Pernell Rogers – Writer

Hello all! Finally, my collection of six stories is with my editor for copy-editing, YAY! I’ve been adding and subtracting stories from the collection for almost 2 years, and I think it’s ready for publishing.

When I started writing back in 2011, I had no idea what I was doing, but over time, I learned. I had to find my voice, delve deeper inside my character’s heads to discover their strengths and faults, do massive research for each setting I chose, then come up with some type of plot where everything comes together. I was able to succeed, then I hit a wall.

I’ve mentioned this in past posts. My endings suck! That’s my oen opinion with many of my stories, and because I realized this, I had to pause writing. I’ve gone back over my unpublished stories, and added appropriate endings which I feel better about. All of this was due to a single speech.

While watching a rerun of a South Park episode, (Imaginationland Part 3), Kyle give a small speech on how imaginary characters changed his life (Luke Skywalker, Frodo, Harry Potter, Michael Corleone, etc.). I feel Kyle’s short speech opened up the real reason I should be writing.

In my stories, I try to practice escapism. I want my readers to leave their problems behind and enter the realm I created for them. However, I’ve never considered lessoned learned from reading my stories, and that’s become my focus now. I’m examining my themes and premises more. Why am I writing this story? What lesson should the reader’s take away?

In supernatural horror, the easiest lessons are to either get away from the supernatural occurrence or confront it. Whatever the decision, there’s a reason behind it.

Why did the character decide to skidadle? To save his/her life, and that of their significant others.

Why did they decide to stay? The had the courage to confront their fear and protect any significant others.

What can the character learn from either decision? That’s the key question I’ll continue to ask myself as I continue writing.

I’m so glad I started this journey. Take care!

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