Magic, Nightmares, and Vampires: Extraordinary Blogs

This is something I’ve been meaning to do for some time.  I am so incredibly greatful for the fantastic response to Extraordinary Intelligence, and  our steadily building regular readership.  It means the world to me that anyone out there would be interested in reading this blog, as it has quickly become one of my favorite writing endeavors.

There are so many writers out there that I admire.  For this post, I am going to highlight a few of my favorite.  This is by no means a complete list of my faves, but it is a great example of what appeals to me when I surf the web…it consists of writers that appeal to my dark and mysterious side, and each writer and web site here has inspired me in some way.  This list will actually broken into several posts, in order to give a proper highlight to each writer.

And if you like what you see here, please subscribe to these blogs.  It is important to support our favorite writers by subscribing, and then feeding their blogs with yummy comments.  And when leaving a comment on any of these blogs, tell them Natalina sent ya!

 Occult View

http://occultview.com

 Occult View is an amazing blog written by a uniquely talented fellow named David.  I don’t know David well, but I am a great admirer of his writing, and have become an avid reader of his site. 

Stumbling upon Occult View was a very happy accident.  I became a fan.  And long after I left the blogging network where I’d discovered David’s writing, I still return for spiritual and intellectual nourishment.  David presents topics that make one ponderous….of life, death, magic, spirit, soul, afterlife…all of it.  In his own words:

What is an occult view?  It is about spirituality outside the mainstream.  I’ll take a look at things from a spiritual perspective, but not a traditional one.  There is no occult dogma that I know of.  So lets look at the world outside of dogma and see what we can find.

The topics on Occult View range from Tarot Cards and ancient wisdom to Magic and paranormal events.  David’s writing voice is at once rational and whimsical.  His most recent post may be of particular interest to Extraordinary Intelligence readers.

 Ghost hunting at a Victorian antique shop apartment

 

Horrorphile

http://www.horrorphile.net/

High Art – Deep Trash

 Pleasure of Nightmares

Part of my fascination with the unexplained is a desire to understand the unseen world around us.  Admittedly, there is another aspect of the unknown that appeals to me.  I LOVE being scared!  I love the adrenaline rush that comes with being startled.  I love the feeling of suspense that comes with not knowing what is around the corner.  There’s just nothing more exhilarating than being momentarily terrified out of your wits!  And no one appreciates the fine art of a good scare like Bryn, creator and writer of one of my favorite sites, Horrorphile.

Horrorphile is a blog dedicated primarily to an examination of films in the horror genre, or as Bryn calls them, “Nightmare Movies”.  But, the site is actually much more than that.  You’ll be able to immerse yourself completely in the macabre and the maniacal, as well as the grotesquely beautiful, as you peruse Bryn’s collection of the horrific.  When he discusses a film, it isn’t so much a review as it is a detailed account of his personal experience during and after absorbing a film and marinating in it.  His tastes may be slightly to the south of odd, but he has the ability to captivate the reader, and convince them that they should take a risk and follow him on his twisted path.  In his own words:

…I’m actually a complete cinephile. I love the artifice of movies. But I’m quite fussy in my tastes. I don’t dig just any kind of movie. As a rule of thumb the kinds of films that I end up purchasing on DVD for my eclectic collection are of a darker hue … I gravitate toward lurid dramas, gangster flicks, moody sf, black comedies, action thrillers, exploitation … and of course, horror. I have a particular taste for all things creepy, scary, gruesome and transgressive, which is why I thought writing a blog on the high art and deep trash of nightmare movies was a bloody good idea.

There are lots of blogs out there that review movies.  There are a fair amount dedicated to horror.  But none are written and expressed with such passion, humor, intelligence, and style as Horrorphile.net.  Bryn shares his favorites of classic horror cinema, and doesn’t shy away from giving his opinions on those he’d recommend you stay away from.  On Horrorphile, you’ll also hear about the latest in horror news, including upcoming projects and new releases.  One of the most recent films he discusses which may tickle your fancy or startle you silly is Paranormal Activity.  Read his exciting account of the movie here:

Paranormal Activity

And while you’re there, don’t forget to vote on the Pleasure of Nightmares 2nd ANNUAL HALL OF INFAMY & Severed Head Nods.  Voting is now open but ends soon, so make your voice heard!

 

Vampire Daze

http://vampiredaze.com

 If you know one thing about Natalina, it’s that she is a little strange.  But that’s why you LOVE me!  If you know two things about Natalina, it’s that she is a little strange, and she has a special place in her heart for the blood sucking undead.  Which is why I was drawn like a bat to a moth or a moth to a flame…to Vampire Daze.

Vampire Daze is the baby of Cheryl, who is a fun and talented writer with a special appreciation for vampires.  Here she talks about all things related to vamps including movies, TV shows (she LOVES True Blood) and anything else that tickles her fancy.  Vampire Daze is a fairly new site, and is well worth following.  In her own words:

Lovers of the undead and the supernatural. Come be my friend, I won’t bite… …much.

Difficult to turn down an offer like that!  

One of the most exciting things to come out of Vampire Daze, and what has truly earned it a spot here among my MUST SUBSCRIBE list of favorite sites, is Cheryl’s new series of flash fiction called My Awakening.  If you are a regular reader of Extraordinary Intelligence, you’ve no doubt noticed my regular shout outs to Vampiredaze.com for this fascinating story of a newly born vampire and the man responsible for the change.  You’ll love everything Cheryl writes, as she brings brains and wit together for a bloody good blog!  See a post about the True Blood Marketing campaign here:

True Blood – Marketing Genius

 

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