About
I am a writer and gardener living on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I began writing fiction in 2000 and have produced four novels and several short stories.
In this blog I hold forth once a week on writing- and gardening-related topics and post a few photographs of my garden every month.
I have to say I am completely charmed by your take on the Re-animator story. It’s so true to the original in so many ways while also being unique in a manner.
Hi Frances
A belated thanks for your comment. I’m new to blogging so it has taken me a while to get around to replying to comments. Since I began writing my version of Herbert West’s story, there have been moments when I thought it was a peculiar thing to do. For a lot of people, Herbert is just a weirdo mad scientist, so I’m happy that there are a few who can relate to a more subtle interpretation.
Hi Audrey,
I’ve only just seen your wonderful review of my mystery, A Hemorrhaging of Souls, on Smashwords. My apologies for not touching base earlier to thank you for your kind words and reviewing effort. I’m very grateful.
I’m delighted to learn you’re a fellow Islander and gardener. Very cool.
Good luck with your writing and dirt digging. I’m holding my breath on a bunch of blue poppies, waiting to see if they survive the winter. Will post pics on my blog. Cheers!
Nicola
Hi Nicola. I found out about Smashwords and WordPress from the great talk you gave last March to the Victoria Writers’ Society.
Blue poppies — most seductive for the gardener. I have a bunch in pots that I’ve grown from seed. Great topic for a blog posting, I think. I’m looking forward to seeing your pictures.
Hello, Audrey. I am Charles Milburn. Yes, the real one. That’s my real name. I live in St. Louis and my sister’s name is Audrey. I write short stories and plays. I’m an actor and have been in movies, on TV and many times on local stages. You owe me money for using my name. Just kidding. I do wonder where you got the inspiration to use my name, though.
Hi Charles,
What a pleasant surprise! I knew there was at least one real person named Herbert West, a onetime candidate for governor of Kansas, but it’s interesting to hear from a real Charles Milburn. And I myself have a fictional namesake — a character in Danielle Steel’s novel Wanderlust. How did I come up with the name Charles Milburn? Well, Charles seemed like a good, solid name for a guy from an old-money Boston family in decline. And I co-opted Milburn from Peter Straub’s novel Ghost Story, which is set in a fictitious town of that name. Since my novel is based on H.P. Lovecraft’s story “Herbert West, Reanimator,” it seemed right to give the narrator (who is nameless in the HPL story) a name from a horror novel, even though my novel isn’t horror, not exactly. Thanks for your comment; it made my day!
Hi, Audrey,
So lovely to meet you. I am also a writer (heading a branch of the NJ state-wide association, Women Who Write, and an editor of that organization’s annual literary magazine.)
In September I begin studies as a Master Gardner. I might flunk out, though, if I can’t remember all the Latin names I’ll be expected to learn.
Hi Ronnie,
Nice to connect with a fellow writer and gardener. I’ve thought about taking a Master Gardener course, but haven’t made the time as yet. Another thing to do when I retire! At least I have a pretty good memory for Latin plant names (so far).