Plotting out a Zombie Story
I also love zombie movies and I've been desperate to write a zombie story for a few years now but I've never tried writing a scary story. When I was writing one of the stories I wrote for Nano '08 I came up with a zombie character and I decided I wanted to know more about him. I wanted to know why and how his friends had rescued him, why they looked after him still and how he functioned in the world.
This lens may be too icky for the girly girls and too girly for the manly men!
The Beauty and the Beast
But which one is Edward?
The end of Shaun of the Dead
Pushing Daisies
Luda and Andre in the remake of Dawn of the Dead
And Twilight.
I've never really been a vampire fan but like any woman, who's really fourteen years old at heart, I enjoyed Twilight. But when I thought about it I kind of thought that the concept of Twilight is a bit "squicky". You have this old dead guy "fall in love" with this human teenage girl and OK, he's really gorgeous and sparkly and has, I quote, "scintillating arms" but what if he didn't?
What if his arms were falling off?
I think of the Twilight books as a classic Beauty and the Beast story, which I'm sure many other people do too and I'm not the first to say it. But Edward never really shows us his "beastly" side.
I don't want this whole page to be about Twilight, but I'm mentioning it because this is where my reasoning for my story started.
Is it possible to have a really beastly, ugly hero? And not like the Disney Beast, but a beast who's never going to look better than he does already, in fact he'll probably look worse.
OK, there's Shrek and Fiona but they're kind of cute and lovable anyway, like the Disney Beast!
I want to write about some kind of developing relationship between people who aren't amazingly beautiful and they have huge conflicts to overcome. Yes, I'm sure this has been done before but I hate what a vapid superficial culture we're turning into. Yes people can be ugly and be amazingly talented and beautiful on the inside. Of course they can.
I'm also interested in exploring the idea of friendship and the lengths friends will go to in order to save each each other.
The Twilight Saga
Gorgeous Edward and clumsy Bella.
It would be interesting to explore a relationship where the only thing someone had to attract another was their character.
One of the things I loved about the first book was this idea that they couldn't be close to each other because Edward might kill Bella, that's also one of the things I loved about Ned and Chuck's relationship too (Pushing Daisies). I'm not making a statement of abstinence here, but just saying that I find relationships with forced distance much more interesting than those "jump into bed in the first chapter" books.
The Twilight Saga Collection
Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 12/27/2009)
I enjoyed these books but I think it's interesting to read what other people thought of them and their criticisms.
Pushing Daisies
Ned and Chuck are so adorable!
Luckily Chuck was still as gorgeous as ever when she died, unlike some of the other people Ned briefly brings back to life to solve their murders.
Pushing Daisies: The Complete First and Second Seasons
Amazon Price: $37.99 (as of 12/27/2009)
I adore Pushing Daisies. I unfortunately didn't get to see the second series yet.
Ned and Chuck are in love but they can't touch because Ned's powers of reanimation would kill undead Chuck. So they have to be content with looking at each other longingly and kissing through cling-film. You can't get more romantic than that!
Pushing Daisies in a Nutshell
Want to know what's going on?
This is so disgusting...
Parasites that take control of snails.
Zombie snails
mind-controlling parasites... this parasite is called Leucochloridium paradoxum. There are many other "mind-controlling" parasites such as the Spinochordodes Tellinii which infect grasshoppers and forces them to drown themselves... (Where the worm reproduces). Oh and one of my favs is the Toxoplasma Gondii found in cats intestines. But I'll let yall look it up. Savor the knowledge my children.
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Evolution of the Zombie
Where does our current version of a zombie come from?
Traditionally a zombie is a mindless being.
Zombies originate from the folklore of the Haiti religion of Vodou. Zombies were brainwashed people that Vodou sorcerers used to do their bidding.
Our word "zombie" comes from the Creole word "zonbi" which is a body brought back from the dead. "Zombi" is also the name of a Vodou snake god and a Congo word "nzambi" means "god".
Interestingly enough researchers have studied Haitian zombies and believe that these "zombies" are people who have been poisoned with TTX, a substance found in puffer fish, and substances like datura. This poisoning could make the victims of a vodou sorcerer appear to die and later "come back to life" as mindless, brainwashed, stumbling corpses with no free will.
The idea of flesh eating zombies arguably started with George Romero's film "Night of the Living Dead".
The zombies in George Romero's original films are fairly slow moving, shambling creatures but in the newest films, 28 days later and Resident Evil for example, those creatures are quick-moving.
There seems to have been a lot of zombie films out in recent years and I've been wondering why they're so popular with audiences.
I dream about Zombies a lot so I looked up in a dream dictionary for ideas of what these dreams mean (see dream dictionary link below). One thing that struck me was the idea that if you dream you're surrounded by Zombies that are trying to attack you it's because you feel as if nobody is taking your feelings into consideration.
I've heard a lot of talk recently about how people don't connect with each other anymore and how we don't speak to our neighbours like we used to, we move to new cities and don't know anyone. Do these feelings of isolation make us feel as if we're surrounded by mindless emotionless sub-humans?
- Zombies
- Wikipedia entry for Zombies.
- Voodoo
- Wikipedia entry for Voodoo.
- Zombies as symbols in Dreams
- Dream dictionary entry for Zombies.
The Song "Zombie"...
...by The Cranberries.
Zombies are Invading!
But where did they come from?
What's your favourite reason for a zombie invasion?
Rage virus (28 days later)
Scientists mess about making a virus of pure rage more...0 points
Cell phone (Stephen King's Cell)
People's brains get wiped because of a message on more...0 points
The Forest of Teeth and Hands...
...by Carrie Ryan
The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 12/27/2009)
I've not read this book but I have it on my wishlist. Check the trailer video out below for more information.
Watch the Trailer
This creepy trailer for The Forest of Hands and Teeth was made by a student.
Recommend a Zombie Book
Can you think of any good zombie novels?
I've seen more zombie films than I've read zombie books. Are there any I really shouldn't miss? Post links to them here.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Siste more...0 points
Cell: A Novel by Stephen King
WHERE WERE YOU ON OCTOBER 1ST AT 3:03 P.M.?Graphic more...0 points
George Romero's Day of the Dead
The third film in the trilogy.
Day of the Dead (Divimax Special Edition)
Amazon Price: $17.49 (as of 12/27/2009)
This film is interesting because it's set in a military base where scientists are trying to work out how to get rid of the zombies or find a cure.
The head scientist is slowly going mad but also trying to socialise the mindless beings to see if he can programme them to behave.
Shaun of the Dead
A Romcomzom!
Shaun of the Dead
Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 12/27/2009)
Shaun of the Dead is a romantic comedy zombie film. I love the opening titles of this film where there are a few clips showing how monotonous and zombie-like we all are even when we're alive.
Ed and Shaun's relationship inspired me for my novel.
Zombie Movies
Which is your favourite?
Feel free to add any movies I might have missed.
Night of the Living Dead
Its a ned dawn for terror when the dead come back more...0 points
Day of the Dead (Divimax Special Edition)
Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 03/25/2008 Run ti more...0 points
Dawn of the Dead (Widescreen Unrated Director's Cut)
Packed with more blood, more gore, and more bone-c more...0 points
Dawn of the Dead (Divimax Edition)
Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 03/09/2004 Run ti more...0 points
George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead
From legendary frightmaster George A. Romero comes more...0 points
George A. Romero's Land of the Dead (Unrated Director's Cut)
Legendary filmmaker George A. Romero returns to un more...0 points
The Return of the Living Dead
Just when you thought it was safe to go back to th more...0 points
Shaun of the Dead
A thirty-something slacker named Shaun decides to more...0 points
Resident Evil 1-3
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 12/09 more...0 points
28 Days Later (Widescreen Edition)
Hailed as the most frightening film since The Exor more...0 points
Exploring Flesh-Eating Diseases
How could you hide a Zombie?
I wasn't thinking of setting my story in a zombie invasion setting. I'm thinking of having my main character get infected somewhere else and his friends bring him back and hide him and think of ways they can "cure" him, or make him into the lucid, thinking person he used to be before.
I want to think of explanations they would have as to why his body was in such a state, which led me to thinking about leprosy and other diseases/infections.
- Leprosy
- Wikipedia entry for leprosy.
- Necrotising fasciitis
- Wikipedia entry for necrotising fasciitis.
Leprosy
This is an upsetting video- don't watch if you're sensitive to these things.
The Island...
...by Victoria Hislop.
The Island
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/27/2009)
In this heartbreaking tale Alexis goes to Crete in search of her family's past. There she finds out she's connected with Spinalonga, the leper colony.
Papillon
Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.
Papillon
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/27/2009)
I haven't watched this film for years but I remembered there was a leper colony in it and they did some amazing wrok with make-up for the lepers. If anyone knows any more about it, please leave a comment in the guestbook near the bottom of the page.
Necrotising Faciitis
Video about a woman who had Necrotising Faciitis.
Cabin Fever
Full of icky moments.
Cabin Fever
Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 12/27/2009)
Some kids go to spend some time in a cabin in the woods, there they contract a fatal flesh-eating disease which I presume is loosely based on necrotising faciitis.
Brown Recluse Bite
Another disturbing video.
Indonesian Treeman...
...suffering from a rare disease.
There are so many appaling diseases and disorders that people can get it's no wonder we have all these strange myths about mythical beings- who knows what strange truths they may evolve from?
Coming Soon!
What next?
In the meantime, familiarise yourself with this helpful survival poster!
Check Out My Other Writing Lenses
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The Birth of the Moon is a short story I wrote for a competition based on an illustration (shown opposite). The image opposite is an illustration that the Swedish illustrator, John Bauer, made for the story of Princess Tuvstarr. You can find out mor...
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Quick links.
Share Your Own Thoughts About Zombies
Reader Feedback.
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Reply
- Marelisa Marelisa Nov 8, 2009 @ 12:05 am
- I had never thought of Chuck from Pushing Up Daisies as a zombie, or Edward for that matter, but you're right; they kind of are. Interesting lens. :-)
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Reply
- MeltedRachel MeltedRachel Jun 11, 2009 @ 4:41 pm | in reply to lakeerieartists
- Thanks so much :D
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Reply
- lakeerieartists lakeerieartists Jun 11, 2009 @ 4:30 pm
- Okay ewwww! But great. Blessings by Squid Angel. :)
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Reply
- LizMac60 LizMac60 Jun 11, 2009 @ 11:43 am
- What a great job you make of all your lenses. Keep at it.
About Melted Rachel
Textiles Artist, Writer, Zombie Slayer.
Lensmaster MeltedRachel has been a member since March 18 2009, has rated 813 lenses, favorited 465, and has created 122 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "How to Make a Draft Excluder". See all my lenses
My Bio
I'm Rachel, a textiles artist from the southwest of England.
I love using recycled materials to create one-of-a-kind:
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I also love felting, knitting, and spinning and I'm just getting into freeform crochet.
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