The Author's Desk » Branching Plot Books

The Author's Desk is where I pull back the curtain on my writing and projects. I explain how each book came together, what worked, what didn’t, and the decisions I had to make along the way. I also use this space to share updates on new projects, project ideas, upcoming events, and behind-the-scenes details such as why second editions were published, why certain scenes changed, and what inspired some of the biggest twists.

Wooden blocks spelling "CLUE" are placed on a white surface, surrounded by scattered blank wooden cubes. The image represents the concept of foreshadowing and hidden hints in storytelling.

Listening to Readers: The Revised Use of Foreshadowing

In The Empty Lot Next Door, I initially used foreshadowing to build suspense and create anticipation about the supernatural events and family conflicts. However, reader feedback revealed that excessive hints...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

Exploring Sibling Relationships in The Empty Lot Next Door

The Empty Lot Next Door explores the complex sibling relationships between Ray, Ricky, Dan, and Felix. Dan and Felix’s rebellious behaviors, including substance abuse and aggression, often left Ricky and...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A childhood photo from The Empty Lot Next Door featuring Ricky, Ray (the author), and their dog, Tiny. A snapshot of the past tied to the haunting events described in the book.
The decayed treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Door is standing ominously in the empty lot. It's a silent witness to Candle Face’s haunting presence.

The Empty Lot Next Door: A Story of Loss, Fear, and Growth

The Empty Lot Next Door explores themes of childhood, family issues, psychological trauma, and the supernatural, all woven into a true-life ghost story. The empty lot symbolizes both freedom and...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

The Empty Lot Next Door: Who or What Was Griffin?

In preparing the second edition of The Empty Lot Next Door, I revisited the controversial character of Griffin—a creation of my brother Ricky’s imagination, embodying a lion-boy guardian meant to...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
An illustration from The Empty Lot Next Door, depicting Ricky’s story of Griffin and his magical adventures, a world of cyclops warriors, griffins, and enchanted battles.
Illustration from The Empty Lot Next Door. Ray sharpens his toenails into saw-like blades to stop Ricky from stealing the sheets during the night.

The Empty Lot Next Door: The Bedtime Battle

In this vivid childhood memory from The Empty Lot Next Door, I recount the night I took extreme measures to stop my brother Ricky’s relentless sheet-stealing habit. Sharing a pullout...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

Candle Face's Role in The Empty Lot Next Door

This journal entry examines Candle Face’s intricate character from The Empty Lot Next Door, highlighting her role as a ghostly presence deeply tied to my childhood fears. Candle Face’s ability...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
Candle Face straddles Ray in his bed, her burned, twisted form wrapping a belt around his neck as he struggles beneath her grip. Caught between fear and paralysis.
A scene from The Empty Lot Next Door. Candle Face kneels on Ray’s bed, clutching a toy car, reenacting the tragic death of Ray’s friend. Published by Branching Plot Books.

How a Wooden Doll Joined The Empty Lot Next Door

This journal entry describes how a creative twist emerged while working with an illustrator from India for The Empty Lot Next Door. The artist, unfamiliar with GI Joe figurines, introduced...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

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