An Open Brain Drain

We interrupt your regularly scheduled formative bits rising for one that is fully risen and in place. The Battered Spleen Productions™ Knowledge Base is now live. The Knowledge Base contains links to all of the tags, from all of the blogs, articles, and links sites from the Battered Spleen, which means everything I have available online. Amongst the tag links and pages are disambiguation pages that differentiate between similar words and closely related words and ideas. On the Knowledge Base's index page are links to the blogs and sites as well as new pages for tag lists and title lists. These lists are available on all of the blog and article pages of the sites as well. It's never been easier to track a subject covered by the Battered Spleen and it's associated content.

Rather than continue on holding you here, go forth and experience what I have to offer. Go to the Knowledge Base

• Tags: Battered Spleen Productions™, blogging, disambiguation, dissemination, idea, Knowledge Base, tags, title.
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The Horror in Everything

This idea is something that I have likely discussed somewhere at some point in the past. Maybe several places to varying degrees. It always bears repeating, like re-enforcing a mantra, or bringing it back to the fore. It can be like a pencil that you need to bring back to a razor sharp tip. It never hurts to refocus and hone in on the reason why something is important. Likewise, it is a good idea to restate and therefore re-examine how to make it happen. The title says it all. I'm talking about seeing the horror in everything. Or at least every setting and plot possibility. I don't ascribe to seeing the horror everywhere in life. That would be troubling, disconcerting, and likely not much fun. I am not a big fan of blurring the lines between fiction and reality as tempting as it may be in some cases.

Last week I said that almost every project I work on involves the horror genre and all of the aesthetics that go along with it. What I didn't fully express is how I take the same view to a certain extent in the few not-strictly horror projects. A perfect example of this is the fantasy role-playing game that I've been working on, off and on, for a few years now. The focus isn't on horror, or scares, or disturbing the audience, which in this case is the players. Yet at the same time there can be things that are disturbing. There is contrast between the emotional highs and lows. The rules that make good horror, like proper contrasting, and pacing hold true in writing any genre. Likewise dark horror elements can be a part of anything with the right mood when the focus is directed the right way.

• Tags: contrast, fictional, genre, horror, , inspiration, possibilities, reality, setting.
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Five Blogs... Ha Ha Ha!

Continuing on about the connection between authors, and marketing, and me, I come to my approach for the whole thing. A quick look at Battered Spleen Productions nets two pages pertinent to this discussion. The first is the main page for the Knowledge Base. The other is the Contact Us page. I'm all over the Internet as can be seen. If you want to connect with me at any of these places please do. I won't repeat the sites I'm on here. As to the blogs, there are a couple reasons why I have so many. Most people, especially authors, content themselves with one blog. Those people, I think, tend to focus one thing or on many different things changing week to week. I have a core number of interests that I feel the need to blog about, and focuses about which to express myself.

Beyond interest in role-playing games, writing, art, technology, and of course all things horror, I have these varied blogs or research avenues as my marketing plan. With them I seek to grab, and draw in the interest of a larger section of the online world to impress upon them that they should buy my books and other products. There is a lot of interest online but it cuts many different ways. It's been my guiding idea to cater to multiple audiences. Also different products may produce different sales figures. Some might fear the dilution of brand, but they all have two unifying factors. They are things I have passion for, and they all pretty much relate to horror, though there are some exceptions. I also feel that in showing the full breadth of my aesthetics I can ultimately sell more books.

• Tags: art, Battered Spleen Productions™, blogging, books, horror, inspiration, Knowledge Base, marketing.
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