No Amount of Lead/Limbless Bodies Swaying - A Companion Guide to Roses of Blood by DL Snell
I want to start off by saying if you haven't already downloaded this guide, do it now. It comes to approximately 42 pages in PDF format, which is really a quick read.
As we begin our journey we are first introduced to DL and where he went to school. We find out that he holds a BS degree in Creative Writing and also a one-year certificate in Digital Graphic Design. DL then takes us to a place called the "Dark Room," which is part of the writing resource center. The reader learns that this is where he created Roses of Blood. As we enter we are told that he did his writing on some very outdated computers that were running Windows 98. The room is described as dark and foreboding, which is the perfect setting to write Roses of Blood. As readers we come away knowing a little more about DL and where he comes from.
As we move along, we are told both Richard Matheson and George Romero influenced Roses of Blood. DL tells us that he had heard that Dean Koontz always rewrites each page until he feels its perfect before moving on to the next page. Wanting to try this formula for success, he decided to give this method a try. He informs the reader that it took him 5 drafts and 2 years to complete Roses of Blood. We are even shown an example of his writing attempt and how, after a rewrite, things flowed even better. As a reader I came away with the feeling the author didn't think he would ever finish Roses of Blood. In defense of himself, DL tells us, that if he had to do it all over again he wouldn't change a thing.
Next we come to some great conceptual art pages for the cover and scenes from the book which only makes this reader even more eager to finally have a copy of Roses of Blood in his hand. As a bonus we are treated to a list of Zombie and Vampire books/movies the author likes.
Limbless Bodies Swaying
As I started to read this I could see the poetic style that has been mentioned about DL's work. The story centers on the last vampire on Earth who lives in a world which has been overrun by zombies. As the story begins we are immediately introduced to Roman the Vampire. Roman really loathes zombies, almost to the point of pure hatred, because they had basically taken away his food supply. Along the way we meet The Butcher. The Butcher is one nasty dude. I am not going to spoil anything here, but there are some great actions scenes. As we come to the end of the story we learn the meaning of the story's title. Clearly you can see how it ties in with Roses of Blood.
The only thing I felt was missing was an explanation of where the title Roses of Blood on Barbwire Vines comes from. I am sure that DL will tell us in the book.
|
