the story behind “O Me O My”

Stephen King said: “If the stuff you’re writing is not for yourself, it won’t work.”

I write because I’m possessed to do so. Something gnaws at my brain; an emotion or image or thought repeating itself which just won’t go away. And then I sit & express it. No road maps. No “let’s draft it out before I actually write this.” I fly by the seat of my pants. It’s what I’m used to. It starts with a vision, continues with a generous offering of confidence & is sealed by the power of faith. I write to first & foremost entertain myself. If I succeed in entertaining you as well, well then that’s just icing on the cake.

I have a story to tell. It’s what my mind shouts when I’m behind the keyboard. I don’t write a specific submission for publication into a market, or in hopes that the next agent or publishing house will discover my work; I write because I have a story to tell.

And so… I have a story to tell. And it all started with the random words, “O Me O My.”

I was wandering my house some time ago, when for unknown reasons, the words “O Me O My” ambushed my mind. When things like that happen, I know enough that it’s time to take heed, because something’s coming down the pike. I jotted the phrase into my notebook. A few days later, I quickly typed out, “He wakes, the incessant din between his ears like gurgling rapids.” That’s all it took. Ready for takeoff.

I mentioned in my prior blog post, “Birth of a Tale Weaver,” that more often than not, a piece of me gets ripped away & is forever embedded into each of my stories. I believe that’s what makes some of my horror fiction unique. It doesn’t just scare; there’s heart & soul in it. It bleeds, it ba-bump ba-bump still beats.

Upon finalizing “O Me O My,” I found I subconsciously questioned my place in my daughter’s life, & how she will perceive me when she’s older. What, if any, of my own life will still be mine, & how much would I sacrifice for her?

“O Me O My” is much more than a zombie story.

It’s a very disturbing zombie story.

Without further ado… on a very special limited basis for Halloween 2010… I offer for your reading delight, “O Me O My,” found only at www.josephpinto.com (please click the link & gorge yourself)