If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that NaNoWriMo 2012 threw up an interesting development for my writing. I didn’t know what to write or where to start, but then on Nov 4th or 5th, a zombie story crept into my mind. What if the apocalypse was over? What if scientists had found a drug that whilst not curing ‘zombification’, managed to pacify these flesh eating little buggers? I quickly hammered out a first rough chapter and have continued to write between completing other works, so I’m hoping this novella will be complete in the next week or so.
One of the biggest problems/intricacies that I’ve found is in bringing the soul back into creatures who’s traditional goal in life is to consume as much living flesh as possible. It is a zombie novel after all, so there needs to be a certain amount of gore. Yet, in this story the zombies have been pacified through drug use, and the drug has an unexpected side effect in some creatures that results in a shadow of their former humanity beginning to shine through. It’s a difficult line – killing machine one minute, friendly soul the next?
I wouldn’t say that any of the zombies in my novel are ‘friendly’. And how much soul and compassion can you really find for someone who’s had their head half torn off, who’s skin has become leathery and dessicated, who you know that as soon as the drugs wear off they’ll be chowing down on your face? That’s the tricky line. Plus, my main protagonist finds himself strangely drawn to one particular zombie. A creature with dark eyes, an attractive figure, a fierce and intense aura about himself. He should be repulsed by the cold flesh, but attracted, so finding the medium between allowing lust to grow whilst not appearing too socially depraved has been interesting….and fun! So far the new novella has been a blast to write about, and a topic I never thought I’d ever cover! I can’t wait to finish and see what happens!
**This post is part of a blog hop! To hop along to the next zombie read, visit Precious Monsters.**
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It’s February 1st, and I met my goal; Pacifier 6 has been published! There was a slight glitch on Amazon, so I spent the night worrying, but when I awoke, there it was, shining out at my from the browser!
Geoff Wakeling 