The Author's Desk

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 spell out 'BULLYING' on a wooden surface with a blurred green background. Image titled 'The Empty Lot Next Door - Self-Defense vs. Submission.'

The Empty Lot Next Door - Self-Defense vs. Submission

This journal entry reflects on the contrasting approaches to bullying between Ricky and me. Ricky’s commitment to non-violence, rooted in our religious upbringing, often left him vulnerable to relentless bullying...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

From Ray to Arthur Mills: A Story of Growth and Change

Ray’s journey in The Empty Lot Next Door revolves around his struggle to find his own identity apart from his brother Ricky. As he navigates life in a new house,...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
Ray Mills, a young boy with wavy light brown hair and a warm smile, dressed in a tan blazer over a white collared shirt. Image titled 'Ray Mills - The Empty Lot Next Door.'
Cover of Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] by Arthur Mills. Features Candle Face, a skeletal, ghostly figure emerging from mist, symbolizing lost souls.

New Book: Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One]

Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls [Book One] is now available on Amazon. Since October 2023, I’ve been investigating the origins of Candle Face, an entity from my childhood. As...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

The Empty Lot Next Door: Arthur Mills' Haunting Childhood

Arthur Mills shares his real-world encounters with Candle Face, a ghost whose terrifying presence transformed his childhood into a relentless nightmare. Through his book, The Empty Lot Next Door, Arthur...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
Video screenshot of a puppet-like figure with a white mask, red spiral cheeks, and black hair, wearing a black suit with a red bowtie. Image titled 'The Empty Lot Next Door: Arthur Mills' Haunting Childhood.
The decaying treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Doo was a place of childhood adventure turned into a haunting reminder of Candle Face’s presence.

Nostalgia and Nightmares in The Empty Lot Next Door

The treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Door was not the structure depicted in the book's sketch but a simple, grounded platform built at the base of an old oak...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

A Mother’s Love In The Empty Lot Next Door

In this journal entry from March 20, 2024, I reflect on the complex relationship I had with my mother, as portrayed in The Empty Lot Next Door. Her relentless dedication...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A family portrait featuring Ray's mother and three older brothers, with blurred faces for privacy. This image relates to The Empty Lot Next Door, capturing a moment from Ray’s childhood and the family dynamic that shaped his experiences.
A blackened, distorted handprint pressed against a foggy glass surface. The imprint evokes the presence of Candle Face, hinting at her lingering influence and the fear she instills.

The Haunting of Childhood: Horror in The Empty Lot Next Door

The Empty Lot Next Door masterfully weaves psychological and supernatural horror, making it far more than a typical ghost story. The primary source of terror, Candle Face, emerges not just...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

The Empty Lot Next Door: Adult and Child Views

The Empty Lot Next Door presents a story that resonates differently based on the reader's age and life experiences. For adults, it unfolds as a story about children navigating a...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A quote from Betty White reads, "I like double entendre because then the people who get it enjoy it, and the people who don’t get it don’t know about it." The text is overlaid on a photograph of Betty White smiling warmly, with her signature.
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

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