Paranormal

As you know, ordinarily we write a brief review of the short movies that we’re lucky enough to gain access to. This week however, we have watched TWO movies – both by the same director. So to keep you on your toes we’re not going to write separate reviews of the horror shorts – we’re going to write a feature on Davide Melini!

Now some of you may already be aware of Davide and his career so far, particularly his first horror short – The Puzzle. But you may not be aware about his new short film The Sweet Hand of the White Rose. Either way we’ll tell you about both.

Davide Melini is an Italian filmmaker. To date he has made four short movies, as well as working as an assistant director in Rome. One notable movie he has collaborated in, is the Dario Argento flick Mother of Tears: The Third Mother. Now if you love Dario Argento’s movies, then chances are you will enjoy Melini’s as well.

So we’ll start with The Puzzle. And in a few words – It’s really quite good! Sure there are a few things that could have been improved upon (general editing, camera shots etc) but the concept is brilliant and it’s portrayed very well. The film is about a woman whose mooching son is becoming an annoyance in her life. The film starts with her standing up to him before sitting down to enjoy a puzzle. But as the movie goes on, things start to get a lot darker before reaching the truly satisfying ending.

The Puzzle is definitely a sign of good things to come from Melini. Although it’s a short of just 5 minutes, and shot in one day with a budget of 300 Euro, it has arrived at the finals of 16 international festivals (with the award as ‘3rd Best Italian Film’ at the “Rome International Film Festival”). The short, that has been also broadcast on “Coming Soon Television” (Italy) and on “PTV Málaga” (Spain), till now received 51 great reviews around the world

Want to make up your own mind? Check it out

Okay so now you’ve got a better understanding of Davide Melini’s filmmaking style and his specialties. So why don’t we tell you a bit more about The Sweet Hand of the White Rose?

The movie follows two people involved in road accident. The driver of the car (Mark) is overwhelmed with grief following the death of the little girl he hit. He visits her grave, only to find that things are not what they seem. So far, the movie has won several awards and has been screened many countries (US, Spain, Italy, South Africa). Like “The Puzzle”, this one has been broadcast on “Coming Soon Television” (Italy) and on “PTV Málaga” (Spain) too.

Want to check it out? Feel free

As you can see, Melini is definitely going from strength to strength. If you disregard the poor voice-over, the movie is brilliant! Great plot, soundtrack and obviously a bigger budget than The Puzzle. His vivid ideas take creativity to a new level and it’ll be interesting to see what Melini can produce next.

If you want to read more about Davide Melini and his upcoming projects, as well as reviews and other info, visit his blog:

http://www.davidemelinidirector.blogspot.co.uk/

Jen Wylie

Posted by Erebus Horror on June 23, 2011

Posted in: Interviews. Tagged: Fantasy, Forgotten Echo, Interview, Jen, Jump, Paranormal, Sweet Light, Tales of Ever, Wylie. 1 Comment

I’ve recently been lucky enough to interview the great Jen Wylie! Author of the newly released novel Sweet Light, short stories including Jump and The Forgotten Echo and the highly anticipated series Tales of Ever.

Here we go!

Okay so we know you’re an author, but what type of genre do you write? And why did you choose that genre?

I write fantasy, both urban, paranormal, romantic and for adults and young adults. I grew up reading sci fi and fantasy book so it came naturally for me write that genre as well. I also have a very vivid and sometimes crazy imagination!

What made you decide you wanted to be a writer?

For the longest time (since public school) I just wrote because I loved it. Writing was something I enjoyed doing, needed to do. I never really seriously started to consider publishing my work until my parents started bugging me to try a few years ago. I don’t always do what my parents tell me, but they had a good idea this time!

You’re a published author now; how hard was it to get to where you are?

It was a long road, as they say. First I was very nervous and spent probably a year editing my book, researching etc. Once I finally got up the nerve to query agents I then collected rejections for about a year and half. I then discovered a great small publisher and was thrilled when they requested to see the full MS. Of course I then had to wait to hear back…but I did get a contract for my book, and also for two short stories I’d also submitted. The journey didn’t end there, next came building my web presence, edits and so on. Marketing still takes up a good part of my time.

Your first book came out a few weeks ago. Can you give us more details as to what it’s about?

Sweet Light is a romantic fantasy, or a fantasy where a good part of the story involves relationships. It’s not a bodice ripper LOL, more of heart wrenching story of love and choices within my fantasy world. There are princes and warriors and healers, some fighting, intrigue, mysteries and magic. Though I originally thought its intended audience for women I’ve heard from some who really enjoyed it as well-so I’m thinking there is a good balance between soft romance and emotions with action.

Description:

When fate conspires against you and gives you three loves to choose from, what do you do? What if you make the wrong choice?

Shara is a healer, raised and trained from childhood until her unique gift manifests itself. When she gains the rank Journeyman she is hired to serve as the court healer for the barbaric kingdom of Glendor.

Untrained for war, she is thrust unmercifully into its bloody arms when the kingdom is invaded. Ordered by her king to the front lines to tend the wounded, she is forced to flee when their camp is attacked. Happening upon a wounded soldier in the forest, every mile back to the capital is a struggle, and breaking the healer’s code, she falls in love with her charge.

If Shara thought that to be the least of her troubles, the appearance of a fierce warrior captain who appoints himself her protector, teaches her differently. Trouble comes in threes at the appearance of a former love and fellow healer. Faced with decisions of the heart and the sudden manifestation of her gift, there is little room for anything else to go wrong. Or at least that’s what Shara thought.

What about the short stories you have written, can you give us some details on those?

My first published short story, Jump, came out in Dec. It is a humorous urban fantasy (and the sequel has been contracted!)

Description:

If you were told to jump off of a bridge would you?
Perhaps it would depend on who was doing the asking. Our heroine has spunk and a sense of humor, however suffers from an extreme case of inappropriate clothing. When things take a turn from dangerous to worse what will she do when fantasy becomes reality? Warning: May include hot leather clad men, singing and demons.

My next short is part of my Immortal Echoes world. The Forgotten Echo has been a huge hit and is my most popular short story. It is a paranormal about Echoes, which are more than just ghosts. Sometimes death is only the beginning…

Lastly, my current baby is my new series Tales of Ever. It will contain 6 instalments (one out per month until Aug) and is a paranormal fantasy. It is part of Echelon Press’ Electric Shorts program – creating short stories specifically geared toward reluctant young adult readers. Tales of Ever is about a young firestarter who is banished to the land of Ever, which is a prison of sorts. It is a deadly place, where almost everything can kill you. Throughout the series she struggles to learn to use her power, survive and searches for her father. She meets many interesting characters, and a lot of strange creatures too! The first three, Banished, Fire Girl and Shadow Boy, are out now. The 4^th, The Lost Tree will be out by the end of june.

All of my short stories are available only in eBook formats at this time. You can find them on Amazon, B&N, Smashwords and OmniLit (where they are currently all on the Top 10 List!)

What has been the most/least rewarding aspect of your writing career so far?

The most rewarding is having my stories published, in eBook and in print and hearing from readers(other than my mom) how much they enjoyed them. I wouldn’t really say anything has been least rewarding – though it is a lot more work than people think!

Do you have any plans of writing a sequel to Sweet Light or is your next book going in a different direction?

The sequel to Sweet Light has already been written. It is called Dark Madness and I’m just doing some touch ups to it before submitting. I’ve also finished a YA fantasy novel called Broken Aro which I’m working on finding a publisher for as well. 🙂

If you could change one aspect of your past what would it be?

I’d be born somewhere warmer. Canadian winters last forever! Just kidding (well partly) I’m one of those who doesn’t dwell on the past. Everything that happens has made me who I am today, and I’m fine with that 🙂

If you were to set a goal for your future what would it be?

Why to eventually be able to make a living off of my writing of course! That would fantastic 😀

And finally who is your favourite horror icon?

Stephen King

Ebook Available at:

Omnilit: http://www.omnilit.com/product-sweetlight-550231-143.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62461

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Light-ebook/dp/B0052ZB0O8

B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sweet-Light/Jen-Wylie/e/2940012590046/

Sweet Light available in Print at:

Createspace: https://www.createspace.com/3623402

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Light-Jen-Wylie/dp/1590808495

Author Bio:

Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.

Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.

Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light is her debut novel published in 2011 by Echelon Press.

Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her two boys, Australian shepherd a flock of birds and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.

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