Every time I tell someone I write horror, I feel compelled to add “but not like slasher horror.” Often I find it easiest to describe what something is not as a means of paring down to the thing’s essence. Why I feel the need to justify my writing as “not slasher” or “not too gory”…
Author: Rachel Dempsey
How We Write Monsters Matters
Spooky Season is officially upon us. I read a lot of horror and thrillers but especially around this time of year, without feeling the need to balance the dark with an occasional romcom. I’m intrigued by the mysterious and supernatural elements of course, yet perhaps the most compelling ingredient of these genres for me is…
Page Fright, The Final Part
Well, not the final final part. You still have to come to my workshop at the Colorado Gold Conference next month. And of course, that isn’t the final lesson, either. As with most skills, reading publicly is a lifelong learning experience that improves with practice. Speaking of practice, how do you prepare for a reading?…
Page Fright, Part 2
After six months in the program, I finally have the opportunity to learn and mingle in person with the majority of my fellow Mile-High MFA students this week as part of our bi-annual ten-day residency. One of the best parts is listening to so many compelling readings, from talented, accomplished faculty as well as students…
Page Fright, Part 1
Would you rather: read the same book over and over for the rest of your life OR have to type out every book you read? Would you rather: publish your unedited middle school journals OR take a year of physical education as an adult? Would you rather: read your work in front of an audience…