It is an honor to have been a part of the sixth edition of Exquisite Corpse. Anyone who knows me well, know that Poe was my inspiration for writing many years ago. My first dark verse piece ever published entitled “Rosalee”, was written in the same cadence as Poe’s “Annabel Lee”, and I was excited that it was published in Tales From the Shadow Realm right after Poe’s story “The Black Cat”. To share a ToC with your biggest inspiration is a feeling like no other.

It also meant a lot to me that my very first author interview with Gwendolyn Kiste was entitled, “Poe Protégé”. What an honor that was! So naturally, I am ecstatic that my winning line got me a vial of soil from the grave of none other than Edgar Allan Poe!

The sixth Exquisite Corpse, “Treading” can be viewed below, along with all of the other awesome Exquisite Corpse creations over at Angela Yuriko Smith’s site.

Exquisite Corpse #6: Treading

Also, if you aren’t following Angela Yuriko Smith, you should be! I highly recommend you check out her work, and here’s a wonderful start.. book your stay at The Bitter Suites!

Agony, confusion, sorrow. These are just a few of many emotions that you feel on the Gettysburg Battlefield. The overwhelming sensation of thousands of eyes on you, the black clouds of gloom hanging above you. These are all things I’ve experienced upon my first visit in 1999. Eighteen years later, visitng for the second and third time, the energy has not changed. In October of 2017, I took part in a paranormal investigation with the Gettysburg Paranormal Association. It was my third investigation, but my first ever at Gettysburg, and that is where I captured my best photographic evidence.

This photo was taken using Burst Mode, in which I captured 10 photos in rapid succession, two of those revealed this misty figure before and during movement. I took this photo at the final investigation location, the Spangler Farmhouse. Beginning in 1863, this farmhouse, situated on the southeastern part of the Battlefield, was used as a Civil War Field Hospital. To say that this place has an energy of heaviness in and around it, is an understatement. Along with this photograph, I also experienced the usual feelings of being watched, and most strange of all, phantom aromas. Some people may experience the more pleasant scents of the funeral incense, and some may experience the odor of death. Unfortunately, I experienced the latter.

This particular location held a slightly more intimidating feel than other areas around the Battlefield, in my opinion. Nonetheless, I can say I’ve never felt any type of truly negative energy there in the sense that one would feel threatened per say. It’s natural that there would be some feeling of anger, regret, or even resentment connected to this place, if you take into consideration all the souls that passed through as well as passed on here. All of the souls who linger, lost and lonely, longing for their families long gone.

The Gettysburg Battlefield is more than just a landmark. It’s a place where time has stood still for well over a century. It’s a sacred ground where many were injured or lost their lives. It’s a place that deserves respect. A place where if you silence the voices within yourself enough, you just might be able to hear their whispers as the soft breeze upon your skin. You may not be able to hear them, but one thing is for certain, you can definitely feel them, and if you are lucky enough, perhaps you will catch a glimpse of them too.

~Tawny Kipphorn~

The Ladies of Horror Fiction Directory is up and I am so proud to be on this list! So many amazing women on here and many more to be added!!

https://ladiesofhorrorfiction.com/the-lohf-directory/

-COMING SOON-

-“Introducing Rose & Creepy Dolls” (Article)

    -“ASPHYXIA” to be published in Eldritch Tales.

-“MALICE CRAVEN” to be published in Eldritch Tales.

-“LILY” to be published in Eldritch Tales (Previously published in Sanitarium Magazine)

-IN PROGRESS-

-“Beasts of Balfour” (Short Story)

-“Steven” (Short Story)

I figured for now I’d just post some of my favorite quotations until I have more time to actually post blogs. There will also be a page specifically for my short stories and flash fiction pieces coming soon, in addition to the poetry page that is up now.

~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

I became insane with long intervals of horrible sanity.. ~Edgar Allan Poe

I am not my past. I am not my pain. I am that which emerged from the flames.