How much does weather play in writing a Haunted Series novel? I can answer that a good rainstorm stimulates the gray cells and adds the right amount of atmosphere in a story. Snow, too, can bring on the feeling of being trapped inside. The lowness of the winter sky pressing down on the city brings on shortened tempers and trips to the attic to sort through trunks… How about a wonderful seventy-five-degree day on the beach in Hawaii? The sun tanning the skin while the ocean breeze and icy cocktail cools you. How scary is that? I suppose if someone saw me in last year’s bathing suit, it may bring on the feeling of dread, but is it fodder for a Haunted Series book? Could Murphy passing the sunscreen to Mia interest anyone? I wouldn’t know because, this year, Hawaii is not on the menu.
I think writing a book in a tropical location would be a challenge. Mia did spend some time in Haiti, not at the beach, but it was on an island. Old weathered buildings guarding the secrets within… I guess every location does have its possibilities. I think it would be fun to take the most unlikely of situations and make them scary. Next time you have your head in the refrigerator scanning the treats within, think about the possibility that when you shut that door, something is waiting for you on the other side of it. Or maybe the leftovers have mutated into another life form? Try it. Find something scary in the calmest and most beautiful of scenes. It will advance sales on anxiety meds and put you in the right frame of mind for book eighteen.
Speaking of scary, the Webguy is determined to have another podcast soon. The subject is Ghostly Attachments. Send questions or comments to Alexieaaronbiz@gmail.com. I will answer questions about this book and where and when A Rose by Any Other Name is going to be published.
In the meanwhile, I’m going to leave some travel brochures in the woodpile and see if Murphy is up for a trip.