Guest blog post by a co-author of The Box Under The Bed, Adele Marie Park

 

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I first came to know Dan Alatorre through his blog. I adore his novel An Angel On Her Shoulder.

He writes from the heart and his passion for the craft is wonderful.

I was lucky to come fourth in one of his Word Weaver Writing Weaver Contests, and to have a critique of my work.

So, when he announced The Box Under The Bed anthology submission call I was excited and determined to write a story to be included.

My usual starting point for any story is the character. Sometimes they emerge fully formed and onto the paper but this one emerged from the shadows.

What better way to come forth when it’s horror?

When a character evolves the story sometimes takes a definite U turn. That happened in this tale. It started out as a horror story to scare – and I hope it still does – but there were other issues that bled in.

The attitudes to mental health in the past and the present are still miles behind what they should be and this was drawn into the story as it progressed.

When writing these scenes I had to stop as my emotions became too much for me to continue.

I pushed onward, helped by my David Bowie playlist and produced a work that I am proud of.

Dan helped so much by showing me where it could be polished or where it needed to be clarified. When it comes to giving edit critique, I always trust him to be spot on.

I am so proud of this anthology that I am a part of.

Each writer’s story is unique and the themes that run through them are terrifying, horrific but also emotional. There are hidden depths to every tale.

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Thank you, Adele, for such kind words. Your writing is consistently amazing, which is why it’s in the anthology.

Gang, it was a blast working with such amazing talents like Adele Marie Park on this scary anthology.

Check out Adele’s other works HERE, and her brilliant story “Traveling Man” HERE,

and check out the Box Under The Bed right now!