Guest Post: Writing horror and supernatural stories by Robbie Cheadle #DarkVisions #HorrorAnthology #NewRelease

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I’m happy to welcome guest blogger and author, Robbie Cheadle, today with a look at how she became interested in writing horror and supernatural tales. Already an accomplished children’s book author, Robbie is now venturing into other genres. Her stories, The Haunting of William, and The Willow Tree,  are featured in the new anthology, Dark Visions. Perfect reading at this time of year, this goose bump-inducing collection is high on my TBR. Please welcome Robbie with her first guest appearance on my blog!

banner ad for Dark Visions, a collection of supernatural stories

As a pre-teen I was fascinated by horror and supernatural books and stories. At the age of ten I read Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. It scared me to death, but I loved the thrill. I steadfastly read my way through all the horror and supernatural books I could get my hands on.

I started writing in 2015 by accident. I had been writing poems for many years and made up stories from time to time for my children, but I had never consciously sat down and tried to write a story. The Sir Chocolate series of books evolved with Michael through a process of joining our ideas together and creating rhyming verse stories to help him to learn to read and write and practice his spelling.

During 2017, I decided to write the story of my mom’s early years growing up in the town of Bungay, England during WWII. That was the first time I actively plotted a story line. A lot of historical research was required for the book to establish the setting and enable the reader to understand the historical facts of the time and follow the timeline of the war. I completed While the Bombs Fell in May 2018 and it has recently become available on Amazon.

This historical research for my mom’s book resulted in my discovering a lot about the folklore of her hometown, much of which is steeped in superstition and mythology. Bungay abounds with ghosts and other mythological creatures and these gave me a lot of fodder for my imagination. The idea of trying my hand at a darker story emerged. I have written four short stories in the supernatural and horror genre. I submitted two of these for Dan Alatorre’s Word Weaver competitions this year and I received an excellent critique in respect of both. I implemented Dan’s advice and resubmitted the two stories to him and was very thrilled when they were accepted for his new horror anthology, Dark Visions.

BLURB:
Book cover for Dark Visions, a horror anthology shows cloaked, hooded figure holding a glowing sphereFrom the creators of the #1 bestseller The Box Under The Bed horror anthology comes Dark Visions, 34 horror stories from 27 authors.

Tag along on a con man’s New Orleans vacation where he gets more than he bargained for from a mysterious voodoo shop. A collection of family photos reveals an eerie secret about a beloved grandmother’s true nature. A child’s horrifying memories haunt her into adulthood. A new camp counselor learns that the camp has secrets she might not live to reveal.

Edited and compiled by Amazon bestselling author Dan Alatorre, this anthology of horror brings together the minds and pens of more than two dozen amazing authors.

Dark Visions will take you into the realm of the eerie and macabre, with thrills and chills from:

bestselling author Dan Alatorre (The Navigators),
bestselling author Jenifer Ruff (Everett),
bestselling author Allison Maruska (The Fourth Descendant),
bestselling author J. A. Allen,
award-winning author MD Walker,
award-winning author Juliet Nubel,
award-winning author Dabney Farmer,
award-winning author Sharon E. Cathcart,
award-winning author Heather Kindt,
award-winning author Bonnie Lyons,
award-winning author Sharon Connell,
award-winning author Geoff LePard,
award-winning author Anne Marie Andrus,
award-winning author Christine Valentor,
award-winning author BA Helberg,
Ernesto San Giacomo,
award-winning author Alana Turner,
Nick Vossen,
award-winning author Robbie Cheadle,
Betty Valentine,
award-winning author Frank Parker,
award-winning author Bonnie Lyons,
award-winning author Lori Micken,
Chuck Jackson,
Ellen Best,
Victoria Clapton

Perfect for Halloween or any time, these stories will make you think twice before spending the night alone, planting a tree in your garden, or even visiting your mother.

Consider yourselves warned.

Purchase Dark Visions from Amazon

Connect with Robbie Cheadle at the following haunts:
Twitter | Facebook | Blog 

114 thoughts on “Guest Post: Writing horror and supernatural stories by Robbie Cheadle #DarkVisions #HorrorAnthology #NewRelease”

  1. Nice to meet you Robbie. My first horror book was Carrie then Salems Lot. I got hooked on horror, too. I’ve never heard of a Bungay….now you have me curious. I enjoyed this post:)

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Reblogged this on Roberta Writes and commented:
    #DarkVisionsAnthology Mystery, Thriller and Supernatural author, Mae Clair, has hosted me for a guest post about how I evolved from a writer of children’s picture books to a writer of horror/supernatural stories, two of which are included in Dan Alatorre’s new horror anthology, Dark Visions. Thank you, Mae, for having me over for a visit.

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. Pingback: Guest Post: Writing horror and supernatural stories by Robbie Cheadle #DarkVisions #HorrorAnthology #NewRelease — From the Pen of Mae Clair | Fantasy Gift Sources: Book Reviews, Article Resources, News

  5. Great to hear about how you got into writing horror. I never read scary stories as a young person but decided to add a bit of scariness in my last Amanda adventure. It’s not easy so I applaud you for venturing into this area!!

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  7. Robbie, it’s lovely to see you here on Mae’s blog and I’m impressed by your variety of writing genres! I had to laugh at ten-year-old you reading Stephen King … I read Cujo at about the same age and never read anything like it again! Congratulations on having two of your dark tales accepted into this collection … good luck with all your ventures and happy writing!

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  9. Pingback: Guest Post: Writing horror and supernatural stories by Robbie Cheadle #DarkVisions #HorrorAnthology #NewRelease « Frank Parker's author site

  11. I read my first horror book at age 11, but it was Bram Stoker’s Dracula. (Stephen King didn’t write Carrie until 1974, when I was 30! 😀 ) Very interesting to learn more about you, Robbie, and I must say, you are an extremely versatile writer. Good for you! I still have a penchant for things that go bump in the night, and am heading straight over to pick up this anthology. I might not be able to write a short story to save my soul, but I really love reading them. Thanks for a great post, Mae and Robbie! 🙂

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  18. I’m embarrassed to say I can’t even watch a horror commercial without covering my eyes. I remember going to Jaws as a young girl (aging myself here!) with my younger brother, and hiding under his armpit at the scary scenes.
    That cover is cool, though. Wishing you the very best luck, Robbie!

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  20. You know I’m already a horror fan, and was fortunate to receive an ARC of Dark Visions. There are some creepy and unnerving tales included, and Robbie’s two were among my favorites. Much luck with the new release, Robbie!

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  21. Pingback: Smorgasbord Daily Blogger – October 17th 2018 – Mae Clair with Robbie Cheadle, Jill Dennison, Teri Polen with Collen Chesebro. | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

  23. I loved learning more about Robbie and how she got started writing. As a kid, I was too big of a chicken to read horror, but as an adult, find the stories fascinating. I don’t think it’s a genre I could ever write in, but admire those who can go to the dark side and return undaunted. 🙂

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    • Hi,Jan. I’ve straddled the line as both reader and writer since I was a teen. I think the line for me is I won’t read or write anything occultic or demonic. That’s just too freaky. Other than that, I’m happy to indulge.
      Thanks for dropping by to check our Robbie’s post!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you for reading and commenting, Jan. I always loved horror so it shouldn’t really surprise me that I have finally arrived at writing something creepy. It did though. I got a lot of support from a few friends when I wrote The Willow Tree which is how I came to enter it in Dan’s competition in the first place.

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  26. I enjoyed learning more about Robbie and her interesting writing endeavors – such a variety – children’s books, her mom’s story with all the historical research, and horror! Very eclectic. But I’m not surprised that she’s multi-creative and talented. Thanks for hosting Mae. 🙂

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      • I’m actually in the process of reading it right now. My schedule is so busy as an author and an editor AND with a full time job that short stories are perfect for me at the busiest times. What I like about these stories is that most of them have a satisfactory ending. I don’t read a lot of short stories because they are so unsatisfying, but these are really good. I can’t wait to get to yours!

        Liked by 2 people

      • I haven’t read all the stories yet. I live in South Africa and it always takes longer for books to arrive here than other places. I hope you enjoy them all. I have the same time issues and like short stories (reading and writing) for the same reasons.

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Congratulations, Robbie! I’m a huge fan of Stephen King’s work as well. “Four Minutes past Midnight” remains my favorite collection of his short stories. I’m looking forward to reading Dark Visions. Thanks for hosting Robbie today, Mae.

    Liked by 2 people

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  33. Looks like a perfect goose-bump raising book, Robbie and MC. I have a problem with REALLY scary stories – once started reading Stephen King’s The Shining on a flight to Europe – got so scared I had to stop reading it and sat straight up and wide awake for the rest of the trip!

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