Original Scary Fiction
Author's NotesSean Matthew Howard
TheAmazingTumnus@MSN.com
Greetings faithful readers,Some of you have requested more of the Sarx series that I've started here. Fortunately your desire and my will coincide on this issue. However, since my last time sitting in front of the keyboard with the express purpose of having Sarx finish his grim work, Life, as it will do from tine to time, has thrown me quite a few curves. 2002 has been a veritable roller coaster ride, if you'll allow me to mix my metaphors, and there were some points when I wasn't sure that the lap bar was going to hold me in the car.
While the ride hasn't exactly smoothed itself out, I am now able to sit down in front of this blasted glowing box and pound out some words that make some sense. My will, your desire and Life seem to be in agreement. Lucky us.
You'll notice that Rita (sarx:three) is now available for your reading and dancing pleasure. If its been a while since you've read the first two, you may want to go back and take them in once again. It'll do your memory good, as well as boosting my tired little ego. Rita picks up almost directly where "Andy" left (leapt?) off. "Rita" is the mid-point of the story and you may learn something new about Sarx in this one. It's also longer. Almost double what there was in "Andy". After all my stress this year, I actually found MORE words than I had before. Go figure. Hopefully, you find "Rita" as intense as I believe it to be. If not don't tell me... there's that tired little ego issue to deal with.
Now, if you're REALLY perceptive you'll notice that Miranda (sarx:one) has changed a bit. (Our dear Scuttles may have made use of one of his "new" icons next to the title, helping you figure that one out.) You see "Sarx" began as a script. You may have noticed that "Miranda" was a bit skeletal and this is the reason. When I started, I fleshed the script out a bit, but I never really took the time to fatten her up. Nearly everyone who read it told me that it was lacking in depth (especially after reading "Andy"). Soon I began to grow weary of telling people to piss off and I stepped back and realized that they were right. She was a might bit thin. Anorexic even. So, I went back and filled the story out in places that I saw were flaccid. Now, I'm far more pleased with "Miranda".
The next installment, David (sarx:four) is in the works. Actually, it's nearly complete. A little discipline on my part and it should be sitting here in about a month. I considered scrapping "David" after 9/11, for reasons that you understand soon enough, but have since decided to continue as planned. I think that "David" might even be more necessary post 9/11 than it would have been had I finished it earlier. Time will tell.
I'm also working on a story called "The Hunt". Its a horse of a completely different color than Sarx. Maybe I'll post it here (unless I can get someone to PAY me for it... sorry Scuttles... gotta eat...).
At this point I'm sure that some of you are wondering why you've read this far. "Does this guy think he's Stephen King" or something with his lengthy 'author's notes'?" Who knows? Maybe my ego isn't as tired as I thought.
Take care of yourselves, readers and no matter how hard the coaster bucks, hold on to the lap bar. They're there for a reason and soon, after you finish throwing up that greasy burger you had for lunch and cursing the maker of the coaster, you might actually learn to like the ride.
Adieu,
Sean Matthew Howard