I’m excited to announce that my zombie apocalypse serial, Our Final Days, is coming to Patreon! Starting today, I’ll be posting a new episode daily (on weekdays) until all 11 of the first episodes are available.
After that, new episodes will release first on Patreon 2 weeks before they become available to read on Vella. This means Patreon members get exclusive early access to new chapters of Our Final Days before anyone else!
If you want to dive deeper into the story and stay ahead of each new terrifying chapter, now is the time to pledge!
Blackout poetry is a unique literary artform that creates new poems and meaning from existing texts. The concept is straightforward – take any text, whether an old novel, magazine, or even road sign, and redact words with a black marker. What remains becomes a found poem distilled from the source material.
Part of blackout poetry’s appeal is how it lets anyone find poetry in unexpected places. You don’t have to be a talented wordsmith to craft a blackout poem. Simply scan a text, manually blacking out words or using digital tools, until only an interesting poem remains. The selected words present themselves in new, surprising arrangements.
Blackout poetry is also a powerful critical thinking exercise. It pushes readers to closely analyze a text to determine which words carry the most meaning. By redacting language, you reveal the hidden poetical essence buried in the original. The remaining poem may convey a very different tone or perspective than the full text intended.
Educators often use blackout techniques to engage students with analyzing literature. Students can create their own blackout poems from classic texts as a playful way to distill themes and literary devices. The hands-on process sticks with them better than standard annotation or explication.
Blackout poetry is endlessly variable. You can create erased poems from a single page or passage. Or ambitiously redact entire novels, newspaper archives, or other collected works. This variability keeps the practice fresh and challenging.
If you want to experiment with this compelling poetic form, simply grab a text meaningful to you. Scan for words and phrases that jump out, tell a story, or convey emotion. Blackout the rest, and shape what remains into a found poem.
Occasionally, I’m going to share projects that I’ve been given by students who’ve studied my books. I’m going to leave the poet anonymous as this was schoolwork. 🙂
Blackout poetry is a creative literary form where writers take an existing text and selectively redact words, bringing forth poignant new poems from the underlying work. This artform has become popular in classrooms as a way for students to engage with literature in an imaginative, hands-on manner.
Earlier this year, a student at Wakapa Academy here in Buhl crafted a blackout poem by reinterpreting passages from my novel, Soul Sister.
As an author, I’m always humbled to see my writing used as raw material for another’s artistic expression. The student’s blackout poem is a reminder that storytelling is collaborative. While I put my vision down on paper, readers complete a book by bringing their perspectives and finding personal meaning. This interplay further validates writing as a powerful tool for human connection.
I hope their example will inspire other young readers to experiment with blackout poetry using my writing or any fiction they deeply enjoy.
You may remember that I’ve had a Patreon page for a while. Well, I’ve been hard at work behind the scenes, and it’s time for a grand relaunch! My Patreon is not just getting a facelift; it’s evolving into something magical, something that allows us to connect on a whole new level. The Inner Circle.
Why a Relaunch?
The truth is, I’ve been neglecting Patreon, and the world of storytelling is as expansive as the universes I create in my novels, and Patreon can be a sanctuary for us to explore these universes together. I wanted to offer you something that’s not just exclusive but also deeply personal and enriching.
What’s New: Enter the Inner Circle
The Inner Circle is not just a name; it’s a promise of intimacy and exclusivity. As a member, you’re not just a fan; you’re a treasured collaborator on this incredible journey of storytelling. Here’s a sneak peek of what awaits you:
Tiered Rewards
From the Circle Initiate to the exalted Circle Archon, each tier offers a cascade of exciting benefits. Imagine receiving a free eBook each month or an autographed paperback delivered right to your doorstep.
Discord Community
I’m also offering a private Discord server, another extension of the Inner Circle. This will be a vibrant space for discussing your favorite characters, plot twists, and even getting writing advice directly from me.
More than Just Books
Your support goes beyond the pages and even the screen. It fuels a creative journey that I couldn’t embark upon without you. That’s why I’m committed to offering more than just books. Expect behind-the-scenes access, writing tips, and answers to all your burning questions about writing and self-publishing.
How You Can Join
Becoming a part of the Inner Circle is as simple as heading over to my Patreon page and choosing a tier that resonates with you. No contribution is too small, and every bit of support is a cornerstone in this community we’re building together.
A Heartfelt Thank You
Your presence, whether as a reader, a follower, or a patron, is the magic that makes my storytelling journey possible. With this relaunch, I’m inviting you to step closer into this world we’re creating together.
Thank you for being a part of this adventure. I can’t wait to see where this new chapter takes us.
By now, you might have encountered eerie urban myths about cursed games, haunted websites, or malicious AI. But what about the enigmatic artist known as Elysia Noctura and her unnerving playlist? A compilation that’s said to draw the line between this world and something far more sinister?
Who is Elysia Noctura?
Elysia Noctura is a mysterious, elusive figure. She’s not famous for chart-toppers or scintillating music videos. Instead, her notoriety stems from a playlist of songs that reportedly transcend the barriers of reality, pulling listeners into a nightmarish realm that merges dreams with disturbing phenomena.
The Unheard Playlist
Here’s where it gets weird. The playlist consists of ten tracks, and here’s the kicker—there are no lyrics. None. You might find yourself listening to seemingly innocuous and hauntingly beautiful instrumentals that could set the backdrop for an art film or indie project. But this is where the haunting part comes in.
Hearing The Unhearable
Numerous reports have surfaced from individuals claiming to have heard Elysia’s voice as they drift into sleep with the playlist still playing. As soon as you hear her voice, it’s said that you’ve attracted her attention, and that’s when the nightmarish ordeal begins.
The Vanishing Lyricists
Some have claimed to hear lyrics in the songs, lyrics that should not exist. These people have vanished without a trace, their social media accounts going dark and their physical selves never seen again. It’s as if hearing the words makes one susceptible to something far more ominous, something irreversible.
The Nightmares and The Curse
Those who’ve drawn her attention by hearing her sing speak of waking up with marks on their bodies, bruises and scratches that eerily resemble experiences in nightmares they cannot fully recall. And always, without fail, Elysia Noctura is there—impossibly beautiful, unnervingly unnatural, observing with a ravenous gaze that suggests an insatiable hunger.
The Last Unheard Track
The playlist’s tenth and final track, “Siren’s Silence,” has taken on an almost mythical status. No one can quite recall what it sounds like, but it’s purported to hold the key to either breaking the curse or plunging the listener into an abyss of eternal nightmares.
Where is She Now?
Attempts to locate any information about Elysia Noctura lead to digital dead ends: disappearing web pages, suspended accounts, playlists that vanish into thin air. It’s as though she, and her victims, have been swallowed by the void.
Proceed with Caution
If you’re tempted to seek out Elysia Noctura’s soundless playlist, think twice. This is one legend where the silence speaks louder than words. Whether you risk drawing her attention or choose to remain blissfully ignorant, know this: the haunting enigma of Elysia Noctura serves as a warning. Some melodies, even those unsung, should remain unlistened to—lest you wish to vanish into a silence that echoes forever.
You’ve been warned. Listening might just make you another part of the unsolved mystery that is Elysia Noctura.
You might remember a few weeks ago when I dipped my toes into the unsettling waters of creepypasta music — complete with an intricate backstory. Now, we’re delving deeper into the shadowy world of Elysia Noctura, and this time, it’s not just about the music.
To begin, we’ve launched full-fledged videos for each track on the album. These are carefully curated to add another layer to the spine-chilling ambiance of each composition.
The Narrative Unfolds
If you’ve been following the journey so far, don’t stop now. Make sure to read the descriptions accompanying each video. Why? Because every description pulls back the curtain a little more on the enigmatic Elysia Noctura, revealing her haunting story piece by piece.
Join the Haunted Chill Community
I’d be remiss if I didn’t say this—be sure to like and subscribe! By joining the Haunted Chill community, you’re not just listening to music; you’re becoming part of an unfolding narrative, one that explores the boundaries between the real and the supernatural.
Elysia Noctura: The Journey Continues
Elysia Noctura’s narrative is branching out. Over the next few months, we’ll be expanding her haunting story across various platforms. Trust me, you won’t want to miss a moment of this chilling adventure.
There you have it. Haunted Chill is more than a YouTube channel; it’s a voyage into the unknown, and you’re cordially invited.
Warning to the listener: There should be no lyrics! If you hear her singing, it is already too late. DO NOT LISTEN FOR LYRICS!
I should probably warn you… Elysia Noctura… well… she gets into your head. There’s an urban legend, you see, that if you listen to this album as you fall asleep, she’ll visit you. And if… just if… you dream of her singing along to her songs – IF YOU HEAR HER LYRICS – each night you will dream that you’re in one of her songs, until finally you’ll join her macabre marionettes upon their velvet chains, joining them in their dance forever.
But never mind all that, it’s just another creepypasta, right? Another urban legend. There’s no truth to such things…
But it’s probably a good idea to share it, share it everywhere, just in case. That always breaks the curse…