Fingers, Hands and a Strawberry Man


Thursday at the BBT
Hi, Gang! I've missed you. Seriously, I really enjoy blogging and chatting with you all, but duty has been calling...a little long overdue fun, as well.

Since today is my 4th Thursday of the month blogging day over at BBT Magazine, I hope you'll CLICK ON OVER and visit me there. I've got a little Kincaid, Braunbeck and Shapiro goodness to share with you - Fingers, Hands and a Strawberry Man. So much to share...so little time.

Hope to see you there!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Mr. B and Mr. Hands



















Mr. Braunbeck Does It Again!

Gary Braunbeck's writing grabs you by the heart and the scruff of the neck and drags you down into his world with aching intimacy and wrenching horror. His disarming humor makes the ride even more treacherous. Just when you think it's safe to giggle...BAMM!

Looks like Mr. Hands, from Dorchester/Leisure is no exception. Check-out Gary's book trailer. It left me with my shoulders up around my ears and that feeling of GAH! in my throat!

If you're just discovering Gary's work, you're in for a treat! Not only is he a master writer, he's one of THE nicest guys in the business. Run, do not walk, to Gary's Bibliography and pick out something "nice" for yourself. You deserve some good Braunabeck today!

I just received my copy of Gary's novella, Smiling Faces Sometimes. Publisher and artist, Keith Minnion, did his usual brilliant job, making this one gorgeous little illustrated book, and I can't wait to get to the juicy Braunbeck insides. Yumm!

Rhode Island Bound
Well, that's it for me today, kids. I've got a loomer of a deadline and Necon (Northeastern Writers' Conference) right around the corner, which means I won't see you next weekend. I'll be sleeping with the fishes (Team Koi) and partying with the sweetest and best-est writers in the business. I wish you could ALL be there with us for what I consider summer camp for horror writers. Heaven knows I could use the break from moving boxes and renovations. Rhode Island, here I come!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Maiden Voyage of the Wicked

 Wickedly_Yours
BBT Debut Scoop
Well, I'm live (just barely, since it's 2AM!) at the blog at Blood, Blade and Thruster Magazine.  As promised, here's the link in case you want to check it out:
Maiden Voyage of the Wicked

And notice the logo title?  You all helped me to create that, as it's how I always sign my blogs to you.  Thanks so much for your unfailing inspiration!

I hope you enjoy my Maiden Voyage!

Hugs from Sleepy CT,
Fran Friel

The Gack, Sensory Deprivation and Kealan





















Slimed
Yeah, I got slimed this week - Got the Gack, as we say in our house. My husband went to Mexico on business and brought back this way-too-long-lasting souvenir - the flu. I would have preferred a pinata. I guess I was worn-out by the move to the new house, so those opportunistic little monster germs took advantage of my flagging immune system and set-up camp for the week.

I'm feeling much better today, but I missed the Live Earth concert because of those little slimy monsters. My husband, my daughter and her friend, Billy (my replacement) went to Giants Stadium yesterday for the event and had a blast. Sting, The Police, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, Melissa Ethridge, Bon Jovi, and a gazillion other bands were there to support change in the global climate crisis. While this historic event went on, what did I do? Mostly, I slept. *grumbles under breath at Mexican flu bugs*

Tasteless
A strange result of this flu was my loss of taste. My sinuses were so wacked-out, I couldn't taste anything! Funny thing, taste, you REALLY don't appreciate how wonderful it is until you don't have it. Yeah, I know, it's not like losing your sight or your hearing, but it certainly leaves the world strangely flat when a dish of strawberry ice cream is simply cold and smoothly textured, minus the sweet taste bud tones of red jeweled sweetness.

It left me thinking about sensory deprivation. Rather than extreme pain, just imagine the slow deliberate erosion of your senses - being stripped one sensory delight at a time including touch and movement. It got me to thinking that we're so tied into our senses as human beings that without them in this reality, what are we? If we had only one sense left, what would living be like? And if that sense was taken away, then what? Seems to me that if the person was still sane and physically viable, it would be like being imprisoned in the vessel of your body. What would the mind do? Are there diseases like this? I know, I'm weird, but it is a strange thought to consider. I've got a story idea burning a hole in my brain right now, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.

Elixir of KPB
One of the things that has certainly been good medicine for me during my Gack stint, is a little dose of Kealan. Kealan Patrick Burke, Bram Stoker Award winning author and editor, will be Second Tuesday Guest Blogger this week at The Horror Library Blog-O-Rama. Besides being awfully pretty, he's a marvelous writer. As the HLBOR blog wrangler, I've had the pleasure of sneak-peaking his essay and it's excellent and a subject close to my heart (or hate), at the moment. So, be sure to stop-by the HL Blog-O-Rama on Tuesday to read Kealan's essay, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, and while you're at it, check-out KPB's list of excellent books and offerings at his website - www.kealanpatrickburke.com . And if you still haven't had your fill of yummy Kealan goodness, you'll also find him at MySpace.

BBT Thursdays
Btw, I'm starting a new blogging gig this week over at Blood, Blade and Thruster Magazine. I'll be blogging the horror beat there on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. BBT is a fine mag and a very busy blogging venue, so I hope you'll stop by and visit me on my maiden BBT blog voyage this Thursday. I suspect you'll recognize the title of my blog, Wickedly Yours. I'll try to remember to post a link for you, in case you want to check it out.

Now, be sure to thank your taste buds today, and by all means, avoid the evil GACK! *wink*

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Note: The fabulous slime doll photo is from Kyozotchy at Flickr. Stop by and send them some slimy love.

Last of the Summer Whine















Dead Tired But Done
By now, you must be ready to hear about something besides my moving horror reports. Thank you all for your indulgence and for the wonderful good wishes and support. Your encouragement has really been a big help. Seriously!

Well, I'm happy to report that the moving is complete and the closings were all successful and hitchless. Whew! *wipes brow* We're still thick in the middle of the renovation and we have boxes up the wazoo right now, but we have a working bathroom, a bed and Internet, so we're good to go. Once I find my camera (*looks at Mt. Boxalot and shakes head*), I'll post some pics of the mayhem. The pic at the top of the blog was courtesy of some other moving-maddened individual from the net. I thank them (and send my sympathies).

Now, after a WAY too long hiatus, I'm off to write. Deadlines loom large, my friends. Wish me luck as I fire-up the old muse and ask her forgiveness for my absence. I know it sounds hokey, but a new chapter in my life and my work begins today. Woohoo!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel

Down for the Count

















Down for the Count
Is that Fran? Look what moving has done to the poor woman? Such a pity. She still had a few good years in her.

I know, I'm such a drama queen. Well, besides my fascination at the sheer bizarreness of this picture and my desire to gross you out a little bit (or perhaps, a lot!), I just wanted to let you know I'm down for the count this weekend. No blog of significance shall come from this home-renovation-warn-warrioress. BUT next week the Fran Friel Show will return, however this time it will be coming to you from my penthouse lair (2nd floor) office at the beach. Until then, wish me luck with the screwed-up poo colored paint job I discovered today and the carpet being delivered in just the nick of time before the movers arrive! Oh the horror stories waiting to be written...












Wait Until You See!
Hey, and while you're waiting for my lazy butt to get back here and write something interesting, go visit this VERY fabulous lady who makes puppets like the ones you see here. And wait till I show you what she's up to. Coming soon! Puppets by Cher Website - Also at MySpace.

Have a FABOO week, my pretties!

Wickedly Yours,
Fran Friel