MY guest here is the awesome and talented author, Christine Rains!
PERSONALITIES OF THEIR OWN
The 13th floor is as much a character in the series as the tenants who live there. It isn't the first of its kind either. There are famous fictional haunted places like Stephen King's Rose Red or the Stanley Hotel in The Shining. I'm sure many of you know the tale of the Amityville horror house, and let's not forget Hogwarts. These places have personalities of their own, and sometimes become more memorable than the human cast of characters.
Buildings aren't the only things that are sometimes brought to life. I can list a few sentient spaceships that I adore: The TARDIS (Doctor Who), Nostromo (Alien), and Moya (Farscape).
Yet it isn't only the spirit in the buildings or ships that make them memorable. There are many more that gain life as a character through the love of the rest of the cast in the stories and the readers. Here are some famous ones: Tara from Gone With the Wind, the U.S.S. Enterprise (Star Trek), the Millennium Falcon (Star Wars), and Serenity (Firefly).
Places and vehicles are just as important to a story as the characters with a beating heart. I find a lot of writers do this unconsciously. Just like people name their cars or get teary-eyed when they move because they'll miss their old house. Since these things are so much a part of our lives, we imagine them with personalities of their own.
What's your favorite fictional place or thing that you consider a character?
The 13th Floor Complete Collection – out now! Find it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and on Goodreads
Find Christine: Blog, Website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Ninja News
Nick Wilford is celebrating two years of blogging with a huge giveaway that includes a full manuscript edit. Check it out!
RaShelle’s books have sold around half a million copies – she rocks!
Pacific Rim comes out on DVD Tuesday! 3D Blu-ray, here I come…
If you’re looking for some cool Halloween t-shirts (or any occasion) check out Jeremy Hawkins’ store at the Netoshop.
Yes, it’s for real!
Movie Review
My wife and I ended up spending Friday night with friends, so we didn’t get to the theater to see Captain Phillips. However, we did watch a horror flick from NetFlix.
Executive produced by Guillermo del Toro – a man and his girlfriend find themselves caring for his nieces who were left alone in the wilderness for five years… or were they? Starring Jessica Chastain from Zero Dark Thirty and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau from Game of Thrones.
An effective movie, it follows the Spanish horror film style of a sad and tragic storyline. There were some plot holes, including the fact the girlfriend was completely unqualified to take care of the girls. (Not to mention one of the girls should’ve stayed in therapy for a very long time.)
Fortunately, the director is skilled enough that these don’t completely ruin the film. It’s very creepy with some unusual effects and scares, especially the portrayal of ‘Mama.’
If you’ve ever considered adoption, this film will make you think twice!
Available on NetFlix and worth the rental.
Horror Movie Trivia!
Guess the horror film from the quote:
1 - “When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth.” (1978)
2 - “Be afraid… Be very afraid.” (1986)
3 - “Smile, you son of a b____!” (1975)
4 - “I will not be threatened by a walking meat loaf!” (1981)
5 - “Who’s laughing now?” (1987)
6 - “Mrs. MacNeil, the problem with your daughter is not her bed, it’s her brain.” (1973)
Answers on Wednesday!
Do objects and places in your stories possess personalities? Have a favorite? Picked up one of Jeremy’s shirts yet? Getting Pacific Rim this week? Have you seen Mama? And do you know any of the trivia answers?
Don’t forget to visit Untethered Realms!
150 comments:
What an interesting concept! "The 13th Floor" sounds intriguing. My settings tend to be not as much the focal point, no. But I've read settings that I definitely felt were as much a part of the story as the characters were.
"Mama" sounds too scary for me!
I love the 13th Floor series.
Ninja Army t-shirts. Cool! :)
Objects and setting as character are one of my favourite topics. Christine, you covered the topic really well.
Movie trivia-- I feel I should know #2 and #6 I'm guessing is the Exorcist.
I'm loving Christine's series so far. It's been rudely interrupted by three revision reads but I can't wait to get back to it. The 13th Floor is certainly one of the main characters! :)
Congratulations Christine - a great topic!
I'm so looking forward to reading your masterpiece!
Excellent tour - Alex!
Love Christine's post - I read a book by Robert Giradi (poss spelt wrong) called Madeleine's Ghost, and New Orleans stood out as being a character in it's own right.
I am determined to buy a Ninja Army t-shirt one day to wear to the gym, just to confuse people and have them ask me about it!
Hi Alex .. Christine - your novellas are a great series - and I've enjoyed the one I read, now must read the rest.
Good luck to Nick and his editing services - his give-away is amazing ..
Love all the T shirts with their logos .. Cheers Hilary
Hi, Alex & Christine,
I believe in making the setting a character in our stories. Makes for a more interesting tale. Still haven't forgotten the first in the series that I've read. Good stuff.
Congrats to Nick and Mama sounds intense.
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Alex. I was really curious about Mama. I do enjoy a good del Toro movie, but this week, it's Pacific Rim! Yay for Nick. I'm heading over there and to the UR blog.
Elizabeth, thanks!
Melissa, thank you! I'm happy you enjoyed them.
Lynda, thanks so much.
Shah, hopefully the revisions are done and you can get back to reading!
Yolanda, thank you!
Annalisa, I think a lot of people see New Orleans as a characters. It's one of those cities that really stand out.
Hilary, thank you! :)
J.L., thanks!
Hi Christine,
I always think of Stephen King when I think of haunted settings. Now, I may think of you!
I love Christine's 13th Floor, it really does have a personality all its own. I always think of the Hotel in the Shining as a character - it scared me to no end.
Love Jeremy's t-shirts! Thanks for visiting us at UR, Alex. :)
Elizabeth, my settings are the focal point either. And Mama was very creepy.
Lynda, you are correct!
Shah, how rude of those revisions!
Annalisa, that would be awesome! I like confusing people.
Christine, you're welcome! And yes, Pacific Rim first.
I have been re-reading Stephen Lawhead's Song of Albion trilogy, where the land itself is a reflection of the High King. Pretty fascinating idea. Probably my favorite setting-with-personality ever has to be the castle from E. Nesbit's Enchanted Castle. That was one of my all-time favorite books as a kid!
I've never been able to watch horror movies, so I'm less than useless for the trivia today.
The 13th Floor sounds like a collection after my wife's taste. Will tell her about it.
To be honest at first sight I thought Sharcano is a joke.
But it is a real book starring lava sharks! What will happen to the oceans - vaporizing? With enough lava sharks it should be possible to have a walk in the Mariana Trench ...
Congrats to Christine! Hopping over to see your guest post. Have a great week!
Christine Rains is awesome and I've been wanting to read her series for a while. I've heard so many great things about it!
I know all those movie quotes, but for some reason I don't remember which their fun! Pretty sure I've seen all of them though.
Might have to watch Mama some night.
I really want to read the 13th floor books. I need to add them to my to buy list.
Those t-shirts look cool. That movie not so much. I know I'll have nightmares after watching that.
The moment you asked about objects possessing personalities, I thought of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. But that might be because I saw the Disney music concert this weekend. :)
Looking forward to reading Christine's 13th floor series. Lucky me for winning a copy! Thinking about objects with personality and now I am freaking out over music boxes and dolls. Just saw the conjuring and that was a creepy movie! Have not seen Mama but will now! I love a good scare :)
Mama sounds horrifying! I can't watch any horror film with a child in, they really creep me out!
The 13th Floor sounds pretty badass. A mention of Stephen King AND the TARDIS? Those are like two of my favorite things.
Also, my own car was a central 'character' in one of my novels. It actually made the book even quirkier than it already was, and I'm glad I did it.
Love your tee shirt, Alex!
Congrats to Christine and RaShelle!!
Okay, so #3 on your list sounds like Jaws, and it's the right year, but I thought sure it was "FIRE, you son of a *bleep*"
Hmmm... I'll have to look that one up. And #4 sounds sooo familiar....
I love the idea of the 13th Floor having its own personality. Congrats on your own Ninja Army t-shirt design. Very cool! I am not a horror fan, I still get nightmares from horror movies, so I stay away - despite that, I think #2 is the Fly.
Very cool post, Christine and it's always neat to see these sort of 'props' take on a life of their own in shows/movies.
As for the trivia, I know a few of them (I think)
1. Night of the Living Dead (?)
2. The Fly
3. Jaws
6. The Exorcist
I'm going to have to snag me a Ninja Army t-shirt, too :D
Julie, thanks for having me!
Louise, I've never read those books.
Edi, no it's for real...
Stina, did you enjoy it?
Siv, cool that you won it. And if you liked the Conjuring, you'll find Mama quite creepy.
Kyra, Mama would send you off the deep end then.
Brandon and Bryan, which book?
PK, you're correct, and it was smile. Trust me!
Rhonda, you got it.
13th Floor is on my reading radar. In addition to Christine's examples, how about Shirley Jackson and her all-time, best-ever scary book/movie, The Haunting of Hill House? That was one house with a 'tude.
Hurray! for Nick! And what a giveaway!
Congrats to RaShelle, one of my favorite blogger buddies.
The 13th Floor sounds great - love when the buildings/settings become characters themselves :)
Congratulations Christine looks like a winner of a book. I still try the the trivia but without success.
Good Monday post Alex....enjoy your week.
Yvonne.
#3 has to be Jaws. Right? I had a debate with a friend over the weekend about whether or not Jaws should be considered in the horror genre.
Yay Christine. A perfect book for Halloween!
The house in Amityville Horror was definitely the main Antagonist in the book and movie. Yikes!!!
Okay, I'm totally curious about #4. And I think the Ninja Army design would make a cool bumper sticker. :)
I don't live far from the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park that was the inspiration for The Shining. Almost got married there, in fact. It's a beautiful place, but I do get a little creeped out when I go by it...still. Yeah, a creepy building can be like a distinct character in a book.
Ooh, i forgot about Mama! I'll have to watch that around halloween
The Enterprise is definitely on of my favorite places. When I was younger, I used to dream about living in it.
I tend to talk to inanimate object all the time. The day they talk back I'll let you know.
I plan on buying Pacific Rim this week I just need to find the copy that best fists me.
Mama sounds ever so creepy!! But perfect for Halloween!
Yay to Ms Rains!!! Loving the idea of the 13th Floor as a character in itself! Ooooh - the sword of King Arthur! The book in Hocus Pocus! Yay! Take care
x
Hogwarts!!! (my favorite 'place' with a personality all its own). I saw a theory once that creating the magical 'order maker' of the sorting hat also created an equal and opposite DISorder in the form of Peeves... LOVE that. And I love a 'place as character'.
#3 is Jaws.
#6 The Exorcist
I know the "be afraid..." quote, but can't quite put my finger on the title. I'll probably remember it later today.
I loved Mama, except the hokey ending. It really had an interesting premise, but they killed it with the ending for me.
Mark, you are correct! And that would be cool. Jeremy would appreciate it.
Keith, correct! And scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it.
Suze, that would be cool!
LG, that would be creepy to see.
Debra, so did I!
David, keep us posted. And I know - so many options.
Candilynn, correct! Yeah, it was over the top with the ending.
So the complete 13th floor is now out, eh? Very cool. And more shark madness, I see! :)
Great stuff to remember when creating a memorable building, ship...or car! Congrats to Nick for reaching a big 2 years. I think I've got a few of the answers: 2. The Fly; 3. Jaws; 6. The Exorcist. I was afraid Mama would be terrible, but now I want to give it a chance.
I'm a 13th Floor fan! :) That ninja army shirt isn't bad either.
13th Floor looks REALLY juicy! Congrats RaShelle and Nick!
OH Alex, we saw Captain Phillips on Friday and IT WAS AWESOME. You'll love it.
The 13th Floor definitely sounds creepy. I remember watching part of a tv movie as a kid called Nightmare on the 13th Floor. I'm sure it'd be corny now but I was a kid and it TOTALLY freaked me out. I always think of it now whenever the number 13 is in a horror flick title. For the trivia, #1 is Dawn of the Dead, and I pretty sure #3 is Jaws, but I'm not familiar with the rest. Happy Monday! :D
Congrats Christine! Sounds like a great story. I'll have to check it out.
I'm very excited about the 13th floor.
I love when "things" have personalities.
Really must get myself a copy of Christine's book. Will check out Nick's blogiversary celebration.
Saw Mama a while ago - creepy!
Huge congrats to Christine, RaShelle, and Nick!
I recognize all the trivia lines except #1, but I'm only sure of the movie that goes with the last one.
Making the setting a character isn't always easy.
I know The Fly and Evil Dead II!
The 13th Floor series sounds like spine-tingling fun! Love your T-shirt Alex!
Julir
This story sounds great. I love the idea of places being a character. I tried to include this into the Fraction Series as well. Love stories that do this.
I love Christine! And this idea of objects and places being characters :) Do robots count? Because I keep thinking of Wall-E, lol.
Scary movies and me don't mix, lol! I'm a big baby. I'll probably have nightmares off your review.
Full circle is exactly my goal in my next book. It's gonna be tough. Thanks Alex!
Brain dead, so no trivia answers, though two of them sound familiar.
I have two of Jeremy's shirts, and one of them is the Ninja Army!
Heading over to guest spot...
Tina @ Life is Good
Congrats to Christine! I'll host her soon.
I kind of think some of my places have "personalities." I try to make them an integral part of the story so they enhance the characters and the plot, so I guess that's personality.
That's great about Nick. I'll have to stop in and say hi today.
Michael, you are correct!
Cathy, I hope to catch it soon.
Liesel, correct, and I remember that series.
Diane, correct!
Cassie, sorry!
Nancy, you can do it.
sharkano...i am just a bit scared...lol....i def think places have personalites of their own...and machines too...there are times i dont like the personality of my computer though...ha
Like Brian said: Sharkano is making me a little bit afraid. Brrr. Christine, I, too, make my locations a character in my novels: from the badlands of my latest to, of course, New Orleans as Annalisa does. Best of luck with your sales!!
I don't have the guts to watch Mama by myself. Sharcano looks interesting. I want to know more lol
I hope she does well with the 13th floor. Mama does sound too scary for me too. Thanks for stopping by.
Jeremy's t-shirts rule!
Congrats to Christine, Nick and RaShelle!!!
No, we do not want our Captain dizzy ;D
This is the first time I've seen The 13th Floor. I like that sort of thing, so I am definitely intrigued.
I really like Christine's description of the 13th floor. It brings to mind that I could do a lot more with setting.
I'm going to guess one of them for fun.
2) Friday the 13th.
Happy Monday, Alex.
xoRobyn
In the books I've written set in Manhattan, the city often almost feels like another character. I've also read many books set in NYC where the city is as much a character as any of the humans. The same is true for other books set in well-developed, iconic cities, like Boston, Paris, and Peking.
one answer is "Jaws" and another "Alien"? Maybe?
Sharcano sounds like there's a Syfy movie in the works already.
mood
Living in Spain, I have no shortage of great local movies to watch. They've helped improve my Spanish! By the way, have you seen the Rec series? Very creepy handheld-style claustrophobic horror.
Really interesting Mama!
haha nice shirt not sure Jaws is horror persee but think that is it, rest I knew
1.Dawn of the dead
2.The fly
3.Jaws??
4.An American Werewolf in london
5.Evil Dead 2
6.The exorcist
Brian, everything you write has personality.
Roland, you are the master at making New Orleans come alive.
Ella, they do rule! And if I get dizzy, then so do my clones...
Sorry, Robyn.
Carrie-Anne, those cities breathe life when you visit as well.
Susan, the first one yes.
Sean, yes I have!
Pat, it scared me when I first saw it. And perfect score!
That movie is way to creepy for me!
I love that Minion shirt from Jeremy's. Might get one for my son, who is a huge Minion fan.
Trivia:
1. Dawn of the Dead.
2. The Fly.
3. Jaws.
4. An American Werewolf in London.
5. Evil Dead? I can just see Bruce Campbell saying this.
6. The Exorcist.
So happy to see Christine here today sharing about the 13th Floor collection. I've enjoyed what I've read thus far and look forward to reading more.
I'm not sure which movies those quotes are from but they all sound so frackin' familiar lol!!
I find characters exist in trees! I know that may sound odd, but since childhood, I was always drawn to them, and found I could literally make them into not what I wanted them to be, but what they were, and all about.
Loving the new website, and have already visited so many places for helpful tips.
I am working on a Halloween short story, and having alot of fun with it. Hope you will stop by on Halloween! Sandy
Yay, Christine! Such a great post about infusing personality into settings. That's one thing I do love about The 13th Floor series.
Congrats to Christine. Her book sounds really good and I've been seeing it around. And awesome so many people have read it and enjoyed it.
Interesting post at Untethered Realms, Alex!
One of my favorite settings is the country of Valdemar, though it's been a while since I've read Mercedes Lackey.
We missed getting to see Captain Phillips this weekend, but ended up watching a couple other movies instead too. Hiding behind the nearest couch for your horror trivia - must go check out Nick's blog now.
Brinda, thank you! I admire King a lot. That's a huge compliment for me. :)
Julie, me too. I'm fascinated by the hotel, but I don't think I'd ever stay the night there!
Louise, that sounds pretty cool.
edi, thanks!
Karen, thank you!
Elise and Jack, thanks! Make sure you enter the giveaway for a chance to win it. ;)
Stina, that's a great example!
Siv, dolls have always been creepy to me!
ABFTS, thanks! King and Doctor Who are two of my favorite things too. I hope your car wasn't at all like Christine! (Not me, King's car!)
Pk, thanks!
Rhonda, thank you.
The House has some of its own personality.
That's about all I have today.
Way behind.
Mark, thanks!
Huntress, that's a fantastic example! I actually had that in the post before I edited it down so it wasn't so long.
Jemi and Yvonne, thank you!
Jay, thanks so much!
LG, that's so cool you live nearby the hotel. It's gorgeous out there.
Debra, I'd love to live on the Enterprise too. Ah, but which ship?
David, hehehe! Please let us know.
Old Kitty, those are fantastic examples. Hocus Pocus is so much fun!
Hart, Hogwarts is my favorite place as a character too. Rowling did such a phenomenal job with it.
David P. King, yes, it is! :)
I've been living a sheltered life. Never heard of the 13th floor series. Course, anyone who knows me, knows I'm a big chicken when it comes to that sort of stuff. Big chicken and big baby.
Michael, thanks!
Tonja, thank you!
Cathy, hehehe! Thanks. :)
Liesel, I've never heard of that film. I'll have to check it out!
Jessica, Southpaw, and Carol, thank you!
Suzanne, thanks! Enter the giveaway for a chance to win it. :)
Diane, not at all!
Empty Nest and Kelley, thank you.
Cassie, I thought about robots. Wall-E is definitely a character like Data on ST:TNG.
Lee, thanks! It'll be lots of fun.
Brian, I know that feeling! *LOL*
Roland, thank you! Your New Orleans definitely has tons of character. :)
Clarissa and Ella, thanks!
Robin, thank you!
Rawknrobyn, I now think that about my other books. It adds so many new layers to a story.
Carrie-Anne, oh yes. Big and old cities have so much personality.
Angela, thank you! Your newest book is the next up on my TBR list. :)
Sandy, that's not weird at all. I've been known to talk to trees!
Crystal, thank you!
Natalie, thanks.
Sandra, I've not read that one. Fantasy lands have a lot of character in them.
Andrew, the house in the movie House? Oh yes, it does!
Joylene, it's not that scary. Maybe a little!
Joshua, you got it! And get a shirt - it would make both your son and Jeremy very happy.
Sandy, I will! And glad to hear the new site is helpful. We'll be adding links for a very long time.
Christine, hope you've had fun today!
I love when authors give personality to places and things. Then the piece drips with atmosphere, which is one of my favorite things.
I would love to see Sharcano the movie. It'd be hard to top Sharknado, though.
Mama sounds a bit too creepy for me!
And I'm thinking the first one is Night of the Living Dead. (Which happens to be my husband's favorite movie of all time.)
I love Hogwarts and that is one of the places I would escape to, given the chance! I like to give animals personality in my writing, because, just like places and things, they can be characters as well.
I really like the sound of The 13th Floor. The place I'd never go to is that house in The Conjuring, and while I'm too old to be a huge fan of Harry Potter, I'd love to go to Hogwarts.
The trailer for Mama creeped me out, so if I do see it on TV I'll leave the lights on. And lock my doors.
I saw Mama advertised but I'm too chicken to watch it. I am going to finally watch Pacific Rim.
Christina writes an amazing amount for having a little one to chase after.
Alex, lots of fun! :)
Mary, that's true. I love rich atmosphere in a story.
Mel, I'd be at Hogwarts if I could too! Animals definitely have personality.
Helena, you're never too old for Hogwarts!
Susan, thanks! Seeing the collection all together, I have no idea how I managed to write that much this past year!
No don't know the quotes, don't watch horror movies if I can help it.
Congratulations on all the new books so many to read and still so little time.
I liked what you had to say about character development and coming full circle. I think I apply the same principle in my writing.
I don't know if I have a favorite, but there are a few places or things that stick out in my mind as have a personality of their own. The Grimmery from Wicked, the house from A Discovery of Witches, Peter Pan's shadow, and Baby from the show Supernatural just to name a few.
Do watch enough horror to know the answers, but I can't wait to find out the answers.
Mary, I'm sure they'd try!
Rachel, you are correct!
Helena, and don't watch it late at night...
Susan, Pacific Rim is a lot of fun!
Toinette, check back Wednesday!
Sharkano gives me hope - every time I think that an idea is just too silly to run with...
Favorite fictional things with personalities? A tie between Herbie the Love Bug and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Oh, and the Red Balloon.
All I got was 3. Jaws and 6. The Exorcist. Of course, almost all of those movies came out before I was born :P
I was impressed with Mama. It's rare to see a horror film with actual characters.
Sharcano...no way! Haha. I think that's a smart move for Curiosity Quills. That book will sell no matter what, I'm sure, lol. LOVE the Ninja Alex shirt. :)
I don't know one of your answers! Not a big horror buff. But the 13th Floor sounds good!
I used to love horror movies, but now I'm a big wimp. I'm getting braver with my reading though! I'm excited to check out The 13th Floor!
Yes, objects and places can definitely take on personality. I just took a snapshot of my old tire-swing the other day - it was moved from the house I grew up in to the house I live in now about eleven years ago and is still in use. Although the ropes and the set up are new, the tire is really, really old, and it's from an old Cessna airplane of my dad's - lots of memories from flying in the plane, and flying on the tire-swing. :)
That line about "Be afraid . . . be really afraid," seems like it should be from a movie I know, but yikes - my brain is not doing trivia today.
I don't do well with scary stories. I enjoy reading them but later they get stuck in my head and won't go away.
I know I know a couple of those quotes but just can't think of them. Rats.
Dawn of the Dead
The Fly
Jaws
American Werewolf
I love Christine's take on places as characters. I also really enjoyed what I've read so far of 'The 13th Floor'.
You know I'm bad at trivia,but horror trivia doubly not my thing.
Am I the last person here? Yeah Mama was one freak fest. Beware other people's kids! Hmmm someone wants to compete with Sharknado, the cover is definitely attention grabbing. Congrats Sharkano. Those graphics are cool, I'd love a shirt with the ninja or skeletons with the nerve (or balls, you pick) to have the words keep calm on it. Christine did a nice feature and Hogwarts definitely came alive literally in the movie. So many people want to go there despite the fact it doesn't exist. Oh and that includes me by the way.
Toinette, great examples!
Li, hehehe! Now those are a blast from my past.
Jessie, thank you!
Leigh, thanks! Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a copy.
Tyrean, objects with history gain such personality. :)
farawayeyes, thank you!
Sheena-kay, I'll sit with you on the Hogwarts Express when we go. :)
Lisa, good point!
JE, correct. And I feel really old now...
Ilima, I bet it will.
SL, you got it! But of course...
Great post, Christine! The heroine in my book rubs her car's dashboard in an effort to coax it into starting. Does that count? Haha :)
ALEX!!
Sorry, I'm late! I can't seem to focus on anything the last few days.
I hate reality.
I'm a big fan of Christine and the 13th Floor series! So cool!
I'm thinking a Jeremy shirt might be perfect for an X-Mas gift this year!
Trivia...
1. ...of the dead. Dawn/Day/Dusk/Duck/Dodge/? I'm not sure which one it was.
2. The fly?
3. Jaws
4. American Werewolf in London
5. ?
6. Exorcist?
I should've known the Val Kilmer answer (from other post)!!
I also should know Be AFraid. Be Very Afraid. But I'm stumped!
Congrats to on the 13th Floor. Sounds spooky!
Huge congrats, Christine... love the entire series:)
OH my... Sharcano... love it.
Hello Christine :)
I did visit Unteathered Realms; cool character writeup.
You know, I remember most of those lines, but can't place the movies. Shame, shame.
I've been skeptical of Mama, but I really want to see Pacific Rim.
.......dhole
hi!
l absolutely love your blog- i found it so engaging and beautifully written.
lt would mean a lot if you could check out my blog. Maybe we could follow each other? :)
~1000thingstodoinalifetime.blogspot.com
The 13th Floor Series is great!
I really like the Ninja Army Logo, looks impressive.
Heather!! I think Jeremy's shirt would be perfect as well. You got five right - I'll give you Duck of the Dead.
Donna, you can see it today!
Carolyn, Jeremy did a great job.
I'm glad to hear that Mamma was a good movie. The previews looked like it would give me the heebie jeebies and the hubby and I wanted to go but weren't sure it be worth the price of a movie ticket. Maybe I'll go rent it...or just wait for it to show up on HBO...
Hmm, numbers 2 and 3 are on the tip of my tongue... I think 1=NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD and 2=THE EXORCIST.
Thought MAMA was throughly creepy and well done, although I felt the end was kind of hokey.
Ugh, I meant I thought 6=THE EXORCIST. Still can't think of 2 or 3....
Go Christine & Rachelle!
I don't know a single one of the horror trivia. Crap.
I <3 Christine!
My 12 yr old wants to watch mama. I haven't given in yet.
I tried to post a comment last night but it didn't take.
I'll pass on Mama, Alex. I am NOT a horror fan at all. *shudder*
I do like scary subtle. I like Dean Koontz because his (for the most part) are not in your face horror but more subtle. What would happen if, sort of thing.
Intriguing. I'll take him over Stephen King any day. Friday the 13th TV series had some scary things but it wasn't a true horror more intriguing and I like that form of scary better. I'm more Twilight Zone the blood and gore scary.
I like the premise of Christine's The Thirteen Floor.
Yes, I agree, Christine, places and things can have a personality. The gothics did with their houses.
RaShelle's cover is beautiful!
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Elsie, worth a rental or HBO watch.
Madeline, got one right. The other.. so close.
Summer, a bit intense for a twelve-year-old.
Sia, his are more thrillers than horror. It's all about the tension, like with Preston and Child's books.
Jen, I'll have to track down that short!
The 13th Floor is high on my wishlist, and I entered to win it this week (PICK ME! PICK ME!). As for places becoming characters, the one that immediately pops into my head is the House (yes capital H) in 'The House of Leaves" by Mark Danielewski. It is absolutely a character, and it's TERRIFYING.
Hadn't heard of that Mama movie, sounds unusual. Also, I loved Christine's bio "4 degrees that don't help with motherhood." :) I often feel that my degrees aren't exactly applicable to fatherhood either;)
Great post, Christine! The setting and backdrop can absolutely be a huge part of the story, and you give some great examples. Can you imagine "Firefly" if the Serenity was any different? It just wouldn't be the same...
I like the notion of 13th floors and the superstitions involving them. Some of the quotes seem vaguely familiar but I can't place the movies they were in.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Nice design Ninja Army. Greetings!
Woot! For the Tardis, Christine! :D
I just wrote a post on our haunted farm in Oklahoma, and I could really 'feel' the old farmhouse come alive. So great writing advice here!
Way to go, Nick! And I hope you're just getting started. :)
I think it's cool how the 13th floor has a personality. Christine did such a good job with her series!
Love the Ninja Army tee ;)
Thanks for all the news, Alex. Loved Christine's guest post. It's so true - I write about the "snug" in the Blind Badger where my characters hang out. It has a personality all its own.
Love the ninja army badge - are we free to swipe it?
Carrie, cars are people too! :)
Heather and Kelly, thank you!
Tania, thanks so much!
Donna, hi! :)
Carolyn, Summer, and Mina, thanks!
Sia, that's very cool. Those old houses have so much personality.
Jen, it happens in mine sometimes just out of organic story growth.
Liz, good luck! And I'll have to check that one out.
Mark, hehehe! Nothing prepares us for being a parent, but it's far more worthwhile than any of my degrees.
Chris, I couldn't. Serenity is as much of a character as the rest of the crew.
Arlee, superstitions are fascinating.
E.J., that's cool! I'll check it out.
Sherry, thank you!
Gwen, it does! After reading your book, I wanted my own snug!
Chris, I can't!
Gwen, I'm sure Jeremy wouldn't mind - more promo for him.
Another great post Alex! I can guess a few of the horror film quotes without "Googling" them.
1. Dawn of the Dead
2. ??
3. Jaws
4. ??
5. ??
6. The Exorcist
You mentioned the Tardis. Are you watching Doctor Who now?
I love it when setting is a character. I can think of Stephen King's towns in Maine and so much more.
I'll check out Untethered Realms.
Christine's series is awesome! Stephen King has quite a few fascinating places that become characters, although I must admit Rowling's Hogwarts is my favorite.
Somehow, my comment posted on my blog! Technology hates me :P Anyway. As for things that feel like characters, you've listed some great ones. For me: Middle Earth, The Wardrobe, the Walton's kitchen table...
Alex, for a minute, I thought 6 might be the Exorcist....
Oh, I might have to put that T-shirt on my Christmas list :-)Sharcano . . . I'm excited!
Hi Alex,
Delighted to note that Christine has been featured on your site. Wishing her much fulfilment with her latest endeavour.
I shall attempt to circle around over at where you be visiting.
The objects and places in my stories always have personalities. I actually become the object or the place.
Gary
So, I quote "Be afraid...be very afraid" ALL the time. Do I know where it came from? No, no I do not (or rather I do, but this brain isn't giving up the answer right now.)
Christine names 3 of my favorite places - Hogwarts, Tara & Serenity - three that I never thought to see named in the same blogpost, so :)
all of these movies creep mo out LOl xo
Okay- Mama looks very creepy!
Sharcano has a great cover!
I can't wait to read The 13 Floors! Looks like a fabulous fall read. :)
~Jess
Christine's article was good. I don't personalize settings, but use atmosphere to create mood.
Congrats to Nick, Rachelle, and Jose. (CQ sure jumped on that trend fast.)
1. Dawn of the Dead (the first, best version)
2. ?
3. Jaws (my fav movie!!)
4. American Werewolf in London
5. ?
6. Exorcist
Hi Alex, Hi Christina,
Congrats on the book Christina, it looks really interesting and I hope it brings you lots of success. Thanks Alex, for this wonderfully informative and enjoyable blog post!
Yay for Christine and her 13th Floor series! And yay for Nick and his generous giveaway!
CONGRATS, Christine! I hope you are having fun on your blog tour.
Don't know any of the trivia answers. Will check back later in the week.
; )
Msmariah, right now as in this minute? Unfortunately, no. Yet now I really want to go turn on some Doctor Who. :)
Medeia, Stephen King is the king of bringing places to life!
Cherie, mine too. When are we going?!
The Words Crafter, great examples!
Gary, thanks for stopping in. You became the place or object? Interesting!
Nicki, do I win some bonus prize?! ;)
DMS, thanks!
Lexa, I love a good rich atmosphere. Especially the creepy ones.
Editors at Work, thank you.
Cynthia, thanks!
Susanne, thank you. I'm having tons of fun! Can't believe the month is half over with already.
This series looks sooo good! And my favorite fictional place is hands down Manderely, from Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier.
When I got back from the show, I totally forgot to pop in and comment... it's been such a hectic week!!
I love the cover of Christine's collection!
And the Ninja T-shirt is AWESOME!!
When I got back from the show, I totally forgot to pop in and comment... it's been such a hectic week!!
I love the cover of Christine's collection!
And the Ninja T-shirt is AWESOME!!
Objects in y life have personalities, flavors, and smells. And I really want a TARDIS.
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