time please take a look. It's a Gothic novel, so it's very much in keeping with the 'Classic Horror Lovers' group.

Cornelius

I've finally written the blurb for Book Three. I'll begin editing within the next two or three weeks, and I shall have a counsellor standing by.

http://corneliusharker.blogspot.com/

Oh good - there really IS going to be a Book 3!

It's been a while since I've updated, so here I am updating. I'm about 80,000 words into the editing phase, and there's just under 200,000 words to go. It's an epic entry into the saga, which is why it's taking me a little longer than usual to edit; add to that I'm also a slow editor.

So if it had been a normal length book it would be finished? The first edit anyway.

Oh definitely. I would've been finished weeks ago. Serves me right, doesn't it?

I know it's been a while, a very long while, but I've finally released Book Three of my Gothic Saga. I'm tired, lethargic and in need of a plump pillow.

Words to the Wise: Book Three