If you have navigated to the "About Me" section, you have seen that one of my favorite Stephen King books is Pet Sematary. And if you haven't navigated there yet, that's okay, because now you know! In addition to this being one of my favorite Stephen King books, it's also my favorite book ever.

So in this blog post, I thought it would be fun to tell you why this is, and explain my journey over the years with this book.

I first read Pet Sematary about 20 years ago, and this was after I had already seen the 1989 movie. The movie adaptation had enthralled every bit of my horror-loving soul, and I just needed to read the book because—as we all know well—a book is almost always guaranteed to vastly trump the movie.

In the beginning of the book, we are thrown into the hectic life of Louis Creed and his move from Chicago to the rural town of Ludlow, Maine. Now I connected with this right away, because I was born and raised in a very rural part of Ohio. I knew this landscape well, and also what could lurk in large, open spaces.

As Creed begins to learn about the pet cemetery kids from the town of Ludlow have created and maintained over the years, the tone of the book begins to carry with it a tragic sense of loss. And then, of course, when he loses Gage, he tests the validity of the Native American burial ground.

There is so much mystique, loss, and sorrow in this book, and it reveals a darker side of the human condition that is touched upon so deftly by King. Some may even view it as taboo. 

This book also features one of my absolute favorite characters ever—Jud Crandall. He carries an air of southern hospitality in rural Maine, and offsets the character of Louis Creed perfectly. Their friendship is also beautiful to read unfolding on the page.

I have read this book 3 times, and will most likely read it again very soon. Every time I read it, I'm struck by its beauty and horrifying tale. It's a story that calls to me every few years, and I enjoy delving into it every single time.

Writing about the unknown has always been appealing to me. I feel it's an innate curiosity that all humans share with each other. What happens to the soul after someone dies? What happened at that abandoned house at the end of the street? Why does my cat stare at the wall—is it seeing some apparition that I don't?

And though the unknown heightens the fear in us, its lure is almost inescapable. This is where fiction writing comes into play. We like to make sense of the unknown by adding our own take on it. All writers create stories from past experiences and the people who have come in and out of their life, and when this is mixed with possible scenarios, the stories unfold rather magically. The thing about the unknown is . . . it's not always scary. Sure, it can be—but more often than not, it's an opportunity for growth and adversity against the odds.

Either way, it is an opportunity for writers to take their readers on an incredible journey. Whether it be fighting monsters or challenging a status quo, the unknown works as a way to engage and connect from the page. So buckle up, readers, and take thrill in the journey you will embark on in your next read. You will learn more about the author on the way, and more about yourself as well.

My love of reading began at a very young age. I remember being about eight years old and going to bed every night for a long time rereading Call of the Wild by Jack London. It was such a fun adventure—I laughed, cried, and reveled in Buck's journey of discovery. 

London painted the Yukon so vividly in this classic, and my mind lit up as I read the words on the page. This book sparked my love of reading, and afterward I delved into many other stories. Once I discovered Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the fear that rose inside me. These stories were so unnerving, and often I'd find myself looking around my room to make sure everything was okay. Getting lost in these scary stories became a fun escape for me, and they also led me to the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Fast-forward a few years, and then Stephen King became my new favorite author.

That's the beauty of it—no matter what your favorite genre is, there are so many authors to choose from and enjoy. Diving into a book is an experience like no other, and it's wonderful to envision the story in your mind as you read long.

As King so famously said himself, "Books are a uniquely portable magic."

Welcome to my blog! 

Here I will be sharing thoughts on writing and reading, and also updates on my works in progress. 

I plan to release my second book this October, which is a horror story, and two books are planned for release next year. There are so many stories to tell, and my array of characters are always imploring me to have theirs told next.

Writing characters which people can relate to is very special to me—their differences can inspire and offer much introspection. The beauty of writing is indeed creating that connection through words and exploring the human condition.