by mike | Apr 12, 2018 | Books, California, Editing, Ghosts, Horror, Publishing, Uncategorized, Writing |
During my 200+ years as a writing coach, I’ve seen it all when it comes to manuscripts by wanna-be authors. Issues with plotting, characterization, dialogue, pacing, and all other elements of a novel come to mind—oftentimes in glaringly high definition and even IMAX....
by mike | Mar 29, 2018 | Books, California, Ghosts, Horror, Paranormal, Publishing, Uncategorized, Writing |
I first ran this post in 2014, around the time I reissued my two ghost stories. This one tells the tale of many benign ghosts—and one murderous spirit—in the Anza-Borrego Desert. PRAISE FOR FIRE DANCE: “Sirota returns…with this atmospheric tale of horror in the...
by mike | Mar 22, 2018 | Death, Ghosts, Guilty Pleasures, Horror, Horror Movies, Movies, Uncategorized |
I still get a kick out of this weird flick. This post first ran in 2014. Be forewarned: the 2002 horror flick, Ghost Ship, has one of the most memorable—and gross—opening hooks in all of filmdom. We find ourselves aboard an Italian luxury ocean liner, the Antonia...
by mike | Mar 15, 2018 | Books, Editing, Ghosts, Horror, Humor, Publishing, Science Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing |
Are we novelists EVER satisfied with our stories? I first presented this post in 2014. The following paragraph is not an entry out of “Mike’s Brag Book.” I only present it to support the point I plan on making in this post. I have written books, and have edited other...
by mike | Jan 8, 2018 | Ghosts, Horror, Horror Movies, Movies, Paranormal, Psychological Thrillers, Uncategorized |
Big things often begin as something much smaller. Case in point: the 2013 supernatural thriller, Oculus, a critically acclaimed—and profitable—movie that started out as a short film (28 minutes) with the lengthy title of Oculus: Chapter Three—The Man with the Plan....
by mike | Dec 24, 2017 | Fantasy, Ghosts, Humor, Movie Lines, Movies, Nightmares, Romance, Uncategorized |
As a Jewish kid growing up in The Bronx—in a neighborhood of mostly other Jews—I had little exposure to Christmas, other than learning it wasn’t “our” holiday. Even so, I enjoyed many of the Christmas movies that played all through December on our 12-inch, black &...
