This is the blog of Samie Sands, author of Lockdown. There will be many great books and projects reviewed here. For more, check out thelockdown.co.uk.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

'Why Zombies?' by John O’Brien #WinterofZombie

Guest Post: John O’Brien #WinterofZombie

Untold Stories 2 - front - dead woman - FB

Why Zombies?


Hello there. I’m John O’Brien and I write the series, A New World. My recent release was A New World: Untold Stories 2.
First of all, I should mention that the creatures in the series aren’t technically zombies. They aren’t the reanimated dead. They are infected who are genetically altered; faster, stronger, and more agile. However, their higher brain functions have been limited to a large degree, so they aren’t able to fathom weapons, vehicles, and sometimes doors. Instead of opening them, they go through them. They have a pack-like mentality and are also limited to the nighttime hours as exposure to the sun’s rays is extremely harmful to them. During the day, they hunker within darkened buildings, the very place survivors need to tread in order to gather supplies. There are a scant few who are able to reason on a higher level, and those become pack leaders. So, we’re left with a handful of survivors watching with fear as the sun sinks below the horizon. In the dark of the night, the streets are filled with the shrieks of hunting night runners.
I know that I wouldn’t want to have to survive in this world. Survival in a post-apocalyptic world would be hard enough without having to deal with millions of infected or, in the case of zombies, the undead. So, why are zombies and these kinds of stories so popular? It began with a niche creature genre in horror and quickly expanded into a worldwide fascination. Vampires, werewolves, and other such creatures didn’t quite have that affect. I believe it has to do in part with the fascination with a post-apocalyptic world. Vampires and werewolves only terrorize local areas. Only zombies bring about the end of the world as we know it. And that creates a world where one is pitted against the odds using their own skillset and brain power to get out of and solve situations. It’s the well-trained/mind over masses scenario.
Sure, I often fantasize about going through such a post-apocalyptic situation. I mean, that’s my job. J And I’m always running survival scenarios through my head, inserting random events and working my way through them. I throw a wrench into it to visualize how I would deal with it. But, actually live through it? Nah, I’m good. There would be bands of marauders to have to worry about. And, the family who has starving children who will do anything to see them fed. Most won’t ask, they’ll do what they need to do to keep their family alive for a day longer. If that means going through you, they won’t hesitate. There would be difficult decisions to face on your own. Hard choices that you won’t have time to think about. You’ll just have to do them. So, no thanks, I’m good with my running water and electricity. Although…
Just remember, there is no sanctuary!
Thanks for putting up with my chicken scratches, and thank you all for all of your support. I hope your year is a prosperous one!

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Author Bio:
John O’Brien is a former Air Force fighter instructor pilot who transitioned to Special Operations for the latter part of his career gathering his campaign ribbon for Desert Storm. Immediately following his military service, John became a firefighter/EMT with a local department. Along with becoming a firefighter, he fell into the Information Technology industry in corporate management. Currently, John is writing full-time on the series, A New World.
As a former marathon runner, John lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and can now be found kayaking out in the waters of Puget Sound, mountain biking in the Capital Forest, hiking in the Olympic Peninsula, or pedaling his road bike along the many scenic roads.
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The stench of frozen flesh is in the air! Welcome to the Winter of Zombie Blog Tour 2015, with 40+ of the best zombie authors spreading the disease in the month of November.
Stop by the event page on Facebook so you don’t miss an interview, guest post or teaser…and pick up some great swag as well!
Giveaways galore from most of the authors as well as interaction with them!
#WinterofZombie is the hashtag for Twitter, too!

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