The Author's Desk » The Empty Lot Next Door

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.

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.

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

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
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.

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