Eight Horrifying and Deadly Psychiatric Illnesses
Eight Horrifying Psychiatric Illnesses
Autocannibalism, an extreme and rare form of self-mutilation, involves individuals consuming parts of their own body. This disturbing behaviour, often associated with severe psychological disorders such as schizophrenia, extreme cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or severe trauma, pushes the boundaries of human distress and self-destruction. Extreme examples include individuals gnawing on their own fingers or limbs, swallowing hair leading to life-threatening digestive blockages, or repeatedly ingesting their own blood. These acts of self-consumption are driven by profound mental anguish, compulsion, or a distorted sense of reality. The shadow of autocannibalism is profoundly dark, representing a terrifying intersection of self-harm and psychological torment, where the sufferer's body becomes both the target and instrument of their inner turmoil, leaving a haunting testament to the depths of human suffering.
Bipolar Disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These shifts can be intense and unpredictable, significantly impacting an individual's daily life and relationships.
This is not someone having several a mood swings in a day, changing from rageful to loving in a blink of an eye (see borderline personality disorder). Manic phases can last for days, and depression can last for weeks.
People who suffer with Bipolar have reported to have been promiscuous, maxed out their credit cards, emptied their bank accounts, and undertaken very risky activities whilst in a manic phase, then tried to end their lives when they fall into the depressive state.
The causes of bipolar disorder are multifaceted, involving a combination of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors. Family history plays a significant role, indicating a strong hereditary component.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder often involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Common medications include mood stabilizers such as lithium, and others.
Living with Bipolar Disorder can feel like a relentless battle against one's own mind, where periods of boundless energy and euphoria can swiftly descend into the depths of despair. The disorder casts a shadow over the afflicted's life, demanding continuous management and support to navigate its turbulent and often dark landscape.
Capgras delusion is a rare psychiatric disorder where an individual harbours the eerie conviction that someone close to them—often a spouse, family member, or friend—has been replaced by an identical impostor. This unsettling belief disrupts the sufferer’s reality, making them distrust close friends, and even believing that their children have been swapped by another.
There could be a link between tis disorder, and Doppelgangers from Irish folklore.
Any attempt made by the ‘double’ to prove to the sufferer that they are in fact the real person, the sufferer will use cognitive dissonance and justification to further cement their believe that they are, in fact, an imposter.
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), once known as multiple personality disorder, is a complex and often misunderstood condition, marked by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within a single individual. These identities, or "alters," may have unique names, ages, histories, and characteristics such as being right or left handed (amongst others), each emerging to take control of the person's behaviour at different times. This fragmentation is a defence mechanism developed in response to severe trauma, typically during early childhood. The primary identity may be unaware of the existence of others, leading to gaps in memory and a sense of lost time. Though DID is a coping strategy for overwhelming stress, it casts a long shadow over the sufferer's existence, intertwining their reality with an ever-present undercurrent of unease and disquiet.
The host is not in control of when these shifts happen and cannot command them, and this illness is incredibly rare.
Remember that when you see people saying they have it on TikTok.
Munchausen Syndrome is a psychological disorder where individuals deliberately feign or induce illness in themselves to gain attention and sympathy (Munchausen by Proxy is someone convincing someone else they are ill (see the case of Gypsy Rose)). This self-destructive behaviour stems from deep-seated emotional issues, often related to a need for validation and care. The global prevalence is challenging to determine, but it's considered rare, affecting less than 1% of the population, with a higher incidence in men. Causes are complex, involving a combination of psychological trauma, personality disorders, and a history of abuse or neglect. The sinister nature of Munchausen Syndrome lies in the lengths to which sufferers will go to fabricate symptoms, often undergoing unnecessary medical procedures and enduring significant pain, casting a dark and troubling shadow over their lives and the healthcare system.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a psychological condition characterised by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for excessive admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. Individuals with NPD often exhibit grandiosity, a constant desire for attention, and a belief that they are superior to others. This pervasive pattern of behaviour can lead to strained relationships and significant distress in various aspects of life. Globally, NPD affects approximately 1% of the population, with men being diagnosed more frequently than women, at a ratio of roughly 2:1. Specifically, around 2% to 6% of men and 1% to 2% of women are believed to suffer from this disorder. However, since the introduction of social media, this number is growing larger, and very rapidly, with other forms of narcissism being uncovered, such as ‘Covert’ or ‘Quiet,’ narcissism. The inner world of someone with NPD is often tumultuous, driven by fragile self-esteem and an insatiable need for validation.
Remind you of anyone you might know?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental health condition characterised by uncontrollable, recurring thoughts (obsessions) and behaviours (compulsions) that an individual feels compelled to repeat.
This is more than someone being a ‘clean freak.’ This is someone spending hours aligning their shoe collection perfectly because they believe if they don’t, a loved one will die. These compulsions over time can become violent, with sufferers reporting they had the compulsion to throw their hot coffee in someone’s face, or push people over railings.
For some, obsessions centre around fears of contamination, leading to compulsive cleaning and washing that can consume hours each day. Others may experience relentless doubts, resulting in repetitive checking behaviours, such as ensuring doors are locked or appliances are turned off, hundreds of times. More extreme examples include individuals driven to engage in complex rituals or routines that, if not performed perfectly, can lead to overwhelming anxiety. These severe manifestations of OCD can dominate a person’s life, causing significant distress and impairing their ability to function in daily activities.
Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, leading individuals to restrict food intake drastically. This condition predominantly affects adolescent girls and young women, though it can occur in any gender or age group. Anorexia nervosa has the highest fatality rate of any mental disorder, with mortality rates ranging from 5% to 20%, often due to medical complications or suicide. It is frequently associated with other mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance abuse. The interconnected nature of these conditions can complicate treatment and recovery, necessitating a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to care. Early intervention is critical in improving outcomes and reducing the risk of long-term health consequences and fatality.
Could Artificial Intelligence help You Get Away with Murder?
Could AI help you get away with murder?
Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay, and with it comes a chilling new realm of possibilities. It promises better production, unprecedented efficiency, and progress at a pace humanity has never witnessed. However, a dark subset of humanity is waiting in the shadows, ready to exploit these advancements for nefarious ends.
Deepfake Pornography
Not long ago, superstar Taylor Swift was the victim of a flood of pornographic videos and images, all crafted through deepfake technology. Her legal team fought back, but what happens if you lack the resources to combat such violations?
Revenge Porn, as it’s known in the UK, involves the malicious publication of intimate images without consent. Previously, the perpetrator needed access to the victim’s private images. But now, AI has changed the game.
While AI systems are supposedly programmed with ethical boundaries to prevent the creation of such images, there will inevitably be those that operate outside these moral confines. This technology poses a dire threat, especially to individuals after acrimonious breakups, where a vindictive partner could destroy a victim’s life. Victims not only face the herculean task of removing these images but also proving their AI origins.
The Menace of Synthetic Voices and Texts
In the UK, sending grossly offensive electronic communications is illegal. But what if someone could generate your voice with AI and use it to send vile messages? What if they could send a barrage of explicit AI-generated images and texts to someone else, demanding ransom to keep them from your spouse? Imagine a fabricated video of you performing degrading acts with another person. The events aren’t real, but the devastation is tangible.
As AI continues to evolve, and AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from reality, how will we separate truth from illusion?
Law enforcement relies on concrete evidence to convict criminals—photographs, mapping data, CCTV footage. If accused of a crime, such as murder, and you claim the evidence is AI-generated, how will the police distinguish reality from fabrication? How can they convince a jury conditioned to seeing both AI and real images? Will it become nearly impossible not just to prove guilt, but also to establish innocence?
I shudder to think what the future holds in this impending dystopian nightmare. Will we be forced to document every second of our lives to protect ourselves? Will the state install cameras in every home, claiming it’s for our safety against false accusations?
Was George Orwell's vision in 1984 a grim prophecy?
Only time will tell.
Why ‘It Ends With Us’ got so popular and was snapped up by netflix
Why It Ends With Us go so popular and why Netflix snapped it up.
Why ‘It Ends With Us’ got so popular and was snapped up by netflix
‘It Ends with Us,’ by Colleen Hoover was a TikTok and Social Media breakthrough book, which saw then indie author Colleen Hoover skyrocket to best-seller status and the book has since been snapped up by Netflix.
The book deals with some very heavy topics, namely domestic abuse, suicide idolisation, and grief, and I was surprised when I heard that this was going to be put onto the silver screen.
Hollywood often likes to shy away from books that focus on these topics, often tending to stick with more ‘classic’ movies of late, that they know have an audience, such as Marvel and superhero movies. This is because such topics are uncomfortable to watch and listen to, however ‘Netflix,’ are more willing to deal with these topics, most notably the recent boom of the British stalking series ‘Baby Reindeer.’
The fact that now, ‘It Ends with Us’ is going to be on the big screen is not only amazing for Colleen Hoover, but also for the writing world as a whole.
A far stretch from E.L James’ ’50 Shades of Grey,’ ‘It Ends with Us’ is less about spice, and more about the dynamics of a domestic violent relationship, in which we see the lead character ‘Lilly,’ who gets involved with an abusive character ‘Ryle.’
What I like about this story is that Hoover has managed to capture the essence of a domestically abusive relationship, in that the abuse starts subtle, and then eventually ramps up until the victim feels suffocated and cocooned inside the abuser’s cavern of terror.
The book has received overall critical acclaim; however, some reviewers have been vicious about the book and its themes, namely because it doesn’t have trigger warnings.
Personally, I don’t believe in trigger warnings. I think they take away from the impact that the story is meant to have. In a domestic violent relationship, the abuser doesn’t warn you about who they are and what their true intentions are, and I like that Hoover didn’t pander to the crowd and put TW in the book. I feel that would have been a disservice to both the story, and the victims of domestic abuse.
There is also a note to her mother and father at the start of the story, alluding to that her own parents’ marital dysfunction was the inspiration.
If you enjoy reading cutthroat thrillers that deal with real-life topics, then I recommend the best-selling crime series ‘Left for Dead,’ by Jay Darkmoore.
Antisocial personality disorder symptoms
Antisocial personality disorder symptoms
Suspect someone you know is a Psychopath?
Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), more commonly referred to as ‘Psychopathy,’ is a behavioural disorder that significantly impacts an individual's behaviour, relationships, and overall functioning. People with ASPD exhibit patterns of manipulation, deceit, and disregard for the rights and feelings of others, often becoming leaders through manipulation and / or coercion and being able to focus under extreme pressure.
Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder
ASPD is characterised by a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the symptoms of ASPD include:
Deceitfulness - Repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure.
Impulsivity - Making decisions on a whim without considering the consequences.
Irritability and Aggressiveness - Frequent physical fights or aggressive outbursts.
Reckless Disregard for Safety - Engaging in dangerous activities with little regard for personal or others' safety.
Consistent Irresponsibility - Inability to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations.
Lack of Remorse - Indifference or rationalisation of having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.
Exploitation - People with psychopathy are highly likely to exploit others for their own gain without any feelings of remorse towards them.
For a diagnosis of ASPD, these behaviours must be present from the age of 15 and must persist into adulthood.
Notable Individuals Exhibiting ASPD Traits
Ted Bundy: The infamous serial killer exhibited classic ASPD traits, such as charm, deceitfulness, and lack of remorse. His ability to manipulate and his repeated criminal behaviour are indicative of severe antisocial tendencies.
Charles Manson: The leader of the Manson Family cult showed extreme aggression, manipulation, and a complete disregard for human life, traits aligning with ASPD.
Lucy Letby: The British serial killer who used her position as a neo natal nurse in the Royal Countess of Chester hospital to murder seven babies and attempt to murder a further six. She has shown no remorse for her crimes and maintains that she is innocent, despite being found guilty on these counts by jury following a ten-month Crown Court trial in 2023.
Statistics between men and women, the general population VS the prison population.
Prevalence: ASPD is more commonly diagnosed in men than in women. Estimates suggest that around 3% of men and 1% of women in the general population meet the criteria for ASPD.
Prison Populations
In prison settings, the prevalence of ASPD can be even higher. Research suggests that 30-50% of male inmates and 20-25% of female inmates exhibit traits consistent with ASPD. The disorder is associated with higher rates of recidivism and violent behaviour in prison populations.
Read ‘Left for Dead,’ the best-selling British crime novel.
The link between Psychopathy and Narcissism in domestic abuse
Studies have shown that individuals with high levels of psychopathy and narcissism are more likely to engage in domestic abuse. They are often more physically, emotionally, and psychologically abusive, with those scoring highly for ASPD and NPD likely to have multiple abusive and dysfunctional relationships.
Behavioural Manifestations
Men - Men with ASPD are more likely to engage in overtly aggressive and criminal behaviour. They are often involved in physical violence, theft, and substance abuse. Their antisocial behaviours are more visible and frequently result in legal consequences. They may display more outwardly aggressive and controlling behaviours. They often struggle with anger management and may have a higher propensity for engaging in risk-taking activities.
Women - Women with ASPD tend to exhibit more subtle forms of manipulation and deceit. Their antisocial behaviours may manifest as relational aggression, such as spreading rumours or emotional manipulation. Women with ASPD are also more likely to have co-occurring disorders, such as borderline personality disorder or anxiety disorders. They might exhibit more internalising symptoms, such as chronic feelings of emptiness or unstable self-image. Their manipulative behaviours can be more covert, and they may use their charm and social skills to deceive others.
But is psychopathy always a bad thing?
Like it or not, the world needs psychopaths. They make the best surgeons. Chefs and Lawyers. The trait of a psychopath is a lack of empathy, leadership, working under extreme pressure and being able to keep one's cool.
Other notable professions are police officers, CEOs, salespeople, and journalists.
Are you a psychopath?
What is the Narcissistic Abuse Cycle?
What is the narcissistic abuse cycle?
What is the Narcissistic Abuse Cycle?
You meet the love of your life, and within a few months, they’re living with you. Suddenly, they’re screaming at you for something you didn’t even know you had done, and then they disappear without a trace, leaving you broken and damaged, wondering what the hell just happened. Sound familiar? You may have just encountered someone who was not only unhealthy but possibly a narcissist.
Other sources on the internet will tell you that the narcissistic abuse cycle consists of Love Bombing, Devaluation, Discard, and Hoovering. However, this post will delve deeper into each step, exploring the tactics used and the reasons behind a narcissist's actions.
Love Bombing and Adulation
When you first meet…
When you first meet a narcissist, they will sweep you off your feet. You’ll wonder where this person has been all your life. They take you to all the nice places, treat you like they worship you, compliment you, and laugh at your jokes. And let’s not ignore the sex – it’s amazing. You feel like you’ve hit the jackpot, and this is exactly what the narcissist is counting on.
Read ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go,’ by Ramani Durvasula PhD
While you’re sharing your experiences, your past, and your troubles, they are taking notes. They’re creating a mental arsenal to use against you later. So, you keep pouring out your heart, keep seeing them, and they keep treating you better than anyone ever has. The sex is incredible. You feel sexy. You feel amazing. You are now firmly on the hook, and the narcissist has something new to play with. In return for all the adulation they give you, you reciprocate. You give them your compliments, your love, your money, your body. Every bit of you is poured into them. But as with all relationships, that passionate fire can’t stay raging permanently. As your flames die down to a steady ember, their fire needs feeding.
Devaluation and Control
Narcissists have a compulsion to control those around them. In social situations, a highly narcissistic person will always be the centre of attention. They want to peacock, seeking potential mates’ notice and competition’s fear or envy, regardless of whether they are already in a relationship.
In a relationship, a narcissist employs the Power and Control model to assert dominance over their victims. They are natural abusers. To fit the definition of a narcissist, one must be abusive, as part of the nine traits of narcissism includes exploitation. They are characterized in the DSM-5 as having an abusive personality type.
Power and Control
The Power and Control model is how narcissists create, elicit, and maintain control over their victims. This can be done through threats of violence to the victim, their family, children, and even to themselves. “If you leave me, I will kill myself,” is a common line used. If you hear this, you must get out of the relationship and seek professional help.
When the narcissist knows you have grown attached to them, they will slowly begin to withdraw the love and adulation. They will become passive-aggressive, making small comments about the relationship or you. They may threaten to harm themselves if the relationship ends and then deny they ever said anything, making you think you’re imagining it (this is called gaslighting). A narcissist will get angry, using fear and intimidation to maintain control. When they feel the victim is pulling away, they may do one of three things:
1 - Revert to adulation to keep the victim in the relationship.
2 - Become violent, threatening, or commit a false execution.
3 - If the victim leaves the relationship, revert to stalking.
The reason for this is that until the narcissist is done with the victim, they will not allow the relationship to end. Narcissists require adulation and ‘supply’ from others to maintain their sense of importance.
A Narcissist has many masks. One they wear for you, and the other they wear for the rest of the world.
In cases of domestic violence, a narcissist will not show their true colours or be outright verbally abusive unless they are certain they can convince the victim to stay. This usually happens within the first 90 days of a relationship.
Physical abuse often follows coercion. It is the next stage in the relationship, where violence and verbal abuse can become more frequent and escalate. The narcissist may apologise if they hit you and make every excuse for their behaviour. But know this: if the narcissist has been violent, they have been silently abusing you for a long time and think they can get away with it. If someone lays hands on you, leave the relationship because it will happen again. Even if it never does, the memory of it is enough to keep you in line.
Narcissism and the the new Mirror of Social Media
Ever noticed how narcissists are very active on social media, showing off their bodies, posting selfies, assets, or the great charity work and achievements? It’s all about the likes, comments, and admiration. The world has become the narcissist’s mirror, allowing them to project an altruistic, brilliant image and receive love and praise in return. Hence, if a narcissist breaks their phone, they may have a complete meltdown because they have lost their mirror.
Discarding
Discarding happens when the narcissist has had enough of their current supply and finds someone else who can give them what they want. To the narcissist, you are not a person with wants, wishes, and desires. They care no more about you than they do a new jacket they grow bored of. They see avatars of people in their world, not other human beings they share it with.
When a narcissist discards you, they leave you with whatever mental or physical scars they have inflicted and then move on as if you never existed. That is, unless they hoover you back into the relationship.
Hoovering
A narcissist will come back to the victim if they allow it. If the risk versus reward of continuing the relationship is enough for them, they may apologise for their behaviour, book a holiday, promise to change, or even ask you to marry them. Do not believe it. This is the start of the cycle again, and it will go around quicker and often more violently with each spin of the vitriolic wheel.
Can a Narcissist Change?
No. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a behavioural disorder. There is no medication, no surgery, no finding God. A narcissist cannot change who they are any more than a leopard can change its spots. The person they showed you at the start was a mask, an act to get you to fall in love with them.
Other Things to Look Out For
Smear Campaigns
When the relationship ends, the narcissist may conduct a smear campaign, contacting your friends, family, employer, and even posting on social media, painting you as the bad one and themselves as the victim.
Damage Control
Following an abusive episode, it is common for the abuser to not allow the victim to be on their own and insist on doing something nice together. This is so the narcissist can maintain control and smooth things over with the victim. They may call the victim after storming out in rage, showing up as the loving person they initially presented until the victim forgives them, and the cycle begins again.
Heat Seeking
This can happen when the narcissist blocks the victim on social media after the relationship ends. It is a way for the narcissist to check on the victim and see if they notice they have been unblocked. It is a way for the narcissist to:
1 - See what the victim is doing and see if they wish to make contact.
2 - Avoid a narcissistic injury if the victim never responds.
3 - Be vindicated and forgiven for their behaviour if the victim reaches out first.
Reverse Hoover
Sometimes, when the narcissist discards the victim, the victim may be so broken and hurt that they recontact the narcissist, willingly putting themselves back into the relationship, thus enabling the narcissist to continue their abuse.
But the narcissist doesn’t always accept that the relationship is over, which can lead to stalking.
Baby Reindeer – A Deep Dive into the Stalking Psychology and Behaviour of Martha.
Baby Reindeer as seen on Netflix
Baby Reindeer, the Netflix international breakthrough hit of struggling comedian Richard Gadd (played by himself) who befriends the lonely woman who he meets in a bar named ‘Martha,’ (played by Jessica Gunning) who then proceeds to relentlessly stalk him for over twelve months.
The show not only was a breakthrough due to the brilliant storytelling, the realness and utter unbelievability of what audiences were watching, but it also highlights something that isn’t often spoken about -
Women also stalk men.
Netflix has seen several hit TV shows where the male is the stalker, namely ‘YOU,’ but this show hits home on another terrifying level. There are some crazy, obsessed people out there, and some of them can appear sweet and innocent, just like Martha did.
Who is the real ‘Martha,’ in Baby Reindeer?
The Scottish national Fiona Harvey states that she is the real ‘Martha,’ however she denies the allegations that she has stalked Gadd as laid out in the Netflix series. Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored to tell her side of the story, which is available on YouTube.
What mental illness does Martha have in Baby Reindeer?
It is likely that ‘Martha’ also had Borderline Personality Disorder, which is highlighted when Gadd tries to implement boundaries, pull away, or ‘Martha’ finds him with someone else. Although they were never in a relationship, ‘Martha’ perceived it at so. We see during the series that ‘Martha’ becomes increasingly obsessed with Gadd, and that the more he pulls away, the more outraged she becomes.
There is a strong link between stalking (particularly in females), and Borderline Personality Disorder. This is twofold –
1 - Women are more likely to be diagnosed with BPD.
2 - This is a logical link, as sufferers with BPD have a deep-seated fear of abandonment, which means that they can latch onto those around them in unhealthy ways, forming very fast bonds that are very intense very quickly. We see this in abusive relationships where women are the perpetrators. The woman becomes hyper-fixated on their partner, and when the partner tries to draw a boundary or the person with BPD perceives that their partner is pulling away, they can become hostile either to their partner or even to themselves. This is what we see frequently with ‘Martha’ in Baby Reindeer. She wants Gadd to herself and is willing to use violence and intimidation to stop her from being alone. We see that ‘Martha’s’ behaviour is in fact more about her own abandonment not being triggered, rather than her feelings for Gadd. To her, Gadd is the symbol of safety in her childhood, her ‘Baby Reindeer,’ a stuffed toy that she would cuddle when frightened as a child. He is a beacon of safety to her and something she doesn’t want to lose. To ‘Martha,’ losing Gadd is like becoming a terrified child again.
Stalking Behaviour
One of the reasons I believe Martha’s story is based on real events is the stalking behaviour that is exhibited.
Unlike the exaggerated portrayals often seen in Hollywood, 'Baby Reindeer' presents a chillingly realistic depiction of stalking behavior. This authenticity, far from being a deterrent, actually heightens the sense of terror, making the narrative all the more compelling.
We see that ‘Martha’ loiters around Gadd’s home. We see that she attends his place of work frequently. She makes excuses to see him, be in the area, and even checks his social media to find out information about him, such as past relationships. We see that ‘Martha’ calls Gadd hundreds of times, leaving hours and hours of voice messages. She attends where he is holding a gig. She uses pet names for him. Thousands of emails and social media messages. The list goes on. The more Gadd pulls away, the more intense these interactions become.
What kind of stalker is Martha?
‘Martha’ would be classed as the ‘incompetent suitor’ stalker. A lot of people may think that Martha is a rejected stalker (ex-partner), but I don’t believe this to be the case. The two have never been in an intimate relationship or ever formally been in a relationship that was more than platonic. Therefore, they haven’t met the definition of being in a relationship, so the rejected stalker definition wouldn’t apply.
Instead, we see that ‘Martha’ appears to be lower than Gadd on the socio-economic scale, and she doesn’t appear to be able to understand the signals and social cues that Gadd is giving off. For that reason, I believe ‘Martha’ to be portrayed as the ‘incompetent suitor’ type of stalker, of which we see with those that are stalking celebrities, wishing to be close to them and befriend them.
Does Martha know that she is A Stalker?
Unfortunately, stalkers are very good at rationalising their behaviour. If they knew what they were doing was wrong, then they wouldn’t do it. Interviewing a stalker and trying to get them to admit to what they have done, that they have exhibited signs of fixation, Obsessive, Unwanted contact and have done so repeatedly (FOUR), is very difficult.
Stalkers are often highly delusional in that they will still state that they are not a stalker, but they just ‘want to talk,’ or they ‘love them and want to get back with them.’ A stalker will rationalise their behaviour even in the face of compelling evidence. Often, with a rejected stalker, it is more about how the stalker feels than how the victim feels. This, again, means they are less likely to reflect on the harm they are causing to the victim because of their behaviour.
With ‘Martha,’ (as highlighted on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show), Harvey denies the allegations put forward to her and she states that she is the victim and Gadd is the abuser. Who is telling the truth? Only the two of them really know.
Left for Dead - The Best-Selling British Crime Novel
Want to know more? Click below.
AN EXPERT LOOK - WHAT DO STALKERS WANT FROM THEIR VICTIMS?
What Are the Three Types of Stalkers?
What do stalkers want from their victims? What are the three types of Stalkers?
What Are the Three Types of Stalkers?
Stalking is defined in UK law as ‘A person is guilty of Stalking if they pursue a course of conduct which amounts to Stalking.’
Sounds vague, doesn’t it? That is because it has to be.
In my background in crime and investigation, I have dealt with many stalking cases, ranging from the more benign – a work colleague sending someone he finds attractive anonymous messages on Facebook, to the more insidious – an ex-boyfriend driving over a hundred miles to assault and terrify his ex-girlfriend at work due to her finally blocking him.
The definition of Stalking must be kept loose, as stalking behaviour can encompass so many different things.
Below, are the three most common types of stalkers, along with their motivations. Aswell as one rarer, more insidious type at the end.
Types of Stalkers:
Stalkers can be classified into three main types based on their motivations and behaviour: simple obsessional, love obsessional, and erotomaniac stalkers.
Simple Obsessional (rejected) Stalker:
Simple obsessional stalkers are individuals who have a prior relationship with the victim, such as an ex-partner, former friend, coworker, or acquaintance. Their stalking behaviour typically arises after a significant rupture in the relationship, such as a breakup or rejection. The primary motivation behind simple obsessional stalking is often a desire to regain control or power over the victim, or to retaliate for perceived grievances. These stalkers may exhibit persistent and intrusive behaviour aimed at the victim, including following, monitoring, unwanted contact, and intimidation. Risk factors for escalation include a history of violence, access to weapons, and a lack of insight or remorse for their actions.
The tipping point for this type of stalker could be the victim blocking the stalker, or getting the police involved and getting a restraining order, however this is often the only way to make a stalker stop.
Violence typically occurs in 50% of these cases and is the most likely to result in homicide.
Love Obsessional Stalker:
Love obsessional stalkers are characterised by an intense fixation or infatuation with the victim. They firmly believe that the victim reciprocates their feelings, even if there is no evidence to support this belief. Their behaviour is driven by a deep desire to establish a romantic relationship with the victim. Love obsessional stalkers may exhibit persistent pursuit, fantasising, delusional beliefs, lack of boundaries, and escalation if their advances are rebuffed. Psychologically, they often exhibit extreme attachment, low self-esteem, and a distorted perception of reality.
Stalkers in this category may have learning difficulties, or difficulties reading social queues.
Erotomaniac Stalker:
Erotomaniac stalkers are convinced that the victim is in love with them, often developing elaborate delusions about the nature of their relationship. They typically target individuals of higher social status or public figures, believing that their status validates the supposed romantic connection. Erotomaniac stalkers exhibit delusional beliefs, fantasy relationships, persistent pursuit, grandiosity, and a risk of violence if their delusions are threatened. Underlying mental health issues such as schizophrenia or delusional disorder may contribute to their fixation on the victim.
Sadistic / Predatory Stalking –
Thankfully, these are very rare. The motivation for this type of stalking is often to cause fear and distress to the victim for the pleasure of the stalker.
Why Do Victims of Stalking Reply to Their Stalkers Instead of Just Ignoring them?
This often frustrates me when I have dealt with stalking cases, in that professionals will blame the victim for replying or engaging with their stalker. The simple reason for this is that if the victim does not placate their stalker, their stalker’s behaviour may escalate. Often, if the victim just blocks their stalker, the stalker may they turn up to their house, their work, or begin harassing and threatening family members.
A victim of stalking placates the stalker to keep themselves safe, and to keep the wolf from their door.
Stalking is a serious offence and, in the UK, can carry a sentence of up to ten years in prison. Stalking can result in violence and even homicide, and all stalking should be taken seriously. Do not ignore a stalker, as they will not simply leave someone alone. Their behaviour often just escalates.
If you believe you or someone you know is being stalked, then you must contact the police for support, or contact the National Stalking Helpline.
TOP CRIME NOVELS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN SPRING 2024
Top crime thriller authors for Spring 2024
the best crime novels to read On Holiday IN Summer 2024
In the world of crime fiction, there is so much choice. But who stands out to give you a real thrill? Below are the top eight authors who really know how to create a breakneck twist.
1 - Tess Gerritsen
Tess Gerritsen is a renowned author celebrated for her gripping thrillers and captivating storytelling. With a background in medicine, Gerritsen infuses her narratives with a unique blend of medical expertise and suspense, captivating readers worldwide. Her notable works include the Rizzoli & Isles series, featuring the dynamic duo of detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles, which has been adapted into a successful television series.
Tess Gerritsen - The Surgeon
Read Gerritsen’s acclaimed thriller ‘The Surgeon,’ here.
2 - Karin Slaughter
Karin Slaughter stands as a luminary in the realm of crime fiction, renowned for her unflinching exploration of human nature and the darkest corners of society. With a knack for crafting complex characters and intricately woven plots, Slaughter's novels resonate deeply with readers. From her breakthrough debut "Blindsighted" to her subsequent bestselling works like the Grant County and Will Trent series, Slaughter's writing exudes raw authenticity and relentless suspense.
Karin Slaughter - Blindsighted
Read Slaughter’s sensational thriller ‘Blindsighted,’ here.
3 - R.C. Bridgestock
R.C. Bridgestock, the pseudonym for the writing duo Bob and Carol Bridgestock, brings a wealth of real-life experience to their crime fiction. Drawing from Bob's extensive career as a detective and Carol's background in the police force, their novels offer a gripping and authentic portrayal of police procedurals. Their acclaimed DI Jack Dylan series follows the titular detective as he navigates the complexities of criminal investigations, showcasing the Bridgestocks' meticulous attention to detail and insider knowledge of police work.
RC Bridgestock - Deadly Focus
Read RC Bridgestock ‘Deadly Focus,’ here.
4 - Jay Darkmoore
Jay Darkmoore is a UK best-selling author with a background in crime and investigation. He uses his in-depth knowledge and experience to create dark and gritty tales of the criminal world. Readers have often described Darkmoore’s work as ‘Razor sharp,’ ‘Breakneck twists,’ and a ‘Breath of fresh air in a stagnated thriller genre.’
Jay Darkmoore - Left for Dead
Read Jay Darkmoore’s acclaimed ‘The Detective Laura Warburton Series,’ here.
5 - Martina Cole
Martina Cole reigns supreme as the queen of gritty crime fiction, renowned for her compelling narratives set amidst the underworld of London's criminal milieu. With a career spanning over three decades, Cole's novels delve fearlessly into the lives of gangsters, criminals, and those caught in the crossfire. Her raw and unflinching portrayal of urban life captivates readers, drawing them into a world of violence, betrayal, and redemption. From her groundbreaking debut "Dangerous Lady" to her subsequent bestsellers like "The Ladykiller" and "The Take,’ which was adapted for television starring Tom Hardy.
Martina Cole - The Take
Read Martina Cole ‘The Take,’ here.
6 - James Patterson
James Patterson stands as a titan in the world of popular fiction, with an unparalleled ability to captivate readers across genres. With a prolific output spanning crime thrillers, suspense, romance, and young adult fiction, Patterson's novels have dominated bestseller lists worldwide. Known for his fast-paced plots, short chapters, and gripping storytelling, Patterson keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. His iconic Alex Cross series, featuring the brilliant detective and psychologist, has become a staple of modern crime fiction, spawning numerous adaptations and captivating audiences globally.
James Patterson - Along Came a Spider
Read James Patterson’s ‘Along Came a Spider,’ here.
7 - Peter James
Peter James is a master of suspense and psychological thrillers, known for his gripping narratives and meticulous attention to detail. With his acclaimed Roy Grace series, James has carved out a niche in the crime fiction genre, captivating readers with his complex characters and intricately plotted mysteries. Set in the vibrant backdrop of Brighton, England, James' novels explore the darker side of human nature, delving into themes of obsession, revenge, and the supernatural. Through his vivid storytelling and meticulous research, James creates a sense of palpable tension that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Peter James - Dead Simple
Read Peter James’ ‘Roy Grace,’ series, here.
8 - Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides burst onto the literary scene with his stunning debut novel, "The Silent Patient," captivating readers with its intricate plot and shocking twists. With a background in psychotherapy, Michaelides brings a unique perspective to his psychological thrillers, crafting narratives that delve deep into the complexities of the human mind. "The Silent Patient" follows the gripping tale of Alicia Berenson, a celebrated painter who inexplicably stops speaking after being accused of murdering her husband. Michaelides' skillful storytelling and expertly crafted characters keep readers guessing until the very end, as they unravel the dark secrets hidden within the walls of Alicia's mind.
Alex Michaelides - The Silent Patient
Read Alex Michaelides ‘The Silent Patient,’ here.
*This page may contain Amazon affiliate links. 
How to Pay Attention and Get Things Done
How to focus and get things done.
Jay Darkmoore
In my career, I have written and published over one million words, in the form of novels, short stories, flash fiction, novellas and collections. My writing has spanned the genres of horror, dystopia, dark fantasy and crime thriller. Needless to say, I have learned that being able to focus and to get into the flow state is extremely important so I can truly get lost in my work.
Whether that’s writing 100,000 words for a novel, or a blog post, or even a script for a video, it is paramount that you can get in the zone and focus on a single task for extended periods of time. (Don’t give me the BS that you have ADHD and can’t focus. I bet you can spend hours playing on the Xbox and not think twice about it).
Whether you’re a writer, like me, or you’re working on a painting, a sculpture, a computer program or even schoolwork, being able to focus your attention is a game changer, and will send not only the quality of your work through the roof, but also your productivity and output. Basically, if you are not focusing, then you are playing the game on hard mode and you keep pausing your progress.
Below are a few of my own methods and equipment that I use to get into flow, focus, and get things done:
Smart Phone Time Out.
The first is often the most difficult, and that is the simple task of putting your phone away and out of sight. I know right? Does that thought fill you with dread? Anxiety? That you’re going to miss out? Well, put it this way – If you are constantly on social media for fear of missing out,, and not working on your projects, then you are guaranteeing that you are going to miss out.
Currently, as I am writing this, I have my phone turned on DO NOT DISTURB (with only emergency contact able to get through to contact me), and I have it inside the drawer in my desk, to remove all temptation completely.
Give yourself permission to unplug for half an hour and get to work.
Noise Cancelling Headphones.
These have been an absolute game changer for me. Before, I was either using no headphones, and I was at the mercy of all the noises and sounds that may filter into my world, or I was using normal headphones, which meant I could basically still hear everything around me, be it the doorbell, traffic, or the dog whining because the neighbour’s cat has walked past the window.
Distractions were everywhere, but these amazing headphones have allowed me to shut the world out and be able to get lost in my own world for just a little while. The best part is that you can pick up a pair from Amazon for the price of a take-out.
Using the ‘Right’ Kind of Noise.
As well as the noise cancelling headphones, I have another step to shutting the world out, which sounds very counterproductive. Noise. But in particular, White Noise. Static. Emptiness, playing in your ears. A form of loud silence.
Now this is just me. Some people like music. Some like a melody of some kind, but I prefer white noise. After a while, you don’t hear it. There are no breaks. No change in tempo designed to get your heart rate going or to pull your attention towards it. White noise is simply that. Nothing. And when you’re trying to focus and remove distractions, then nothing is exactly what you want.
A To-Do List.
I love a To-Do list. I love a list that I write out before my writing or creation sitting, and I love crossing my tasks off one by one. That way, not only does it feel great to see how much you have gotten done, but you also have tangible evidence that your time focusing and working on the project is moving forward.
Regular Breaks.
Now I am not superhuman. I love scrolling through Instagram mindlessly as much as the next person, so when I am on a focus session, I set twenty minute timers, and I work through that timer and then give myself a five minute break where I get up from the desk, make a coffee, check my phone, and then when the next twenty minutes kicks in, I put the phone back into jail, and get back to it.
Now, some of you may want less than twenty minutes, some may want more. Sometimes the time goes off and I am in such a deep flow state that I want to stay there for as long as possible. It is a magical place that I feel so happy in, and I don’t want to pull myself away from. So, the timer is optional. I find it helps with focus, but each to their own. Just be careful that that five-minute break doesn’t become a ten or fifteen minutes, and you find yourself doom scrolling instead of doing the work.
Time Away from the Desk
Running
This is vitally important. What do you do to relax when you’re not at the desk and working? How do you unwind?
Time away from the desk is just as important as time at the desk. I like to go for a run, to the gym and go walking. It clears my mind, and then when I sit back down to my latest project, it means that I have a clear head and I am able to get cracking back on with it.
Habit Creation
The best way to get into flow and focus, is to do it often. Do you like working in the mornings or in the evenings? Just thirty minutes a day that are spent focusing and building and creating something that you love, rather than staring at the TV or at social media.
Focus is like a habit. The more you do it, the better you get at doing it. The better you get at doing it, the more productive and happy you will be that your project is moving along.
It’s that simple.
So, go. Focus, and craft your own heaven.
Jay Darkmoore is an independently published author of gritty crime fiction and horror. His ‘Detective Laura Warburton,’ crime series has hit the Amazon best seller list, and he has a background in crime and investigation to give his book a real and authentic feel.
He lives in the North-West of England with his partner Laura, his son Joe and his springer spaniel Miles, who is his biggest distraction.
You can follow Jay Darkmoore on social media @Jay_Darkmoore_Author, and can join his newsletter for free by clicking here.
Interview With Keith C Blackmore
Jay Darkmoore
Keith C Blackmore is a Canadian author with a wide range of titles, from horror and dark fantasy to heroic fiction and post-apocalyptic stories. His following has grown enormously over his career and has recently signed a deal with Podium Publishing to bring his incredible stories to live through audio, which is exactly how I found him.
His acclaimed zombie apocalyptical series ‘Mountain Man,’ has captured not only my heart, but readers around the world, and has been opted for film *fangirl scream*.
Keith is not only an incredibly talented writer, whose stories are not only both terrifying, thrilling and laced with hilarious dark humour and dialogue, but a brilliant and approachable guy, who stands above other authors with his personality, and his willingness to interact with those that follow him.
Although a prolific and very successful author, Kieth likes to keep to the shadows, and doesn’t like to be in the limelight.
As a testament to Keith’s willingness to engage with his readers, he has very kindly taken the time to complete a list of questions that I have been burning to ask him for longer than I would like to admit.
Mountain Man - Book One - By Keith C Blackmore
Keith C Blackmore is a Canadian author with a wide range of titles, from horror and dark fantasy to heroic fiction and post-apocalyptic stories. His following has grown enormously over his career and has recently signed a deal with Podium Publishing to bring his incredible stories to live through audio, which is exactly how I found him.
His acclaimed zombie apocalyptical series ‘Mountain Man,’ has captured not only my heart, but readers around the world, and has been opted for film *fangirl scream*.
Keith is not only a greatly talented writer, whose stories are not only both terrifying, thrilling and laced with hilarious dark humour and dialogue, but a brilliant and approachable guy, who stands above other authors with his personality, and his willingness to interact with those that follow him.
Although a prolific and very successful author, Kieth likes to keep to the shadows, and doesn’t like to be in the limelight.
As a testament to Keith’s willingness to engage with his readers, he has very kindly taken the time to complete a list of questions that I have been burning to ask him for longer than I would like to admit.
JD - Hi Keith, Thank you so much for agreeing to do this 😊 I have only a few questions and I would love to know your answers!
KCB - No sweat, but I hate it already :) (I hate interviews)
Questions -
JD - What did you want to be when you were growing up?
KCB - A movie director.
JD - How did you get into writing, and how did you decided that you wanted to do it as a career?
KCB - When my guidance counsellor tried to hide his smile when said I wanted to be a movie director, I thought “Maybe I should adjust my career goals accordingly…” so…. I thought about writing….
JD - Do you prefer reading a series, or stand-alone novels?
KCB - Both are fine, but I prefer series that are finished. I can binge that way.
JD – When it comes to writing, do you prefer a series or a stand alone?
KCB - Both are fine, but I think lean towards short series and not long ones.
JD - Kindle, paperback, hardback or audio?
KCB - Kindle, then paperback, if it’s cheap. Hardback is optional. I’m not into audio at all, but I understand the appeal.
JD - How do you see the publishing world changing in the next few years?
KCB - I think audio is booming, but other than that, I don’t see any new formats coming forth. There might be a model in there for writers to write on their sites, and have readers pay what they think is worth either before, during, or at the end. With a minimum dollar amount needed… but it would take a lot of effort on the writer’s part, as well as implementing a system—a third party pay site, I would suspect—to pay the writer for his/her efforts. Probably out there already…?
JD - Who is your inspiration for your work?
KCB - No one at the time of answering this question. I do it because I like it… and thankfully, people like to read/listen to my stories. For now. I figure I’m two bad books away from washing dishes at the local hotel.
JD - In the story ‘The missing Boatman,’ we see personifications of Death, Pain and other emotions and entities. It also raises the question of the importance of Death in the world. What make you come up with that idea? Are you religious?
KCB - Yep, I’m religious. Not overly so, but enough. As for the idea, it’s nothing new. I thought it was original (ie what if people stopped dying, all at once. How long would it take for people to realize it? What would be the implications? ). However, since putting it out there (and even while it was being published ) I’ve seen four or five tv/movies with the same concept. There’s a back story there as well. I remember, back in the day when I was still submitting, I sent a copy of the manuscript to a literary agent in LA. Never hear a word back from the agent, but a year or so later, I see a tv show and a movie with the same premise. No doubt a coincidence… but still, disappointing. Like thinking you’re the only kid on the street with a shiny new bike, and the day you roll it out to show the world, another kid rides by on the exact same bike….
JD - What do you think happens when we die?
KCB - I’m not exactly sure, but I know I’ll find out ….one day.
JD - Let’s talk about your career. You have a varied taste in books that you have created, from horror, to heroic fantasy. Why the expansive taste, and what is next for you?
KCB - Grew up reading Science fiction, fantasy, and heroic fantasy, gradually went into horror, and later on crime fiction… Started reading westerns as my grandfather read them lots. A regular fiction story if something catches my eye. Had a military fiction kick when Tom Clancy was doing them. Later on got into Haruki Murakami (he’s very surreal). It’s good to take a look at different genres, just to see how folks do things. That’s pretty much it. I try and write stories I’d like to read. Sometimes it works, sometimes not….
And next story will be a return to heroic fantasy, or, as I’ve learned, my stuff is more grimdark…
JD - What do you enjoy about writing in specific genres?
KCB - Depends on the genre. Horror fiction I can play with the language a lot more than, say, fantasy. Never really thought about why I like writing those genres. I’m sure there’s a reason in there somewhere….
JD - Your dialogue and descriptions are both chilling, hilarious and very tongue in cheek at times. How do you come up with them, and how do you choose the dialogue for your characters?
KCB - Everywhere and nowhere. Listening to people talk in the shops, at the bars, anywhere. Even just talking with a friend, some expressions might come up in the spur of the moment that are pure creative lightning…. And when that happens, be sure to have a pen and paper nearby, to write them down and save them for later. Always have a notepad with you….
And, regarding dialogue, this is weird, but I think if you allow your characters to live and breathe and interact, if you give them something of a personality, and you do it right, they will provide the dialogue themselves. You’ll discover their voices. If that happens, let them talk…. the problem then becomes… knowing when to shut the conversation down.
JD - What do you do when you’re not writing?
KCB - Housework. Running errands. Cooking. Playing PC games. Watching TV or movies. Reading (which I need to be doing more of). Exercising. I like putting together 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Sleeping….
JD - What is your favourite line / quote from your books?
KCB - From one of mine? Oh, I don’t know. Can’t think of any….
JD - Do you have any odd writing habits / rituals?
KCB - Don’t think so….but I’m not that self-aware of my own habits… when writing that is. I do use a timer, to keep track of 20 minute sprints… I write for 20 minutes and then, when the alarm goes off, I’ll get up and move around for about 5 minutes or so. Got that from Chris Fox’s “5000 Words Per Hour”. Great book if you’re looking on ways to increase your productivity.
JD - Do you plot? Pants? Or somewhere in the middle?
KCB - I do have a mental checklist of story points I want to get to, and work towards them, so that is, in essence, plotting, I guess. To a degree. I do not do any extensive plotting. I usually know what direction I want the story to go, certain points/beats I want to reach, but if a character does something I don’t expect, I’ll let it flow. See where it ends up.
So, somewhere in the middle, I guess.
JD - What goes through your mind when you sit down to a blank page with a word count showing zero?
KCB - The opening scene, and how to best present it, along with any dialogue that might happen. There is no magic. Not really. You sit down and you work at it, and hopefully, it will be fun and flow. And maybe even crackle a little. In the final stages, the polishing, I’ll go back and read, and if a line comes off blah, I’ll try and infuse some colour in there. Try and get creative. Try… sometimes, that is. Sometimes I’ll leave a plain line as it. There is a danger of becoming too colourful, so striking a balance is important, too.
JD - Do you struggle with writer’s block?
KCB - Yes, at times I do. I’ll write myself into knots every now and again and it will take some time to get out of them. If that happens, it’s usually because I’ve lost the thread of the story, and a quick read through of everything that has happened before usually unblocks everything.
JD - You can only save one – Pizza or Alcohol. Which do you choose?
KCB - Rough one. They do go so well together. Pizza.
JD - What is your favourite scene that you have written?
KCB - Ah, can’t think of any right now. They are all my babies, but I think the writing is improving with each new book. Better wording, being less wordy, less repetition, etc.
JD - What is your writing process like? What challenges do you face when creating?
KCB - Pretty straightforward. Sit butt in chair and try for at least 2000 words a day. Between 2K and 3K is good. Anything about 4K is great. Some days it happens, and some days… it does not. The biggest challenge is being just sitting down and consistent, which I have to improve upon. I want to produce more, however, in a day. Upwards of 5k. Even 6 or 7….
JD - What advice do you have writers that are either considering starting writing, or are at the start of their careers?
KCB - Do it, but don’t give up the day job. I will save you that bit of stress. Do not do as I did. Keep your day job and write in the evenings, on weekends, or whenever you can, but be consistent. Sit yourself down and write. Be consistent with your word counts, whatever they may be for the time you give yourself. Make no mistake, it’s work…. It’s a lot of fun, but, yeah, it’s still work. Especially when you get into the editing and polishing….and don’t skimp on that either. Hire a fresh set of eyes, preferably one with a proven track record, to look at your work when it’s time to edit.
And remember, it’s still a good time to be a writer.
There’s a lot more, so much more, but that might be the biggest, most important piece of advice. Nothing else matters if you don’t sit down and write.
JD - To you, what is more important – Plot or characters?
KCB - Characters.
JD - Anything else you would like to add for the reader to enjoy? A favourite quote? Something about yourself? Some words of wisdom?
KCB - We’re all different, so don’t take everything I’ve said too seriously. If you write, the biggest challenge will be to sit down and actually write. If you can make that part of your day, consistently, you will do well.
If you want to check out some of Keith’s work, here is the link to his website.
Thanks for checking in!
Be sure to join out newsletter so you never miss out on author interviews, as well as getting a free sample of my own work!
Trigger Warnings Ruin Books, And This Is Why.
Trigger Warnings Don’t Work and They Ruin Books, And Here Is Why…
Jay Darkmoore
I’m browsing through the bookshelf. See a book I like the look of, flick through the first couple of pages and I am confronted with a page that says ‘Warning, this may contain content that is upsetting for some readers,’ followed by a long shopping list of things that may traumatise me.
I immediately put that book down, and I don’t touch it again. I don’t being pandered to. I wouldn’t say I like that the writer thinks that I am so unable to handle my own emotions that they must warn me before I take a step into their world.
Dear writer – Do not pander to me. I am not a fucking child. I can handle my own emotions.
But there are more reasons why trigger warnings ruin books than simply the writer feeling that they need to hold my hand and carefully guide me through the pages, just in case I get a little bit sad at the squiggly lines –
1 – The Word ‘Triggered’ Is NOT The Same As Being Upset.
The word triggered comes from psychology. It means to be triggered into a PTSD emotional flashback, to the point where something – an event, like combat and war – happened, and you are transported back to that situation and how you felt at the time. It means that your body reacts and your hormones spike. It means that you begin to shake, to run, to fight. You lose control of yourself because the stimulus has ‘triggered’ significant trauma. It hasn’t just upset or offended you. Being offended is a choice. Remember that. You CHOOSE to be offended and you CHOOSE to be angry.
You do not choose to be triggered. Stop saying being angry is the same as being triggered. They are worlds apart, and it’s very, very disrespectful to actual sufferers of PTSD and trauma to say you got triggered because you read about a bad thing happening that made you feel sad.
2 – Your Feelings Aren’t My Responsibility
When I write a book, I write the best thing for the story and the characters. Honestly? The reader comes second. The artwork comes first. I write stories that I want to read, and through that I attract likeminded readers. Readers who will then follow me and my work and become true lasting, loyal fans.
If someone reads my work and they do not like it, then fine. I’m not the writer for them. But I couldn’t possibly pander to every possible reader’s wants and needs. It would be impossible. Not to mention that I wouldn’t be being my authentic self. The self that has made my books be downloaded and purchased thousands and thousands of times.
I tell the story that best fits the narrative and the situation for the best book possible. If I started censoring myself, thinking how would this be viewed or perceived, then that wouldn’t be the best result for the book, would it? I would be cheating the art to appeal to a small minority of people, instead of writing the book I wanted to write and giving an authentic experience. If a reader needs a trigger warning, then they probably won’t enjoy my books anyway!
If you read something in a book that is upsetting, and then get angry at the writer for not warning you that such things were going to be in the book, then that sounds like your problem. If two people read the same text, and one gets upset by it, and the other doesn’t, isn’t it the reader that is to blame? Isn’t that the problem of the reader not being able to handle their emotions, rather than the writer for writing it? It’s like getting upset over a joke a comedian makes. We focus in on what upsets us, and then we blame the person that delivered it to us. As the saying goes ‘don’t shoot the messenger.’ Your feelings are no one else’s responsibility to manage other than your own. Get your shit together.
Read the best-selling crime novel ‘Left for Dead,’ by Jay Darkmoore
3 – You’re Confusing Writing About The Bad Thing As The Bad Thing.
If I write a scene about a bad thing happening, someone might think I am condoning it or that that writing about it is exactly the same thing as the bad thing happening. This, frankly, is just fucking ridiculous.
4 – Your Trauma. Your Problem.
If you have trauma, then join the club. Everyone has trauma. Everyone suffers from mental health issues from tome to time. Everyone has something bad that has happened to them in the past. You aren’t special. Your trauma doesn’t make you unique. It makes you just like everyone else.
Therefore, your trauma and your mental health is your responsibility to manage. Not anyone else’s. If you can’t handle reading something that upsets you, then you need to sort that shit out.
5 – Life Doesn’t Come With Trigger Warnings
No body is going to warn you before they insult you, attack you or hurt you. No one is going to warn you before a car pulls out in front of you on the motorway. The weather isn’t going to warn you a week before there is an earthquake that destroys your home. So why should a damn book? Its ink on a piece of paper. It isn’t that scary...
6 – You’re Waiting For The Bad Thing to Happen, And It Ruins The Flow and Authenticity Of The Book.
If I am writing a book and I want something a little shocking or uncomfortable to read to help a scene be more impactful, it kind of loses that when I have already warned you about it.
Imagine your partner is going to propose and they set all the flowers, the lights, the music and the most amazing ring, but they showed you the ring first before doing it, just so you weren’t caught off guard (which would be exactly the point in the scenario), then it wouldn’t feel as immersive, would it? If someone warns you about something that happens in the book, it takes away the strong emotion which the writer wants you to have when reading it. It’s basically a spoiler.
Not to mention, you then spend the whole time reading just waiting for the bad thing to happen, meaning that you can’t lose yourself in the book you’re reading.
7 – You Don’t Know How Severe The Trigger Is Going to Be.
If I write a book and I tell you that it involved animal cruelty, then you might think of me gutting an animal and being cruel to it. I may just mean a character pushes a dog down a hill. Both mean things to do. One much more severe.
With a trigger warning, your mind goes to the worst-case scenario, meaning that your guard is then up.
8 – If The Genre Is Known For Upsetting Topics, And You Get Upset, Then You Were Already Warned.
I write thrillers and horror novels. My covers are dark and macabre. From the titles, the covers, and the genre alone, you should know that there is going to be some topics a little close to the bone. If you get blindsided and upset by something you read, then my friend, that’s on you.
8 – THEY DON’T WORK
Research suggests that trigger warning make anxiety to worse due to waiting for the bad thing to happen. You’re waiting to be upset, so you can’t get lost in the story.
So, in conclusion, I think we need to step away from this whole thing of books needing to be censored or the need to have sensitivity readers going over old books so they don’t offend someone. Do you want a safe space, or do you want to be transported to a new world and discover things you never knew possible? Do you want to live in a safe box filled with teddy bears and cotton wool, or do you to actually feel something when you read a book?
And remember. If you read something upsetting, you can always just skip that part, or hell, put the book down and get on with your life.
It’s been a pleasure. If you enjoyed this blog, then why not drop me an email.
jaydarkmoore@gmail.com
- J
About the author -
Jay Darkmoore is a UK-based author with a background in crime and investigation. He is a huge fan of all things dark - exploring the macabre, demonic and darker aspects of the human psyche.
Jay likes putting his characters in terrible situations and then turning out all the lights. To date, he has self-published novels of horror, crime and dark fantasy dystopia. His inspirations are Stephen King, Keith C Blackmore and Nick Cutter.
When not at his desk, Jay spends his free time making YouTube videos to help writers in their craft, promoting other books he has enjoyed, as well as hitting the gym and taking wild cold plunges with ducks.
He is a single parent to his son Joe who is his biggest fan.
The Nine Traits Of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (and Why You Only Need To Know ONE).
Narcissist. What makes someone a narcissist? What traits do they have, and what the only one you need to look out for?
Narcissism is on the rise. That much is clear. So, it’s important that we know how to identify someone quickly who is high in narcissistic traits. Below, I have outlined the nine traits of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, under the acronym SPECIAL ME. Plus, I have included the only reason you should ever truly need to know you’re dealing with a particularly toxic individual.
Remember, you only need to score highly in five of these traits to be classified as having NPD.
S – Sense of Importance.
Does the person you are dealing with believe that they should receive special treatment wherever they go? Do they fly into a rage or into a tantrum quickly when hearing the word ‘No’? If that is the case, you might be dealing with a toxic individual who believes that they are the centre of the universe.
P – Preoccupation with power, beauty or success.
‘I deserve to be famous!’ ‘I deserve that promotion!’ ‘No, let me post our photos so I know they’re done right, and I look great.’ Sound familiar?
Narcissistic people believe that they are above other people, and that they should get the best in life, regardless of merit or if they have worked for it. It should be awarded to them because they are them. As for beauty, narcissists project the image of perfection to the world, so they must control what others see. An unflattering photograph is a smudge on their mirror, and that simply won’t do.
E – Entitled.
Narcissists believe that they are entitled to have whatever they want, whenever they want it. This means your attention, your money, your sex, and your energy. And when they have sucked you dry and you can no longer give them what they want, they will move onto the next. See also ‘Vampire.’
C – Can only be around people that are important or special.
You know that person who is always sucking up to the boss, or that person who has to be with the cool kids? Yup. It’s for their own self-worth. If they’re around successful people, it’s so that they can feel and appear successful to others.
I – Interpersonally exploitative for their own gain.
Anyone who has dated a narcissist will know exactly what is meant by this. Family. Friends. Co-workers and especially romantic partners will all know that the narcissist must be admired, and that they are highly manipulative for their own gain. They do not see you as another person. They see you as an extension of themselves. As someone who must serve them, or they are erased from their life, and if this supply of love and attention was to criticize the narcissists, then you better be ready or the rage that comes afterwards.
A - Arrogance.
Have you ever told a narcissist, no? Told them that they can’t have or do something that they want to do? Or have you ever shown them that what they are doing is wrong? They twist it so you’re in the wrong. It’s what they do. You cannot tell a narcissist ‘no.’ You cannot make them give a genuine apology, because to apologise or to accept wrongdoing or fault means that they are not perfect, and they cannot and will not admit this.
L - Lack of empathy.
A narcissist doesn’t care that you’re crying or your hurt. It doesn’t benefit them. They cannot feel bad for you. They don’t know what it is. A narcissists heart is a cold rock that barely beats. They show no emotion to others unless it benefits them in some way. They do not care that they cheated on you, lied or stole from you. In their minds, they were justified to do such things, and you are the problem for getting upset over it.
Read ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go,’ by Prof. Ramani Durvasula PhD.
M – Must be admired.
Rinse. Repeat. It’s exhausting.
E – Envious of others, or believes others are envious of them.
If someone has more than them, they want it, hence why they hang around with the high rollers. Or they believe people are envious of them, which is why they gloat and project their success so much.
But the biggest sign that you are dealing with a toxic person is this.
You are reading this article. You are looking online for answers. You are searching on YouTube for narcissism or toxic relationships or something along those lines. Put simply, if everything was okay, then you wouldn’t be so confused.
Listen to that voice in your mind telling you something isn’t right. It’s trying to help you.
Jay Darkmoore is a crime and horror author with a background in crime and investigation, researching topics such as narcissism, coercive control and stalking behaviours.
You can read some of Jay’s work for free by joining his newsletter.
Interview with Detective Laura Warburton
Interview with Detective Laura Warburton from Left for Dead by Jay Darkmoore.
Interview with Jay Darkmoore, and the infamous Detective Inspector Laura Warburton, of the Wigtown Major Investigation Team.
JD – Laura.
LW – Jay.
JD – How nice of you to join me tonight at such short notice.
LW – Thank you for having me. I’m sure the world won’t burn down in the time we’re talking.
JD – Let’s hope not. So, first question, how are you?
LW – Breathing.
JD – That’s good.
LW – Depends you look at it. Anymore?
JD – Plenty. A lot of people want to ask you questions. This one is asked by Stacy Night over on Instagram.
LW – You asked your followers for interview questions?
JD – You’re very popular.
LW – I would have done my makeup if I would have known. Or bring Bagpipe.
JD – How is he?
LW – Bagpipe? Just a cat. Does cat things. Sleeps. Eats. Shits. Sounds like a good life to me.
JD – Where did Bagpipe come from?
LW – I got him as a rescue shortly after I moved up North. I needed something to take my mind off the shit that had led to me moving up here in the first place. I was taking out the bins, and I found him in the back of a bush down the side of my house. Heard him meowing. He was so ill, the poor thing. A lot of his fur was missing. He hissed at me when I first picked him up. He was terrified. A little tuna however, he was happy to come inside. He didn’t have a chip, or a collar. I knocked on a few doors and put the word out, but no one came forward. He needed a name. Mittens or socks was too cliché. So, I thought of the most random thing I could think of, and Bagpipe came to mind.
JD – Why Bagpipe?
LW - Because no matter what you call a cat, it won’t come to you. I found it funny, and the name stuck.
JD – I love that. You’re so kind.
LW – Kind. Desperate for attention. Needing some kind of purpose. Doesn’t matter really. The result is the same, regardless of motivation.
JD - So back to the question.
LW – Of course. Sorry.
JD – Stacy Night from Instagram. She asked ‘why did you join the police force?’
LW – Fuck. You know, that’s a question I often think about myself!
JD – You’re laughing?
LW – Yeah. I think every cop starts for the same reason – because they want to help people. But we quickly find that when they step into the world of policing, that that quickly changes. You spend a lot of your time dealing with the shit the other agencies can’t be bothered with. Mental health? Call the police. Children that go missing from care? Call the police. My neighbour called me a slut on Facebook. Call the police.
JD – Does that actually happen? The Facebook thing?
LW – More than you know. It’s worrying. I got into trouble once because I had someone call us to report that someone had called them a ‘cunt’ on Facebook, and my response was, ‘are you?’ I was taken off the case at that point.
JD – It boggles the mind.
LW – It does. So, in answer to your question, I joined the job to help people, but with the abundance of terrible managers who get promoted because of how good they are at licking the arse of their superiors, rather than being a good leader, is scarily prevalent. I joined the job, do what I can, and continue to do what I can. Contrary to belief, I am a good supervisor. Much better than the others I have had working over me.
JD – Will you get into trouble for saying things like that?
LW – I couldn’t care less. The more I do this job, the more I see the flaws in the running of it. The core beliefs of the police these days is statistics and pleasing the Home Office. We have forgotten what we are here to do. Help the vulnerable. Put those who commit crimes in prison. Rinse. Repeat. Further to that… stop me if I’m rambling…
JD – No, this is great.
LW – We still do have those core beliefs. Mostly in the cops on the ground who go to the end of the world to help those in desperate need. I admire that. But the fact that bureaucracy gets in the way. It’s upsetting.
JD – This one is closer to the bone. I hope you don’t mind.
LW – Give it to me. I’m not scared.
JD – What was your original job ambition before you entered into a relationship with Ron?
LW - …
JD – Are you okay?
LW – Yeah, sorry. I just... I knew he would come up. I always wanted to lead. To be a detective. I let things get in the way. I always said, ‘don’t shit where you eat,’ and Ron was a prime example of that. He, for want of a better phrase, fucked me up beyond believe. My position in the Met was already eroding.
JD – How so?
LW – Have you spent more than twenty minutes with me?
JD – Seems your heart is in the right place.
LW – It is. But the bosses don’t like it when you tell them to fuck off, you’re busy helping someone and can’t get to the next call that has come through. Anyway. Ron helped my career, that’s true. He was influential. Popular, and vouched for me to get the inspector position. He helped me a lot in that regard. In some fucked up way, I should thank him. Because otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten the position at the MIU. However, him going overboard was one of the reasons I had to leave. Everyone believed I was somehow responsible. That I was the reason he died. I gave up trying to clear my name. Friends and colleagues all trapped under his spell. It was extremely toxic. I heard about what was happening up here, in Wigtown, and I jumped at the opportunity.
JD – And what is happening up here?
LW – No comment.
JD – One last question from Stacy.
LW – I’m going to punch her if it’s about Ron again.
JD – You’ll have to find her first.
LW – That won’t be hard.
JD – Why are you laughing?
LW – Because everyone thinks they can evade the police until we’re breaking down their door at five in the morning. Anyway. Go with the question.
JD – She asked what do you enjoy about your job? That the police see the darkest aspects of humanity and carry on like its nothing. So, what do you enjoy, and what do you hate?
LW – That’s actually a very good question. But first, I would like to clear a misconception. Firstly, the police aren’t machines. We deal with horrific shit all the time, but that doesn’t mean we are immune to it. Drunks fighting in the street. Dead bodies. Burglaries. It’s all in the day to day. We deal with that all the time. Me, anyway. What affects me though, is when we can clearly see that someone is being abused, and they won’t leave the perpetrator. It’s not all black and white, that someone can be abusive, and the other party will up and leave. It’s much more complicated than that. So, when I get repeat calls to an address of a women being abused by their partner, or a man being abused by their girlfriend or wife, then I feel like grabbing them by the shoulders and screaming at them ‘let me help you!’ But it’s so difficult. Which is why when they do finally decide to have faith in us, we have to act on it and give them the best service as possible. So, my answer to that question is the same to each of them. I love helping people, and I love when I can really make a difference in someone’s life. When I can lock that abuser away. Get the victim on courses and therapy to stop them going through it repeatedly. When I manage to really turn someone’s life around. But you must take care of yourself. Police officers can soak up so much hate, so much sadness in a single shift. The adrenaline spikes are insane, and you can be left mentally, physically, and emotionally bereft after a long shift. You must take time to care for yourself. Some go the gym. Get outdoors. Have a bath so hot your skin is peeling off. Whatever it is. Make sure you take care of yourself. You can’t help the broken if you’re broken too.
JD – And the part you hate?
LW – The part I hate is when you try everything you can, and they still end up dead.
JD – Do you need a minute?
LW – No. Keep going.
JD – Favourite type of alcohol?
LW – The wet kind that comes out of a bottle. But, if I had to choose, it would be red wine. The darker the better. I don’t like how it stains your teeth though.
JD – What would your death row meal be?
LW – I have actually put a lot of thought into this. When your job is to put terrible people in prison, it crosses your mind what would happen if you were in that position. I would have to say a nice steak, medium rare, with thick cut chips, and some steamed asparagus on the side, and a very nice helping of peppercorn sauce.
JD – My mouth is watering. We should grab some of that after this.
LW – I appreciate the offer, but like I said, I don’t shit where I eat.
JD – Noted. Favourite song?
LW – I have a varied taste in music. I like classical. Claud Debussy’s Clair De Lune, or Chopin’s Nocturne number two in Eb Major are favourites of mine. However, I really like metal: Slipknot. Mudvayne. Sleep Token. All that stuff. But my number one song, has to be Perfect by Fairground Attraction.
JD – What is a happy memory of yours?
LW – When I was a girl, around ten, I went to Finland with my mother. We went sledding down a huge snowy hill. About a third down, we came off the sled and rolled in the snow. We laughed the rest of the walk down. It was magic.
JD – Did you meet Father Christmas?
LW – I met someone who was dressed like him. But I when I figured it out, I was told that the real one was busy. Which made sense. He has a lot to do.
JD – What do you want for Christmas?
LW – A good night’s sleep!
JD – You’re laughing again.
LW – The joys of being a cop. The price we pay. We pour more than just our hearts and emotions into our work. We pour our time and energy too. We sacrifice meals, sleep, comfort, birthdays, family events, Christmas’s, New Year. You name it. Halloween is the worst. Somehow someone somewhere thought it was a good idea to arm everyone in the country with explosives and let them all wear masks and set fires, and we wonder why its utter chaos that time of year.
JD – This one is from KBMillion on TikTok.
LW – That’s just for kids dancing, isn’t it?
JD – BookTok is great. Good place to find books. KBMillion has asked ‘do you think serial killers are born, or made that way?’
LW – I don’t think anyone is inherently born evil. Yes, people can be more wicked than others, but I believe it starts in the home. Every killer I have spoken too have all said that it started when they were younger. Yes, some are quicker to falling into darkness than others, but it starts in childhood. Abuse. Poverty. Adverse Childhood Experiences. Even children that have a great life but are spoiled by their parents and get everything they want can become killers. They become entitled. So, no. I don’t believe killers are born. But then again, remove the laws of society, and our true nature comes out. Maybe killers are just living more authentic to our true selves? Maybe their just animals. Maybe their lost souls.
JD – Do you have children?
LW – No. Nor do I want them. As a woman, I have had a lot of shit for that. That I put myself and my career first. Firstly, I need a partner, and being bisexual, I can only procreate with only a select half of who I like to fuck. But my track record with men hasn’t been great. Ron wanted us to have a child. He told me once when we were having a meal. I can’t remember where it was. Italian, I think, but he told me he wanted me to come off my birth control. I said no, which is like throwing petrol on a fire to an abusive person. You’re taking the control from them. He screamed at me, threw my wine over me, and stormed out the restaurant.
JD – That sounds awful.
LW – You say that, and it was. But by that point it had become normal. I was just upset that he picked the wine. It was £15.00 a glass.
JD – You shrug off such things so easily. How?
LW – One thing about domestic abuse is that it becomes part of your every day. It isn’t always like that - violence. Sometimes, if not most of the time, it’s subtle. A comment. A lie. A little gaslighting. Eventually, you just want the argument to happen, because it gets it out the way, and then there’s the happy time after it. So no, I don’t want children, because I don’t ever want to be tied to another person for life. People can change, and it’s good to have an exit strategy. That’s much harder with a child in the middle. A child won’t fix a broken or abusive relationship. It just makes it much, much harder to leave it.
JD – Another TikTok question.
LW – Fuck sake.
JD – This is from Lain Benson. Oh…
LW – Go on.
JD – They have asked ‘what would you do to me, Jay Darkmoore, in a purge scenario.’
LW – Well that depends how fast you can run.
JD – Moving on quickly… Last one - Terry H TT&B. ‘Where do you see yourself in ten years?’
LW – Alive, if I can help it. Everything else is a bonus.
JD – So we’re nearing the end of this part of the interview. The next part will be for our direct supporters on Patreon, so I have one last question for you, which is, what are we not talking about that we really should be?
LW – The mental health of our emergency workers. And I don’t mean mental health awareness. We’re all aware of it. I mean how shit the mental health of our emergency personnel is, and how the government , for all they say, do not give a fuck. Think about it – if we didn’t have the ambulance, police and the fire service, the fabric that holds society together would rip and tear overnight.
One in three people of the general public in the UK will experience one traumatic event in their lives. A first responder will be exposed to almost four hundred traumatic events in their career. Approximately twenty percent of police officers in the UK exhibit symptoms of PTSD or CPTSD, and a lot of them are unaware of it. Twelve percent of ambulance personnel, and eighteen percent of fire fighters. Just yesterday I had to sign off a detective on sick leave because they had to go through someone’s phone that had committed suicide. The guy hung himself from a tree, and there were messages from his children, six and five, begging him to come home. The detective analysing the phone put on a brave face, but I knew it had shaken him, so I sent him home and put him in touch with occupational health. My superior was only interested in who would take on the cases he had ongoing, which meant I had to put additional strain on the other staff on the team. I am not saying we need to moddy coddle officers. They know the job they signed up for, but the culture of ‘just get on with it,’ is frankly, absurd. Pair that with bosses that wear crowns on their shoulders who are stat hungry to get more Home Office funding, their next promotion regardless of the efficacy or morality of what they’re doing to the officers and the public, all because the government have frankly fucked the system up so badly, meaning public service is impacted, that compounds the distain people have for the police, and the nature of what police officers do, I suspect that statistic is just scraping the barrel. Never had we have more officers leaving the job that was once a career for life. Never have we seen such low morale. Imagine if the police stopped policing. The effects of that would be unthinkable.
JD – Laura, you have given us a lot to think about. If you’re happy, we can have a minute, and then ask you some questions from our supporters?
LW – Can I get a glass of wine?
Patreon only content -
JD – What do you think about prominent celebrities in the world – Andrew Tate, for example…
To read the exclusive answers to the toughest questions, click here.
Why I Love Having Imposter Syndrome.
How Imposter Syndrome made me a best selling author
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Imposter syndrome is characterised by feeling inadequate like you are an imposter in the field you are working in. In layman’s terms, you fear that everyone around you will suddenly find out you don’t have a clue what you’re doing. Join the club.
I have had (and still do) Imposter Syndrome since I published my first novel, and every subsequent novel thereafter. I get it whenever I do an interview, get a great message from a fan, or tell someone what I do for a living. Whenever someone highlights an issue with a story, I hastily rush to fix it. If I get a bad review. If I get trolled. At any moment, I fear will be exposed as a charlatan, and be cast outside into the rain and mud.
And yet, I embrace it. Here’s why –
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Why do we have this feeling? Well, put simply, it comes down to two things –
1 – We care about what we’re doing.
One of the fundamental reasons that Imposter Syndrome can be so prevalent in our minds is that we are working on something we care about. We spend hours at the desk in solitude, crafting a world, characters, and storyline to share it with the world. It’s our passion that keeps us up late into the night, day after day, working away at our creation. If we didn’t give a shit, then we wouldn’t care if we succeeded or failed, and we would simply stop when it got hard.
2 – We lack confidence in our own abilities.
This is the biggie right here. We lack self-confidence in our abilities. We take every negative comment and every bad review to heart. It breaks the fragility of our confidence, and we find ourselves crying into our half-completed manuscript. But this is real life, guys. There are no safe spaces here. Suck it up and roll with it.
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How do we overcome imposter syndrome? This is very simple. Are you ready?
You outwork your self-doubt. Read that again.
You must outwork that feeling of thinking that you aren’t good enough. You must identify the reason why you feel the way you do. Is it because you don’t feel like you know enough about the subject you are in? Well, then learn more. Read books on the subject. Research your industry. Speak to others in the world you have found yourself in. Try new things. New ways of doing what you’re doing. You can never know too much.
If it’s monetary or scalability on your business, then go back to basics. What makes your product unique? Who is your target market? Identify who these people are, and then build connections with them. Start from the bottom again, and work through the fundamentals. You can move up a rung on the ladder when you have a strong foundation.
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Don’t stop creating.
Many writers have written tonnes of books that barely moved off the shelves, but they kept going at it. They kept working, building a fan base, and improving their craft.
Comparison is the Thief of Joy.
I love that saying, as cliché as it is, because it’s so true. If you compare yourself to JK Rowling or George R R Martin when you haven’t released your first book, then you will never write a single word. But here’s the secret – at one point, they were just like you - staring at a dog shit first draft and feeling sick at the sight of it. We only see people when they are successful. We don’t see the thousands of hours they invested into their craft with nothing happening.
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Use Your Current Successes as Evidence.
Remember when you got that awesome review? Released that new book? Got a message from someone you had never spoken to who told you that they loved your work? Those examples are all evidence that you are doing what you are meant to be doing, and that you are good at it. Use that knowledge, that back catalogue, as fuel to your fire when moving forward and upskilling. Acknowledge what you did in the past, identify any mistakes you have made, and then learn from them. Identify, refine, and replicate.
Imposter syndrome is the vulture on our shoulders. It’s that part of our brains that tells us that we aren’t cut out to be doing what we’re doing, regardless of all the evidence surrounding us that tells us the contrary. We can focus on the one thing that isn’t going right and lose sight of all the things around us that got us to our position in the first place. In other words, you can’t see the forest because you’re focusing on a single tree.
Imposter syndrome isn’t a bad thing. Welcome it into your life. Let that fear of failure, getting it wrong, and not being good enough propel you into work and learning. Only through hard work and dedication to what you’re doing, bit by bit, will you get where you need to be.
Stepping out of your comfort zone will always lead to self-doubt. You’re going against the curve, putting your head above the firing line. But if you work at it, maybe in a year, maybe ten, you will get where you want to be. The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second-best time is now.
Creating a business is like trying to paint a mountain one layer of paint at a time. It’s a huge task, but little by little, effort after effort, you will get there.
Jay Darkmoore
Jay Darkmoore is a UK best-selling author with a background in crime and investigation. He is a huge fan of all things dark - exploring the macabre, demonic and darker aspects of the human psyche.
Jay likes putting his characters in terrible situations and then turning out all the lights. To date, he has self-published novels of horror, crime and dark fantasy dystopia. His inspirations are Stephen King, Keith C Blackmore and Nick Cutter.
When not at his desk, Jay spends his free time making YouTube videos to help writers in their craft, promoting other books he has enjoyed, as well as hitting the gym and taking wild cold plunges with ducks.
He is a single parent to his son Joe who is his biggest fan.
Support the author by signing up for his newsletter at jaydarkmooreauthor.com for exclusive content.
10 Tips for New Authors
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When I first started publishing in 2019, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I had heard about things like ‘marketing,’ ‘newsletters,’ ‘book launches,’ and ‘pen names’ etc, but naively, I thought it would be as simple as writing a book, clicking publish, and posting on social media about it, then sit back and watch royalise roll in.
And they did! For about five minutes, and then my book was buried under the weight of the virtual amazon bookshelf.
So, four years on, I have done a lot of learning. My newsletter is well into triple figures, my books are selling regularly, and my following has grown immensely.
Below are a few things that I have learned the hard way, so that you can get to where you want to be quicker.
1 – Pick a genre, or at least, use a pen name.
Does Stephen King write romance? Does JK Rowling write splatterpunk? You know exactly what you’re getting when you hear these names, and you want your readers to know the same when they hear yours.
I write very dark fiction, from crime thrillers, horror and dark fantasy. My readers will cross over into the other genres, because they enjoy the style of my writing, and the themes correlate to each other. Now imagine if I threw in a romantic comedy in there, or a children’s colouring book. My readers would be very confused, and so would the Amazon algorithm.
You must stick to a genre, and if you wish to deviate from that genre, use a pen name. It prevents your readers from getting confused, and also the meta data and voodoo witchcraft of Amazon from getting confused too. It will encourage read through, and you will attract those kinds of readers that enjoy the work you put out. Amazon will also push your books in front of the eyes of potential readers who enjoy the genre you’re writing in.
Remember, if everyone is your target audience, then no one is.
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2 – Consume the genre you write in.
If you write horror, crime or romance, you should read it or at least consume it through other mediums. It will give you an idea of chapter lengths, feel, tone and language used in these kinds of books. It will allow you to write and create something that is familiar to the readers of that market, and not accidently throw in a unicorn in the middle of a steampunk dystopia.
3 – Writer’s block doesn’t exist.
I have spoken about this in a few of my blogs and videos. You do not need inspiration to write. You do not need the muse to appear to you. If you write only when you’re inspired, you will fail. You must make writing a part of your day and treat it like a job. You must give yourself targets, word counts and deadlines. You must write when you don’t want to. That is how books get written.
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4 – Writing is a business.
If you want to make a living writing and telling stories, then you must adopt a business mindset. This is why writing in a genre is so important, and why writing to a schedule is so paramount.
No, I don’t mean sleezy sales tactics or underhanded techniques. Marketing is basically putting your book in front of people that will want to read it. It’s that simple.
Learn about marketing. Learn about calls to action, mailing lists and how to engage with your readers and build relationships with them. Don’t be one of these annoying writers who scream in a crowded room for someone to buy their book.
Find a target market. Find where those people hang out. Engage first, then promote. Offer something for free. Encourage sign ups to your mailing list. Offer content, and then promote your work.
How to market as a writer
5 – Self-publishing is a viable option.
If you dream of being a traditionally published author, then that’s brilliant. All power to you, but don’t think that if you manage to land a publishing deal, you’re set for life. Far from it. I know plenty of writers that are still not making ends meet through trad publishing deals, and many independent self-published writers that are making bank each year through DIY publishing.
Decided what you want to do and focus on it. A proverb I love is ‘A man who chases two hares will catch neither,’ and you need to focus your energy on one path and get very good at it.
Focus is the key.
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6 – You don’t have to be the best at everything.
You don’t have to be the best writer. The best marketer. The best at SEO, emails, social media etc. You just have to be good enough at a lot of it.
7 – Never stop learning.
The landscape of publishing and writing is always changing. Don’t think you will know everything. You will fall down rabbit holes and implement information, and then you will discover something new to try.
8 – You will need to write books. And then more books. And then more.
You will not get successful from one book wonder. Lightning strikes do happen (E.L James – 50 Shades of Grey), but do not build your career on the hope of a one book wonder success. If you’re in this for the long term, then you better be ready to write millions of words and keep publishing.
9 – People will laugh at you for being a writer.
Fuck them.
10 – You will get discouraged.
Everyone does. We all have slow days. We all hit mental blocks. We all have self-doubt. Be consistent, and outwork your self-doubt by writing good stories, and putting them in front of people that want to read them.
Jay Darkmoore is a writer and writing coach from the UK and author of over ten titles and counting.
How to make a living writing: The advice you don’t want to hear
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If you’re a writer or another creator, you aren’t going to like reading this. This post will piss you off, but I hope it will make you think a little about your direction and goals.
A fellow writer friend emailed me and asked how I manage to stay motivated when writing. How day by day, I write and make progress in my work. How I manage to post consistently. Juggle family life, creativity, health, and business. How I manage to wake up at 5am on days off and get to work day by day.
As if by magic, I heard this saying, to ‘outwork your self-doubt,’ and it hugely resonated with me.
I’m not going to go into imposter syndrome or feeling out of your depth. Those things go without saying.
No. I make a habit of writing. I make it part of my day. My writing is a non-negotiable activity. I must do it, and I have a list of promises I make to myself. A task list to complete that never ends.
Write X amount today. Read this marketing book. Post this content. This call to action. Create this advert. Hit this word count deadline. Complete this edit. I do not break those promises. Because when you can’t trust yourself to get your shit done, then you can’t trust anyone.
Use self-doubt as fuel. It’s the enemy, and you must crush it every time it rears its head. Be hungry for the self-doubt, and then devour it with your successes at the end of the day. Every time I hit the keys on the keyboard. Each time I cross something off my list. Every new email subscriber. Every new story. Every new fan email. It’s all one more millimetre up the mountain.
Keep the promises you make to yourself. No one cares if you fail. Only you.
And only you hold the key to your own success.
- J
About Jay Darkmoore -
Jay Darkmoore is a UK horror and Dark Fantasy writer. He enjoys the darker and more Macabre sides to story telling, and has a great time doing it.
Starting with his debut Novel in 2020 ‘The Space Between Heaven and Hell,’ a multiple POV thriller mystery novel which delves into the deepest depravities and secrets of the human mind, he has gone on to self publish anthologies and a fantasy sage.
His Podcast ‘The Darkmoore Diaries,’ tackles issues such as mental health, relationships and more ‘human’ elements of life, where as his YouTube channel supports writers in honing their craft.
He has a distinct eye for the unusual, and often can be seen enjoying cold weather in frozen lakes, and is a wellbeing and fitness enthusiast. He is two opposing sides of the same coin. The yin and the yang, the dark and the light, and he has a great time bringing both terror, and comfort into peoples lives.
Writer’s Block Isn’t Real
Writer’s block isn’t real. Here’s why, and here’s why.
Image from Google
Writer’s Block isn’t real. Now that is a BOLD statement. How many times have you sat staring at either a blank page or have gotten halfway through a scene only to find that the well of creativity has run dry with no sign of rain in the sky?
I have been there. Many times. As a writer of several novels, novellas and short stories ranging from crime, dark fantasy and horror, plus tonnes of social media posts and blog posts and articles, I have at least some authority to comment on this topic.
But we have to escape the notion that ‘Writer’s Block’ is actually a real thing. It isn’t. It’s something that we tell ourselves. It’s a lie. A ruse. A collective scapegoat that writers use to make their current predicament feel better. We attach some kind of romantic, creative notion to it that if only we could overcome this block in our brains, we could create our masterpiece.
Luckily for you, I have a toolkit which will not only break you out of your current bout of imagined writer’s block but also make sure you are never crippled with it again.
Step Number One – You’re the problem here.
The story isn’t the problem. Nor is the keyboard, the mouse, the screen or the word processor you’re using. It’s you. Sorry, not sorry. The problem is you have given the fabulistic idea of writer’s block its power. You need to take that back.
You need to understand that writer’s block isn’t real. It doesn’t exist. It’s something we tell ourselves is real to allow ourselves to not have to do the work that is required. It’s resistance, procrastination, or stress. But it isn’t an abstract idea as a brick wall being put around your brain and your creative ideas are being held ransom and you have to hit the siege at the right moment to free them.
Stop thinking that immediately. Your mindset is the problem. Rid it of its power by acknowledging that writer’s block is nothing but a creation of your own mind.
Step Two – This Isn’t the Finished Product.
You’re likely stuck on the first draft of a project. This is because you have this idea in your head that you must write perfectly the first time and that the delete and backspace buttons don’t exist. It’s called a draft for a reason. You can make mistakes. Write utter shit. Write storylines that can be omitted later and remove scenes and dialogue that don’t work. This is why we edit.
Step Three – The Pressure Cooker
Remember when you had that exam that you hadn’t been studying for for the six months you had leading up to it, and then you hit the books the night before? That’s because the proverbial axe was looming over your head on the chopping block. It’s time to apply this same mindset to writing in the pressure cooker.
Don’t give yourself all the time in the world to write a scene. Give yourself just fifteen minutes.
You will be amazed at what just fifteen minutes of concentrated effort can create. By using this method, I have crammed out thousands of words in a day consistently.
Set a timer for fifteen minutes and write anything and everything that comes out of your brain. Even if the words are quite literally, ‘I can’t think of anything to write.’ This will get the engine in your mind running again and will allow you to put words onto paper.
Step Four – Stop, Drop and Roll.
When the fifteen minutes are finished, stop what you’re doing, drop the project immediately and roll away from the desk. Create distance. Leave the room. Go outside if you have to, but step away from the project even if that’s mid-scene or sentence, and do whatever you like for five minutes.
This will give you both a breather and will create the connections in your brain that when you are sitting at the desk, it’s work time. Not phone and social media time. Not relaxation time, but purely and utterly time to get to work. That way when you sit down at the desk or the laptop or hell, at your work pad, your brain will switch into creative mode and not ‘sitting here staring at the computer mode.’
Step Five – Repeat.
Do the process again as many times as you need to. Keep track of your word count amounts. Make a game of it. Try to beat the record of the last sprint.
For more writing tips and a free story, sign up for my newsletter. Follow me on social media and let me know how you have found this post. I wish you the best with it.
P.S – I wrote this blog in fifteen minutes using this method!
Enjoy this post? Check out What t’s Really Like to be an Independent Author
- Jay Darkmoore
An Expert Look - What Do Stalkers Want From Their Victims?
An Expert Look - What Do Stalkers Want From Their Victims?
In research for my new crime thriller series, I have been able to have a lengthy conversation with Detective Dave Thomason, who is one of the leading experts in stalking from Cheshire Constabularies dedicated Stalking Unit, as seen in the BBC documentary with Stacey Dooley ‘Stalkers.’
JD – Dave, firstly I would like to say a huge thank you for taking the time to sit with me and talk about this subject. Firstly, the obvious question is What is ‘Stalking?’
DT – That’s a good question. The act of ‘Stalking’ has existed for millennia. We can see even as far back as Roman literature that this was an activity which people perpetrated. The word ‘Stalking’ or ‘to be stalked’ comes from the act of an animal stalking its prey.
But the actual term of ‘Stalking’ came as a result of the celebrity Rebecca Schaeffer in 1990 who was stalked and murdered by an obsessed fan named Robert John Bardo in 1990.
Stalking is a goal-driven behaviour that is unwanted by the victim which causes fear and alarm. Stalking takes various forms for different types of reasons. One stalker is different to another stalker, and it is dangerous to assume that all who stalk will follow the same behaviours. No two operate or think the same, but all stalkers have a commonality in that their behaviour is persistent, unwanted and can often cause fear and alarm in the victim. A stalker has an unhealthy preoccupation with another person. It is like a job to them, and not all stalkers are the people lurking in the shadows like we see on television. Some are functioning adults with jobs, families and hobbies, and stalking is a darker aspect of their daily activity used in order to pursue their goal.
JD - Are there different kinds of stalking?
DT - Yes. Half of stalkers and victims are known to each other, and this takes several forms –
Rejected Stalkers -
The first and most common is the ‘Rejected Stalker.’ This is usually an ex-intimate partner, either from a past relationship or someone the victim shared a one-night stand with or even shared a kiss. This is usually derived from some kind of intimate encounter taking place. However, this intimacy doesn’t have to be physical. It could have been a very close friend which whom the victim no longer wishes to be allied with for one reason or another, or it could be someone in a profession that the victim has encountered such as a doctor or teacher.
A Rejected Stalker is usually made from that – Rejection. To this person, the feelings they had when with the victim made them feel whole. Made them feel loved, cared for and fulfilled some purpose in their lives. Now that that is gone, they are left with a sense of abandonment and longing for that connection with the victim again. These types of stalkers will usually have some form of attachment issue and may possibly have a personality disorder such as Borderline Personality Disorder, however it is important to make this distinction between causation and correlation – People with BPD are not going to stalk an ex-lover, however, some stalkers do have the disorder. One does not equal the other, but more there is a correlation, not causation between the two.
When the rejected stalker is in their minds ‘abandoned’ by the victim, this causes a visceral and strong feeling of rejection in their minds. The stalker is then motivated to reconcile the relationship in order to heal the wound and feelings of loss they are feeling. Stalking is a way for the Rejected Stalker to feel close to the victim again. In essence, these types of stalkers are about making themselves feel better, as opposed to making the victim feel bad.
The risk associated with the Rejected Stalker is when the efforts of reconciliation are rejected once more by the victim. Either by them finding out the victim is in a new relationship, they have reported them to the police or they have been confronted and been told that their efforts are for nothing and the relationship will not resume under any capacity. We can then see their motivations change from reconciliation to revenge and punishment, and this can make them feel entitled to cause harm to their victim.
The other half of stalkers are split into other groups: Identifiable Stranger Stalking, Non-Identifiable Stranger Stalking and Malevolent/ Sadistic Stalking.
Predatory/ Sadistic Stalker –
These are very rare but are very insidious in nature. They see the act of stalking someone as a form of cat and mouse, and they are gratified by the suffering and fear they cause to their victim and are often sexually motivated. They will not often reveal themselves for a long time, because the ‘hunt’ is what drives them, and not the ‘catching’ of their prey.
Incompetent Suiter Stalker, Identifiable/Non-identifiable Stalker and Erotomania Stalker –
These types of stalkers are generally lower on the social scale. They may see themselves as unattractive or unsuited to the victim in the socio/economical/mating suitability hierarchy and believe that if the victim got to know them, they would see them as a suitor or the good friend that they need. This type of stalking is less about themselves and more about pleasing their victim. Often, these types of stalkers can cross social and personal boundaries to do something good for the victim. An example of this could be breaking into the victim’s house and cleaning it for them or sending them unwanted gifts such as flowers, presents or in some cases, expensive cars. These types of stalkers normally don’t understand societal and social cues, and may often be on the autistic spectrum or have some form of learning difficulty which disables them from understanding the boundaries they are breaching with their behaviour.
This could spawn from the victim being friendly to them, smiling at them or even serving them in a restaurant or paying them a compliment in passing. Think of Jim Carey in the movie ‘Cable Guy,’ where Carey plays someone who is low on the social scale and befriends and subsequently stalks a friendly customer whose television he services.
This is often driven by a fantasy of being with the victim, either in a sexual way or in a non-sexual way. This can also be split into the Identifiable Stalker (where the victim would recognise the stalker, be it someone they sit next to on a bus or someone they work with but don’t know personally), or a Non-Identifiable Stalker, such as someone stalking a celebrity of whom the celebrity wouldn’t recognise.
Jacqueline-Ades, a convicted stalker who told victim would make sushi out of their kidneys.
JD - Does a stalker know they are a stalker?
DT - A stalker will often justify their behaviour and distort reality to suit their actions. An example of this could be the stalker sending hundreds of messages to their victim with no response, to then get a reply telling them to ‘F*** Off.’ The stalker may then use this as a gateway to further the conversation, as they are seeing that the victim is responding to their messages, and ignoring the context of what they’re saying.
However, stalkers don’t generally identify themselves as being a stalker. This is because of empathy, as if they were to accept that what they are doing is harming their victim, then they wouldn’t do it. Whereas others again don’t understand the boundaries they are breaking and are ambivalent about their behaviour, other such as the Sadistic Stalker are aware of what they are doing and enjoy the impact they are having on their victim.
JD - How often do stalkers carry out their threats?
DT - Research suggests that the threats made by domestic stalkers and rejected stalkers will be acted upon 50% of the time. This is obviously incredibly alarming and victims and police should treat the threat as serious in all cases. This threat may not be explicit, but be implied, such as a dead bird being left on the doorstep of the victim’s home, or even dead flowers being delivered to their workplace.
In relation to violence being carried out, there is little difference between male and female stalkers carrying out their threats. In essence, if a threat is made, always take it seriously.
Read ‘Lorna - The Disturbing Psychological Thriller,’ by Jay Darkmoore
JD - Are stalkers usually male or female?
DT - Most are male with female victims. In terms of the victims, men appear to be more worried about reputational damage by being stalked, and females are more concerned about their safety.
JD - What is the typical age range of a stalker?
DT - We see a spike in stalking activity with offenders being around 35 – 50 years old. This is for a variety of reasons: Marriages go wrong etc. Younger stalkers tend to be more violent, but this is a generalisation.
JD - What things will a stalker do?
DT - Stalking has existed throughout the ages and as I mentioned before – if you’ve met one stalker, you have just met one stalker. The modus operandi of a stalker is very personal, as the victims are all different. The stalking activity is functional towards the victim.
The stalking tends to be very personalised and functional. As an outsider, it may be innocuous. An example is the victim may be allergic to peanuts, and they may find peanuts in strange places or in their car. A stalker will shake the victim’s belief in their safety and privacy.
With the evolution of technology, stalking has evolved too. Stalkers can find new ways of finding, tracking and communicating with victims such as using trackers on cars, listening to conversations through Alexa devices, sending messages through bank transfers and we have even seen Netflix accounts be changed to convey a message.
JD - How can you make a stalker go away?
DT - It does happen that stalkers leave their victims alone after a while, but this is by no means the option victims should rely on. Victims should report all cases to the police.
However, every stalker is different. Sometimes a stalker will meet someone new and thus their attention is on their new partner/fixation however if this relationship ends, the stalker may revert back to old victims.
Some stalkers are ready to change their behaviour, and whereas they may never identify with being a stalker, they may seek help to change their behaviour through therapy.
A more obvious and tragic outcome is the stalker eventually murders their victim.
JD - What is the difference between harassment and stalking?
DT - In my opinion, there is no real difference between the two. They both bore from unwanted contact and can both result in fear and violence.
JD - Do victims diminish the level of their stalking?
DT - Sadly yes. This is a way for the victim to protect themselves against the fact that they are being stalked and that they may be in danger. This is called Equivocation. Victims will usually play down the behaviour of a stalker by saying things like ‘it’s probably nothing,’ or ‘they will go away soon.’ This is because quite simply, people do not want to admit they are being stalked. In some severe cases, victims have been known to take their own lives as they can’t see a way out of what is happening, sometimes referred to as a hidden homicide.
JD - What do the police do in stalking cases/ How can someone report a stalker?
DT - Police should always take cases seriously. Police will establish the immediate risk and gather evidence of the stalking behaviour and aim to safeguard the victim. Police can issue restraining orders and even custodial sentences.
Stalking cases don’t often result in violence or homicide, but they can and do, so there for police should always treat a report of stalking seriously.
If someone believes they are being stalked, then I urge them to contact the police or the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.
Think someone you know is a Narcissist? Find out here.
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How to Write a Psychopath
How to write a psychopath in your book, and why you should.
American Psycho
Psychopaths are incredibly fun to read in books and watch on the big screen and have been popularised by some very infamous and somewhat controversial films and books, from American Psycho written by Bret Easton Ellis, Hannibal Lecter by Thomas Harris and even James Bond by Ian Fleming.
But why is it that these characters have captured both love and fear in our hearts? What is it about them that makes us want to know more? Is it their propensity to violence? Their ability to be cunning and manipulative without feeling any remorse? Is it their self-confidence and being able to think under pressure? Whatever the reason, our hearts have a soft place in them for psychopaths in literature.
In this blog, I am going to tell you how to create your very own in your fiction, and it will maybe help you spot these same traits in other characters you enjoy.
Hannibal Lecter
Traits of a psychopath –
Most Psychopaths are male, with them making up approx. 1% of the population, and are estimated to make up 50 – 80% of the prison population. Women that show high traits of Psychopathy are more likely to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, which along with Psychopathy, is a ‘Cluster B’ personality disorder along with Narcissism and Histrionic Personality Disorder as outlined in the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual Version 5 (DSM – 5 for short) of the American Psychiatric Association.
Psychopathy lends itself to having many different traits, all of which are useful in certain situations, and can even benefit those in certain careers (below). Most people can dial these traits down as and when they need them, but a psychopath can’t and would always have these traits on the high setting in their brains.
These are low empathy, impulsivity, calm under pressure, manipulative, charming, ruthlessness and emotionally detached and show a lack of remorse for their actions.
James Bond
This list can make for some fantastic characters and even make for some fantastic story arcs. Maybe a character is charming and loving, and then later down the line, we see that it was all manipulation to convince someone to give up their life savings, and then abandon them. Tinder Swindler, anyone?
Or maybe we have a character that is a military soldier, a warrior, who is ruthless and can cut through the enemy without a shred of remorse? A police officer who will do anything to crack the case, or a surgeon who has the steadiest hand to make that vital, life-saving cut with everything on the line?
Psychopaths make for excellent characters. They make incredibly fun heroes to write about, and add a lot more depth to the ‘bad guy.’ We can look into their childhood, in that a psychopathic person would have normally come from some kind of abusive childhood, and uses psychopathy as a way to navigate the world based off of that. It gives the character more back story. More depth.
Professor Kevin Dutton
According to psychologist Professor Kevin Dutton, most psychopaths are split into two categories. Those with high traits and a low propensity to commit violence, and those with high psychopathic traits and a higher propensity to violence.
Those that are of lower violent tendencies are more likely to be characterised by high-pressure positions, such as politicians, CEOs, police officers, lawyers and high-end athletes. These could make for some great characters and some side characters, and maybe even a villain or two in there? Maybe the villain is a top businessman of a rival company that is trying to sabotage the hero’s chances at getting their foot on the corporate ladder? Or even a detective that drinks too much and is emotionally vacant when around other people, but is ruthless and driven to catch the bad guy?
Jack Torrance - The Shining
The psychopaths that are high in psychopathic traits with a higher level of predisposition to violence would be our classical villains such as serial killers, a criminal mob boss and even a soldier that has gone rogue.
Psychopaths make for great foreshadowing opportunities too, as they can be very manipulative. In your story, you can have the psychopath dropping hints and leaving clues for the rest of the characters to find, and then when the big reveal comes later in the book, the reader can connect the dots and have the ‘Oh my god!’ moment that we all love to create when they figure it all out.
Lorna - By Jay Darkmoore
In my dark romance ‘Lorna,’ the main character in the story ‘Christian’ is a psychopath, and he will stop at nothing to not only win the heart of Lorna, his new infatuation but also kill and destroy the lives of anyone that dares stand in his way.
Order it here on kindle unlimited today.
Psychopaths are so much fun to write and can offer a lot of depth to your characters and the story. Even just highlighting certain traits outlined above and giving them to your characters can make a lot of difference to your writing.
Have fun with it and thank you for reading.
But what about other writing ideas? What about being able to break through writer’s block?
What it’s really like being an independently published author
What it’s really like being an Indie Author
You have been lied to.
Forget the ‘Make $1000 a day’ or ‘How to get RICH quick with KDP’ videos on YouTube. I am telling you now. They are complete bullshit.
Think about it; why would anybody do anything other than sell books on KDP if it was that easy to make money? And not only that, if you discovered a secret money pile, would you really tell everyone about it? It’s clickbait. And I feel that you, like me, have been on that hook many times.
I have been selling books independently using Amazon KDP for around two years now. Let me save you a lot of pain in the long run and allow me to break your heart quickly.
It is not easy. It is not a get-rich-quick scheme. I have been a delivery driver, a carer for disabled children, and even a police officer. And running a business as an independent author is by far the hardest job I have ever had to do.
And yet, I and thousands of others still do it. Not because I want to get rich quickly (even though I wouldn’t mind having a few more zeros in my bank account generated from book sales), but because I must write stories. I must get them out of my head. I must see what the characters get up to and I am their guide, as they too guide me through the narrative.
So that said, is KDP a fool’s game? Far from it. Is it possible to make a living, even a great living from selling books online? Absolutely. But is it easy? Not a cat in hell’s chance.
The Three Questions
Firstly, if you want to sell books on KDP, you have to ask yourself are you prepared to invest money into book covers and editors.
Are you willing to spend money on adverts, keywords and marketing?
Are you willing to spend hours and hours not only writing a book, but editing it, sending it out to beta readers, Advanced Copy Readers, build a network of other writers and readers in the hope that with enough time, effort and tears you will eventually be able to make a living out of doing this?
If you answered No to a single one of those questions, then give up now and don’t bother. But if you answered Yes to all of them, then you are about to embark on an amazing journey.
Like the heroes in the stories we write, being an independent author is filled with a roller coaster of emotions. I remember the first time I was able to buy a meal with the royalties I got from my debut novel The Space Between Heaven and Hell. I remember my first bad review on The Everlife Chronicles. I remember the amazing interviews I have had with writers on my Instagram, and the first YouTube video I uploaded that got comments.
Self-publishing is an incredible thing to make a living from if you have a realistic mindset about it all. It won’t be overnight, and if you can’t defer gratification then this is not the career for you.
When I first started self-publishing, I devoured everything I could about the subject. Some things stuck, and others didn’t. I made mistakes. I wasted money. I bought courses that promised a quick fix. I bought budget book covers that still give me nightmares. I skipped out on the editing. I overpaid for ads. All to chase the dream.
But there is something that comes from fucking up. You get experience. You lick your wounds, and you get back up and get back in front of the keyboard and you crunch away. You will always make mistakes. You will always have more to learn, and you will pick yourself up more times than you can count and get back to it.
So for the budding author reading this. I thank you. Not only for reading my blog, but for chasing your dream in the pursuit of writing stories.
If you are looking to embark on this journey, then I implore you to read on to my next blog, ‘How to Market as an Indie Author.’