In September of 2025, I got the wild idea to try to develop a horror-themed productivity tracking app, similar to Finch. I’d used Finch and other apps like it before, and liked the mechanics, but it was a little too cutesy for me, or didn’t scratch my particular brand of itch. Why not make my own then? That’s the logical next step that any healthy brain would take, right?
ahem
So, anyway, the point behind it was, you set yourself a to-do list for the day, then, as your list got marked complete, you’d be rewarded with pages from a horror-themed comic book-style story. I was thinking, like, old, EC comic style, dark, fantastical horror story lines with artwork to match.
The problem is, I can’t draw comic book style art to save my life. It was determined that I was going to have to hire it out then, which wasn’t going to be cheap, and another problem is, I was writing the story, so I knew what was going to happen, which completely negates the purpose of building the app in the first place…
Well, in the process, I developed a TON of potential storylines to use within the app. Now that the app itself is on hiatus, I have all these ideas with nothing better to do than to be put on paper….
er… virtual paper, at least.
So, on February 28, I finished my first story, Camp Black Hollow.
Now, you don’t get to read it yet, there’s a structure here, people. First, I will tell you about why I’m doing the things I’m doing (like this post), then each week, pick a day devoted to further discussion on that passion project, whether it’s showcasing a past piece, or talking about current works in progress.
Anyway, prior to writing Camp Black Hollow, I had no experience in story writing, outside of assignments in high school classes. Reading back, that first story is a mess, but hey, I’m sure Carrie wasn’t a masterpiece right out of Stephen King’s brain…
or who knows, maybe it was…
I already feel my style solidifying and becoming my voice and my second story, After Hours, I think, saw a marked improvement.
But, you’ll just have to wait an see now, won’t ya?
Get ready for Camp Black Hollow coming to you next Tuesday, March 10!
Until then, I will be back tomorrow to talk about my own personal boutique label, Grimm’s Vault
-Phil