I love how you played with gothic horror tropes—the storm, the decaying house, the 'spike trap' stairs, the demon-dog knocker—only to turn them into a grounded, vulnerable story about real-life hardship and young love.
Thanks! I’n glad you enjoyed it. I usually start sweet and then pull the rug out, and then my stories go dark fast… So I was trying to change it up a bit. I like not telegraphing where things go, but I also don’t want it to feel like a cheap twist at the end either.
I think that balance is one of the hardest things to pull off as a storyteller. A twist works best when readers can look back afterward and realize the pieces were there all along—not because they were tricked, but because the story revealed itself at the right moment.
What I enjoyed about this one was that the darkness wasn’t just there for shock value. The gothic elements created the atmosphere, but the heart of the story came from the people inside it.
I’m always interested in stories that surprise readers while still making them feel as if they were taken somewhere meaningful. Looking forward to seeing where you take the next one.
I don’t think you will. 😄 The fact that you’re thinking about that balance is already a good sign.
The stories that stay with me aren’t the ones that simply surprise me—they’re the ones where the surprise feels earned because the writer cared about the characters along the way. A reader can forgive being wrong-footed; what they remember is whether they felt the story had a heartbeat.
Keep pulling those rugs, just make sure we care who is standing on them when they move. 😉 Looking forward to the next one.
Thanks! The funny thing is a few days after I write this I turn the TV on and see Tom Robbins cowering on the floor in solitary. Next scene he says the line 😆
You think you’re walking into a haunted house. Instead, you’re stepping into the life of a girl who already has enough real things to be afraid of.
It's just haunted in a way that aches differently.
Well that just made my heart explode.
What a lovely and sweet story!
Aww thanks. I'm so glad you liked it. I tend to write much darker stuff so took a chance with something lighter 😃
I will be reading more of your stuff for sure - this story was great!
Have you read my stuff?!? Dark is my jam!! I’m excited to read your dark work! Bring it on (rubbing hands together).😉
That was cute...also referencing the Shawshank Redemption!
I really enjoyed that. Your comparative descriptions were really good
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Awe, this was so wholesome! 🥰
Definitely not by typical genre mix 😄
No, but I loved it!
I'm so glad you did!
I love how you played with gothic horror tropes—the storm, the decaying house, the 'spike trap' stairs, the demon-dog knocker—only to turn them into a grounded, vulnerable story about real-life hardship and young love.
Thanks! I’n glad you enjoyed it. I usually start sweet and then pull the rug out, and then my stories go dark fast… So I was trying to change it up a bit. I like not telegraphing where things go, but I also don’t want it to feel like a cheap twist at the end either.
I think that balance is one of the hardest things to pull off as a storyteller. A twist works best when readers can look back afterward and realize the pieces were there all along—not because they were tricked, but because the story revealed itself at the right moment.
What I enjoyed about this one was that the darkness wasn’t just there for shock value. The gothic elements created the atmosphere, but the heart of the story came from the people inside it.
I’m always interested in stories that surprise readers while still making them feel as if they were taken somewhere meaningful. Looking forward to seeing where you take the next one.
Thanks, I hope I don't dissapoint 😅
I don’t think you will. 😄 The fact that you’re thinking about that balance is already a good sign.
The stories that stay with me aren’t the ones that simply surprise me—they’re the ones where the surprise feels earned because the writer cared about the characters along the way. A reader can forgive being wrong-footed; what they remember is whether they felt the story had a heartbeat.
Keep pulling those rugs, just make sure we care who is standing on them when they move. 😉 Looking forward to the next one.
Yay 😁
Thanks! The funny thing is a few days after I write this I turn the TV on and see Tom Robbins cowering on the floor in solitary. Next scene he says the line 😆