
Someone once shared a quote with me, and unfortunately I cannot find the direct source, but the simple yet astute passage went as follows: “Vanity is for the youth.” Until one begins to notice the fine lines becoming not so fine, the figure transforming from its tight, muscular form into something not so tight and muscular, and the outcropping of wiry gray hair replacing the sleek, colorful locks, one cannot fully appreciate the sentiment.
I interviewed a fellow author who supplements her income by working at a cosmetics counter at her local Macy’s, asking her to tell me a little about her experience with customers desperate to erase the years from their aging faces. This is what she had to say:
What I've learned is that there is a lot of money to be made in capitalizing on women's insecurities. It makes me feel bad, because there will be these older women who come to my counter expecting a miracle, and they'll walk away with two hundred dollars worth of beauty supplies and a head full of hope. These women have usually tried “everything else,” from Chanel and Dior to the drugstore brands, and are hoping that the “natural” brand will be the alternative they're looking for…. It's super sad.
About The Hidden Valley:
Deep in a hidden valley, there is a ghost town that has experienced a miraculous rebound. It is separated from the rest of the world by a mountain pass, but it's found a dark and deadly lifeline…. Carrie and her husband Grant are moving wayward teenage twins John and Jane across the country for a fresh start. South Bend seems like the perfect place for it. Maybe just a little too perfect. When they become aware of the trap that has been set for them, will it already be too late for any of them to escape?
In addition to being a ghost story, The Hidden Valley is an experiment in structure. The reader will find that nearly every chapter is, in itself, a work of flash fiction. Each main character’s story may be read individually for a surprisingly different effect. Read The Hidden Valley by character; read The Whole Story in Kindle or paperback (coming soon); or read the weekly flash fiction serial here at The Cerebral Writer.
This post is part of the week-long Horror Novella Blog-Hop, hosted by Precious Monsters. Make sure to check out the other participating blogs:
Precious Monsters
Independent Paranormal
Vanessa Morgan (horror author/filmmaker)
Paul Stansfield
Bob @ Beauty in Ruins
E. A. Black
Vala Kayes "Other World"
Paul Stansfield
Lindsays Scribblings
Zach Sweet's Blog
Thanks for stopping by! Check back in tomorrow for more on The Hidden Valley: Carrie's Story.