#BadMoonRising: Glimpses by Hugh W. Roberts #shortstories #supernatural #paranormal

On By Teri PolenIn Bad Moon Rising

Happy Hump Day!  If taking on a horror/paranormal/supernatural book all at once is a bit daunting, maybe testing the waters with short stories is a way to ease into the genre.  Today’s featured author gives you that opportunity.  He also confirms why it’s best not to leave arms and legs uncovered while sleeping – you never know what’s waiting under the bed.   Welcome Hugh Roberts!

You’re in a horror movie.  Are you the final person, the first to die, the comic relief, the skeptic, the smart one, or the killer?

I’d be the killer. I can remember being cast as the ‘bad guy’ in a school play. It was set in a haunted house, and I had to wait for my victim to pass by before I came out of the dark and wrestled him to the ground. What most struck me about this, though, was that whilst the struggle went on, I had to wait for somebody to say the words “Cut! That was excellent.”

That line stuck in my mind for many years because I went on to use it as the twist for one of my short stories in my book, Glimpses. I suppose it also shows that I wasn’t really the ‘bad guy,’ but just an actor on a film set. That also stuck on my mind when I thought about it because I’ve also used a film set as the scene in another of my short stories in the book.

It’s amazing what memories stick with you, and how they can go on to become a big part of something later on in your life.

Have you ever played with a Ouija board?

Yes, but only when I was in my teens. It wasn’t a real Ouija board because we’d cut out the letters and placed them on the kitchen table. There were six of us, including me, and I remember how I wanted to frighten everyone in the room by moving the glass around. The problem was, somebody else also had the same idea, and we ended up frightening some of the younger children.

When my parents came home and found out what we’d been doing, they were not best pleased. My mother tore up all the letters and threw them in the dustbin.

A few months later, it was all forgotten about until my mother was cut badly by the glass we’d used. She swore that something had hit the glass along the kitchen countertop towards where she was washing the dishes. The glass smashed as it entered the water, cutting both her hands quite badly.

Creepiest thing that’s ever happened while you were alone?

In the first ever apartment I owned, I was once woken by the sound of scratching coming from beneath me. To my utter disbelief, I watched as the duvet was slowly pulled down the bed. I grabbed it and tried pulling it back towards me, but something at the other end of the duvet was also pulling and it was a struggle to pull it back.

Eventually, I switched on the bedside lamp and found the duvet still over me. I put it down to a bad nightmare, and it never happened again.

However, a few years later, when I moved out of the apartment, one of the removal guys pointed out to me that some of the wooden slats under my bed (which the mattress laid on) were badly scratched. I had no idea how the scratches got there as the bed was delivered new when I had moved in, and I’d assembled it myself.

I ditched the bed and slept on the floor of my next home until I was able to afford a new bed.

How do you develop your plots and characters?

I’m very much a ‘Pantser’ when it comes to writing my stories. As soon as I get an idea in my head (often the ending of a story) I start typing and allow the story to reveal itself to me.

Of course, the first draft is never the final version, but I tend not to change too much as it then becomes a completely different story.

Characters seem to fall into the story as I write it. I don’t think about them too much. They’re just a part of the story which, for me, is the most important part.

Who or what has influenced your writing, and in what way?

Rod Serling, who created and presented the TV show, The Twilight Zone. He also wrote some of the episodes.

What captivated me most, was the way Rod wrote the stories. They always had a twist at the end that I never saw coming. He may have sprinkled each episode with clues, but they were always well conceived and gave little away of what was to come.

I see this has an incredible way to write stories, leading the reader up the wrong garden path, so to speak. The Twilight Zone gave me inspiration to write stories on a similar based theme, and I like to think that the style they are written is very much that of the way Rod wrote.

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on my next collection of short stories which will be published in early 2019. There are 32 new stories in the book, many of which I have never published on my blog before.

My editor returned the book to me in early September and I’m now working on the edits as well as making some of the stories even better. I can reveal that the book will be called ‘More Glimpses.’ Here’s the blurb –

After publishing some of his short stories on his blog, Hugh W. Roberts, who suffers from dyslexia, received numerous requests to publish his short stories in a book.

Here, at last, are 28 short stories that will take your mind on a rollercoaster of a ride into worlds that conceal unexpected twists and turns.

‘Glimpses’ allows the reader a peek into the lives of everyday people who are about to have life lead them on an unpredicted path. From a mysterious deadly iPad app, to a hole in the fence that is not all it seems, to a strange lipstick that appears to have a life of its own, you will encounter terror, laughter, sadness, shock and many other emotions on journeys which promise a thrilling and gripping climax.

If you are a lover of shows such as ‘The Twilight Zone’ and ‘Tales of The Unexpected’, then you’re in for a real treat with this first collection of short stories from Hugh.

Dare you take a glimpse into the lives of these unsuspecting characters?

Buy Links

Universal Link for buying Glimpses

Author Bio

Hugh W. Roberts lives in the city of Swansea, South Wales, in the United Kingdom. He shares his life with his civil-partner, John and their Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Toby and Austin.

He has always enjoyed writing even though he suffers from a mild form of dyslexia. However, he’s never allowed being dyslexic stop him from having a positive outlook on life. Shortly after retiring, Hugh thought it about time he let his writing become public. Becoming a blogger seemed to be the perfect way for him to do this.

He started writing short stories at school but was never encouraged to continue writing them. In February 2014, when he discovered blogging, he wrote and published several short stories on his blog. They soon became hits and Hugh was encouraged by some of his readers to publish some of the stories in a book. Now, finally, his dream of becoming a published author has come true with the publication of ‘Glimpses’ the first volume of 28 of his short stories. If, like Hugh, you enjoy shows such as ‘The Twilight Zone’ and Black Mirror,’ then his short stories will take you on plenty of twists and turns to unexpected endings.

‘Glimpses’ is available to buy on Amazon and has already received excellent reviews. Hugh is now in the process of writing a second volume of short stories which he will publish in early 2019. If you decide to buy and read Glimpses, then Hugh would be delighted if you would consider leaving a review on Amazon. Reviews help all authors and feedback is vital to improving writing.

Hugh’s blog, Hugh’s Views And News, covers a number of subjects, the most popular of which are his blogging and social media tips. He is a keen photographer and enjoys helping to promote other authors and writers on his blog. Despite considering himself to be an introvert, he also considers himself as a ‘peoples’ person. Please do feel free to contact him via his blog.

Social Media

Blog: Hugh’s Views and News
Twitter: @HughRoberts05
Flipboard
Mix.com
Instagram
Google+
Amazon Author Page
Goodreads

76 thoughts on “#BadMoonRising: Glimpses by Hugh W. Roberts #shortstories #supernatural #paranormal”

  1. I too loved Rod Sterling. My some of those stories scared me to death. There was something about his voice too as he introduced the stories. I still don´t like to leave my limbs out from under the covers. We now have a bed that sits on an ottoman so there is no under the bed but still…..
    All the best with the new short story collection, Hugh.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  5. Anyone who loved Rod Serling AND Hitchcock is A-OK in my book. 🙂 Great interview, Hugh, though I must say I probably would never have turned out the lights again, much less slept another night in that creepy bed! 😯 😀 Super interview! (Hoping to catch up with the rest of these soon, Teri!) 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  7. Teri, thank you so much for inviting me to participate in Bad Moon Rising. I’m enjoying the series very much, as well as getting to know all the authors taking part. There are some great ‘new’ story ideas going around in my head with some of the answers that have been given to you.
    My best wishes to you,
    Hugh

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. I enjoyed Glimpses so I shall be looking forward to the new collection. That bed ‘nightmare’ was really creepy. I had a nightmare exactly the same when I was very young – it has stayed with me , but I always assumed it was a dream…

    Liked by 3 people

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  10. Oh, Rod Serling was an utter genius. Not only do I remember the Twilight Zone eps, but I also loved Night Gallery. I think he was also behind The Sixth Sense with Gary Collins (which spun off from Night Gallery).
    Glimpses sound fabulous, Hugh. Heading over to Amazon to check it out….

    P.S….the story of the bed, duvet and scratching is terrifying!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. It’s great to meet another Rod Serling fan, Mae. I agree. He was a genius. It’s a shame he died at such a young age because I think he had so much more to give the entertainment world.

      If you do buy Glimpses, I hope you enjoy the stories contained within it. I’ve just finished the edits of one of the new stories for the next book. More Glimpses in on track to be published in early 2019.

      As for the bed story, it’s one I’ve never forgotten (and never will).

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

    1. I didn’t even have to think about it, Victoria. As soon as I could afford it, a new bed it was. Many months of sleeping on the floor didn’t matter to me.

      I hope you enjoy Glimpses when it comes to the top of your TBR pile. I hope the stories don’t creep you out as much as my bed story did.

      Happy reading.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    3. Same here, Jacquie. Our two corgis sleep in the same room, so we should be safe from any night terrors. Shame they can’t stop the bad dreams, though. Even they dream, which sometimes wakes me up in a panic.

      I agree. Teri has done an excellent job with Bad Moon Rising.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  14. This is such a fun interview, from the oiji board to the mysterious duvet pulling! 😳 I had a ‘real’ oiji board as a high schooler and wow the weird things that ensued!! Great story telling Hugh and interviewing Teri.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Pam. It seems many of us have at some time been participates of the Ouija board and have stories to tell about it. I don’t see much about them in current times, but they were very popular when I was a child. I wonder if they’ll ever make a come back?

      Like

      Reply
  15. Colleen Chesebro

    Hugh, that experience in the apartment with the duvet being pulled down is plenty scary. The scratches on the floor beneath the bed gave me the shivers. I’m glad you left that bed. What a story! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  16. Pingback: #BadMoonRising: Glimpses by Hugh W. Roberts #shortstories #supernatural #paranormal – Hugh's Views & News

  21. It’s great to see Hugh here. What a crippy things to happen! Fabulous interview. I also love Rod Serling and the what if way of going about writing stories. We’re all looking forward to Hugh’s new collection. Thanks, Teri.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    2. Thank you, Olga. I’m still doing the edits for the new book, but they should be finished in the next week. Hooray – I can’t wait to be past them.
      Thank you so much for sharing and reblogging the post. I appreciate it very much.

      Like

      Reply

  23. Another wonderful interview subject Teri. Hugh, you never disappoint. I had to LOL at the makeshift Ouija board too. And of course you’d be the killer. You did well taking notes on the Twilight Zone, so you! 🙂 xx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Pavanne, it’s lovely to see you. I hope all is well with you?

      Thank you so much for saying you’re going to buy my new book. Fingers crossed, it will out in early 2019. I’ll be keeping everyone updated over on my blog.

      Take care.

      Like

      Reply

  26. Pingback: #FabulousFridayGuestBlogger, Hugh W. Roberts: Are You Sure Everything You See Exists? | The Write Stuff

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