Welcome to the City of the Dead

The Stranger known as: the 4th Horseman carries with him a darkness.

by MJ Preston

Along with generating a pile of Equinox art I also start creating work for a pictorial I was going to call: The 4th Horseman. The concept was simple enough. A stranger carrying a bag walks into a city and unleashes something that changes city into a hell on earth. Not a new concept by any means. Author Richard Matheson gave us 'I am Legend' which spawned three films adaptions: The Last Man on Earth (1964), The Omega Man (1971) and I am Legend (2007). Along with Matheson's influential novel, the film Resident Evil (2002) used biological disaster caused by an evil corporation to turn people in Racoon City into cannibalistic zombies. It also went on to become a major franchise and set into motion an epidemic of zombie movies. Including the critically acclaimed HBO series 'The Walking Dead' based on the Graphic Novel originally penned by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Tony Moore in 2003.

After the 4th Horseman arrives things change drastically.

     Over saturation and the fact that I don't think my Artistic ability is anywhere near the caliber of illustrators like Tony Moore forced me to face reality. So after a flurry of creativity I got back to writing and abandon the idea of doing a graphic novel. At least in this particular genre. But that is not  to say that I am completely out. I have looked at a few other concepts, including adding illustrations to books. And that is because I truly love this medium of work. It is a lot of fun.

In the City of the Dead law enforcement is a must.

      The one thing I did get from this exercise was the inspiration for a couple of new books. No, not books about the City of the Dead, but characters were spawned  from these ideas.  

     Even though 'The 4th Horseman' concept has been shelved my third novel, still in its infancy, was inspired by some of what came from this exercise. My latest project, Acadia Event also has a character who would have been originally cast in 'The 4th Horseman Graphic Novel'. So all is not lost in the fall of an idea. And I still hold onto some of these pictures with an almost freakish sentiment.

After the event that uleashed change the switchman still works the railroad. 

     Although not all writers use art to spur on their creative side I believe that what you see here on this page is the inner working of my minds eye. How that comes to be is really not all that complicated. I get a visual inside my head, pictures begin to form, and from that I begin to build the characters, places and the events that connect them. I can't speak for other writers, but assume that they have a similar experience when they go down that rabbit hole.

What waits down darkened corridors is anyone's guess.

 
     After a computer crash last year, I lost the bulk of the pictures I'd generated in my week long frenzy, but I did manage to salvage a few. I still look back on this fondly and think to myself. Maybe there is still something there. 

    Who knows. I hang onto everything, even pieces that have been excised from my writing because they didn't work. In my den, office, workspace, I have the original draft manuscript for The Equinox which telephone book sized hulk of paper riddled with post-it notes and red ink. Sometimes I'll pick it up and leaf through it and look at what was taken out. Taken out for good reason by the way. Even that which was tried and did not make the cut is still part of me and the process. 
 
    Well, that about sums it up for this blog entry. Next I'll show of some of my artwork in regard to my latest project with the working title: 'ACADIA EVENT'

     I must say that I have really had fun with this Blog Hop thing that a co-host Mike from The Dark Discussions Podcast passed along. His blog is: Unnatural Selections. I suggest you check him out along with all the other folks participating in this May Monster Madness Blog Hop [See details below]

***

  

Visit: MJ Preston's Official Webpage

MJ Preston is the Author of the Horror Novel: THE EQUINOX

His new novel ACADIA EVENT is forecasted for release in late 2013
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATED AS ONE OF THE 
BEST HORROR NOVELS TO HIT BOOKSHELVES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS!!

'The Equinox' is a tour de force of brilliant writing, fast-paced action, and gritty characterisation. 

Get your copy of The Equinox  
Sold in Hardcover and Trade Paperback
Click on the books below for more details

                     

 CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT BLOGS:

MAY MONSTER MADNESS BLOG HOP!

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2.	Magaly Guerrero	19.	Carmen Jenner Author	36.	Stuff! Also, Things.
3.	Stephen Tremp	20.	Book Me!	37.	Lexa Cain
4.	Toni @ My Book Addiction	21.	Design du Jour	38.	Roland Yeomans
5.	QueenCicada	22.	Not This Time, Nayland Smith	39.	Real Queen of Horror
6.	Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh	23.	FIRE IT UP! Beer-fueled Horror Musings	40.	Procrastonaut
7.	Something WicKED this way comes...	24.	Shah Wharton	41.	Ms Misantropia
8.	Little Gothic Horrors	25.	Tim Brannan, The Other Side	42.	Zombie Author Rose Wynters
9.	Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY	26.	Holly's Horrorland	43.	Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
10.	Kweeny Todd	27.	Professor Z	44.	My Haunted Attic
11.	This and that...	28.	Dark Rosaleen	45.	Dr. Theda
12.	L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge	29.	The Beveled Edge	46.	Jenny's House of Horrors
13.	The Dark World of MJ Preston	30.	Candilynn Fite	47.	TF Walsh
14.	Entertaining Interests	31.	Jason Lloyd	48.	Fallen
15.	Emily Unraveled	32.	Diane Riggins	49.	It Came From The Man Cave!
16.	Cinematic Catharsis	33.	Lori Parker
17.	Unnatural Selections	34.	Coffintree Hill

 

Rituals and Intersections - Equinox Artwork

by MJ Preston

Daniel Blackbird was one of my first virtual drawings.

From May 11th -17th is the May Monster Madness Blog Hop so I decided dig up some of my artwork and present it in a couple of blogs. Often when I write I use this medium to inspire myself in the storytelling process. When writing my first novel: THE EQUINOX I began a virtual drawing of protagonist 'Daniel Blackbird'. I say virtual, because a pencil never touched paper through the process, everything was generated on computer using an early version of Jasc Paint Shop Pro. This was something I used to do as a kid when writing stories. Back then I carried a sketch pad, binder of loose leaf or whatever I could to scratch out my rudimentary creations.
     As I continued to work on Equinox the art seemed to accompany the creation process and I ended up generating a lot of images. What I didn't realize was that most of the artwork was too low in DPI to be published anywhere, so other putting it up here on a blog or on my website, the early Equinox Art had no marketable value. Live and learn I guess. I wasn't really looking at publishing it anyway, but I have since changed my approach to artwork and go big with the originals now.  I don't think this approach to writing is anything new. I believe Clive Barker took a similar approach in his writing, but unlike Barker I do not market my artwork.
     As I wrote each chapter I also continued producing new images

EQUINOX ART -The Black Orb concealing the creature within.

and as with most things my skill improved. As a result, I began inundating friends and family with whatever popped into my head that week. This usually resulted in the odd comment that insinuated that I suffered from sort of mental problems. I tried not to take these attacks on my mental stability to personally. As a result of this born again process I decided that I would take complete creative control of my book and design my own cover for The Equinox once it was ready for publication. I went through a number of drafts and finally settled on two different covers. One for the paperback and the hardcover. Left you'll see one of the early original concepts. I eventually settled on two different covers, but the process was great fun.

Creative Sculpts: The Skin-walker of Chocktee

Early on the task of creating the skin-walkers was a slow process

I have not limited my creativity to just pictures and writing, but did a bit of sculpting as well, bringing to life the nefarious skin-walker of Chocktee. 

Neighbors must have thought I was crazy putting this guy out.

    It took me about three months and a gallon of silicone to put the seven foot monster together. After completing the project I took a couple shots of the big lug and it caught the attention of local media. It also made for an awesome centerpiece on my front lawn which is usually covered in grave stones and zombies on Halloween. He was a big hit with most of the kids, not all of them would come up my driveway to get a treat. I had to meet some of the more timid kids at the road. [insert devilish grin here].
      After Halloween I had to chop the big guy in half because there really was no where to store him. He's under my patio in a crawl space now, no doubt being crawled upon by spiders and bugs as he waits for my wife to open the door.

Using Internet Media

     Following the publication of Equinox I went on to author a couple of videos which outlined my artwork and introducing the public to some of the characters from the book.  Using music from artist Kevin MacLeod and mixing it with art and animation I produced this video called Faces of Equinox. Have a look.

     Well that's it for this MAY MONSTER MADNESS segment. In my next blog I will take you to the City of the Dead and show you a bit more of my work.

Thanks for stopping in and enjoy your hop across the blogosphere.

M

  

Visit: MJ Preston's Official Webpage

MJ Preston is the Author of the Horror Novel: THE EQUINOX

His new novel ACADIA EVENT is forecasted for release in late 2013
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATED AS ONE OF THE 
BEST HORROR NOVELS TO HIT BOOKSHELVES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS!!
'The Equinox' is a tour de force of brilliant writing, fast-paced action, and gritty characterisation. 
Get your copy of The Equinox  
Sold in Hardcover and Trade Paperback
Click on the books below for more details

                      

Blog Hop

1.	Annie Walls	18.	GingerRead Review	35.	Tasha's Thinkings
2.	Magaly Guerrero	19.	Carmen Jenner Author	36.	Stuff! Also, Things.
3.	Stephen Tremp	20.	Book Me!	37.	Lexa Cain
4.	Toni @ My Book Addiction	21.	Design du Jour	38.	Roland Yeomans
5.	QueenCicada	22.	Not This Time, Nayland Smith	39.	Real Queen of Horror
6.	Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh	23.	FIRE IT UP! Beer-fueled Horror Musings	40.	Procrastonaut
7.	Something WicKED this way comes...	24.	Shah Wharton	41.	Ms Misantropia
8.	Little Gothic Horrors	25.	Tim Brannan, The Other Side	42.	Zombie Author Rose Wynters
9.	Maynard Morrissey's HORROR MOVIE DIARY	26.	Holly's Horrorland	43.	Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
10.	Kweeny Todd	27.	Professor Z	44.	My Haunted Attic
11.	This and that...	28.	Dark Rosaleen	45.	Dr. Theda
12.	L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off the Edge	29.	The Beveled Edge	46.	Jenny's House of Horrors
13.	The Dark World of MJ Preston	30.	Candilynn Fite	47.	TF Walsh
14.	Entertaining Interests	31.	Jason Lloyd	48.	Fallen
15.	Emily Unraveled	32.	Diane Riggins	49.	It Came From The Man Cave!
16.	Cinematic Catharsis	33.	Lori Parker
17.	Unnatural Selections	34.	Coffintree Hill

(Submissions close in 7d 2h 30m)

Sometimes they get it half right!

by MJ Preston

The opening scene to "Blood Runs Cold" is a horrific spectacle

I watched a horror flick tonight that had two opposing elements that repelled and attracted me. But first the hook: 

     Opening scene: A man lies  face down in the snow. After a second there is movement. He is regaining consciousness, is badly injured, disoriented and his face is caked with blood and snow.  As he lifts himself, he turns back toward his car. The vehicle has collided with a tree and for a fleeting moment you think that maybe he has been in a car accident. That is, until someone holding an axe appears from behind the car. Panic sets in, our desperate victim attempts to reach for his cell phone, but there's no time. He turns, a look of hopelessness crosses his bloody snow caked face. He begins crawling away. From behind, the person carrying the axe comes striding up, swings, the axe connects, the victims neck snaps over and then...    Fade to black.

     At first I thought I was watching a Canadian Film, due mostly to the winter landscape and the abundance of unknown actors in this atmospheric piece that reminded me somewhat of a low budget 70's horror flick. I stumbled across the film quite by accident. On YouTube of all places. Often I'll hit YouTube to bring myself up to date on movies that are coming out as I no longer hand money over to the crooks at the local cable company. Two years ago I cancelled my cable and everything now is online. 

     As it turned out, the film I was about to watch was a low budget Swedish horror film called: Blood Runs Cold. So far the opening sequence had drawn me in and now as it turns out we are following a young woman named Winona [played by Hanna Oldenburg] as she drives her minivan through the snow covered back roads in search of a country house that was rented for her by her boss. It seems Winona is a reporter of some type and needs a little down time from the stress of her job. As she searches, she checks the address and finds what she thinks is the house her boss rented. Unable to get all the way up her driveway she parks about 400 yards back and hoofs it through the snow.

     Once in the house, she hears all sorts of noises and we are led to believe that someone is in there with her. But after a room to room search she finds an open window that is banging and that calms her nerves. What is the best formula for creating the perfect atmosphere for a slasher flick? 

     Well, according to rules and regulations, there must be at least three more victims to make it a real slasher film. So Winona sets off for the local pub, hooks up with an old flame and drags him and his two friends back to the creepy old house for a bit of product placement (Budweiser) and sex. You have to have sex, without sex there would be nothing for the characters to do except spout more of the empty dialogue written for them in the script. Oh wait, I'm sorry. The title of this Blog is: Sometimes they get it half right, and they do. 

Enter the Antagonist, an axe wielding cannibal who is quite possibly undead.

     You see the strongest and most interesting character in this film is the antagonist, an axe wielding maniac who not only murders his victims, but eats them as well.  But there's more. This axe wielding, cannibalistic maniac has something else about him that is quite interesting. We aren't really sure that he is human. Every time he is attacked, be it stabbed, shot, or impaled by his own axe he seems to bleed out a plume of dust. And that is really what they get right in this film. The malevolent force is really quite scary and unrelenting. Slicing his way through the story whilst gobbling down the odd chunk or two of flesh. In fact this interesting chap was what made the film worth watching right through to the end. It certainly wasn't the protagonist Winona, who did more stupid things in an attempt to get herself killed than the average slasher bimbo does in the first five minutes of a Friday the 13th sequel.

     Look, I'm willing to look the other way when someone reaches out to open a basement door after discovering there is a distinct possibility that there is an intruder in the house. But this young lady does exactly what no one would do. Guy attacks you with axe and you knock him down the stairs, drop the knife. Someone kills the lights and is trying to get you. Flick your Bic lighter and give your position away. Good gravy, even my wife who usually gets angry when I start criticizing the writing of a film, began to roll her eyes.

    So, sadly they got it half right in this low budget film, but I still suggest checking it out for the scary scenes that save this film from a total tear down. There isn't a lot of reviews out there for Blood Runs Cold, but it sparked my interest to stay until the end. If you don't want to buy it you can check it out on Youtube using the following link: BLOOD RUNS COLD

Cheers
M 

Visit MJ Preston's Official Webpage

MJ Preston is the Author of the Horror Novel: THE EQUINOX

His new novel ACADIA EVENT is forecasted for release in late 2013
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATED AS ONE OF THE 
BEST HORROR NOVELS TO HIT BOOKSHELVES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS!!
'The Equinox' is a tour de force of brilliant writing, fast-paced action, and gritty characterisation. 
Get your copy of The Equinox  
Sold in Hardcover and Trade Paperback
Click on the books below for more details

                      

 

PULP UNCHAINED: A Tarantino Retrospective

written by MJ Preston
 
Resevoir Dogs Planning the Caper Scene Excerpt:
Steve Buscemi:    Why am I Mr. Pink
Lawrence Tierney:    Because you're a faggot alright!
Michael Madsen:  Turns and laughs
Steve Buscemi:    Why can't we pick our own colors?
Lawrence Tierney:    No way. No way. Doesn't work. You get five guys all fighting over who wants to be Mr. Black. Nobody knows each other so nobody wants to back down. No way. I pick. You're Mr. Pink! Be thankful you're not Mr. Yellow.
Quentin Tarantino:    Yeah well Mr. Brown, that's sounds a little to close to shit.
Steve Buscemi:    Mr Pink sounds like Mr. Pussy. How bout if I'm Mr. Purple. That's good for me I'll be Mr. Purple.
Lawrence Tierney:    You're not Mr. Purple, some guy on some other job is Mr. Purple. You're Mr. Pink!

   This was the first introduction I got to a hip young director named Quentin Tarantino, who instantly gained a cult following with his independent film: Reservoir Dogs. I had never seen anything like it. Cool music, excellent dialogue, and bloody violence turned up full blast. Quentin Tarantino was actually paying homage to the films he grew up with. The 70's drive-in classics like: Rolling Thunder or Dirty Mary Crazy Larry. Since the release of Reservoir Dogs,  Tarantino went on to write the scripts: True Romance and Natural Born Killers. Tarantino would only take story credit, for Natural Born Killers, due to tinkering with the script on the part of Oliver Stone. Tarantino then went on to write and direct Pulp Fiction which gained critical appeal and turned him from independent to on demand. Pulp Fiction, like Reservoir Dogs, was a gritty crime drama with plenty of violence infused with great dialogue and dark comedic undercurrents. It grossed over $200 million at the box office and gained the respect of the critics.

     Tarantino would follow that up with Jackie Brown, which received the scorn of Director Spike Lee. It was Lee's contention

that Tarantino's use of the "N" word and portrayal of African American's was disrespectful. This started a feud between the two directors that is still going on today with Tarantino's latest flick D'Jango Unchained. Longtime friend and Actor in many of Tarantino's films, Samuel L Jackson defended the use of the word in films saying.  "Jackie Brown" and "Django Unchained" are great movies, and Lee "hasn't made one of those in a few years."
     Following Jackie Brown came Tarantino's Magnum Opus: KILL BILL, which was filmed in two parts; Vol 1 and Vol 2. This film is one of my favorites, which portrays Uma Thurman as "The Bride" who sets to avenge the murder of her unborn child. The Bride is a member of a group of international assassins, but when she opts to leave they ambush her. At her wedding no less, after killing everyone in the wedding party they leave her for dead. 
     Big Mistake.

     What ensues is an inter-continental bloodbath that takes us from Pasadena, Texas to Okinawa, Japan. The first film is electric fast, filled with action, black humor and lots of bloody violence. The scene where the Bride fights the Crazy 88's (all 88 of them) with her samurai sword alone is worth twice the price of admission. The combined running time for both films is a little over four hours, but that is really the best way to view this film.
     Following Kill Bill Tarantino teamed up with his best friend Robert Rodriguez to film the double bill: Grindhouse. Each director filmed  a 70's style feature with all the imperfections, including fake trailers. The film ran as a Double Bill in theaters, but was poorly received due to its length. I, on the other hand, loved both films. In Tarantino's feature: DEATHPROOF, Kurt Russel plays Stuntman Bob, a serial killer who use car crashes to kill women. Although

this flick starts out slow, it gets exciting and funny as action picks up. You can't help but mention the second film by Rodriguez called: PLANET TERROR which is a hilarious parody of the Zombie Apocalypse. This film is chock full of comic book action, including the raven Rose McGowan spitting out one liners and using her M16 leg to mow down Zombies. It is hoot!
     Following up with the much anticipated INGLORIOUS BASTERDS of which I feel that Tarantino fell short. Not because it wasn't a well made film, but because I am somewhat of a purist when it comes to history. So if you're a Tarantino fan then by all means check it out. I have my own reasons for not loving this film.

      Then came D'Jango Unchained starring Jamie Fox, Christopher Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio. 
     After Inglorius Basterds I approached this film with cautious optimism. But the general public, with the exception of the Spike Lee, seemed to love this film. So last night I sat down and watched it and have to say that Quentin Tarantino is back in form. And with outstanding supporting roles from Samuel L Jackson, Don Johnson, and Walton Goggons just to mention a few. 
     The story follows a partnership between a German Bounty Hunter named Doctor King Schulz [played by Christopher Waltz] and the slave he free's D'Jango [played by Jamie Fox.] Initially he frees D'Jango to help him identify the Brittle Brothers, the bounty he is pursuing. Their partnership soon turns to friendship as Schulz teaches D'Jango the way of a the gun. 
     The story follows them through the south and is set against the horror of slavery. Which is presented masterfully. While entertaining and filled with Tarantino-esque humor  the elements surrounding the horrific way the slaves were treated in the south is notable. The brutality is neither glossed over or exploited and contrary to Spike Lee's assertion that "American Slavery Was Not A Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. " D'Jango actually brings the brutality of slavery to the forefront of the Western where it is barely mentioned, if at all,, in other Dusters.
     There were scenes in this film that were cringe-worthy, reminding us that this really was America's dark hour. But along the way we are also entertained. I will be going back for a second viewing of this film. In fact I think I am going to dig out all my Tarantino DVD's and binge on the movies with my wife for a day. I'm thinking this Friday will be Quentin Day...
     You're welcome to join us... 

Visit MJ Preston's Official Webpage

MJ Preston is the Author of the Horror Novel: THE EQUINOX

His new novel ACADIA EVENT is forecasted for release in late 2013
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 RATED AS ONE OF THE 
BEST HORROR NOVELS TO HIT BOOKSHELVES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS!!
'The Equinox' is a tour de force of brilliant writing, fast-paced action, and gritty characterisation. 
Get your copy of The Equinox  
Sold in Hardcover and Trade Paperback
Click on the books below for more details