Monday, April 6, 2020

Creating a Serial Killer


Creating a Serial Killer

Who is Stowy Jenkins?

If you didn't know his killing background, you'd meet a handsome, charismatic man. Born in West Virginia, he's a transplant to Alaska, but he hates cold weather. Stowy owns his own computer design company and is an avid hunter and taxidermist. He lives with his mother but has a private cabin in the woods. He loves his toys, vehicles, hunting paraphernalia, and, especially, his killing tools.

In The Snowman, Stowy is convinced his killing is art, but once caught, the world imprisons him instead of appreciating him or his art. In Murder, Just Because, it’s ten years later, and Stowy Jenkins has escaped prison. His resentment has built, and his brutality has escalated. Revenge is his goal.

But why does he kill? Where did this man and his motives come from?

Obviously, from my imagination, but he's not wholly unique. His body count may be astronomical, and it is, but here in America, we had Henry Lee Lucas, the most prolific serial killer of all time with at least 350 deaths attributed to him and the possibility that the number could be as high as 600.

Stowy's charismatic persona helped him lure most of his victims to their death. Just as the handsome killer Ted Bundy did before his death by electric chair. However, Stowy took after Gary Ridgway in that he preferred a willing sexual partner, the prostitute, a person ready to climb into his truck.

Stowy's admiration and desire for blood were influenced by The Vampire of Sacramento, Richard Trenton Chase. Richard used to drink the blood of his victims and blend their body parts with soft drinks to make his favorite “milkshake” and was a known necrophiliac.

However, I set Stowy's underlying motivation for his desire to kill, at the feet of his abusive mother. A lifetime of sexual abuse by his own loving mother warped his sense of self and love.

If you're looking to create a notorious serial killer, do your research and know your antagonist from birth. I've found that whatever you can imagine, someone else already has, and the worst part of that statement--they exist and are ten times worse than anything you envisioned.

***
Photo by Reza Hasannia on Unsplash


Murder, Just Because - Tour Schedule

April 1            Denise CoveyGuest Post - Writing Your Real Life Experiences Into Your Novel
                        Mythical BooksQ & A with the Author & Excerpt
                              Rockin’ Book Reviews Feature
April 2            ConstantineFeature
April 6            Mystery Writing is MurderGuest Post How I Wrote My Mystery
                               Spunk on A Stick Feature
April 7            Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and InterviewsQ & A
April 8            The Warrior MuseFeature
                        Random Thoughts –  Feature
April 10          I Think Therefore I Yam - Susan Flett Swiderski - Interview With A Monster
                        Ellen Jacobson AuthorQ & A 
April 13          Christine Rains – Writer Review & Excerpt
                              Alex J. Cavanaugh Guest Post -Top Ten Murder Movie List
April 15          Elizabeth Seckman, Author Guest Post - Heaven on Earth
April 17          Writer’s Gambit Q & A & Excerpt

April 20          Tara Tyler TalksInterview
                        H.R. SinclairGuest Post - How to Write a Thriller 

April 24          Write with FeyGuest Post - Evil Exists
April 27          Just JemiQ & A 
April 29          Thoughts in Progress Review
May 1             Celticlady’s ReviewsFeature







16 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

I am glad to be reading this in the bright light of day. I suspect that there are many more successful serial killers than we will ever identify.
I am really, really looking forward to reading your books which I have downloaded though (again in the bright light of day, and probably with my back to the wall).

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Those in real life are far more terrifying and I'm sure many beyond our imagination.

Natalie Aguirre said...

It would be hard to really think that hard about who a serial killer in order to write a book. Glad you were up for the task. Congrats on your book.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You have to go back to what twisted that individual to the point of murder. I'm sure that's a bit scary as well.

Mason Canyon said...

Your book captures the elements we fear but unfortunately are around us in everyday life. MURDER, JUST BECAUSE is a gripping story that may be a bit tough for some but it will pull you in and tug on those heart strings with the right amount of humor and romance blended in.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Sue, yes, I agree read it in the light of day. And I agree, many a highly intelligent man could get away with murder in this day and age.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Diane. I agree!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Natalie, I got it done, but it wasn't easy. Thank you!

Yolanda Renée said...

At times it was terrifying, but at the same time cathartic. Thanks, Alex!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Mason. Your words and support mean the world to me!

Christine Rains said...

You did an excellent job of creating Stowy. He's very real to me (and I know a little about serial killers! ;) ), and his escalation was realistic.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Christine. Your critique means the world!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Stowy sounds terrifying! Good work on your writing and research!

Jemi Fraser said...

Excellent creep factor!!! Abuse of a child is so often the root of mental health issues and more!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Great background info on our "favorite" serial killer. You're probably right about there being real killers who are much worse than Stowy, but I don't want to even imagine that possibility. Some of the things he did... they made me gasp, kinda like reading a King or Koontz book. Ya done good, kid. I wish you much success with it.

Nilanjana Bose said...

'whatever you can imagine....they exist and are ten times worse than anything you envisioned'

Yikes!! It's totally terrifying the violence the human mind can design..