OLIVER DACE
I had written 45 short stories before I released my first novel.
The following are my favourites.
2009
Red Robe Pierce
Influenced by Mamoru Oshii's Angel Egg. This story was my first attempt to write surreal Fiction.
2010
The Un-Beheaded
Originally entitled Beheaded, this story was a sequel to a short story called Twin Complex about a twin who is haunted by her dead sister.
Looking back, the reason behind the story was whether I can write a smart character.
2011
Tired Beauty
I wrote three more short stories featuring the characters in this story.
I would like to share them one day.
Contrapasso
The Divine Comedy played a central role in my motivation to write.
This story is no different because it is influenced by Divine Comedy: Purgatory.
Quake
I am glad to include this story in the anthology. because the characters were based on figures that appeared in a dream.
There were three attempts to write a novel before I pursued short stories
Annie Vee
I needed to start somewhere small
Katherine "Cannon" Nadean
To sample the taste
Mabielle Magiver
2010 to 2018 were the years of creative boon
Aurum Mistress
From horror stories to a dip into romance
From Mannequins to carnivorous messeres
Bridget May
Third person to first person and back again
Magical Realism was the end result
Iclisa Nadean
2012
The Live Imaginary
Originally entitled, Line of Sight, this story referenced the doomed lovers of Dante's Divine Comedy: Inferno.
2014
Over the Cook Strait
The original story featured a train that crosses over the Cook Strait. Plus, the protagonist of the story back then was head over heels towards the side character.
2018
Ember Smell of Winter
I based this from a short story I had written entitled, Vineyards on the Third Day (2013). Additionally, the story is based on the seventh circle of Hell in Dante's Divine Comedy: Inferno
Black Marigolds
This was the last short story I had written before I focused on finishing my debut novel.
The idea came from two ideas: An image of lips appearing on the walls and a person who enjoys residing in a haunted house.
Sweet Whispers Behind a Stall
This is my personal favourite short story because it is my first attempt to create modern folklore fiction.
Plus, it doesn't hurt that that there's an audio recording of it online.