Welcome Fans of Terrible things.
This site is an excuse to write a lot, and quickly. It’s also an expression of my love for terrible things done with great passion. Below are some things that have inspired me, in various ways.
Not to be confused with the fantastic Gradius spin-off Life Force, Lifeforce was a cheesy 80’s sci-fi horror film that aired on one of the 5 broadcast channels that shaped my childhood, (Fox perhaps? It seems like it would be Fox).
In it, astronauts find vampires in a spaceship hidden behind Haley’s Comet. Because obviously. Of course the vampires (suspended in crystal coffins) are revived, seduce and attack the humans, sucking the lifeforce out of them (in a spectacular electric effects display) leaving behind shriveled husks.
To my 11-year old brain, this was amazing.
Only years later did i find out that it was based on a book appropriately titled ‘The Space Vampires’, that it was directed by Toby Hooper (of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame), had a brief appearance of Sir Patrick Stewart, or that there was such a crazy story behind the production. Though i suppose that last shouldn’t be too surprising.
Perhaps you can deduce the subtle ways that the movie influenced me in writing this book…
“I mean, in a sense we’re all vampires. We drain energy from other life forms. The difference is one of degree.”
– Dr. Hans Fallada, Lifeforce
Moon People by Dale M Courtney was handed to me by a friend a few years ago. It’s a crazy train wreck of a book. The Amazon reviews are their own form of literature filled with eloquent disdain, backhanded compliments and gushing tongue-in-cheek praise. But of them all, i think that J Dollak describes Moon People best as “a joyfully awkward book to read.”
And I loved that experience of reading it.
I also loved the idea that he had written it, had told his story, had published it; It existed and was enjoyed by others (whether in a way he intended, i still don’t know). While i can’t possibly emulate Mr. Courtney, i do embrace the style and hope to share some of the joy that it brought me.
“Oh my God, this is unbelievable. I can’t believe this!”
– Dale M Courtney, Moon People