You have a way of writing that’s both poetic and visceral that I really love. And the cabin in the woods and the old converted church were such effective settings. Then the twist at the end? Perfect!
Gruesomely delicious Shaina! Took me away at just the right time this morning!
Strangely I haven't seen any of the previous stories from this project show up in my email? I'll have to check out the list that you referred to I guess...
i really like the twist... was not expecting that at all! this was not the magical Christmas anyone was expecting was it! merciless ancient pagan magic instead... it's coming for you if you dont follow the rituals!
'The jail was old, a reconverted church, and the sounds of Jack’s screams echoed off the high ceilings like the congregation of voices singing church hymns , a strange mix of past and present, of what had been, and what is.' This felt so Christmassy in particular. Well done with this story, Shaina. I loved the imagery.
I like this. The back and forth of the procedural interview and the Blair Witch style offering to the woods. Nederland just makes me think of Nederland Colorado. Beautiful little town. Good details. I like the whole thing about the screens, he says, typing away from the other side of one. This has been my favorite Substack... literature... event thing... so far. Everyone deserves a round of applause.
I DONT LIKE THIS.
I mean, it was very well written and very effective yadda yadda BUT THIS WAS NOT FUN TO READ. AWFUL/AMAZING. GOOD JOB/STOP THAT
I write to ruin your mornings Scoot
As we *just* stayed at a cabin on Christmas Eve, I’m really glad I hadn’t read this until after arriving home! 😮💨
So gruesome and disturbing just the way I like it. Sometimes you just have to put an animal out of it suffering
I loved the rhythm game of the story
- the pacing
The word game was not supposed to be there
I loved the rhythm of the story
You have a way of writing that’s both poetic and visceral that I really love. And the cabin in the woods and the old converted church were such effective settings. Then the twist at the end? Perfect!
That means so much coming from you 😭 Thank you for the brilliant collaboration ❤️
🖤🖤🖤
Gruesomely delicious Shaina! Took me away at just the right time this morning!
Strangely I haven't seen any of the previous stories from this project show up in my email? I'll have to check out the list that you referred to I guess...
Happy Holidays with your family I hope!
Awww thanks Frank! Do check out the list! Amazing stories, each their own flavor of horrifying. Happy Holidays!
i really like the twist... was not expecting that at all! this was not the magical Christmas anyone was expecting was it! merciless ancient pagan magic instead... it's coming for you if you dont follow the rituals!
Thank you Nick!!!
So dark and delicious! I love a pagan ritual and the hard, impersonal power of the wild. Top notch!
🙏
The ground calls for blood. It must be appeased. If not, it will come for you. It won't be good.
Having it take place in an old church was a good setting.
Thanks Joseph. I wasn’t sure how to church would play out when I started it but it all made sense by the end
Mmm. Love the idea of “harmless rituals” passed down and not understood. All around excellent
'The jail was old, a reconverted church, and the sounds of Jack’s screams echoed off the high ceilings like the congregation of voices singing church hymns , a strange mix of past and present, of what had been, and what is.' This felt so Christmassy in particular. Well done with this story, Shaina. I loved the imagery.
that image of the bird shadow is so ominous. it will stay with me. great work.
I love how visceral your writing is … my imagination kicks in immediately/ you hooked me! Great stuff
So intense! I loved the juxtaposition of the police and the pagan, it was jarring in just the right way.
I like this. The back and forth of the procedural interview and the Blair Witch style offering to the woods. Nederland just makes me think of Nederland Colorado. Beautiful little town. Good details. I like the whole thing about the screens, he says, typing away from the other side of one. This has been my favorite Substack... literature... event thing... so far. Everyone deserves a round of applause.
God damn.