Feb 21, 1999

PAUL -- You weren't the only one who felt that way about PIECES OF HATE. I was a little worried about what my regular readers would make of it. As it turned out, many of them asked, "What the HELL was THAT?" While the stories in METHODS OF MADNESS were straight horror, PIECES OF HATE was more experimental. I'm proud of them both, but not surprised that so many people scratched their heads over the latter, because I'm sure it's not the sort of thing they were expecting from me. LOT LIZARDS, on the other hand, fared much better. Some have even called it a sequel to LIVE GIRLS, although it's not. But like LIVE GIRLS, it was optioned for the movies awhile back. We'll see what happens....

Ray

Feb 21, 1999

Ray, Glad to see you gotten a MOT board. Sorry you got inappropriate reception from some jerks who haunt these boards. I just got my Lettered Edition of Biofire. My Daughter grabbed it immediately so I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I'm sort of surprised that Richard made 52 copies instead of the promised 26 and I told him so. However, if it is as good as your other novels, it will be well worth it. Steve Joltin

Feb 21, 1999

STEVE J. -- Good to hear from you! I don't know why Rich decided to print 52 instead of 26. Of course, I kinda like that because it means a few more people get to read the book, heh-heh. But, then, I'm not a collector. I hope you enjoy it! Please give my best to your daughter.

Hey, T.M. ... you're a big fan of ERASERHEAD, too, if I remember correctly. I know a lot of years have passed, but what do you say we try to cut a licensing deal to manufacture and sell ERASERHEAD action figures?! ~(:-D

Ray

Feb 21, 1999

Geoff, thanks for proving my point with 'blow me!'. It's every bit as childish a reaction as 'fuck off!' from your earlier post. The latter being the reason I compared your intelligence to my dog in the first place.

Unlike you, Geoff, I don't insult people unless they insult me first. But it's a mature concept, so I don't expect you to see the wisdom in such reasoning.

Brian, so your writing's not strong enough to stand on it own? You figure the pro writers on this board can help you out on that count, so you don't want to anger them? Hoping Pelan will coach you into his next anthology? You're probably right. So keep sucking away.

Brian, you're like somebody who turns down an alley and discovers two men beating on one another. Not knowing what started it all, you just stand there watching. But then you realize that you know one of the men, somebody who can help your career if only you could get in his good graces. So you pick up a bottle and wack the other man over the head. He falls unconscious to the pavement. The man who can help your career smiles broadly, thanks you, then runs off down the alley with the other man's wallet in hand.

Dillon

Feb 21, 1999

Where's my virus scan software?

Feb 21, 1999

Dillon: I'll reply once and after that I say let's take it to the cellar. Do I not think my writing can stand on it's own? You tell me mother fucker. Seeing as how I didn't start until 97 and I've sold 32 short stories since then, three of which were above pro rates and NONE OF WHICH WERE STOLEN! I come here for three reasons you misanthropic piece of shit. 1. To learn from the pros. Are you telling me it was okay for Bloch to learn from Lovecraft but it's not okay for me to learn from these masters? 2. To interact with others and participate in discussions with those who have inspired me. 3. To support the genre as a whole. I could just as easily be over at bestiality.com or ultima online. I choose to come here because I enjoy it. You can attack me in any verbal form you wish. It doesn't matter to me Dillon. You are a sad, pathetic little worm who comes here in a desperate attempt to get attention. And as for your alley analogy, you're wrong my friend. I wouldn't waste a good bottle on that thick head of yours. Fuck off an die, Dillon. Let's quit polluting Ray's board and take it to the Cellar. My apologies to Ray and the rest...Brian Keene

Feb 21, 1999

Try looking where you hide your brains.

Feb 21, 1999

Sorry, Brain, but I'm not interested in exchanging schoolyard profanities with you or anybody else. Perhaps you and Geoff should get together and insult each other's mothers.

I'm curious though, exactly what story are you implying I stole? I've never had a story published under my name that wasn't all my own work. I've never even stolen from movies, like one so called pro writer on this board. Nor have I ever claimed to make 'above pro rates' for any of my sells. Exactly how, Brian, do you manage to make more money on a story than the pros?

Dillon

Feb 21, 1999

Dillweed,

Who's the pro writer you claim stole from the movies? And what did he or she steal? An Inquiring Mind

Feb 21, 1999

Ray--You're doing a very smart thing in ignoring Dillon. Actually, I laugh a bit every time Dillon posts. He reminds me exactly of one of my friends from High School. The guy had an ego the size of Dillon and HE was always right. Always. His arguments were just like Dillon's. I remember quite a few screaming matches on the phone with me friend. Why did I hang out with this guy, you ask? He was a spectacle to see in person. And at one point he had half the faculty thinking he was a follower of Manson (long story) which was hilarious. They were scared of him. Anyway, after many heated debates where I just ended up exhausted, knowing I was the one that was speaking sense had proven my case, my friend would not admit he was wrong no matter what evidence you threw his way, I decide just to ignore him when he decide to argue. I wouldn't be baited into an argument with him. I refused. I lost contact with him for a few years. I met back up with him a little while ago and hey guess what he had grown up. He was no longer right all the time and could admit when he was wrong. It's been perverse fun seeing Dillon's posts because he's so very much like my friend was. Now, my friend is quite tolerable and it's actually nice to be around him and he can actually have a conversation. He never did steal anyone's writing though, although I wouldn't have put it past him in the old days. So there may be hope for Dillon of one day of growing up. Maybe. Anyway, I know you won't reply to this Ray, but I thought you might find it amusing, even though Dillon is not. tom McAlister

Feb 21, 1999

I admitted I was wrong a few posts back, tom. I've none so before on these boards. If I believe I'm wrong, I have no problem saying so. Besides, how do you know you were 'the one that was speaking sense' and not this friend of yours? And how do you know that change you saw later in your friend wasn't because you had grown up as well? Sounds to me, since you were agruing with this fellow just like he was arguing with you, that neither one of you could admit you were wrong. You were just as bad as your friend, were you not? He didn't admit he was wrong because he didn't believe he was -- just like you.

Dillon

Feb 21, 1999

So. What can you tell us about the next novel, Ray? Come on... details... give!


Later!

--Geoff
(stepping out of the piss stream)

Feb 22, 1999

TOM and GEOFF: Nuff said! So please Ray, what's on the agenda for 99?...Brian Keene (who jet-skied through the piss stream back to dry land)

Feb 22, 1999

Seems Dillon's getting the exposure he craves.

Feb 22, 1999

WHO? Never heard of him.

Feb 22, 1999

Ray, In a magazine( I think it was Midnight Graffiti, maybe?) they published Chapter 18 of CRUCIFAX AUTUMN and they had an interview with you and pic of you and a scantilly S & M dressed women, whom I think you referred to her as your "muse". Who was/is she?? Paul

Feb 22, 1999

And who is Logan and Tucker? Steve J.

Feb 22, 1999

Dillon--This is my first and last post to you. Again, you remind me of my friend so much. That would be exactly what he would have said a few years back. I learned from him just never get into it, so I won't now. I'm sorry Ray, that I even brought this up. I apologize. And yes, Brian I'm very ready to move onto all things Ray. That is the best thing to do. So RAY--Do you see your work moving in a certain direction? Or do you think about stuff like that? Once you start thinking that way does it doom your work? In other words, do you direct where you take the story, or does it take you? And do you ever steer it one direction when the story wants to go somewhere else? I'm dealing with that a bit in something I'm dabbling with. tom McAlister

Feb 23, 1999

Ithink that yoour'e obseen messages about homosechuals will bring the almighty rath of God Jehovah on you like a rain of fire from heavn. These are dangrous times in wich we liv in andto thinkk that peple like you and those that reed your kins of books can have acess to the airwaves like you have with this messaje board is gauling to all right thinking Christians whoo see the homsechuals for what they actully are and that is a blite on all of man kind today that will lead to the destruktion of our society just as Sodom and Gomorah were also struck down by the Lord God Jeavhoa. I curse you with the power of the Living Lord, and although I do not condem the sinnerbut the sin, only, I curse you with love and hope that your torments in hell will last long enough that youwill repentt and thus end your incouragemnt of the queers to sway our little children into the paths of sinfulness.

May the almighty and living god smote you with fire and with boils and may your children fall into the pits of the ever living hell.

A Chritian man of the Lord

Feb 23, 1999

I wonder how The Lord God would react to His so-called faithful misspelling His name and neglecting to capitalize.

Go away--if we want to be saved, we'll come to you.


Later!

--Geoff

Feb 24, 1999

Hey, guys,

My homophobic illiterate was a JOKE.

Not a discerning person amongst the lot of you.

Heh heh

Feb 24, 1999

Oh, well, you've got two on me. You sounded like my redneck next-door neighbor there for a minute.


Later!

--Geoff

Feb 24, 1999

Damn, T.M., as I was reading that hilarious post, my reply was writing itself in my head ... then you revealed your identity. Heh-heh. Hey, TOM, thanks for the story. ;-)

PAUL -- The tall, lovely young woman in that photograph was a waitress at the 76 truck stop where I did a whooole lot of writing back then at the coffee counter, mostly in the wee hours. I didn't know her very well -- and for the life of me, I can't remember her name -- but she was perfect for what we wanted to do in that photograph, and when I asked, she agreed enthusiastically to participate. I think it was very nice of her to take time out of her busy schedule of having sex with everyone but me to shoot a silly picture like that. (I'm not complaining; I met my wife, Dawn, at that same truck stop, where she was the night manager at the gift shop.)

As for Logan and Tucker, Paul, they were both pseudonyms. When I started writing young adult fiction, I didn't want to write under my real name, because I was afraid my young readers would go out and find my *other* fiction, which was *not* for kids. So I wrote under the pseudonym Joseph Locke. That made it difficult to dedicate books to Dawn (using her real name would give it away), so I told her to make up a pseudonym for herself. She came up with Logan Taylor (we weren't married at the time), and later, Logan Taylor-Locke. Tucker was my dog. :-)

GEOFF and BRIAN -- Let's see ... I'm working on a Buffy the Vampire Slayer novel right now called RESURRECTING RAVANA (although that title could, and may very well likely, change). I'm also writing another novella for Cemetery Dance, a thriller called EYE CONTACT; it may end up surpassing novella length, in which case it will still be published by CD, but not as part of the novella series. I've started a novel about a haunted house -- my first novel-length ghost story -- called LULLABY, and have managed to give myself the willies more than once while working on it. But the project I'm most passionate about is a novel called LOVELESS, which I'm halfway through at this point. It's a love story, and a thriller ... but beyond that, it would be difficult to tell you anything without revealing the book's secrets and surprises, so I'll just shut up now.

Ray

Feb 24, 1999

By the way, Paul, I should have said Tucker was my *nonexistent* dog. He was made up to flesh out the equally fictional Joseph Locke a little.

Ray

Feb 24, 1999

Ray, Can't wait for Eye Contact and especially Lullaby to come out. I'm also a Buffy fan and am looking forward to your Buffy novel to come out. Actually, I just rented John Carpenter's Vampires and IMO I like Buffy better. Super! I have some new Ray Garton works to look forward to. Steve

Feb 25, 1999

STEVE -- Did you know Angel is getting his own series? I'm not exactly sure how they're going to do it, but it starts in the fall, if I'm not mistaken. I think it'll be good for Buffy, because that show has gone through a lot of changes, added some characters, lost some, and I think the Buffy/Angel romance has kind of hit a wall. It will be interesting to see what the writers have in store for Angel.

I saw a great movie last night: Brian DePalma's SNAKE EYES, starring Nicholas Cage and Gary Sinise. The critics attacked it viciously, and movie-goers stayed away in droves while it was in theaters, but *damn*, this is a great movie! Throughout his career, DePalma has shamelessly mimicked Hitchcock, sometimes lifting entire scenes (I'm not complaining, because I'm a big DePalma fan). But in SNAKE EYES, he does none of that, and yet the movie feels more Hitchcockian than anything he's ever done, in my opinion. It's a ballet of camera work with top-notch performances by both stars, and the critics can eat my crustiest pair of shorts!

Ray

Feb 25, 1999

Ray, Are there going to be any more Locke books?? And what was the last one? Thanks, Paul

Feb 25, 1999

Ray, On the Angel spin-off series, I believe Cordelia is going to be a regular part of the supporting cast for that series which makes sense since I could easily see her character in L.A. which is where I believe the new series is set to take place. Also did you catch the story mistake in Snake Eyes? At the end of the film a character gives a reference to remembering at being caught in the flooded tunnel. In the original movie they re-filmed the ending but left the reference to it in the re-cut final scenes. There is no flooded tunnel in the film now. By the way I also enjoyed Snake Eyes. James

Feb 25, 1999

Ray

That's the same way I felt about Body Double and Raising Cane. He's not always right on target but DePalma always entertains. Can't wait to see Snake Eyes. Anyone see Blow Out? Great movie. And if you haven't seen it already, Ray, I'd recommend a movie I just saw called Night Watch, with Ewan MacGregor and Nick Nolte. BTW, what's your favorite Hitchcock film? I've a fondness for Dial M for Murder, Rear Window and Gracwe Kelly. Not necessarily in that order.

Michael K

Feb 25, 1999

PAUL -- Joseph Locke died in a freak gardening accident. His wife Logan has sold their bat farm and now lives in Los Angeles, where Tucker appears in dog food commercials and has does occasional stunt work in Fox TV's series of specials WHEN ANIMALS ATTACK. Heh-heh. The last Joseph Locke book was BEN THERE, DONE THAT, a YA tie-in based on the ABC series SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, and that will be the last. Under the Locke pseudonym, I wrote the novelization of Nickelodeon's 1997 summer movie GOOD BURGER, and it became a bestseller, which I thought would be a feather in my cap when selling my next book. Unfortunately, I learned it would only work in selling another Joseph Locke book. It would mean nothing if I pointed to GOOD BURGER to help sell another book under my real name because it was my pseudonym that appeared on the cover. So, after 13 books, I decided retire Joseph Locke and, from that point on, write everything as Ray Garton. I've done more YA tie-in books since then under my real name: ALL THAT GLITTERS (Sabrina), a story in 8 SPELLS A WEEK (a Sabrina theme anthology), and LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! (based on Nickelodeon's series THE SECRET WORLD OF ALEX MACK). JAMES -- Yes, you're right about Cordelia -- she's going to be a cast member in the upcoming Angel series, as will Spike, if I'm not mistaken. ... I did notice the reference to the flooded tunnel in SNAKE EYES, and I was momentarily baffled by it, but I was so wrapped up in the tense, fast-moving film, I didn't give it much thought! :-)

Ray

Feb 26, 1999

MICHAEL -- BLOW OUT was a wonderful movie that unfortunately was ignored by most. Travolta was great in it, too. Have you noticed that since she and DePalma divorced, Nancy Allen just hasn't worked that much? I think it's because her marriage to Brian DePalma was the only reason she was working in the first place (although she did have a brief role in last year's surprisingly good OUT OF SIGHT). ... I've seen NIGHT WATCH, and I didn't like it much. If I remember correctly, it had some effective atmosphere, but lacked logic. In other words, characters did things simply because the script needed them to in order to get where it was going (a problem shared by far too many horror films these days, in my opinion). Advance word on NIGHT WATCH was very enthusiastic and promising, so maybe my hopes were too high, I don't know. But it left me cold and annoyed. ... Hmm, favorite Hitchcock movie. That's a toughie. I love the two you mentioned -- in fact, I got to see DIAL M FOR MURDER in its original 3-D, which was amazing! In most 3-D movies, objects are intentionally thrown directly at the camera to exploit the gimmick, but it was used in a much more subtle way by Hitchcock. There wasn't a lot of flashy into-the-camera stuff, but a beautifully upholstered chair or a bouquet of roses, and other objects, were placed in the foreground now and then, and tempted you to reach out and touch them ... but they weren't overwhelming. Only once (that I recall) did Hitchcock play the 3-D effect to the hilt: when Grace Kelly stabs her would-be killer in the back with a pair of scissors, the guy falls backward *into* the camera! With such subtle use of 3-D throughout the movie, that scene was so shocking that, in the audience I was in, a few people screamed. Unlike nearly all 3-D movies, DIAL M FOR MURDER works perfectly without the glasses, as well. Having given it some thought, I think my favorite Hitchcock movie is VERTIGO, a disturbing tale of desperate obsession that really got under my skin, and still does when I watch it. (I have the special edition laser disc, which comes with some terrific goodies, so if you have a player, rush out and get it!) But if you ask me tomorrow, I might name another movie. I love so much of Hitchcock's work, it's almost impossible to pick a favorite.

Ray

Feb 26, 1999

Ray

I was wondering what you thought of STORM OF THE CENTURY? I guess somewhere else on this site you may have already talked about it but i haven't seen anyone anywhere here discuss it. I thought it was one of the best horror movies i have seen in quite some time. The pacing was beautiful. It never got ahead of itself, but just slowly built and built and built till its ending. Colm Feore (sp?) was creepy as hell!!! I can't imagine anyone doing quite as good a job as he did. Tim Daly just blew me away. I love Wings but when i heard he would be the star i was doubtful. He showed me though! Great stuff. At the climax of the movie i was actually yelling at the tv i was so engrossed and disbelieving.
What do you think about the fact that it sort of took liberties with "the Lottery"?

Reanimated

Feb 26, 1999

REANIMATED -- I agree with you on all counts! I thought STORM OF THE CENTURY was one of the best works of horror I've ever seen on network television. I was tense all the way through each episode ... my hair was clenched! And I'm still not quite convinced that Colm Feore isn't REALLY the Devil. It was a good move to put a complete unknown in that role, especially one who was so damned good. The rest of the cast was excellent, as well, from Tim Daly down to the extras. The people looked *real* and made the whole thing authentic. Even the special effects were impressive, although the miniseries did not depend on them. As for King borrowing from "The Lottery" ... I don't remember where I heard it, but there's a saying that goes, "Bad writers steal; good writers borrow." (Or maybe it's the other way around.) I've got no problem with it at all. Recycling ideas is certainly nothing new, especially in the horror genre. And if you're going to borrow, borrow from the best!

Ray

Feb 26, 1999

Ray

Agree with you about Night Watch to some extent. I had heard absolutely nothing about the flick when I rented it. Yes, some of the plot machinations were contrived, but the scene in the morgue with the key and the dangling light switch was absolutely hair-raising. Ever see a movie called Mute Witness? Night Watch reminde me of that movie in terms of tone and pacing. Another eerily effective movie, IMHO. Yes, so many gret Hitchcock films to choose from: Strangers on a Train, Rope, The 39 Steps. Not to mention The Man who Knew Too Much and Psycho. Whew!!

Michael K

Feb 27, 1999

MICHAEL -- Hitchcock made THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH twice. Which did you prefer -- the 1934 British version with Leslie Banks, Edna Best and Peter Lorre, or the 1956 version with James Stewart and Doris Day?

Ray

Feb 27, 1999

Ray

There's not much to choose from the two films, I think. I saw the '56 version first and it seems a little more polished, of course, than the Lorre version. Though, admittedly, I was surprised at how good the original was. Why DID Hitchcock remake it?

Michael K

Feb 28, 1999

MICHAEL -- I'm not sure why Hitchcock remade THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. I haven't seen the first version in ages, but I remember thinking it was tighter than the '56 version ... although I *loved* the second one because, as with other Hitchcock movies of that period (ROPE, REAR WINDOW, VERTIGO, THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY), nearly every scene looks like a painting in achingly beautiful color! And because I had a crush on Doris Day when I was a kid, heh-heh. My wife just bought me the '34 British version on DVD, so I'll be watching it again soon.

Tonight, Joe Bob Briggs showed GHOULIES (followed by GHOULIES 2) on his TNT show. A true piece of crap, no doubt inspired by (or, considering Charles Band's involvement, ripped off from) the very entertaining and far superior GREMLINS. As I watched the opening of the movie, I remembered, with some shame, that I had actually paid money to see that garbage in a movie theater when it was initially released. That got me to thinking of other genre movies I don't normally admit I paid to see ... C.H.U.D., SCARED TO DEATH, BLOODLINE (a thriller, not horror, but nightmarishly bad), DON'T GO IN THE HOUSE, HE KNOWS YOU'RE ALONE (with an early appearance by Tom Hanks), and one that wasn't even a horror movie, although the trailers led me to believe it was: TOO SCARED TO SCREAM, starring Mike Connors and directed by Tony LoBianco, for crying out loud, so bad it was made in '82 and shelved until '85. There've been others, too. I was either very indiscriminate back then, or desperate to see horror/monster movies. So, what about you? 'Fess up. Share with us some of the genre movies you're ashamed to admit you actually paid money to see in a movie theater. Nobody'll know, it's just us. Heh-heh. :-)

Ray

Feb 28, 1999

And MATT ... it doesn't count if you bought the ticket EXPECTING to see a bad movie!

Ray

Feb 28, 1999

Okay I see what you mean.

Ummm.....I paid to see Stephen King's GRAVEYARD SHIFT in the theater....That was awful. Paid to see Halloween III: Season of the Witch....That was GODAWFUL.

Being in Alaska we don't really get a shot at anything other than the HUGE major releases though so I've been limited in my crappy movie experience to mostly video. Now if you want to know how many movies I've RENTED expecting a decent flick.....
Matt

Mar 1, 1999

Ray

GHOST IN THE MACHINE is my contribution. I went to it, not cuz i thought it was going to blow me away but because i love scary movies and will enjoy just about ANYTHING HORROR. It sucked. It is one of two movies in my lifetime that i have actually LEFT the movie before it was over. I must confess that i was drunk at the time. A friend and i had quite a bit before going to see the movie because we thought we were going to go to a party. The party didn't happen so we went to GHOST. Maybe if they had served alcoholic drinks i might have stayed!!

Reanimated...TOTALLY EXCITED ABOUT CARRIE 2 and THE MUMMY!!!!

Mar 1, 1999

Hey Ray! I finally got my own freak on my message board. I'm so proud. Steven Lee Climer

Mar 1, 1999

Bad horror movies you went to thinking (hoping) they would be good; where to begin. Let’s see, the first one that comes to mind is this loaf of shit called MAUSOLEUM, which I snuck into when I was a kid. Anyone ever see it? I actually remember thinking it was kind of cool at the time because this woman who was possessed or something showed her breasts a lot, but then later her breasts turned into these two little snarling beasts and ate this guy’s chest out while she was hugging him. Then there was SEVEN DOORS OF DEATH which really pissed me off because there was only one door of death in the whole damn movie! Oh, there was this really bizarre one I think called POSSESSED with Sam Neil and Isabella Adjanni (sp?). I remember hating that one, but I was a kid and it just didn’t make any sense to me. Anyone familiar with that one? Did it really suck or was it just over my head at the time?

One I didn’t like when I saw it, but kind of like now is THE STUFF. Another one I saw when I was young, and I didn’t pick up on the sly satire of it. It’s actually pretty damn funny now. Typical Larry Cohen movie.

Chuck

Mar 1, 1999

Ray,

I have erectile dysfunction, but every time I look at a photograph of you, the problem goes away. Can you explain this?

An Upright Man

Mar 1, 1999

Steven Lee Climer needs a clue.

Mar 1, 1999

I'll take clues for $200.

Mar 1, 1999

MATT -- I'm glad I waited until GRAVEYARD SHIFT was on the discount shelf at the video store. That was one of Stephen King's more upsetting short stories, and one of my favorites. The movie was a travesty. HALLOWEEN III pissed off a lot of people, because they were, of course, expecting another movie about Michael Myers. I think the plan was to turn out a new HALLOWEEN movie each year with a different Halloween-related story, but without continuing characters, like Myers or Donald Pleasance's character. I give them credit for exercising their brain muscles and trying something different, but it went over like a fart in church. On its own, however, I kind of like SEASON OF THE WITCH, with its goofy mad scientist plot and that irritating Silver Shamrock jingle. I thought Dan O'Herlihy (who later went on to play the lizard guy in THE LAST STARFIGHTER) was great as the mastermind of the fiendish Halloween mask plot. Absolute silliness, of course, and I enjoyed it ... but I didn't pay to see it in the theater, heh-heh. REANIMATED -- You're not the first to tell me GHOST IN THE MACHINE stinks, so I doubt I'll ever see it. I plan to avoid CARRIE 2 (THE NEXT CYCLE?), but I'm interested in THE MUMMY. I've heard talk about it but know none of the details. Is this a remake of the 1932 Karloff classic? Or an adaptation of Anne Rice's novel, THE MUMMY (the only Rice novel in many years that I've been able to read all the way through without slipping into a coma)? Either way, I hope it's done well; it would be nice to see a classy horror film for a change. (Anybody see THE AWAKENING, the mummyless mummy movie from 1980 starring Charlton "For the love of GOD!" Heston and Stephanie Zimbalest? That one never should have been dug up...and I paid money for popcorn and a seat to watch it.) STEVEN -- Hey, congratulations on the freak! :-) CHUCK -- Ack! My friend Scott and I went to see MAUSOLEUM! It was playing with a second feature that was so bad, I can't even remember the name of it. Both movies were awful, perfect examples of why morons should not be allowed to work with cameras. But I've got to admit, as bad as it was, MAUSOLEUM was truly memorable. Former child evangelist and faith-healer Marjoe Gortner gave his usual embarassing, flat, nasal-voiced performance. But the real stars were Bobbie Bresee and her breasts, which she kept releasing again and again, and which, as you pointed out, ultimately took on lives of their own. Even LaWanda Page (from SANFORD & SON) made an appearance in one of those stereotypical black roles that went out of style sometime in the fifties: she was a maid (I think) who, upon seeing evidence that Bresee was demon-possessed, became comically wide-eyed and ran away with one of those lines like, "Feets, don't fail me now!" Definitely not worth theater and popcorn money, but a seminal film in bad filmmaking. AN UPRIGHT MAN -- Yes, I can explain it. It's one of two possibilities: 1.) You're a homosexual man in denial but with impeccable taste, or 2.) You're going to be a terrible embarassment to your wife, Libby, if she decides to run for president, Senator Dole.

Ray

Mar 2, 1999

Ray, Went to see 8mm and was thoroughly engrossed. Due to the subject matter, I can't say I enjoyed it but I did think it was a good film. There are 2 scenes that I, literally, held my breath. The last part lacks any real motivation for Nick Cage, it's unbelievable but if you suspend your disbelief long enough and you'll get through it. A really good job. Andrew Kevin Walker, the writer, sure knows how to write a very claustrophobic movie...he wrote SEVEN also. I met him while I did some work on SEVEN and he's like Tarantino in that he also worked at Tower Records writing screenplays until one hit. I look forward to whatever is next for him. Not a fan of Cage...I think he "dumbs" his way through most movies but I do recommend this one. I'm also 100 into BIOFIRE and love it. Ray, your description of addiction is so right on...brought back alot of unpleasant memories for me. Now I'm going back to BIOFIRE to read more about THE TOWEL, heh heh. Paul

Mar 2, 1999

Ray

Did you ever see the film THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS? This movie was one of the most exciting and frightening films i have seen in recent years outside of the horror genre. I was really impressed with Val Kilmer and Micheal Douglas. There was one particular scene which terrified me. I'll tell you which one if you have already seen it but if you haven't...go rent it!

Reanimated

Mar 2, 1999

PAUL -- I hope to see 8mm this weekend. I loved SEVEN, and if Walker can maintain that kind of quality, then he'll probably be booted out of Hollywood because it'll mean he's got real talent. Now, do me a favor, Paul ... get the towel. BWAH-hahahaha.

REANIMATED -- I haven't seen THE GHOST AND THE DARKNESS yet, and I'm kicking myself for it. It was written by a hero of mine, William Goldman. That, combined with the fact that critics hated it and it wasn't a big hit are all VERY good signs.

I never used to think that way, but these days, every time I rent a movie that critics hated and bombed at the box office, it turns out to be something I *love*! Critics came all over themselves for THE TRUMAN SHOW -- I read a couple reviews that suggested it could be a life-changing experience -- and it made a gazillion dollars after being in the theater for months and months. I saw it a couple weeks ago, and while it's not a bad movie at all, it's just OKAY. I enjoyed it, but I saw nothing about it that deserved all the hype and raving. On the other hand, I watched THE SUICIDE KINGS today, a movie that got lukewarm reviews at best, and vicious ones at worst, and lasted about fifteen minutes in theaters, and it was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! I plan to watch it again this evening with my wife. Maybe Christopher Walken's best performance, with some crackling direction and a script I wish I'd written, dammit. See it!

Ray

Mar 2, 1999

Ray

I recently saw BLAST FROM THE PAST. (my wife lives in a small town...(she's moving soon to be with me in the big city...but that is beside the point).. that only has a couple of theaters and while i wanted to make her see A SIMPLE PLAN it wasn't showing there...she then got to pick the movie...i only agreed to go see BLAST because of Chistopher Walken...) While the movie wasn't really that specially, not even close...(though it was funny at times) Walken was great to watch. The guys a fuckin nut in everything!!! He kills me. All at the same time he's a freak, a monster, a gentleman, goodlooking, ugly...and funny. ALL AT THE SAME TIME! He particularily impressed me near the end of this film when his character is well into his eighties. Just the way he stood, walked around, dug his hands into his slacks...it was my grandfather!! I said to my wife after that just seein that scene was worth the admission.

Reanimated

Mar 3, 1999

Hey, Reanimated, you and I are agreeing a lot, these days ... is that a kick in the pants, or what? Heh-heh. :-) You couldn't be more right about Christopher Walken, as far as I'm concerned! He can be all things at once, and that is EXACTLY what makes him so fascinating to watch on the screen. You never know what he's going to be or do from one moment to the next. He's a lot like Jack Nicholson. In fact, Roger Ebert wrote that Walken, and Nicholson as well, are not just actors but a MOVIE STARS because they both look like they know a secret, a very important secret, something earth-shaking, and if we just stick with them long enough, they'll share it with us. The big stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood are dying ... we only have a few left -- Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Katherine Hepburn, Maureen O'Hara, and a few others. From the sixties on, it's tough to find many who compare to them, people who are truly bigger than life in any role. Walken and Nicholson fit that description. I really think those guys will be remembered and admired long after they're gone, like the big Golden Age stars before them.

Ray

Mar 3, 1999

do you think your some movie critic Garton? I tought you were supposed to be a writer. obviously wrong there huh? if your going to write about movies and actors like you know something at least learn to spell their names right asshole.

Mar 3, 1999

It is true that because we are writers, neither Ray Garton nor I have any right whatever commenting on or criticizing movies. It is also true that, because we're writers, we can't criticize politicians,TV commercials, ketchup, soap, or all-season tires. We are free to vote, LOOK at TV commercials, eat ketchup, use soap and buy all-season tires, but because we are writers, we have taken an oath to God and humankind that all we must and CAN do is...write. In fact, my oath is coming up for renewal next year.

P.T. Barnum said that there's a sucker born every minute. These boards have proven that there's a moron let out of his cage every five seconds.

T.M.

Mar 3, 1999

Ray-
I'll agree with you about that damn silver shamrock song from Halloween III....Sticks with you doesn't it?

I finally watched URBAN LEGEND last night....And I really wanted to like it, oh lord I tried and tried....But I just couldn't. This movie sucks, plain as that. It was cool getting to watch Rebecca Gayheart walk around, but besides that there really wasn't much worth paying attention to.
The death scenes were stupid....Chopping the head off the driver while you're flying down a wet, curvy country road? Ooooookay. Really, this is a bad movie. From Alicia Witt's dumb little toad mouth to the almost insulting stereotyping the character of Reece, the black security guard....Just a bad movie. Ugh.

I also watched Wes Craven's CARNIVAL OF SOULS which was only marginally better. The writers of this film watched JACOB'S LADDER a few HUNDRED times too many. It's another one of those "person accepting their life/death for what it is and moving on" kinda things. It actually steals a few lines directly from JL and some of the visual images are just to damn similar to be ignored.
It is more of a horror movie than JACOB'S LADDER though, and has a few very effective moments. Comedian Larry Miller is downright freaky as the psychosexual monster and the lead character is played by Bobbie Phillips, quite possibly the sexiest human being on this planet. She can't act, but holy lord is she purty.

Anyway, I would recommend CARNIVAL OF SOULS just because for $2.00 it's worth 90 minutes. Ray, you'll appreciate Bobbie anyway. I'm still not sure exactly what Craven's involvement with this film was though.
Later man!
Matt

Ray, I've been trying to mail you that address you asked for but my damn server won't groove with the email you gave me. I'll try sending it on hotmail later. Hasta!

Mar 4, 1999

T.M. -- Couldn't have said it better myself. Heh-heh. MATT -- I've heard nothing but bad stuff about URBAN LEGEND from people I trust, so I've avoided it. CARNIVAL OF SOULS, if I'm not mistaken, is a remake (or perhaps rip-off) of the 1962 surreal cult cheapie of the same name (which George Romero said had a lot of influence on his NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD). The original was re-released in 1989 with missing footage restored by producer-director Herk Harvey. I enjoyed the original a lot; there's not much story and the acting is a little clunky, but it has very creepy atmosphere and works well in spite of its weaknesses. I've seen it in the video store and have considered renting it (I will on your recommendation), but it really pisses me off when I see something like that bogus "Wes Craven presents" credit above the title. His involvement here is the same as his involvement with "Wes Craven presents" WISHMASTER: diddly. They paid him some money to slap his name on the posters and video box to fool people into thinking that Craven had something to do with the making of the film, which he did not. And it's usually a sign that it's a bad movie and the filmmakers *know* it. It's a dirty trick, and unfortunately, it often works. Everyone at the local video store here fell for it, and when I explained it to them, they refused to believe me. But then, around here, your average room full of people has a combined I.Q. that's in the double digits. But I'm a big fan of Larry Miller, and of course, I enjoy watching a beatiful woman, so I'll check it out. I might have made a typo when I gave you that address, so next time I see you in chat, I'll give it to you again, just in case.

Ray

Mar 5, 1999

Briefly: I finished BIOFIRE and think it is the best book of 1999...so far. A review will be posted in the usual section in a few days. Please read it and let me know what you think. Great job, Ray!! Paul

Mar 9, 1999

Ray

I asked my wife to get me 411 as a possible graduation present. Could you give a brief discription about the plot? Thanks!

Reanimated...ps..is Biofire a novel that will be available in regular bookstores?....

Mar 10, 1999

Thanks, PAUL! Your check's in the mail. Heh-heh.

REANIMATED -- 411 is about a wheelchair-bound directory assistance operator who *thinks* she's heard a double murder over the line during a call. She begins to wonder if the killer--who would have no way of knowing exactly how much she'd heard over the line--is coming to find her and shut her up. That's all I can tell you without giving anything away, because it's a pretty short book. But tell your wife it would make a *wonderful* gift! BIOFIRE will eventually be available in paperback, I'm just not sure when. Not too far in the future, I'm hoping.

Ray

Mar 11, 1999

Ray--I just got through watching PINIC AT HANGING ROCK on DVD just a while ago. What an amazing movie. Have you got a chance to see this one? Peter Weir's first movie. A great moody movie that paints beautiful scenes after beautiful scenes. tom

Mar 11, 1999

Oh, and that last post was mine. Forgot to put my last name...tom McAlister

Mar 16, 1999

TOM -- PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK is a wonderful movie! That feeling of underlying menace combined with all that beautiful scenery is mesmerizing. If I'm not mistaken, it's based on a true story. It wasn't his first movie, though. Weir's first movie was originally called THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS (Paris, Australia, that is) when it was released in 1974. It was released in America under the title THE CARS THAT EAT PEOPLE, with about 20 minutes shaved off Weir's cut. It was released intact, though, in the U.S. about ten years later. I've never seen it, but I've heard it's a nifty little thriller. Has anyone here seen it?

Ray

Mar 16, 1999

Ray--The movie says it is based on a true story, but I've read that it's just based on the book of the same name and the book is made up. I guess they thought the idea that it was based on a true story would give the viewer a different mind set for it. Sort of like what the Coen brothers did with FARGO by saying it was based on a true story, but it really wasn't. tom McAlister

Mar 17, 1999

Hello,

A warning to all writers, would-be writers, screenwriters and would-be screenwriters:

Stay away from EKP Productions, Los Angeles, run by scumbag Eddie Kritzer. He's got a nifty website, but don't let it fool you--I was suckered in by this guy, and though he did get me one audio book sale, I've since learned that he has collaborated with the infamous EDIT INK, Amherst, NY (do a search for EDIT INK if you're not familiar with their reputation), and has been involved in other scams, as well.

I'm not signing my name--Eddie has threatened to sue me for "slander" if I say anything about him--but you all know who I am.

I get itchy just thinking about the guy. It makes me feel dirty to have been associated with him in any way. Sort of like being the co-author of a novel with Dillon.

Phyllis Pellaprat

Mar 17, 1999

By all accounts, it seems to be a good idea to avoid making connections with agents and publishers over the internet. Most seem to be bogus, and I've known a lot of writers -- especially beginners in a hurry to get their careers started -- who have gotten burned that way. The *real* people in the business seem to be a little slow in bringing their businesses to the internet, while the frauds and con artists can't get to it fast enough. In my humble opinion, it's best to stick to the old fashioned ways of finding agents and publishers, even in this instant-message, dot-com age. There are some areas in which snail mail still pays off. I'm sure there are some genuine people in the business who have made themselves available on the internet, but for every one of them, there are a dozen EDIT, INKs or WOODSIDE LITERARY AGENCIES. As Bela Lugosi said in the screen classic GLEN OR GLENDA, "Be-vare ... be-VARE!" Ray

Mar 18, 1999

Looks like someone's in love with Dillon.

Mar 18, 1999

RAY: You da man! Thanks for your help (you know with what) and for the well thought opinion on the HWA debacle. When the revolution comes, we will make you an honorary figurehead....Brian Keene

Mar 19, 1999

No, Brian, YOU da man! Oh, and by the way ... the phrase "HWA debacle" is redundant. :-)

Ray

Mar 19, 1999

Ray -- Not only have I seen 'The Cars that Eat People', I actually have the poster up in my studio. It's got this great garish picture of a spike-covered VW with a victim impaled on the spikes. As one might expect, the movie is not as lurid as the poster. It's the story of a small town with a secret. You've heard that before, of course, but in this case, the secret is that the road leading into town has been sculpted so that cars will crash; the town lives off the wrecks, and the kids in town take the wrecks, turn them into things like the VW with spikes and drive around at night and terrorize the town. One day, somebody survives the wreck. When I saw it it was badly dubbed with horrible Brooklyn accents. It is totally hilarious, and rather surreal, and highly recommended. But there are two previous movies by Peter Weir. The first is a black and white picture titled "Homebodies". Weir himself is in it. It's about a EST-style camp, where the therapy is very confrontational and very weird. There's a wonderful scene in the beginning where Weir is with the rest of the patients-to-be on a boat, heading to the camp. He's snapping pictures of everyone with a 35mm camera. He then opens up the camera, shows that there's no film, smile sthis goofy grin, then closes the camera and resumes taking pictures. That should give you some idea of the tone here. I've never seen it in videa, but in these days of total product glut, I'd be surprised if it wasn't available. Now the movie you all want to see is 'The Plumber'. I took my wife to see this (and Homebodies) when we first started dating, and she was so flipped out by it that we nearly broke up. The Plumber tells the story of a couple living in student housing who one day call the plumber to fix their pipes. The wife is a grad student studying african art and music, and the apartment is filled with masks and weird, thumping african folk music. The plumber arrives, works for most of the day, then says he needs to come back the next day. And the next. And... There's an incredible amount of tension in the scenes with the plumber and the wife. It seems that at any moment, you're going to see some horrific dis-embowelment. What you do see is extremely surprising. I actually have a tape of The Plumber. In one of thsoe weird twists, the wife later ended up working for Media Home Video, who distributed it, and she bought it for me for Christmas. She still hates it though, not because it's bad -- it's too good. Ray, I think yuou'd like The Plumber, it has something in common with stories like 411. So there's the short couse in early Peter Weir. Check out The Plumber...but maybe not with your wife in the room! --Rick Kleffel

Mar 20, 1999

RICK -- At first, I thought I'd seen HOMEBODIES, but your description didn't sound familiar. It turns out the one I saw (with the same title) was made in 1974, about a group of demented senior citizens living in an inner city tenement who kill the men who are trying to evict them so the building can be torn down. It's a neat little low-budget black comedy ... but not the same one you were talking about. I've never heard of Weir's HOMEBODIES, although I've heard of THE PLUMBER. I've never seen it, though. According to Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide, Weir's THE PLUMBER came out in 1980, and is listed fourth after THE CARS THAT ATE PARIS, PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK, and THE LAST WAVE (another underappreciated gem). None of my movie reference books yielded any information about HOMEBODIES. I'll have to keep an eye out for both these movies!

Ray

Mar 22, 1999

Hi,

This is far removed from "horror," per se, but it struck me as pretty goddamned horrible:

A full page ad in my local paper (The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) by "The Paretns Television Council" calls for, among other things, an end to "TV filth, vulgarity, coarse humor, premarital sex situations, violence, killings and all the rest" by bugging TV sponsors to take their sponsorship dollars away from all but "Family-Safe TV." This ad alone would have made me cringe and flip the page, but no more. What really got my hackles up was a photo of Steve Allen at the top of the ad, and various "messages"--unsigned, and unattributed--by him throughout the ad. I know that old Stevie has gone a bit dotty in his declining years, but I'd never believed he'd get involved with something like this. And as I read the ad, I grew less and less certain that he was, indeed, involved. He's called, along with Shirley Jones, an "Honorary Co-Chairperson," whatever that means. We see nothing in the ad that indicates he's actually involved with the Parents Television Council, and I know that, at least in his younger years, the idea of bringing an end to all but "Family Safe TV" would have raised his hackles, as well.

Anyone else see this ad?

T.M.

Mar 22, 1999

T.M. -- I haven't seen that particular ad, but I'm very sad to say that I've seen Steve-a-rino on several news talk shows complaining about all the dirty stuff on TV these days. He's said in these interviews that he is involved with, and supports, a number of organizations that are trying to clean up the airwaves for the soft-headed. I've been a fan of Steve Allen all my life; he writes novels (murder mysteries), music, comedy...the guy's amazing. This sudden shriveling of his brain is very sad. When he hosted THE TONIGHT SHOW, and later THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW, he and his writers did a lot to push the envelope as far as they could. The humor was intelligent, but at the same time very irreverant and at times raucous (for that time, anyway). Now he's saying other people are pushing the envelope too *far*. The only logical explanation I can come up with is that he's losing his mind. I hadn't heard Shirley Jones was involved in that crap, too. But then, what do you expect from a woman who stays married to Marty Ingalls for so long?

Ray

Mar 23, 1999

Hi Ray, Any plans on releasing THE NEW NEIGHBOR in a paperback or a British edition?? I have a copy in the Charnel House edition but I was curious why no other edition has ever been released? James

Mar 25, 1999

Ray, I'm new around these parts. I stumbled upon this sight while attempting to locate a limited edition of your novel LIVE GIRLS. I am very intrigued with your writing. I thoroughly enjoyed CRUCIFAX AUTUMN. Just curious, do you have a favorite artist? Are you familiar with HR Giger or JK Potter? What influences your decision on the covers of your novels? -Ila Stigmata

Mar 30, 1999

Ray, What's your story in the Peter Crowther called and what's it about? Paul

Apr 4, 1999

Ray, Happy Easter from Steve and Alyson. I just finished reading Biofire and thought it was as good as anything Dean Koontz has written (and I'm a big fan of his). Great book which I recommend highly. I do love your horror novels Crucifax Autumn, Live Girls and Trade Secrets the best and these are in the top ten of my all time favorite books. I know that some publishers do not want to risk big money on horror these days unless your last name is King, Koontz or Rice, but I would love to see an out an out horror novel which you do so well. I will buy a lettered version for sure as I have with CD's Live Girls and and Biofire (I just obtained a limited of Crucifax Autumn on ABE). Please let me know if you have any new horror planned and when it will be out. Steve

Apr 5, 1999

Sorry I've been so absent. I've been so immersed in this Buffy book I'm writing that I've done little else.

JAMES -- I've had offers for THE NEW NEIGHBOR, and I haven't decided what to do yet. But if I go ahead with it, it will not be reprinted in a mass-market edition. It would be another small press limited edition, but far more affordable than the original. And no attempt would be made to copy or compete with Charnel House's beautiful edition and it's gut-clutching illustrations by J.K. Potter. If it happens, I'll let you know here.

ILA STIGMATA -- I don't know that I have any "favorite" artists, but Potter and Giger would be way up at the top of the list. Potter's work, probably more consistently than most, stirs the strongest reactions in me. Are you an artist? You should drop by HorrorNet's chat room ... we have a couple of talented artist regulars there, Fredrik King and (damn, I've forgotten his first name) Arensberg who've created some very impressive horror images.

PAUL -- The story in Crowther's anthology is called "Homeless", and like all the others, it's the story of a haunting. But I think that's all I'm gonna say about it. :-)

STEVE & ALYSON -- I'm so glad you enjoyed BIOFIRE! And thanks for the kind words about my work. I've started a novel called LULLABY that is straight horror with only one goal ... to scare you. It's my first novel-length ghost story, and for what it's worth, I've already scared myself a couple times while working on it. I don't know when it will be finished, but I'll keep you up to date here.

See ya,

Ray

Apr 16, 1999

Hey Ray

I watched Snake Eyes lastnight at your suggestion (not to me but to another...i'm always listenin' though)You're were right. It was a great movie. I dont think i would have rented it without your thumbs-up...so, thanks man. I want ask you something though...member at the end when the credits come up and the construction crew is lifting that pillar? in the last shot the camera focuses in on a ruby implanted in the cement of the pillar..light twinkles off it and then it fades to black...Was there any significance to this??? I think maybe i missed something somewhere along the line...hmmmm...
i KNOW now that me better half bought 411, so i'm lookin forward to readin that soon (she said i couldn't have it till i actually "graduate"..as in have the diploma in my hand for gods sake) so i'll tell ya what i think when i'm done.
See you later

Reanimated

Apr 16, 1999

Reanimated, I was also confused by that last part of Snake Eyes, too. Anyone? Ray, Thanks for your response. I am what one may call an artist, however, I've never had any formal training. (I'd like to think I am talented anyway.) I took your advice and visited Horrornet. Has anyone else seen the art by Duncan Long? It's pretty wild images from Duncan Long? I have the hardest time finding any of your novels. Does one usually have to order these through a specialty bookstore? -Ila

Apr 17, 1999

Ray: I need to find out where to send those copies you asked me for at HORRORNET. Email me and let me know. Thanks...Brian Keene ragekeene@hotmail.com

Apr 18, 1999

Heya, Ray!

On THE NEW NEIGHBOR... Overlook Connection Press is doing limited edition reprints--or at least, I THINK it is Overlook. They did a nice edition of Ketchum's THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, and THE SAFETY OF UNKNOWN CITIES by Lucy Taylor is getting the same treatment. Sure would be nice to see THE NEW NEIGHBOR in a form normal people like me can afford! (Hint, hint.)

Another thing: I got the CD flyer yesterday, and saw you're going to have something called EYE CONTACT come out (supposedly) in the second half of 1999. What's this one? The Flyer doesn't tell me much. Is it written yet?

Sorry I haven't been around--been awfully busy around here. Now, I'm going to go, walk the dog, maybe see what happens if I give my computer Viagra.


Later!

--Geoff

Apr 22, 1999

Er.. that is not to say that OCP is doing reprints of THE NEW NEIGHBOR. No, I mentioned them only because they ARE doing limited edition reprinted novels--that's what they are publishing these days. THE BIGHEAD, SAFETEY OF UNKNOWN CITIES, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR... I would like to see someone like that do THE NEW NEIGHBOR, that's all I'm saying...


--Geoff

Apr 23, 1999

THE FINAL SHOT OF SNAKE EYES EXPLAINED -- SPOILER!
The ruby was on a ring worn by the female accomplice, whom Gary Sinise killed. This final shot shows how her body was disposed of, i.e. it was incorporated into a giant concrete pillar in the time-honored New Jersey organized crime tradition. The scene added another meaning to the theme song being played, something about "you'll never leave", maybe? --Bill B.

Apr 25, 1999

Though I usually like DePalma, Snake Eyes was a disappointment. We found out much too quickly who the bad guy was and the rest was basically the bad guy chasing the good guy, with not much tension or suspension. DePalma's camera tricks were lovely, but the pacing was erratic. Two great movies I can recommend are "Cube' and 'Clay Pigeons'. Seek these out, especially Cube.

Michael K

Apr 25, 1999

Whoops, sorry. That should say 'tension or suspense'. Mea Culpa.

MK

Apr 27, 1999

ILA -- Talent and a passion for your work is a *lot* more important than formal training. :-) Yes, most of my novels are difficult to find. Many of them are available on the internet if you look hard enough. Unfortunately, once they're out of print, the prices tend to get a little steep, especially the small press editions. Good luck with your art and happy book hunting!

GEOFF -- Thanks for the suggestion regarding THE NEW NEIGHBOR, but I've worked with Overlook Connection before ... and I have absolutely no intention whatsoever of working with Overlook Connection ever, ever again. If you know what I mean. :-)

MICHAEL K. -- I agree with you about learning too soon who the bad guy was in SNAKE EYES. I would have preferred that to be stretched out a little bit. But I loved the rest of the movie so much that I was willing to forgive it that little faux pas. A good friend recommended CUBE, so I rented it. I'm afraid I didn't like it much. I liked the idea, it was the execution of it that bugged me. So often in movies that have a group of people trapped in a dangerous situation, too much time is spent on those people bickering with each other until it escalates and they're at each other's throats. It would be natural in such a situation for some characters to not get along, but most movies of that kind take it too far and throw in a lot of macho posturing. As with gratuitous sex or gore for the sake of gore, it makes the story come to a screeching halt. For me, that was what happened with CUBE ... the story kept screeching to a halt. If all the bitching and whining were removed, the movie would be a lot shorter. CLAY PIGEONS, on the other hand, looks like my cup of tea! I haven't seen it yet, but I'm anxious to soon. I've got a thing for Janeane Garofalo. Is it out on video yet? I'm not sure.

Ray

Apr 28, 1999

Ray

Yeah, Clay Pigeons is out on video. As far as Cube goes, I found the violence a natural progression from the differing viewpoints of the protagonists. They were put in a tight, desperate situation and I think they responded accordingly. Ah, well. Check out Clay Pigeons and let me know what you think.

MK

May 4, 1999

First off, THE OVERLOOK CONNECTION are ripoffs. I always like getting a chance to say that when aplicable! Secondly, DO NOT EVER put out any other sort of edition of THE NEW NEIGHBOR! I had to kill a few people to get the money to buy it when it first came out. Any other edition would make it less valuable. Anyways that's all for now, Paul PS JUST JOKING(about the killing, not my feelings on the other edition)

May 5, 1999

Ray, I agree with Paul on not putting out another edition of The New Neighbor. By the way how is Lullaby coming, can't wait to read it? Do you have any idea on when the Buffy... is going to be shown? Steve

May 10, 1999

Those of you bitchin' at the price of THE NEW NEIGHBOR should go to www.eBay.com and search under Ray Garton...it's up for $50 as of today! Paul

May 11, 1999

STEVE -- I'm not writing an episode of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, I'm writing a novel based on the series. It's scheduled for a January release.

Ray

May 11, 1999

Paul--

Yes, THE NEW NEIGHBOR is on eBay right now. However, it has a reserve price, which means, basically, they already know they are going to sell it for market value, which was my problem in the first place: the market value is beyond my means.


Later!

--Geoff

May 14, 1999

Ray, While I haven't found a book of yours I didn't like, my favorites are Crucifax Autumn, Live Girls, Trade Secrets and The New Neighbor. Do you have a personal favorite, one book you wrote that you like the most or think is your best? - Steve

May 15, 1999

STEVE -- That's not an easy question to answer because it varies. My favorite book is usually the book I'm writing at the time (at least, until I reach that point in the writing of the book when I begin to fear it's an atrocity that should never be finished, which happens every single time). LIVE GIRLS seems to be the favorite of most of my readers. But whenever I'm asked this question and give it some thought, I usually end up naming the same book: DR. KRUSADIAN'S METHOD. It's a short novel that first appeared in CAFE PURGATORIUM, a TOR collection also featuring work by Dana Anderson and Charles De Lint, and edited by David Hartwell (although his name doesn't appear on the book for some reason). Then it appeared in my collection METHODS OF MADNESS. It's about a little boy who is abused by both parents, until a mysterious doctor steps in and takes the boy's side with a radical, and rather frightening, new therapy that involves the whole family. I have always been -- and still am -- very pleased with the way that story turned out. I'm disappointed that it never got the attention I'd hoped it would, but it's been awhile since it last surfaced, so I may look into getting it reprinted.

Ray

May 16, 1999

Hi Ray have you seen the movie "THE MUMMY" yet? It's a real fun movie with great special effects a few jolts and very funny. It's Ghostbusters meet Raiders of the lost ark. It's relentless. I think you could say I liked it, a lot. Daniel

May 17, 1999

DANIEL -- Yes, Dawn and I saw THE MUMMY, and we loved it! For a little over two hours, I was a ten year old boy sitting in front of the television with a big bowl of homemade popcorn watching CREATURE FEATURES on a Saturday night, and all was right with the world! :-) I don't think I found it quite as funny as you. There was plenty of humor, but it definitely wasn't a comedy. Some people don't think it was a horror movie, either, but I'd have to disagree. There were far too many horror ingredients for it *not* to be a horror movie! Lots of adventure and heroics, plenty of chills and squirms ... it was the most fun I've had in a movie theater in a long time!

Ray

May 18, 1999

Ray, I've been a fan since I read "A Picture of Health" in Hotter Blood. I've really enjoyed all of your work for the most part though Dark Channel left me a bit disappointed. Otherwise, it's been great fun reading your stuff. Let me voice another vote for New Neighbor to be printed again in a less expensive version... maybe Rich is interested for 2000?? I've recently obtained Biofire from Rich and am about to get into the Seductions hc that Bil published (as soon as I finish After Midnight by Laymon). I read Seductions in paperback but that seems like so long ago, that it's almost like reading a new book. Are there any plans to do any more 7th Day stories...? I really enjoyed the ones written so far... in fact, before graduating college, I was taking a study of Religions class and it was your stories that prompted my research paper for that class to be on Adventists... Anyways, just wanted to pop in to say "hi and thanks"... Vince

May 23, 1999

Thank you, VINCE, for your complimentary remarks. No, I seriously doubt I will be writing anymore Seventh-day Adventist stories ... at least, not like the ones I've written in the past. (By the way, if you're interested -- and if you can find it -- an adaptation of my SDA story "Punishments" can be found in issue 9 of the horror comic book anthology series, VEROTIKA.) The lunatics among them are leaving me alone these days, so I'll leave them alone. However, I plan to write a novel about my two years at a Seventh-day Adventist boarding academy at some point in the future ... but it will be more comedy than horror, I'm afraid. I'm intrigued by the fact that you wrote a research paper on the Seventh-day Adventist church. I'd love to read it! Maybe you could give me an e-mail address where I could reach you, and we could arrange that. I'd appreciate it! Ray

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