I am not, normally a "zombie writer" as I am more about characters and crazed humans. Little did I know that these elements are what work best for a zombie thriller. There are so many zombies books out there and I see the same mistakes over and over where a young man gets a hot girlfriend and hides in Wally World and gets to run things and go around shooting and screaming bad words. It's like the writer is trying to write his dream fiction every time. BORING. The other thing I see is "everyday Joe" doing all these great things. I don't see any of the above surviving and they are so bland.  I know I use zombies as a vehicle that is carrying politics, human ethics, morality, and glances into insanity. And why not? Do we think the usual would just vanish and we'd all go hide in Wal-Mart and have cute partners and never think again about what matters?  I don't know. I do know I have developed some interesting characters who can be weak, strong, funny, cruel and good all in a day's time...like most people. Those following can see a character, Hannah, as she develops and she is probably the most like my usual interests. She is an odd one, but there are no excuses for who she is. Hannah is modern culture at it's most honest, like it or hate it. Take Hannah as you wish but be aware it is all about those who interact with her....that's the fun part.

Number six of the series is out and yes, there is a number 7 for sure. Bet on a number 8 as well...and a 9, because there is more to the story and I have still only scratched a few surfaces.

Why read my writing? Yes, the story is there and it is strong. The descriptions are there. But read my writing for the characters who will make the reader think and rethink a few things. I seldom pull a punch. For fans, my one pull was that issue of Kimball and Juan. Sadly, one had to be let go and it was a tough choice. We know that no one is safe...ever....and at anytime, someone may die. Such is my world.

http://zisforzombie.wikia.com/wiki/Z_is_for_Zombie_Wiki is the super Wiki out for fans...yes, there are spoilers so be careful! There is also trivia and a time line of who has done what. 

I know some writers write for fans, some write for themselves; I write for the story that wants to be told. It isn't always easy as I have a full, regular life with a husband, child, and pets, home, and family....they keep me going and encourage me to tell my stories. In the next year, the series will be done and I will writing the stories that have waited impatiently to be told...about some wicked people, some strange events...all horror, all the time.  Why? Because that chill of dread, the shiver when we see a clown (Pennywise), the unknown is just fun!

I like all areas of horror. Now, some of my books are very, very violent and gory. They are splatterpunk. "Jump scares". And yes, violence has sold extremely well for me. However, that said, the violence is another vehicle I use to juxtapose it with beauty and loyalty in situations. I show that even in violent situations, we can find amazing people and that nothing in the physical realm is as horrible as what may lie in our own minds via bad experiences, chemical issues, etc.

 Horror can be subtle or in-your-face and I can relate to deciding which to use with supernatural fiction...Violence can be a very real controversy when we must decide how to use it, if to do so, when, in what way...

I can imagine having written a story about a nut dressing like the Joker and attacking a movie crowd. That would be a great story and it could go into the reason he does it and the people there who are heroic and who are cowardly....it would be a good vehicle to tell a story. HOWEVER...my God, it happened! The writer, if he had written such, would feel terrible and be raked over the coals and probably threatened, It is very possible and very controversial as we can all understand.

I think we, as horror writers, don't design or invent the violence, but we simply delve into the human mind and see the possibilities of some terrible things. 

A man tells his friend he wants to be on an airplane that is hijacked but that lands safely in the end and the bad guys are caught and no one is harmed. 
"How horrible! You would be terrified." The friends says.
"Yes, but it ends ok and then I won't be afraid of that anymore because what are the chances of me ever being on 2 hijacked planes?"

Horror sells because once you have seen or read it, what are the chances you will ever be in that spot again? You have seen the demons and escaped. In some ways, when we read about violence, we are carrying a rabbit's foot after that...a talisman of protection because....what are the odds?

Amazing that the series is over. I am so thankful for the praise I have gotten and the fans who have enjoyed the ride into an alternate world of fiction. Sales are staggering and I know I must be doing something right to get fans interested in reading more and more.
A new series is in the editing works, already written but not ready yet and yes, I am going to let the vampires run wild. None will glitter in the sunlight. LOL
My husband got me to take a week off and we took a mini vacation which was wonderful. He and I had a good time...it is true that play time helps! While we were together, I did find a new book in my head, so I know I need to get busy releasing the new series and writing the 5-6 in my head right now! 

The survivors of the end of the world finally face off with the zombies, the rebellious army trying to control what remains of the United States, and a hybrid experiment that has left some people half human/half zombie. With both sides using ancient good and evil, a little bit of forgotten magic, and a handful of C4, the showdown explodes with action. One side is forcing people into slavery and crucifying all who stand against them while the other side is balancing justice with vengeance and mercy. Written in the style of Swan Song and The Stand, this is the final book of the series, answers some questions, and provides gory fun while appraising human nature. Will the zombies inherit the world or will someone worse win the battle? No are holds barred as the survivors fight back with pure rage... rage has been released

The first three books of the Z is For Zombie series plus the first teaser chapter of the fourth book ...1000 pages...is now available at Amazon.com    The price is 30% less by getting all three at once and they are in full with covers.

The fourth book is being edited now and I thought this would be the end, but there are so many more stories to tell, that I feel as if I have only scratched the surface. The characters have done some things I never expected and I learned a deadly secret about the infection...(Yes, they have their own agendas and I just type it...like many writers. The characters do as they please and shock me quite often.) Now, I have no idea how many books this series may run, but have said ten is my absolute limit. 
My sweet husband got me a kitten because we certainly didn't have enough pets (sigh). However, this kitten is the replica of my cat, Limmerfer, who died a few years ago after being with me 16 years. Limmerfer was a Norweigan Forest Cat and Weggies are a fluffy, big boned breed similar to Maine Coons. In lands far away and time distant, these giant cats pulled the sleds on the snow for gods and godesses in Norway. They have furry, big feet!  Limmerfer 2 or Limmy as we call him, is like a normal kitty who is full of energy and he is in the biting and running stage which explains why we call him Morning Star and Sonic Boom at times. (sigh again). He has his own little picture book which is more for cat people than zombie people, but  what can I say? He looks cute in GI Joe clothing.
I was thinking about public figures today. When are writers considered to be one? I know I never want to be well-known or famous since I am a terribly private person. I would never want to be a role model or to be quoted or anything. As it is, I avoid interviews like the zombie plague and have done very few; the newspaper and a radio spot almost stressed me to my limit.  I feel my husband and child do much better than I do with publicity; they don't mind the limelight. It reminds me when I coached threatre. I didn't mind directing and producing...but acting almost killed me. I am perfectly willing to do public speaking, but acting and interviews are cruel things to me. I admire many fellow writers as they are so very gracious and I want to be, but I am just not good with explaining my craft. I don't know why I write what I do since I had a slightly normal (kind of , sort of) childhood and didn't chase zombies or vampires, but I know the draw was there when I was young because I loved watching Quincy and wanted at one time to be a a pathologist. I feel everyone has a story...all people...dead people....monster people...everyone....and I really love getting those stories. I think I write what I do because it's a medium for just telling stories that I collect in my head.
I suppose people ask me where my ideas come from and why I write what I do because they feel there is a good story there. There probably is a good one...but I'm not telling. ;)  Sometimes, it's best to imagine the why and what of a haunted house, because if you go inside, you may sorely regret it when the demons get you! That's me...the haunted house it's best not to go into. Let me find the stories and trust that if you knew mine, you'd never sleep again.
Cheers until next time we meet in the ark.