Writing a story is rarely ever a linear process. Some writers will plow right through and get a first draft done and then its off to the editors. That seems pretty linear, until the edits come back. Some writers edit as they go, changing this and changing that until it’s time to rewrite the whole damn thing because too much has been changed. This is not uncommon, and something few will candidly discuss unless it’s with other writers. Most writing, however, happens somewhere in the middle of all of this. Ideas arise during the process of writing a first draft and can often be implemented without too much trouble. We’ll be diving into this in Under Construction with a discussion on the future of A Vampire’s Vengeance.
In our classic horror series, Mad Alex Presents, we bring a sordid tale of a murderous table. And no, that’s not a typo. You’ll have to read it for yourself.
Horror cinema has its ups and downs, with horror haters abusing the downs as representative of the entire genre. While this is a bit extreme, it is easy to understand why some horror gets a bad wrap: bad writing, bad choices, bad characters, bad decisions, bad bad bad bad bad. This week’s Calamity on Cinema dredges up three fucking terrible films to both drive the point home, and also for your supreme entertainment at the expense of them.
We top it all off with this week’s installment of Bus Driver. There’s lots to see Backstage! Let’s get into it →
No story is perfect the first time it’s written. Anyone who tells you it’s perfect is either lying to you or has something to sell you. But I digress. I bring this up to address some major changes we shall see in A Vampire’s Vengeance over the course of the next few weeks:
First of all, Edgar and Isabelle are too flat. It’s early in the narrative, true, and not much has happened to pull them out of their shells. Still, they could exhibit characteristics far more indicative of their vampire nature. So we’re going to make them more murder-y. But without the murder at the moment, because, well, there’s no one to murder yet.
Actually, I think that’s it. One major point to be implemented in the current narrative to help shape the rest of the story as it unveils. One rather important point of departure, however.
Normally, for something like a serial in progress, I would not be so rash as to introduce edits. Notes are made throughout the publication of the series, and the edits applied in the rewrite once the story’s run is complete. Not so here. This particular change is necessary and will happen in mid-print. Expect to see changes beginning in next week’s installment.
There’s something interesting that happens when you’re reviewing work currently in progress: you recognize innumerable ways to improve the work. Or at least change it so it becomes something … else. Next week, a draft may be released to rewrite the general temperament of our beloved vampires, so they’re more, well, vampire-y. In the meantime, enjoy this latest installment of A Vampire’s Vengeance:
They say possession is nine-tenths of the law. Now, does that work in cases where a human possesses an object much like a demon possesses a human? We have no idea. However, you don’t need to know the answer to that in order to enjoy this rather strange tale from one Elliot O’Donnell:
One sure-fire way to survive a horror film, or at least enhance your survivability, is to make sure your predator is dead if you have the opportunity to take them down. Or, if you’re not going to kill your aggressor, at least make fucking sure they can’t get up and keep coming after you. Leaving them alone without taking the time to destroy them, or at least bind them, is just plain stupid. Which brings us to this week’s cinematic list: three films where the main characters are just plain stupid:
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A traveling merchant finds himself in quite the predicament when he manages to win a duel, leading him down a dark path. A tale from the Odds ‘n’ Endings Boutique.
Welcome back to another installment of Bus Driver! When we last spent time on the bus, we were watching rockets sail over the portion of the highway cutting through Victorville. You can catch up with Part X here. What was that all about? Perhaps we find out right now:
The missile barrage was far enough away not to be felt on impact, but close enough to make no mistake about what it was. The ordnance crashed and exploded far off to the east of the highway. A return volley lit up the sky; the missiles hurtled over the highway and crashed far to the west. A moment later the bus driver's radio crackled to life.
"Hope you're enjoying our welcome party, WHOO!" The bus driver heard cheers arise over the small speaker, as the woman making the call held the line open. "You hear us okay? Over."
The bus driver picked up the mic and engaged the talk button.
"We hear you, and see you, loud and clear, over."
More cheers came over the line as the other party prepared to respond.
"That's great! Listen, you've caught us in a right bind. We're still cleaning up from the last swarm, so cutting through may be a little bumpy, but it's your only way through." There was a pause. The bus driver could hear whispering on the other end, but was unable to make out what was being said. The whispering ended and the operator was back on the line. "Might wanna get on your guns and be on alert, I'm getting word some of these damn things are climbing the walls. Over."
The hackles rose high on the bus driver's neck. Only half way to their first destination and already they were going to have to pull out the big guns. Or man them, rather.
"Copy that. Just straight on and prepare for trouble? Over."
"That's right! Don't you worry about what happens outside the Funnel, we'll do our part to keep as many from getting in as possible. Over."
"I'm sorry, the Funnel? Over."
"You're coming right up to it. You'll know it when you see it. We got work to do, so don't hit the radio unless it's an emergency. Los Lobos out."
A choir of howling arose from the speaker before being cut off by the operator. This served to calm the bus driver's nerves somewhat. As they pulled close to the city, the debris surrounding them on the highway began to take on a particular pattern. Whereas for most of the trip thus far the wrecked and abandoned vehicles had been cleared from the single transport lane, here they were organized to resemble giant metal teeth. On their approach, the bus driver noticed these teeth were closing in on the lane, funneling everything into a sort of tunnel. Two watchtowers stood sentinel at the entrance to the tunnel on either side of the highway. A pillbox was raised at the base of each tower, with barricades surrounding the installations. Dozens of infected crowded around these barricades. Regular weapon reports were clearly heard by the bus driver and his passengers.
"Holy fuck." The bus driver picked up the intercom and his voice buzzed over the cabin: "Man your battle stations!" He thought about saying something encouraging or motivating, but nothing came to mind. He shut off the mic and set it back on the dash. Two passengers dropped the hatches and were scrambling into their seats on the rail guns overhead while two others shut and sealed the hatches behind them. The remaining passengers had their service weapons in hand.
Just in time, too. The bus went rushing past the two guard towers, diving into the Funnel, as a small group of infected managed to clamber onto the highway just behind them. They were on their feet and began to make chase when they were cut down by fire from above. The radio crackled to life.
"Whoo-hoo! That's five for me." It was a woman's voice. A man's voice followed.
"Five! Wow! Don't get cocky. The day is long and the infected are many. I'll get ahead."
"Only way you'll be ahead is if you stay behind that gun at the front of the bus."
"You know it! Especially when we're driving toward the infected and not away from them!" The man began laughing maniacally as he opened up and began spraying the highway before them.
The bus driver watched as infected poured over the walls and onto their path. Whoever was up top was doing a stand up job keeping the highway clear for the time being, but the infected kept coming. He looked further ahead and began to despair; he didn't know how long they would manage to stay just ahead of these things, before they fell into their lane.
A scream pierced through the radio.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" It was the woman on the rear rail gun.
The bus driver checked the rearview camera and froze. Blood drained out of his face, leaving him feeling cold and empty. There was nothing that could have prepared him for what he saw.
WHAT?! What the fuck did the bus driver see?! This is criminal. Who did this? Why are we stopping here? Why now? What did she see? Why did the bus driver freak out? What the fuck is happening?! Well, there’s really only one way to find out. Come back next week!
What a wild ride this edition was! Terrible films, a possessed table, and a surprise for the bus driver as they’re hauling their asses through a troubled community! We hope you’re on board for the long haul, because the bus driver is far from over. Let us know your thoughts on what you’re reading; we’d love to hear from you! You can reply to this email or use the survey buttons below. In the meantime, we’ll see you next edition Backstage!
Cordially,
Mad Alex
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